The
"B" Word by Jim Snipes
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Dear Reader, I will be presenting some things that are
errant by Robert Sessler and his supporters, but first, I will present what I
fully agree with. The following is an article by Jim Snipes on the SDA church
and Babylon. Part 1 of 12 Can the Remnant Church be Part Virgin, Part
Street-Walker? There are
two basic meanings for the word "church": (1) A GROUP OF ORGANIZED BELIEVERS (from home
churches to world-wide denominations); and (2) THE BODY OF CHRIST (which even includes all of
the unfallen beings, see TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH
Volume 6 [6T] p 366; ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, p 11). It is
this second definition of church which Christ will present to Himself, not
having spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27,30); which "may appear as about to
fall, but it does not fall" (SELECTED MESSAGES, Book 2 [2SM], p 380);
and which will become the church triumphant at the second advent (EVANGELISM,
p 707; REVIEW & HEARLD Articles [RH] 07-26-98): for no organized group is
going to be saved, we are saved on an individual basis. The first
definition of church is sometimes called a "visible church"; while
the terms "invisible church", and "mystical church" have
been applied to the second. No mere human has the ability to determine
exactly who belongs to this mystical church, for only God can read the
hearts. Visible churches may be broken further into two categories; true and
false: the invisible church exists within both of these (GREAT CONTROVERSY
[GC] p 383,390,464). Some
people have gone against the idea of there being both a visible and an
invisible church. However, Mrs. White used the term "visible
church" (GC 204; 4T 16; 5T 619; UPWARD LOOK [UL] p 63; etc); although
she did not use the term "invisible church", or "mystical
church", she did use "mystical body" (DESIRE OF AGES [DA] p
417; 5T 731; THOUGHTS FROM THE MOUNT OF BLESSING p 64, THAT I MAY KNOW HIM p
19; etc). Nevertheless, there is no point in getting hung up over semantics:
what name-tag you care to use for definition #1 and #2 listed above is not
the problem; the problem comes when people say that God's visible true church
is the organized denominational structure--no matter how bad it gets. If this
was actually the case, then Rome is still the true church! Another
problem, which often comes with the concept of a visible and an invisible
church, is the idea that a human being can be the head of the visible church: "It is
one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the visible head of
the universal church of Christ..." (GC 50). There is only one Head of the true church--both
visible and mystical--and it is Christ. Now God's visible church may well
include several different visible groups, which all meet the necessary
qualifications. It was not a single, man-made organization which fled into
the wilderness during the dark ages (Rev 12:6,14); rather, it was several different groups (Waldenses, Huguenots, etc) that
were all under one Head--even Christ Jesus. What about the remnant church, must it rely upon the
General Conference for its existence? Well, the remnant church began in 1844;
yet the Conference didn't begin until 1862--for eighteen years the remnant
church existed without being organized into a single denominational
structure. What about after the General Conference was set up? Did it then
have exclusive rights--or could there still be groups outside of the
Conference, which were part of God's last-day true church? Madison was
"independent" of the Conference, and yet undoubtedly considered part
of the remnant church by Ellen White: "When the work for the new school was
organized, Ellen White accepted an invitation to serve on the board of
directors--the only time she ever served in such a capacity. She watched the
developments at Madison with deep interest." (White,
Arthur L., THE ELLEN G. WHITE BIOGRAPHY, Volume 5, page 347). For those
who like to apply the term "independent atoms" to the various
independent ministries: study the context, and you will find that it applies
to religious groups which are operating independent of "God's
supervision" ("Special Testimony to the Brethren in Battle
Creek" Pamphlet 156, p 12), "Christ's army" (Spalding and
Magan Collection p 121), "the soldiers of Christ" (The Signs of the
Times, 09-07-91), etc--it is not a term for groups that are independent of
the conference. So, just
what exactly are the qualifications necessary for a group to be part of God's
visible remnant church? Are they the remnant of her seed, in which some of
them keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ;
while the rest of them live in open sin, and trample on the Spirit of
Prophecy? You won't find it translated that way in the King James
Version! The visible remnant church includes any group that visibly
(outwardly) keeps the Ten Commandments and follows the Spirit of
Prophecy--pretty simple, isn't it? It is correct that there are those within
