Debunking 10 Deadly Fables
Facing SDAs Today
By
Clarence Settle
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"His [Christ's] days were passed in ministry to the
crowds that pressed upon Him, and in unveiling the treacherous sophistry of
the rabbis...TMB:102. "Unaccustomed to accept God's Word exactly as it
reads, or to allow it to be its own interpreter, they the priests and
instructors of the people read it in the light of their maxims and
traditions. So long had they neglected to study and contemplate the Bible,
that its pages were to them a mystery. They turned with aversion from the
truth of God to the traditions of men. . . .3MR:432. "Those who engage in the work of God's cause to-day
will meet just such trials as Paul endured in his work. By the same boastful
and deceptive work Satan will seek to draw converts from the faith.
Theories will be brought in that will not be wise for us to handle. Satan
is a cunning worker, and he will bring in subtle fallacies to darken and
confuse the mind and root out the doctrines of salvation. Those who do not
accept the Word of God just as it reads, will be snared in his trap. To-day
we need to speak the truth with holy boldness. The testimony borne to the
early church by the Lord's messenger, His people are to hear in this time:
"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal.
1:8)." 7MR:358. 1. FABLE:
"Laodicea is the last and final church, so it will not be 'spewed out'
but rather will go glorious through to the kingdom." FACT: This is the rallying cry of the majority of SDA's and
the belief on which they pin all their hopes and aspirations. But I
challenge anyone, would you give me a "Thus saith the Lord," an
"It is written" for this expectation? I challenge you that no
such statement exits for two very good reasons which I will substantiate
for you. 1. Laodicea, despite what the SDA Bible commentary may say, is not
God's final church [again, no inspired backing for that concept]; and 2.
Laodicea is not God's true church of the last days. First let us look at
the issue of Laodicea being the 7th and final church. We read: "The messages given to the churches in Asia, portray
the state of things existing in the churches of the religious world today.
The names of the churches are symbolic of the Christian church in different
periods of the Christian era; the number of the churches--seven--indicates
completeness and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the
end of time, and are enforced today; while the figures used are symbolic of
the state of God's professed people--the wheat developing among the tares;
truth standing on its own eternal basis in contrast with error." MS:
81, 1900, pp. 17, 18. "I wish to emphasize the fact, that the churches to
which John was told to send the instruction given him represent all the
churches in our world, and that this revelation to him is to be studied and
believed and preached by the Seventh-day Adventist Church today." 1MR:
372. "The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the
church in different periods of the Christian era. The number seven
indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages
extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of
the church at different periods in the history of the world." AA: 585.
In complete harmony with the above quotes that the
messages to the seven churches "portray the state of things existing
in the religious world today", nowhere in the SOP will you find that
Philadelphia ended in 1844 and only Laodicea exists today. That is solely
an invention of the editorial staff or some other insider of the SDA
church, as we shall see. On the contrary we read: "After the passing of the time of expectation in 1844,
Adventists still believed the Saviour's coming to be very near; they held
that they had reached an important crisis, and that the work of Christ as
man's intercessor before God had ceased...But clearer light came with the
investigation of the sanctuary question. Now was seen the application of
those words of Christ in the Revelation, addressed to the church at this
very time: 'These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that
hath the key of David, He that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth
and no man openeth; I know thy works; behold I have before thee an open
door, and no man can shut it." (Rev. 3 7,8 quoted--a direct reference
to the church of Philadelphia.) 4SP: 268 Fifteen years after 1844, we read this admonition to the
church in 1859: "I was shown that the testimony to the Laodiceans
applies to God's people at the present time.." 1T: 186. You realize of
course that there was no such thing as a "Seventh-day Adventist"
until the period of 1860-1863. (See 1T: 715). So where and what was the
church from the period of 1844-1859? The only sensible answer, as we shall
see, is that just as both cities existed simultaneously during John the
Revelator's day, both conditions are obviously going on simultaneously
until Christ's 2nd coming. That Philadelphia continues till the 2nd coming
is clearly obvious when we simply compare the description of the 144,000
given in Rev. 14:1, the description of Philadelphia in Rev. 3: 12, and the
way E.G. White puts them both together in EW: 15 where we read: "The
144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was
written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new
name." Further, we have an example of both the Laodicean and the
Philadelphian condition described as we read these words of inspiration.
First we will see the Laodicean condition described: "The church was
defective and in need of stern reproof and chastisement, and John was
inspired to record messages of warning and entreaty to those who, losing
sight of the fundamental principles should imperil their hope of salvation.
But always the words of rebuke that God finds it necessary to send are
spoken in tender love and with the promise of peace to every penitent
believer. 'Behold I stand at the door, and knock,' the Lord declares; 'If
any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will
sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3: 20. (And immediately following
we see the Philadelphia condition.)"And for those who in the midst of
conflict should maintain their faith in God, the prophet was given the
words of commendation and promise: 'I know thy works.." (Revelation 3:
verses 8, 10, 2, 11 quoted.) AA: 587-588. Again we read: "The same angel who visited Sodom is
sounding the note of warning, Escape for thy life. The bottles of God's
wrath cannot be poured out to destroy the wicked and their works (just
before the plagues are poured out.) until all the people of God have been
judged, and the cases of the living as well as the dead are decided. And
even after the saints are sealed with the seal of the living God, His elect
will have trials individually...The indelible mark of God is upon them. God
can plead that His own name is written there. The Lord has shut them in.
Their destination is inscribed--'GOD, NEW JERUSALEM.' They are God's
property, His possession." TM: 446. And again we read: "Just before us is 'the hour of
temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth.' Revelation 3:10. All whose faith is not firmly established
upon the word of God will be deceived and overcome... 'Because thou hast
kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee' (verse 1) is the
Saviour's promise. He would sooner send every angel out of heaven to
protect His people than leave one soul that trusts in Him to be overcome by
Satan." GC: 560. It is a mystery why the SDA church fixated on the
Laodicean condition of 1859 when in Nov. 2, 1886 the warning to the Sardis
church was applicable to the SDA church at that time. (see 3RH: 11/2/86).
And in 4RH: 2/25/02 the Ephesus condition was "applicable to the
Seventh-day Adventist churches in their present condition." And these
(Sardis and Ephesus) conditions are re-iterated as applying to "us as
a people" in MS: 18, 1903. Will the 144,000 be Laodiceans or Philadelphians? Most
SDA's believe and teach that the Laodicean condition is a requirement, when
it is a choice! IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO BE A LAODICEAN ANY MORE THAN IT IS
NECESSARY TO BE A SINNER! Was Ellen G. White ever a Laodicean? God's last
and final TRUE church on this earth will be those who 'preserve the faith
in it's purity' (5T: 210); those who will 'heed the counsel of the True
Witness TO the Laodiceans and will exalt the standard and pour forth the
straight truth' [EW: 270]; those who will come out of apostate Laodicea and
join the church of Philadelphia--God's true remnant church! [EW:261] In an article published in THE ADVENT REVIEW in
September, 1850 by the Publishing Committee under the direction of James White,
he stated for the record, just what their position was in regard to the
144,000 and the true church of the last days. As you will see, they wrote:
"Now just as sure as the Philadelphia church is the true church of the
last days, just so sure the 144,000 are sealed, just before the coming of
the Lord." And nowhere will you ever find that E.G. White ever
countermanded this proclamation, although you will find that it was
countermanded by the editorial staff of the SDA Bible Commentary! Whom do you
choose to believe and follow? Divine inspiration tells us "The state of the Church
represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean
state." RH: 8/19/1890 [Unlike those wise virgins who heed the call to
"go ye out to meet Him," Matt. 25: 6--who follow the True
Shepherd out of the sheepfold, John 10: 1-6; and who "go forth
therefore unto Him without the camp." Heb. 13: 13.] [See also TM:
128]. That being the case, how can anyone continue to maintain that
"Laodicea..will go through.." when not one of the foolish virgins
made it into the kingdom? 2. FABLE: The oft misquoted statement that appears in bold
print below, leading to the conclusion that no matter how deep the apostasy
becomes, we are not to separate because the sinners are going to be
"sifted out" of the SDA church. "Satan will work his
miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may
appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the
sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious
wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None
but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of
their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or
stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. We must be divested of our
self-righteousness and arrayed in the righteousness of Christ."
2SM:380. FACT: This conclusion ignores the fact that in the harvest
process, FIRST the tares are bound in bundles, left in the field to be
burned, and the wheat is then separated FROM the tares, to be gleaned. That
gleaning process is when the chaff is separated FROM the wheat--It is the
2nd separation, not the first, which is being ignored or denied by those
who resist the truth about separation. And what is it that sifts the chaff,
separates it, from the wheat? We read: "He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has
never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the
days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a
people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be
better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the
time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and
He will thoroughly purge His floor. The days are fast approaching when
there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel
robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many
and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have
rendered supreme homage to "science falsely so called" will not
be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent
will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace
with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then
be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be
engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use
them." 5T:80. "We are living in a time when every wind of doctrine
is blowing, and when those who think they stand are liable to fall. We are
living in a time when Satan is striving to implant seeds of skepticism and
infidelity in every mind. We are living in a time when error is taught so
insidiously that the faith of many is being rapidly undermined." Lake
Union Herald:10/20/09. "Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Everything
that can be shaken will be shaken and only those things that cannot be
shaken will remain. Satan is making the most desperate efforts to induce
souls to range under his banner, and all who yield to his deceptions will
wage war against the servants of Prince Immanuel. Watchfulness and prayer
must be our safeguards in these days of peril." 2RH: 11/06/83. And what is meant by "every wind of doctrine"
and can we recognize that this is happening? We read: "God will arouse
His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which
will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat." 5T:707. The
corporate, SDA Church has perverted the truths of God, but it is not until
one separates from her communion that Satan comes in with deceptive and
confusing heresies of all kinds such as the Yahweh movement, the
Deliverance ministry, the Jubilee, the Shepherd's Rod movement, the Feast
day movement, and the controversy over the Holy Spirit which we see causing
so much controversy and division, at this time, among those who have
separated from the apostate structure. This is the true fulfillment of that
statement "The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not
fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff
separated from the precious wheat." And those that have discernment
can see that process going on around us right now. 3. FABLE: We are not to separate now because we are told that
the wheat and the tares are to grow together until the harvest, for don't
we read: "The tares and the wheat are to grow together until the
harvest; and the harvest is the end of probationary time." COL:71. ? FACT: Just as the New Theologians believe that the Atonement
was completed at the cross, just so do most fail to take into account that
the harvest, like the atonement, is a PROCESS, not an EVENT! "The
wheat IS being bound up--the tares ARE being bound in bundles." The
harvest process IS going on now. We are at the END of probationary time
which is not the same as the CLOSE of probation! We read: "The events connected with the close of probation
and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented.
But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if
they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression
that would make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find
them unready." 4SP:412. What are some of those events? Let us place last-day
events and the issue of separation in their proper perspective. We read:
The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has
shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth
thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, and
dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they
cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of
the Holy Spirit...in camp meetings. 2SM:36. This of course is the statement
referring to the present Celebration activities which have been pointed out
by many as occurring in the SDA church today. As SDA's we know that
immediately after probation closes the plagues will begin to fall, so then
the term "just before the close of probation" can be understood
correctly as the time just "before the plagues shall be poured
out." We now turn to Early Writings: 261 where we read: "I
saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the
fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out (today,
"just before the close of probation"), ministers and people will
be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth."