God's visible true church who outwardly
appear to keep the commandments; but who break them in their
thoughts--or perhaps even in their actions, when other church members aren't
around. However, we are not to attempt weeding these "tares" out of
the church; for we are unable to accurately determine who they are, and may
end up weeding the wrong ones out (Matt 13:29; CHRIST OBJECT LESSONS [COL] p
71; TESTIMONIES TO MINISTERS [TM] p 45-47, etc). God's
church is made up of wheat and tares, and they appear very similar on the
outside; but it is not made up of wheat and tumbleweeds, which are very
easily distinguishable by outward appearance. It is also true that there are
sins and sinners within God's visible true church (TM 45-49; LAKE UNION
HERALD Articles 12-09-08; etc); but she is not talking about open
sinners. The Bible and E.G.W. are very
clear that the true church is to be separate from persistent, open sinners (1
Cor 5:9-13; 2 Cor 6:14-17; Eph 5:11; COL 71; 3T 239,265,266; SDA BIBLE
COMMENTARY Vol 2 [2BC], p
996; 5BC 1096; etc). Not only will open sinners be separate from the true
church (by definition), but; "Even the tares have a lesson. They are of
Satan's sowing, and, if left unchecked, spoil the wheat by their rank
growth." (8T 326). The
visible, remnant church includes wise and foolish virgins; but not virgins
and prostitutes! The foolish virgins are comparable to the tares, and cannot
be positively identified by mortal man: "When the foolish virgins
reached the banqueting hall, they received an unexpected denial. They were
left outside in the blackness of night. This parable is not a representation
of open sinners" (RH 10-31-99). The message to the Laodiceans applies to these
foolish virgins and tares who are "neither cold nor hot" (Rev 3:15;
RH 08-19-90); but not to the stone-cold streetwalkers who are living in open
violation of God's law. "Come out of her, my people" (Rev 18:4) is
the message to leave the open sinners. Some have
thought that an organization can be a harlot and still not be in Babylon,
because Israel played the harlot many times before it was ever rejected by
God as a chosen nation. However, this
is not a fair comparison. In the
Old Testament times there was no such thing as spiritual Babylon; people
couldn't have been "called out" of Israel when it was in apostasy,
because there would have been nowhere else to be "called into". The
visible church of God at that time was defined by ancestral heritage--not by
the messages which are practiced and taught, as is the case in the New Testament
times. As of
A.D. 34, religious organizations have been able to remain in God's true
church or join Babylon; and their own decisions and actions would make such a
transition occur. Once a transition occurs there is a period of time before
their actions have closed their probation as was the case with Israel. The
literal Israelite nation can never again return to being the chosen nation,
no matter what it does, its probation has closed; but organizations which
have been in Babylon and whose probation has not closed can come out of it
and be part of God's true church, if they choose to take the necessary actions. The opposite is also
true: organizations which have been part of God's true church can become part
of spiritual Babylon, through their own course of action. If there had been
such a thing as spiritual Babylon in the days of Israel, they would have
qualified with flying colors many times over! They were into
Sabbath-breaking, sun worship, idolatry, human sacrifices, murdering God's
prophets, spiritualism and even had the wine of false doctrines (exalting
human traditions above the fifth commandment, no resurrection of the dead, salvation by works, etc). Yes,
literal Israel became part of literal Babylon because of playing the harlot;
and spiritual Israel will just as surely become part of spiritual Babylon,
any time it plays the harlot! THE "B" WORD Part 2 of 12 Is it possible for the SDA Conference Structure to
Become Babylon? One of
the main failures of the Jewish nation was that they took things out of
context in the inspired writings of the prophets, and interpreted them as
unconditional promises. Are we taking things out of context when we ay the
Seventh-day Adventist Church can never be called Babylon? If it is impossible
for an organization to become part of Babylon as long as it has the words
"Seventh-day Adventist" tacked up on the sign-post; then they could
call Sunday the seventh day of the week, take on every single doctrine of the
Roman Catholic Church, and still not be Babylon. "We
are in danger of becoming a sister of 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?" (TESTIMONIES ON
SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, ADULTERY, AND DIVORCE [TSB] p 188). Now, how could there be any "danger" of becoming
another one of Rome's harlot daughters ("sister to fallen
Babylon"), if such a thing were impossible? And if such a danger
existed back then (1886), how much more danger is there now? What church is it, then, that Mrs.