I believe that this is seeing its fulfillment right now, and this is
further substantiated by the present fulfillment of that divine prediction
in TM: 409-410 which states "Many will stand in our (SDA) pulpits with
the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch
of Satan. If doubts and unbelief are cherished, the faithful ministers will
be removed (separated) from the people who think they know so much."
How about that, the unfaithful ministers inside, and the faithful ones on
the outside--removed from those who 'have need of nothing, and know not
that they are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked! WE ARE
AT THE END OF PROBATIONARY TIME RIGHT NOW! The next event after probation
closes will be the falling of the plagues! 4. FABLE: "We are to wait for the angel to do the
separating, after all "THE REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS" because we are
told: "Let both tares and wheat grow together until the harvest. Then
it is the angels that do the work of separation." MR.10:304.] FACT: Those who are against separating from the apostate
structure believe that this statement indicates that they are to wait for
God to send a literal angel to do the separating, which becomes quite
confusing since they also believe that God is going to cleanse and purify
the church--separate the tares from the wheat, so therefore none should
separate from her. So does this mean that this "angel" is going
to separate the wicked out of the apostate church? When in the history of
the world has God ever done this before? But let's look at these inspired
statements to determine what the truth truly is. We read: "I then saw the third angel. Said my accompanying
angel, "Fearful is his work. Awful is his mission. He is the angel
that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat
for the heavenly garner. These things should engross the whole mind, the
whole attention." EW: 118 "I was shown that the third angel, proclaiming the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, represents the people who
receive this message and raise the voice of warning to the world.."
1T:76. "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." 4SP:177. "No one hears the voice of these angels, for they
are a symbol to represent the people of God who are working in harmony with
the universe of heaven. Men and women, enlightened by the Spirit of God and
sanctified through the truth, proclaim the three messages in their order."
2SM:387. And what about the reaping process? We read: THE REAPERS: "All the members of the church, as
reapers in the great harvest field, are to be earnestly praying and
diligently working. Not once should they think or speak of failure. They
are not to rely on their human ability, but wholly on the divine
agency." ST:03/07/92 "We are not only to look upon the fields, be we are
to reap, and gather fruits unto life eternal." 3RH:327. "And he will reveal his power through us, making us
as sharp sickles in the harvest field." 6RH: 02/14/99. Here are some more statements regarding the wheat and the
tares, keeping in mind this first quotation that tells that though
difficult to tell apart when young, now, at the harvest time the tares are
easily distinguishable from the wheat. "The tares closely resembled the wheat while the
blades were green; but when the field was white for the harvest, the
worthless weeds bore no likeness to the wheat that bowed under the weight
of its full, ripe heads. Sinners who make a pretension of piety mingle for
a time with the true followers of Christ, and the semblance of Christianity
is calculated to deceive many; but in the harvest of the world [at this
very time] there will be no likeness between good and evil. Then those who
have joined the church, but who have not joined Christ, will be
manifest." COL:74. "The world is leagued against the truth, because it
does not desire to obey the truth. Shall I who perceive the truth close my
eyes and heart to its saving power because the world chooses darkness
rather than light? Shall I bind myself up with the bundles of tares because
my neighbors refuse to be bound up with the wheat? MR.14:21. "Every one will reveal the character of the bundle
with which he is binding himself. The wheat is being bound up for the
heavenly garner. The true people of God are now bound up for the heavenly
garner. The true people of God are now pulling apart, and the tares are
being bound in bundles ready to burn. Decided positions will be taken."
1888 Materials: 995. "Christ requires personal faithfulness of his
servants, and we are to show that we have no fellowship with the secret,
hidden things of darkness. The wheat is not to sow itself among the
tares;" 4RH:01/10/93. "Those who have sought an excuse to avoid the cross
of separation from the world, will, with the world, be taken in the snare.
They mingled with the tares from choice. Like drew to like in
transgression. It is a fearful assimilation. Men choose to stand with the
first rebel, who tempted Adam and Eve in Eden to disobey God. The tares
multiply themselves, for they sow tares, and they have their part with the
root of all sin--the devil." TM:235. 5. FABLE: To separate from the organized structure is to become
an "independent atom" for we read: "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 advance delusions, and they will come to naught." MR.10:304. FACT: Independent of what, the apostate structure--the
hierarchical organization? Inspiration tells us: "Yet notwithstanding all the evidences that God has
been leading the body, there are, and will continue to be, those who
profess the Sabbath, who will move independent of the body, and believe and
act as they choose. Their views are confused. Their scattered state is a
standing testimony that God is not with them." NL:56. "God is leading a people out from the world upon the
exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus. He will discipline and fit up His people. They will not be at
variance, one believing one thing, and another having faith and views
entirely opposite, each moving independently of the body. Through the
diversity of the gifts and governments that He has placed in the church,
they will all come to the unity of the faith." 3T:446. "Individual independence and individual power is
what is now needed. Individual character need not be sacrificed, but
modulated, refined, elevated." T25:50 And again: We feel as if we must
belong to some organization if we would accomplish good. But John the
Baptist did not work on this plan. His mission was to prepare the way for
the Messiah by his God-given message; and under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, he did the work appointed him without calling to his aid priest or
rabbi." 5RH 03/29/98. [Would you then classify John the Baptist as an
independent atom?] We have another clue to our question as we read the
following statement: "He [Satan] works to restrict religious liberty,
and to bring into the religious world a species of slavery. Organizations,
institutions, unless kept by the power of God, will work under Satan's
dictation to bring men under the control [another word for
"authority"] of men: and fraud and guile will bear the semblance
of zeal for truth, and for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Whatever
in our practice is not as open as the day, belongs to the methods of the
prince of evil. His methods are practiced even among Seventh Day
Adventists, who claim to have advanced truth." 1888 Materials. pg.
1433. Acting independently of the body is NOT leaving the
apostate structure, rather it is leaving the faith, abandoning the
principles of truth that makes us God's Advent people--the exalted platform
of eternal truth, the commandments and the faith of Jesus. That is moving
independently. Is the apostate, corporate SDA church of today standing on
that platform, or rather is it moving independently of that platform? What
does the evidence show? 6. FABLE: "The church is not in apostasy, it has apostasy
within it" FACT: A look at our denominational history will reveal that
there has seldom been a period in the church when it has been totally free
of apostasy within its midst. Just to name a few--the McCullagh apostasy in
Australia, the Canright and Oviatts apostasy, the Kellog apostasy, the Holy
Flesh apostasy, the Brimsmead apostasy, etc., etc. The significant thing to
keep in mind is that during these apostasies the leadership still
maintained their faithfulness to the fundamental pillars of our
faith--those truths that distinguished the SDA church from all the other
denominations, they still held fast to the sacred trust. That is why I am
totally convinced that E.G. White did not separate from the church in her
day, and why I am just as convinced that she would not belong to the
corporate structure now, for today we can clearly see the fulfillment of
the "most startling" Omega of apostasy as described for us in
1SM: 204-5. We were warned: "We cannot now step off the
foundation that God has established. We cannot now enter into any new
organization; for this would mean apostasy from the truth." MAR: 203.
The Lord's messenger clearly warned us: "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 into apostasy], 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 as to how to recognize this corporate
falling away] 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. [Now claiming authority
to change fundamental beliefs and doctrines] The fundamental principles
that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as
error. [Conservative, anti-papal attitude discarded, Ecumenicism,
Pentecostalism, Modernism 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 or desired] 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, [Letter of
law kept, but sacred character diminished. Increasing emphasis on Sunday
participation] 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 abominable acts
taking place in schools and colleges] Nothing would be allowed to stand in
the way of the NEW MOVEMENT. [The apostasy will continue and increase till
Christ returns] The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice,
but GOD BEING REMOVED [Hierarchical structure--rule by priests, puts man in
place where God should be] they would place their dependence on human
power, which, WITHOUT GOD, is worthless. [Leaders maintain you cannot stop
sinning, which you cannot--without God] Their foundation would be built on
the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure." [When
storm of persecution comes, will be swept into Sunday-keeping/Will urge an
"outward compliance with the laws of the land for the sake of peace
and harmony." See 5T: 712. Headed in that direction now] 1SM: 204-205.
The only part of this prophecy that awaits fulfillment is the very last
phrase of the very last sentence. The present Omega apostasy of the church, the NEW
MOVEMENT, NEW ORGANIZATION SDA CHURCH leaves no doubt that it has stepped
off "the foundation that God has established." It is not just a
church which has great apostasy and worldliness in it, it is a church in
apostasy, devoid of God's presence. We read, regarding the SDA church in
these last days: "But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel.
Although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence
were lacking." 5T:210. That being the case, then WHO are the many
worshipping? WHO are they praying to? And WHO is answering their prayers? In conclusion, let us look at these last inspired
statements that clearly define the issue for us. "I saw some who were not standing stiffly for
present truth. Their knees were trembling, and their feet were sliding;
because they were not firmly planted on the truth, and the covering of
Almighty God could not be drawn over them while they were thus trembling.
Satan was trying his every art to hold them where they were, [within the
apostate SDA church] until the sealing was past, and the covering drawn
over God's people, and they left out, without a shelter from the burning
wrath of God, in the seven last plagues. God has begun to draw this
covering over his people, and it will very soon be drawn over all who are
to have a shelter in the day of slaughter. God will work in power for his
people; and Satan will be permitted to work also." EW:44. "Here we see that the [SDA] church--the Lord's
sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The
ancient men, 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."
5T:211. "The angel is to place a mark upon the forehead of
all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel will
follow, to slay utterly both old and young." 5T:505. Here we are
clearly told that the sealing angel cannot place his mark upon any until
they first separate from personal AND corporate sin--sin AND sinners."
Then the destroying angel follows to slay all the "Men, maidens, and
little children" who have refused to separate--those who believe that
God is going to separate the tares from the wheat, even though we are
repeatedly told that it is the wheat that separates FROM the tares. "Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will
be literally fulfilled." 10MR:261. "I saw that God has honest children among the nominal
Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured
out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will
gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the
third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies,
that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He
hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still
working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest
will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the
remnant." EW:261. 7. FABLE: We are not to leave the apostate structure, rather we
are to work from within the church-- intercede from within as did Moses. FACT: Did Moses intercede from within, what does the word of
Inspiration tell us? We read: "Moses requested all who had been free from this
great sin of idolatry, to come and stand by him at his right hand; also,
those who had joined the rebellious in worshiping this idol, but who had
repented of their sin in so quickly departing from God, to stand at his
left hand. There was quite a large company, mostly of the mixed multitude,
who instigated the making of the calf, who were stubborn in their
rebellion, and would not stand with Moses, either at his right hand or at
his left. ["If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people
are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and
neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and
equal to the very worst type of hostility against God." 3T:280.] Moses then commanded those at his right hand to take
their swords, and go forth and slay the rebellious, who wished to go back
into Egypt. None were to execute the judgment of God on the transgressors
only those who had taken no part in the idolatry. He commanded them to
spare neither brother, companion, nor neighbor. Those who engaged in this
work of slaying, however painful, were now to realize that they were
executing upon their brethren a solemn punishment from God; and for
executing this painful work, contrary to their own feelings, God would
bestow upon them his blessing. By performing this act, they showed their
true feelings relative to the high crime of idolatry, and consecrated themselves
more fully to the sacred worship of the only true God. The terror of the
Lord was upon the people, and they were afraid that they would all be
destroyed. As Moses saw their distress, he promised, according to their