White said not to call Babylon; was it the Conference structure, or was it
the remnant church? Just the title of the section in TESTIMONIES TO MINISTERS
on this subject provides an answer: "The Remnant Church Not
Babylon". However, the context of these statements offers further light
on what church it is that should not be called Babylon: "His
People" (p 20); "a church that is enjoying a season of
refreshing" (p 23); "the church of God" (p 36); "the
people of God" (p 41) "the remnant people of God" (p 42);
"the very people receiving of the Holy Spirit, who are to receive the
latter rain" (p 49); "those who keep the commandments of God, and
have the faith of Jesus" (p 58); "the chosen ones of God who are
trying to walk in the light" (p 61); "a chosen people" (2SM
66); "the church that keeps the commandments of God" (2 SM 68);
"The chosen ones who are standing and breasting the storm of opposition
from the world" (THIS DAY WITH GOD p 172). Never once does she say not
to call the Conference structure Babylon. It is
true that in her day, the SDA Conference denomination met the qualifications
of Rev 12:17; but this does not guarantee that it always will. You shouldn't
call the remnant church Babylon, because it is impossible for those who keep
the Ten Commandments and follow the Spirit of Prophecy to ever be Babylon;
but no such impossibility exists for any particular organization. If an
organization separates itself from being part of the remnant church, then the
statements about not calling the remnant church Babylon just don't apply. THE "B" WORD Part 3 of 12 What are the Characteristics of Babylon? If you
are willing to study a little, you will find that it was over a hundred years
ago when Mrs. White wrote all those articles against calling the Seventh-day
Adventist Church Babylon. She said that Babylon did not apply to the SDA denomination
"at this time", and "at the present time" (TM 37, 50);
both of these statements were written in 1893. You will also find that;
"Those who have proclaimed the Seventh-day Adventist Church as Babylon,
have made use of the TESTIMONIES in giving their position a seeming
support" (TM 56). The position of those who were calling the SDA
denomination Babylon at that time, was based upon counsel and reproof written
to the church by Ellen White herself--not on the various characteristics of
Babylon. Few if any of the characteristics of Babylon applied to the
Conference back in 1893. Before
going on, then, it would be worthwhile to briefly outline some of the
characteristics of Babylon: (1) Threw a celebration in bold defiance of God,
during a most solemn time of judgment (Dan 5:1-4,27). (2) Perverts and destroys God's sanctuary (2 Kings
24:11-13; 25:8,9; 2 Chron
36:18,19; Dan 1:1, 2; 8:11,13; 9:17; 11:31; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 13:6; etc). (3) Teaches salvation in sin (Dan 3:15; Rev 18:4,5; GC 572; PATRIARCHS AND
PROPHETS [PP] p 124). (4) Deceives with sorcery, or spiritualism (Rev
18:23). (5) Rejects the prophets of God (Dan 9:6; Rev 18:24). (6) Seeks worldly counsel and "wisdom"
(Dan 2:2; 4:6,7; 5:7). (7) Gives confusing messages (Gen 11:7,9; GC 381; SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, Vol 4 [4SP], p 232). (8) Rejects the Sabbath (Rev 13; TM 61; 2SM 68,118;
4SP 235). (9) Is friendly to Rome (Rev 17:5; GC 572). (10) Is not friendly to the saints (Dan 3:19,20;
6:7; 7:21,25; 8:10,24; 11:33; Rev 12:13,17; 13:7; 17:6; 18:24; GC 17-678;
etc). (11) Has fallen from a once pure condition, through
the love of and desire to imitate the world (Rev 14:8; 18:2; GC 381-390: PP
124; EARLY WRITINGS [EW] p 273,274; etc). (12) Puts faith in a man-made structure, instead of
the word of God (Gen 9:11; 11:4; Dan 4:30). (13) Commits spiritual fornication (Rev 14:8;
17:1-5; 18:3,9; 19:2; GC
381-390; etc). THE "B" WORD Part 4 of 12 What are some Misconceptions? "He
[Luther] sometimes doubted whether he had indeed been led of God to set
himself against the authority of the [Catholic] church...Luther was as yet
but partially converted from the errors of Romanism. But as he compared the
Holy Oracles with the papal decrees and constitutions, he was filled with
wonder. 'I am reading,' he wrote, 'the decrees of the pontiffs, and... I do
not know whether the pope is antichrist himself, or his apostle, so greatly
is Christ misrepresented and crucified in them.'-- Ibid., b. 5, ch. 1. Yet at this time Luther was
still a supporter of the Roman Church, and had no thought that he would ever
separate from her communion." (GC 132,139; also see GC 102). Yes, the
great reformer Martin Luther had been so thoroughly ingrained with the concept:
"the structure is the true church, and the true church is the
structure" --that even after starting the reformation, he still did not
fully understand the issue of who
and what constitutes the true church. Today we also see reformers who are
trying to keep one foot in the church, and still stand for the truth with the
other one. As a result there have been some definitions of the remnant church
proposed which are very confusing to say the least; while the truth suffers
because of receiving only a crippled, one-footed service. There are