earnest request, to plead with the Lord to pardon their great sin. Those who plead that great charity must be exercised
toward the transgressors of God's commandments, may see in this instance of
God's retributive justice how he regards that charity that would cloak sin,
or shield those in iniquity...Aaron failing to stand up boldly for the
right, his yielding to the strength of numbers, placed him with the
majority. Aaron represents the cases of a large number composing our
churches at the present day. They pass over sins existing in the church
which grieve the spirit of God. They are lax where order and principle are
involved, because it is not pleasant to reprove and correct wrongs. They
are themselves carried along with the current, and become responsible for a
fearful neglect of faithfulness. Moses represents a class who will call sin by its right
name; a class that will give no place to sin and wrong, but will purge it
from among them. Our abhorrence of sin cannot be too strong, if we are
controlled by no personal, selfish feelings, if we labor disinterestedly
for the salvation of souls, pleading in behalf of the erring, and those
blinded by their own transgressions. On the morrow, Moses addressed them: "Ye have sinned
a great sin; and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make
an atonement for your sin." He went, and in his confession before God,
he said, "Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them
gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot
me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written." The answer
was "Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Therefore, now go, lead the people unto the place [separate them] of which
I have spoken unto thee. Behold, mine angel shall go before thee; nevertheless,
in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them." The Lord
further showed his displeasure at their act by afflicting them with a
plague… The Lord directed Moses to move his tent afar off from
the encampment of Israel, thus giving expression to the people that he had
separated himself from them. He would reveal himself to Moses, but not to
such a people. Here he puts a difference between the faithful and the
unfaithful; and this rebuke was keenly felt by the sinful Israelites. In sadness they had buried their dead, the subjects of
the wrath of an insulted God, and their sin had also separated Moses their
leader from them. Moses pitched the tent where God indicated, but he called
it the tabernacle of the congregation. Anxiously the people watched the
movements of Moses as he repaired to the tabernacle. They feared that God
had separated Moses from them that he might destroy them in his wrath. When
Moses repaired to the tabernacle, every man stood in the door of his tent
until he entered. The people had laid off all their ornaments, for the Lord
had said to Moses: "Say unto the children of Israel, ye are a stiff
necked people; I will come up unto the midst of thee in a moment, and
consume thee; therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee that I may know
what to do unto thee." They stripped themselves of their ornaments,
and humbled their hearts in penitence before God. Moses had not informed
the people with what success he had interceded with God in their behalf;
but in response to his earnest importunities, God had promised to send an
angel before them, but he had refused to go himself up in the midst of
them, lest in their wayward course his wrath should consume them in the
way. As Moses entered into the tabernacle, the symbol of his
glory in the cloudy pillar stood at the door of the tabernacle. Had Moses
made an attempt to lessen the magnitude of the sins of rebellious Israel,
he would not have been tolerated in the divine presence for a moment, for
he would have shared the guilt of Israel. He plead before God that he
should spare his people, notwithstanding their great sin, and in thus doing
show himself a great and merciful God. Thus Moses cast himself and all
Israel upon the large mercy of him whom Israel had dishonored. Moses then faithfully
presented before the people the aggravating character of their sin. He knew
that mere sacrifices and offerings would not remove the guilt unless their
hearts repented sincerely of their transgression. Some in this age of the world seem to think it a virtue
to call sin righteousness. But Moses called sin by its right name, a
transgression of God's holy law. Moses required all who were truly penitent
and humble in view of their transgression, to manifest it by separating
from the congregation, and in sight of all Israel repair to the tabernacle,
and he would plead with God to forgive their transgression, and receive
them back again to his favor. Conviction and thorough repentance was
required of ancient Israel in order to meet the standard of God. No less
does God require of His people in our day. There must be genuine heart work
in repentance and humiliation, in order to come under this covenant care,
and protecting love of God. Unmistakable evidence is given that God is a
jealous God, and that he will require of modern Israel as he did of ancient
Israel, that they obey his law. For all who live upon the earth is this
sacred history traced by the pen of inspiration." ST:05/27/80. Yes, Moses did intercede for God's people. But his
pleadings were not heard by God until he separated himself from that sinful
congregation. And what were the "truly penitent" required to do?
They were also required to separate themselves "in sight of all
Israel" to show that they had truly repented--and "no less does
God require of His people in our day!" Today, many are saying,
"Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief..."
5T:211. But God does not change. What He required of old, He requires no
less today. Again we read of another time when Moses interceded for his
people. "Ye take too much upon you," said the
conspirators, "seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of
them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves
above the congregation of the Lord? ["Who are you to judge and criticize
God's church--do you think you're better than us?"] PP:398. As they were thus assembled before God, "the glory
of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation." The divine warning
was communicated to Moses and Aaron, "Separate yourselves from among
this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." But they fell
upon their faces, with the prayer, "O God, the God of the spirits of
all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the
congregation?" [Here is illustrated the principle of corporate
accountability which many reject today.] Korah had withdrawn from the assembly to join Dathan and
Abiram when Moses, accompanied by the seventy elders, went down with a last
warning to the men who had refused to come to him. The multitudes followed,
and before delivering his message, Moses, by divine direction, bade the
people, "Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and
touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins." The
warning was obeyed, for an apprehension of impending judgment rested upon
all. The chief rebels saw themselves abandoned by those whom they had
deceived, but their hardihood was unshaken. They stood with their families
in the door of their tents, as if in defiance of the divine warning. When Moses was entreating Israel to flee from the coming
destruction, the divine judgment might even then have been stayed, if Korah
and his company had repented and sought forgiveness. But their stubborn
persistence sealed their doom. The entire congregation were sharers in
their guilt, for all had, to a greater or less degree, sympathized with
them. [Has God changed His views regarding corporate accountability?] Yet
God in His great mercy made a distinction between the leaders in rebellion
and those whom they had led. The people who had permitted themselves to be
deceived were still granted space for repentance. The guilt of sin did not rest upon Moses, and hence he
did not fear and did not hasten away and leave the congregation to perish.