over a dozen characteristics which apply to spiritual Babylon, only one of
which is the wine of false doctrines; however, many have come to the
conclusion that the entire definition of Babylon, and the only qualification
for being part of it--is rapped up in one or two of the false doctrines
commonly found within the wine of error. Because of this major imbalance,
there is a definite need for further understanding on the topic. First, we
need to recognize that even though the cup is full which is in the hand of
"MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS" (Rev 17:4,5), there are still some
Babylonian errors that are not in this cup (as we soon will see). Also, the
various harlot daughters do not hold all of the false doctrines that the
Mother has in her cup; yet they are still a part of Babylon (GC 383). Next, we
need to understand the fact that there is one and only one spiritual Babylon
in the entire world; it is made up of the Catholic church, who is the Mother
of harlots (plural), and "the various forms [plural] of false OR
apostate religion" (GC 381). Here it is stated even clearer:
"corruptions which have been entering the various organizations [plural]
that constitute Babylon [singular]" (GC 603). Why is it
important whether Babylon is singular or plural? Because the examples given
by Ellen White of common Babylonian doctrines, are
referring to the wine of error found in the teachings of Babylon as a whole
singular unit: "The
fallen denominational churches [plural] are Babylon [singular]. Babylon [the
combined unit of all these religions] has been fostering poisonous doctrines,
the wine of error. This wine of error is made up of false doctrines, such as
the natural immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the wicked, the
denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem, and
advocating and exalting the first day of the week above God's holy and
sanctified day. These and kindred errors are presented to the world by
various churches" (TM 61,62). Notice
that she said "the various churches" are the source for these false
doctrines; she didn't say that every individual church must hold all of these
errors before it may be called Babylon. Now let's
look at how different individual religions contribute to the wine of Babylon
as a whole. (1) Roman Catholics: teach "the eternal torment
of the wicked"; but not "the denial of the pre-existence of Christ
prior to His birth in Bethlehem", etc. (2) Jehovah's Witnesses: teach "advocating and
exalting the first day of the week above God's holy and sanctified day";
but not "the natural immortality of the soul", etc. (3) Seventh-day Baptists: teach "the natural
immortality of the soul"; but not the "advocating and exalting the
first day of the week above God's holy and sanctified day", etc. Some
people have the idea that the SDA denomination must teach Sunday worship and
the immortality of the soul before it can become part of Babylon. The problem
here is that people want an easy chair way to know when it's time to get out;
something that simple doesn't take any serious thinking, studying, praying,
or faith. Yes, it may take some faith. "God
never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to
base our faith... Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt...Those
who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to
know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their
faith." (STEPS TO CHRIST, p 105; see also PP 432).
Must
Sunday keeping be promoted, before an organization can become Babylon? Does
that make sense? If this is actually the case, then as long as the
congregations attend a building on Saturday (or even Friday evening): they
could each set up a graven image to the sun-god and bow down before it, burn
the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy on an altar to it, literally sacrifice
the true and faithful before it, have orgies and practice witchcraft around
it, and teach every false doctrine ever invented by the devil except Sunday
keeping--but still not be Babylon! Heaven help anyone who really believes
such utter ridiculousness! Others
are focusing on a few technicalities related to Babylon, forgetting that
God's loving purpose for calling people out of her is so that they won't be
lost. THE "B" WORD Part 5 of 12 What is the "Line" Which Makes an
Organization Part of Babylon? So far
we've determined that the remnant church is made up of wise and foolish
virgins, but not virgins and hookers; that the SDA Conference has not been
handed any unconditional promise that it can never become Babylon; and that
the "line" which must be crossed in order for an organization to
join Babylon is NOT: (1) a point in time when God designates an irreversible
close of probation, similar to that of the Jewish nation; (2) teaching all of
the false doctrines listed by Sister White in her various examples of
Babylonian doctrines; or (3) Sunday keeping. Therefore, the next two things
that need to be determined are: (1) what would it take for
the SDA denomination to cross the "line" and join Babylon; and (2) has
that already occurred?