Moses lingered, in this fearful crisis manifesting the true shepherd's
interest for the flock of his care. He pleaded that the wrath of God might
not utterly destroy the people of His choice. By his intercession he stayed
the arm of vengeance, that a full end might not be made of disobedient,
rebellious Israel." Ibid. 400,401,402--this entire chapter should be
diligently studied. Please be aware that in both instances God required that
all the people separate first before Moses' pleas for intercession were
heard, and "no less does God require of His people in our day."
Please also be aware that although Korah was destroyed in his rebellion, we
read: "Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not." Numbers
26:11. Why were they spared? Simply because they obeyed, promptly and
unhesitatingly, the command to separate, and thereby retained their lives.
Following are two more startling examples of intercession, and the steps
God requires to before He will hear intercessory prayer. "Never was vice more bold, stubborn, or daring than
it was in Zimri, a prince of the chief house in the tribe of Simeon. Such
an exhibition of effrontery toward God was almost too great for belief. He
publicly appeared before the people leading a Midianitish harlot, one of
high standing, a daughter of a chief house in Midian, in the sight of Moses
and the congregation. He thus showed open contempt of God. He gloried in
his shame; for wine had perverted his senses. He openly declared his sin as
that of Sodom. 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. 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. With this history before the peculiar people of God in
these last days, there is no excuse for anyone 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." 3RH: 05/17/87 In this example not even prayers and tears were enough.
The sin had to be dealt with firmly, decidedly, and harshly. But if
corporate sin cannot be eliminated from the camp, then we must follow the
example of Jesus who "knew that His efforts to reform a corrupt priest
hood would be in vain." DA 590. We read: "Divine pity marked the countenance of the Son of
God as He cast one lingering look upon the temple and then upon His
hearers. In a voice choked by deep anguish of heart and bitter tears He
exclaimed, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets,
and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered
thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her
wings, and ye would not!" This is the separation struggle. In the
lamentation of Christ the very heart of God is pouring itself forth. It is
the mysterious farewell of the longsuffering love of the Deity."
Ibid:620. How many tears have been shed, how many prayers have been
pled, by the faithful, for the church that God established and ordained to
bring words of hope, and truth, and salvation to a doomed and dying world,
and which now has joined the ranks of the adversary of souls? And how many
have experienced the same heartbreak and struggle that our Saviour did
knowing that the only action He could take was to separate from that
apostate structure, and call the faithful out of that false SDA
organization and into His true SDA church? [DA:680] Here is the example of Elijah in his intercession for
God's people. We read: "Again the voice of Elijah is heard in
startling words of command to the people: "Take the prophets of Baal;
let not one of them escape." The people are ready to obey his word.
They seize the false prophets [eight hundred and fifty in number] who have
deluded them, and bring them to the brook Kishon, and there, with his own
hand, Elijah slays these idolatrous priests... His work of slaying the
pagan priests had not unfitted him for the solemn exercise of prayer. He
had performed the will of God. After he had, as God's instrument, done what
he could to remove the cause of Israel's apostasy by slaying the idolatrous
priests, he could do no more. He then intercedes in behalf of sinning,
apostate Israel." 3T:285,286. Do these examples then not make it clear that the belief
that we must stay "within the church" in order to intercede is
without basis or fact, but based solely upon feelings and personal opinion,
and not a "thus saith the Lord"? 8. FABLE: The ship [SDA church] is going through, because those
who are calling for separation are exemplified by the Brother M. in the in
the following illustration: "Dear Brother M: I had an impressive dream
last night. I thought that you were on a strong vessel, sailing on very
rough waters. Sometimes the waves beat over the top, and you were drenched
with water. You said: "I shall get off; this vessel is going
down." "No," said one who appeared to be the captain,
"this vessel sails into the harbor. She will never go down." But
you answered: "I shall be washed overboard. As I am neither captain or
mate, who cares? I shall take my chances on that vessel you see
yonder." Said the captain: "I shall not let you go there, for I
know that vessel will strike the rocks before she reaches the harbor."
You straightened yourself up, and said with great positiveness: "This
vessel will become a wreck; I can see it just as plain as can be." The
captain looked upon you with piercing eye, and said firmly: "I shall
not permit you to lose your life by taking that boat. The timbers of her
framework are worm-eaten, and she is a deceptive craft. If you had more
knowledge you could discern between the spurious and the genuine, the holy
and that appointed to utter ruin." 5T:571-2. FACT: The vessel referred to here does not refer to the
Seventh-day Adventist denomination at all, for we read: "There was
also, during the time represented by volume 5, considerable opposition on
the part of a small group of disaffected souls who years earlier had left
our ranks. Their attacks were leveled primarily against the agent of the
prophetic gift and her writings which have strengthened and built up the
church through the years. Also, during the decade of this volume, one of
our leading evangelists lost his way and was soon actively engaged in
tearing down a work he had formerly established. Two communications be
Ellen White to restrain this man from the plunge he was about to take, are
found in this book. One commences on page 571, and the other on page 621.
The attempt to save him was fruitless, and he turned in bitter tirade on
Mrs. White and the prophetic gift." 5T:5,6 by The Trustees Of The
Ellen G. White Publications. But there is made mention of another ship that truly fits
the state of the SDA denomination today as we read: "Spiritual death
has come upon the people that should be manifesting life and zeal, purity
and consecration, by the most earnest devotion to the cause of truth. The
facts concerning the real condition of the professed people of God, speak
more loudly than their profession, and make it evident that some power has
cut the cable that anchored them to the Eternal Rock, and that they are
drifting away to sea, without chart or compass." 2RH:07/24/88. But what is meant by "chart and compass"? Let
us let the word of inspiration define these for us, we read: "The Bible is a chart, pointing out the waymarks of
truth. Those who are acquainted with this chart will be enabled to tread
with certainty in the path of duty, wherever they may be called to
go." 1888 Materials:1784. "The only safety for us is in trusting implicitly
and following faithfully the instruction of the word of God. The Bible is
the only chart that marks out the narrow path which shuns the pitfalls of
destruction." 4SP:08/26/89 "The sailor who has in his possession chart and
compass, and yet neglects to use them, is responsible for placing the lives
of those on board his vessel in peril. The vessel may be lost by his
neglect. We have a Guidebook, the Word of God, and we are inexcusable if we
miss the way to heaven, for plain directions have been given us."