Obviously, the SDA Conference structure would have to cease being part
of the remnant church, in order for it to join Babylon. 1SM
204,205 lists twelve steps which would take place if the SDA structure were
to establish a "new organization". Here is
another indicator: when an organization ceases to disfellowship open commandment breakers, and
begins to disfellowship
the commandment keepers--you can be absolutely assured that it is no longer
part of the remnant church "which keep the commandments of God..."
(Rev 12:17). The
"line" that makes a denomination Babylon is crossed when it stops
LEADING its members to paradise, and starts LEADING them to perdition! "For
the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them
are destroyed." (Isa 9:16). God's purpose for calling people out of
Babylon is to keep them from being led astray, and lost: "Let them alone
[in other words, Come out of her, my people]: they be blind leaders of the
blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
(Matt 15:14). This
verse was in reference to the apostate leadership of those days (Pharisees).
God calls the willing ones to come out from among those who will not take
their stand by the side of Christ." (RH 08-28-00). THE "B" WORD Part 6 of 12 Has the "Line" Been Crossed by the SDA Denomination? Now we
are ready to put in the final piece of the puzzle; we know what the
"line" is, all we need to know now is whether or not the SDA
Conference structure has already crossed it. Is that organization now leading
towards heaven, or hell? Look
again at those twelve steps that show what would have to take place for there
to be a "new organization" (1SM 204,205) and apply them to the SDA
structure. You will see that eleven of them are now history, only the twelfth has yet to take place. God's
intention for His church is that it should be His voice on earth (Matt
18:18-20). Yet, Mrs. White states: "We hear that the voice of the
Conference is the voice of God. Every time I have heard this, I have thought
it was almost blasphemy. The voice of the Conference ought to be the voice of
God, but it is not" (Sermons and Talks, Vol 2, p 159, 160). What
about the quote: "We are in danger of becoming a sister to fallen
Babylon" (TSB 188), what was the situation that brought such a stern
warning from God through His prophet? If you read the whole letter (it starts
on page 185), you will find that it was the failure to deal firmly with
violators of the seventh commandment. Don't miss the question at the end of
that paragraph: "We are in danger
of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon...and will we be clear unless we make
decided movements to cure the existing evil?" Later on
in the same letter, she states it even plainer: "unless there is a
cleansing of the soul temple on the part of many who claim to believe and to
preach the truth, God's judgments, long deferred, will come. These debasing
sins have not been handled with firmness and decision. There is corruption in
the soul, and, unless it is cleansed by the blood of Christ, there will be
apostasies among us that will startle you." (page 193). Have
these things actually happened? Has there been a failure in making decided
movements to cure this evil (non-Biblical divorce and remarriage, etc)? Has
the Conference organization ceased to disfellowship
open commandment breakers, and begun to disfellowship the commandment keepers? Oh yes,
both leadership and laity are allowed to divorce (and even remarry) without
Biblical grounds, work at non-emergency jobs on Sabbath, etc. Also, the SDA denomination is now disfellowshipping the
commandment keepers who are taking a stand against all the open sin and
apostasy. Are there now apostasies among us that are startling? Without a
doubt, this warning is not being heeded--and the inevitable results have
already occurred. So, is it unreasonable to say that the SDA denominational
structure has now become a sister to fallen Babylon (another harlot daughter
of Rome)? THE "B" WORD Part 7 of 12 What are those characteristics of Babylon again? Let's
look aqain at those
characteristics of Babylon which do apply to the SDA structure at this time: (1) Babylon: threw a celebration in bold defiance of
God, during a most solemn time of judgment. SDA: of all the various religious
denominations, the only one having the judgment-hour message is also the one
that has been so bold as to lead out in the celebration abomination. (2) Babylon: perverts and destroys God's sanctuary.
SDA: says that atonement was completed at the cross; Ford theology, "new
theology"; etc. (3) Babylon: teaches salvation in sin. SDA:
Conference leadership says that sanctification (victory over sin) is not
important for salvation (ISSUES: THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH AND CERTAIN
PRIVATE MINISTRIES, p 109); many pastors teach that victory over sin is not
essential, or even possible. (4) Babylon: deceives with sorcery, or spiritualism.