ST:03/21/06 As surely as we, as Seventh-day Adventists, neglect, or
reject the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, we are "drifting away to
sea without chart or compass." And it is clearly evident from the
description of the Omega of Apostasy [1SM:204-5], which describes the
present, apostate condition of the corporate SDA church of today, that they
are "drifting away to sea without chart or compass." And what
will be the ultimate fate of those who insist on remaining with that ship?
We read: "I lately read of a [once] noble ship ["How is
the [once] faithful city become an harlot?" 8T:250.] that was plowing
its way across the sea, when at midnight, with a terrific crash, it struck
upon a rock. The passengers were awakened only to see with horror their
hopeless condition and with the ship they sank to rise no more."
2SM:128. And here we are given again, the reason why this will
happen: "God has appointed means ["Chart and compass"], if
we will use them diligently and prayerfully, that no vessel shall be
shipwrecked, but outride the tempest and storm ["storm and tempest
will sweep away the structure"] , and anchor in the haven of bliss at
last. But if we despise and neglect these appointments and privileges God
will not work a miracle [He is not going to send an angel] to save any of
us, and we will be lost as were Judas and Satan. Do not think that God will work a miracle to save those
weak souls who cherish evil, who practice sin; or that some supernatural
element will be brought into their lives, lifting them out of self into a
higher sphere, where it will be comparatively easy work, without any
special effort, any special fighting, without any crucifixion of self;
because ALL ["Men, maidens and children ALL perish together"
5T:211] who dally on Satan's ground [refuse to separate] for this to be
done will perish with the evildoers. They will be suddenly destroyed, and
that without remedy." TM:453. And again we read: "The minds of many have been
engrossed with contentions, and they have rejected the light given through
the Testimonies because it did not agree with their own opinions. God will
not work a miracle to convince these rebellious ones of the truth of the
Testimonies, and compel them to acknowledge His message. He has given
sufficient evidence for their faith, and it is only the stubbornness of the
natural heart that prevents them from acknowledging the light." 1888
Materials: 505. 9: FABLE: Ellen White did not separate from the church in her
day despite the apostasy, so she would not separate from the church today. FACT: We are instructed: "Regarding the testimonies,
nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be
considered." 1SM: 57. And again: "It should be remembered that
the promises and threatenings of God are alike conditional. Ibid.: 67. To
attempt to maintain that the SDA church of Ellen White's day is the same
church that parades the SDA name around today is to utterly reject the
overwhelming evidence that is described for us in 1SM:204-5; to totally ignore
time, place, and condition. The SDA church of today is a corrupt, apostate,
hierarchical structure that no longer can claim God's presence. It is a
"new organization--a new movement" Would Ellen White give
countenance to such a treacherous development? What were her actions back
in her day before the church was in such deep apostasy, when there were
only wrong practices going on within the church? The honest in heart cannot
deny by reading the following statements by E. G. White, just what her
actions would be regarding separation, considering the state of the church
in her day, and the state of the church in this, our day, as we read: "I have a work to do, and I am now making decisions.
I must remain away from conference meetings. I must not attend camp
meetings. The spirit of drawing apart, as the result of judging one
another, has become so common, and the churches are becoming so leavened
with this spirit, that I have no desire to attend these meetings. After
returning from them, it is often weeks before I am able to take up my
neglected work. Because those in positions of responsibility have for
years left the Southern field unworked, notwithstanding the most decided
testimonies urging them to take up this work; because they continue to
neglect this field and use every manner of device in trying to uproot the
confidence of the people in those who have done the hardest and most
self-sacrificing work in the South, I have but very little confidence that
the Lord is giving these men in positions of responsibility spiritual
eyesight and heavenly discernment. I am thrown into perplexity over their
course; and I desire now to attend to my special work, to have no part in
any of their councils, and to attend no meetings, nigh nor afar off. My
mind shall not be dragged into confusion by the tendency they manifest to
work directly contrary to the light that God has given me. I am done. I
will preserve my God-given intelligence. My voice has been heard in the different conferences and
at camp meetings. I must now make a change. I cannot enter the atmosphere
of strife and then have to bear testimonies that cost me much more than
those to whom they are sent can imagine. When I attend the different
meetings, I am compelled to deal with men, standing in responsible places,
who I know are not exerting an influence that God can endorse. And when I
bear a testimony in reference to their course of action, advantage is taken
of this testimony. These men have not clear understanding. Should I say the
things that I know, they would not, with their present experience, use this
instruction wisely, and would bring upon me inconceivable burdens.I shall,
therefore, leave them to receive word from the Bible, in which the
principles upon which they should work are laid down in straight
lines." Manuscript 17: 65-66. "All who are educated in the office of publication
should see there exemplified the principles of heaven. I would rather lay a
child of mine in his grave than have him go there to see these principles
mangled and perverted. The principles of heaven are to be carried out in
every family, in the discipline of every church, in every establishment, in
every institution, in every school, and in everything that shall be
managed. You have no right to manage, unless you manage in God's order. Are
you under the control of God?" 1888 Materials: 1745 "The warning is given in the Word, "Some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of
devils." We now repeat, Parents, keep your children away from Battle
Creek. Some of our medical missionary workers are becoming leavened with
infidelity. Specious heresy has been taking hold of minds, and its threads
have been woven into the pattern of the figure. Who is responsible for
giving young men and women an education that has left a seducing influence
upon their minds? One father writes that of his two children who were sent
to Battle Creek, one is now a infidel and the other has given up the
truth." Manuscript 20: 67. "The Battle Creek Church.--There are serious
objections to having the school located at Battle Creek. Here is a large
church, and there are quite a number of youth connected with this church.