SDA: pastors are using NLP (hypnotism): another form of modern-day
spiritualism as found in GC 557, 558: "It is true that spiritualism is
now changing its form and, veiling some of its more objectionable features,
is assuming a Christian guise... Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of
God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction
between good and evil. God's justice, His denunciations of sin, the
requirements of His holy law [victory over sin], are all kept out of sight." (5) Babylon: rejects the prophets of God. SDA:
creates a church manual; establishes mammoth worldly educational and medical
systems; builds a hierarchal structure; etc, etc, etc--all in open rebellion
against the plain inspired statements of the last-day prophet. (6) Babylon: seeks worldly counsel and
"wisdom". SDA: quotes from all sorts of worldly theologians (SAINTS
VICTORY by William G. Johnsson,
REVIEW editor, etc); pastors take Lab training from commandment breakers;
pastors are sent to Fuller Theological Seminary (non-SDA institution) to be
trained on techniques for so-called "evangelism" (actually,
ecumenism). (7) Babylon: gives confusing messages. SDA: mixes
truth with error; etc. (8) Babylon: rejects the Sabbath. SDA: holds Easter
sunrise services, which is both Sunday worship and sun worship; rejects
sanctification (ISSUES 109), which is a rejection of the Sabbath--regardless
of what day you attend an assembly--because the Sabbath is the sign of
sanctification (Ex 31:13; Ezek 20:12; DA 288). (9) Babylon: is friendly to Rome. SDA: gives gold
medal to the pope; invites Catholic official to have prayer in General
Conference session; tries to stop independents who put up billboards warning
against the papacy, and even apologizes to Rome for the billboards; says that
applying the first beast of Rev 13 to the papacy "smacks of narrowness
and bigotry", and denies that 666 applies to the pope (SAINTS VICTORY);
etc. (10) Babylon: is not friendly to the saints. SDA:
attacks and disfellowships
the true and faithful who are standing up against all the abominations and
gross apostasy. Some may argue that the Conference hasn't gone so far as to
openly execute God's people; but then again, neither have the other fallen
churches at this time in history--not even the Roman Catholic one. (11) Babylon: has fallen from a once pure condition,
through the love of and desire to imitate the world. SDA: though once quite
pure, it has now allowed a flood of worldliness to come in--diet, dress,
jewelry, music, watching movies, participating in acting, drama, dancing,
celebration, etc. (12) Babylon: puts faith in a man-made structure,
instead of the word of God. SDA: says to stay with the Conference structure,
regardless of how corrupt it gets--claiming that it is the ship which is
going through, the church which may appear as about to fall but doesn't, the
church which should never be called Babylon, etc. (13) Babylon: commits spiritual fornication. This
spiritual fornication applies to uniting either with the world (see #11),
with the powers of civil government (Waco, Whitecoats, lawsuits, etc), or with the other apostate
churches (ecumenical movement). THE "B" WORD Part 8 of 12 Is the Ecumenical Movement Involved? Ecumenism
is the most fundamental characteristic of spiritual Babylon, being found not
only in many of the Bible and the S.O.P. references to her--but even in the
SDA denomination's own Bible Commentary: "The
capstone of ecumenical effort came with the creation of the World Council of Churches
at Amsterdam in 1948... On the basis of Bible prophecy
and the writings of Ellen G. White, SDA's anticipate the eventual success of
the ecumenical movement, both in eliminating the divisions of Protestantism
and in reuniting Christendom by bridging the gulf that separates non-Catholic
communions from Rome. The ecumenical movement will then become a concerted
effort to unite the world and to secure universal peace and security by
enlisting the power of civil government in a universal religio-political
crusade to eliminate all dissent. SDA's envision this crusade as the great
apostasy to which John the revelator refers as 'Babylon the great.' They
understand, also, that God's last message of mercy to the world prior to the
return of Christ in power and glory will consist of a warning against this
great apostate movement, and a call to all who choose to remain loyal to Him
to leave the churches connected with it." (10 BC 362,363--1966 edition;
page numbers vary in later editions). The SDA
Conference leadership has united with the ecumenical movement, and the World
Council of Churches; so by her own definition, all who choose to remain loyal
must come out of her! So, we see that the SDA denominational structure fits
many of the Bible and S.O.P. characteristics of Babylon--as well as it's own published definition. Some will
admit that there is also a lot of corruption at the top in these days, but
they are sure that their own local congregation isn't involved; however, the
root word of leadership is lead: "by controlling the minds of these
leaders, he [Satan] can influence the multitudes according to his will."
(GC 595). "If
the heart of the work becomes corrupt, the whole church, in its various
branches and interests, scattered abroad over the face of the earth, suffers
in consequence." (4T 210).