And in so large a church, where one has influence over another, if this
influence is of an elevating character, leading to purity and consecration
to God, then the youth coming to Battle Creek will have greater advantages
than if the school was located elsewhere. But if the influences at Battle
Creek shall be in the future what they have been for several years past, I
would warn parents to keep their children from Battle Creek. There are but
few in that large church who have an influence that will steadily draw
souls to Christ. There are many who would, by their example, lead the youth
away from God to the love of the world." Test to the Church at Battle
Creek: 50. "Now, those who have had years in this same
experience, know not God nor Jesus Christ whom He has sent, and should such
go forth as representatives of Jesus Christ? These men will never give the
right mold to other minds; they have not grown up to the full stature of
men and women in Christ. They simply have the name of Christians but are
not fitted for the work of God, and never will be until they are born
again, and learn the A.B.C. in true religion of Jesus Christ. There is a
little hope in one direction: Take the young men and women, and place them
where they will come as little in contact with our churches as possible,
that the low grade of piety which is current in this day shall not leaven their
ideas of what it means to be a Christian." Manuscript 12: 334. "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." Manuscript 11: 230. Isn't Ellen White here strongly indicating that if things
did not change, then as God's faithful have always done previously, once
more there would be "the necessity for another coming out."? Can
anyone honestly continue to maintain that she would urge all to remain
associated with a church that now embraces papal actions and associations,
that claims the authority to change fundamental beliefs and doctrines, and
that holds the church manual above the Holy Scriptures. I cannot but
believe that she would turn from such an abomination with revulsion and
horror, and with tears of bitterness and sorrow for the shame and disgrace
that has been brought upon the honor of God. 10. FABLE: We are not to separate from the SDA church unless
and until it has apostatized so much that it starts keeping Sunday. FACT: Our legal system, which is based upon Judeo-Christian principles,
holds that if you are in the company of someone when they commit a crime,
you are "an accessory to the fact." In other words, guilty by
association. This principle is also illustrated by inspiration as we read: "Those who occupy responsible positions in the
office are accountable for the prevailing influence there, and if they are
indifferent to the course of the insubordinate and impenitent in their
employ they become partakers of their sin." 4T:205. Again we read: "In our largest churches the greatest evils exist
because these have had the greatest light. They have not a true knowledge
of God and of Jesus Christ whom he has sent. The leaven of unbelief is
working, and unless these evils which bring the displeasure of God are
corrected in its members, the whole church stands accountable for
them." Paulson Collection:340. "God's command had been disregarded by one of those
appointed to execute His judgments. And the nation was held accountable for
the guilt of the transgressor: " They have even taken of the accursed
thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also." Instruction was
given to Joshua for the discovery and punishment of the criminal. The lot
was to be employed for the detection of the guilty. The sinner was not
directly pointed out, the matter being left in doubt for a time, that the
people might feel their responsibility for the sins existing among them,
and thus be led to searching of heart and humiliation before God."
PP:494. "The names of those who sin and refuse to repent should
not be retained on the church books, lest the saints be held accountable
for their evil deeds. Those who pursue a course of transgression should be
visited and labored with, and if they then refuse to repent, they should be
separated from church fellowship, in accordance with the rules laid down in
the Word of God." 11MR:209. "So," you ask, "what does this have to do
with the SDA church observing Sunday?" First, let us go to the
Scriptures where we read these word of Jesus in Matthew 5:27,28: "Ye
have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit
adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust
after her hath committed adultery with her already in her heart." The
point I'm trying to bring out here is that the present, corporate SDA
denomination has given abundant evidence in pursuing an aggressive
ecumenical agenda, that she is not only a willing party, that has lusted
after the teachings and practices of the churches of Babylon--the foremost
of which is Sunday observance, but has actively participated in them! The
SDA church is keeping the letter of the law, but it cannot be denied that
for the most part her intents and purposes are leading the people to
diminish the sacred character of God's holy seventh-day Sabbath, and to
exalt the observance of Sunday. Ample documentation is available to verify
this. So, to conclude this issue, according to the divine principles given
to us here, is not the SDA church by its many affiliations, associations,
alliances, and agreements just as guilty of holding Sunday sacred as those
Babylonian entities it is intertwined with as that "accessory to the
fact," even though it is not actually "keeping" Sunday yet?
The law of the land holds that even though you didn't actually pull the
trigger--or even hold the gun, by being there, you are just as guilty! How
much more does God, who holds us to a much higher standard, require of His
professed church? Beloved reader, which voice will you listen to, the false
and deceitful voice of Satan that insists that the only way to become clean
is to remain in the pigpen, the voice that insists that the only way to
keep from going under is to remain in the quicksand, the voice that insists
that the only way to keep from being consumed is to remain within the
burning building, the voice that insists that the only way to escape the
burning wrath of God in the 7 last plagues is to remain associated with the
church which will be the first to receive of those plagues? Or are you
going to listen to the true voice of the Holy Spirit that beckons you to
separate from all sin and apostasy so that you can be sealed and take your
stand with the remnant--those who have been called out of the "nominal
Adventists and the fallen churches."? In closing, undoubtedly there are more issues and
arguments that will be, and are being raised by those who are standing
against the issue of separation. But how many times must error be exposed
before one is convicted of the truth? We are all familiar with the
statement that says "A man convinced against his will is of the same
opinion still." This is illustrated in the Bible, where we read of the
attitude of the professed Seventh-day Adventists in the days of Jesus:
"...neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the
dead." Luke 16:31. My fervent prayer is that the light of truth will shine
abundantly upon those who are truly seeking it, and that God's elect will
discern and not be deceived by falsehood and error. Clarence Settle The Issue |