"Internal corruption will bring the denunciations of God upon
this people as it did upon Jerusalem." (2SM 378). Others
have said that the SDA structure isn't Babylon yet, because there are still a
great number of honest-hearted and sincere people within it; however, the
same is true about the Sunday-keeping Protestant churches and even the Roman
Catholic church itself: having sincere, loving, caring, kind, gentle,
honest-hearted members within a denomination, has nothing to do with whether
or not it qualifies as Babylon. You can find faithful members among
unfaithful leadership; but the religion is leading towards perdition, God's
people should come out of it. THE "B" WORD Part 9 of 12 Is the Storm Aproaching? There is
now no way one can doubt as to which way the SDA's are being led, except of
course those who: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets [E.G.W.],
neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Luke
16:31). He that hath an ear, let him hear: "As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed
faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through
obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the
opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have
come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought,
they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side." (GC
608). This
quote does not fall into the category of inspired counsel, reproof, or admonition--it
is inspired prophecy. Therefore, it needs to be studied with more than a
one-time glance, in order to discover the intended meanings: --AS THE STORM APPROACHES-- First,
let's look at the time-frame for WHEN the fulfillment of this prophecy
occurs. Page 608 is found in chapter 38, "The Final Warning", which
is about the loud cry warning message of the fourth angel, that takes place when the Sabbath and Sunday
issue heats up. Notice,
however, that the passage we're looking at is fulfilled shortly before the
final conflict over God's law: it doesn't say, "after
the storm has arrived" all but those who are oblivious to current
events, will know that the storm is approaching RIGHT NOW! Notice also the
future tense found in the second sentence: "when the test is
brought"; again showing that these things will occur prior to the test
of Sabbath and Sunday. --A LARGE CLASS WHO HAVE PROFESSED FAITH IN THE
THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE-- Second,
let's nail down for certain WHO this prophecy is about. It is referring to
the majority (it doesn't say, "a small
class") of professed Seventh-day Adventists; no other denomination would
qualify as professing faith in the third angel's message. However, just in case
someone still isn't convinced, the last half of this paragraph leaves no
possibility of uncertainty: "Men
of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth [this can't be
Catholic priests, or Baptist ministers, etc], employ their power to deceive
and mislead souls. They become the most
bitter enemies of their former brethren." Former brethren of what religion? "When
Sabbathkeepers are brought before the court to answer for their faith, these
apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and
insinuations to stir up the rulers against them." (GC
608).
Obviously, the later part of this paragraph does not happen until
"Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts". So, we've found
that this prophecy is about the majority of professed SDA's, and that the
things brought out in the first part of it are fulfilled prior to the
enforcement of Sunday sacredness. --BUT HAVE
NOT BEEN SANCTIFIED THROUGH OBEDIENCE TO THE TRUTH, ABANDON THEIR POSITION-- Next, we
need to determine IF these things have
already occurred, or is the fulfillment yet future? Well, it
doesn't say that they "abandon their profession"; so, they retain
the same name, Seventh-day Adventist: it's only the position which they
forsake. What position? It's found in the very same sentence: sanctification
through obedience to the truth (God's law, Ps 119:142). Has that position
been deserted by the General Conference? Oh yes, and they're not even ashamed
to admit it: "The
real problem is that Hope International/OUR FIRM FOUNDATION holds certain views on the human
nature of Christ, the nature of sin, and sanctification. These issues have
never been settled among Christians, much less among SDA's. They are not issues
so essential to salvation that souls will be lost unless they are resolved.
The problem that Hope International/OUR FIRM FOUNDATION has created is that
this independent ministry feels driven to charge the SDA Church with being in
a state of apostasy because it does not accept their views on these moot
theological issues. And the sins and failures of the church are seen as
issuing out of this condition as well." (ISSUES, page 109).
Unbelievable! Did you catch what all was said there? That the nature
of Christ, the nature of sin, and sanctification, are not issues essential to
salvation--that they are moot (debatable; unimportant; meaningless)
theological issues! But worst of all, that the SDA Conference does not accept
the views on these issues that Hope International/OUR FIRM FOUNDATION holds! Exactly
what are these views, that
the Conference does not accept? Let's let Hope International answer for themselves: "The
historic Seventh-day Adventist belief on these topics, in brief, is that sin
is the transgression of the law. We are guilty of sin when we choose to
cherish wrong thoughts, or to perform wrong actions, or not to perform known
duties. In other words, sin is a willful action contrary to God's will or a
willful inaction of something required. Sin is something we choose to do or
choose not to do. When Christ came to this earth, He received from His mother
Mary the same human nature that we would have received if Mary had been our
mother--a fallen nature from the seed of David and of Abraham. By continual
surrender to the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christ maintained a life without
sin, just as we may do through that same continual surrender to God's will.
The daily abiding in Christ and continual growth in victory over sin leads us
into an increasing at-one-ment
with Christ, or sanctification." (AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
WASHINGTON CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST, page 12). Since the
SDA leadership does not accept these views just quoted, we know what views
they do accept: (1) Christ took the nature of Adam before the fall; (2) sin
is a condition that we are born in, not a decision (also known as the
doctrine of "original sin", invented by the papacy); and (3)
victory over sin and sanctification are not possible. These three false
doctrines (wine of error) go hand-in-hand: if sin is a condition which we are
born in, then Christ had to be born through an "immaculate
conception" with a pre-fallen nature (otherwise, Christ would've been
born with "inherited guilt"); and if Christ was born with a
pre-fallen nature, then His sinless life was the result of an advantage that
we can't have--therefore, we can't overcome sin or live the experience of
sanctification through obedience to the law of God. So, the
SDA Conference has fulfilled the prophecy about abandoning their position on
sanctification. --AND JOIN THE RANKS OF THE OPPOSITION-- Who is
the opposition? Isn't it Babylon? --BY UNITING WITH THE WORLD AND PARTAKING OF ITS
SPIRIT-- Here is
further evidence that the prophecy we're looking at has already come to pass
(not that there is any remaining room for doubt): the mainstream of
Seventh-day Adventism has already united with the world, and is now partaking
of its spirit (see characteristics of Babylon #11). --THEY HAVE COME TO VIEW MATTERS IN NEARLY THE SAME
LIGHT-- If you
read the whole chapter ("The Final Warning", GC 603-612), you will
see that the matters mentioned here are in reference to the importance of
obeying God's law; "in nearly the same light", is a comparison to
the other false religions who
trample on the Decalogue through Sunday observance, etc. We have
already seen the fulfillment of this line, as well: the SDA Conference has
come to view matters about God's moral law in nearly the same light as the
Sunday keeping denominations, because "it does not accept their [Hope
International] views on these" matters of sanctification, victory over
sin (obedience to the Ten Commandments), etc. --AND WHEN
THE TEST IS BROUGHT, THEY ARE PREPARED TO CHOOSE THE EASY, POPULAR SIDE-- This
phrase describes what the final result will be of abandoning the position onsanctification, uniting with
the world, and viewing matters about God's law in nearly the same light as
the other apostate Protestant denominations. In light of the context, the
"test" here mentioned can be none other than the test which comes when Sunday laws are
enforced; choosing "the easy, popular side", is obviously referring
to choosing Sunday. Now we
have the background to understand exactly what this prophecy is saying: As
the Sabbath and Sunday conflict is approaching, a majority who have taken the
name Seventh-day Adventist, but have rejected sanctification through
obedience to the law of God, abandon their position on victory over sin and
JOIN the ranks of BABYLON! By uniting with the world and partaking of its
spirit, they have come to view matters about obedience to the Ten
Commandments in nearly the same light as the other harlot daughters; and when
the Sunday laws are enforced, the majority of professed Seventh-day Adventist
are prepared to choose Sunday worship and receive THE MARK OF THE BEAST! THE "B" WORD Part 10 of
12 Prepared for What? By all
means, do not miss the word "prepared"; it doesn't just say that
they choose the easy way out--it says that "they are prepared to choose
the easy, popular side". How are the
majority of professed SDA's being prepared to receive the mark
of the beast? Actually, there are several ways; the most basic of which is
that they are not being prepared to receive the seal of God. Read the section
titled "The Seal of God" (5T 207-216), and you will know beyond a
shadow of a doubt, that very few if any of the Conference churches are preparing
their members to receive the seal of God. However,
there are two very specific ways that the masses within Seventh-day Adventism
are being prepared to fail when the test comes, and both of them are
mentioned in the prophecy of GC 608. The first
one comes from the rejection of sanctification. Attending a church building
on Saturday has no more spiritual significance in and of itself, than did
literal circumcision during Old Testament times--these are both merely "signs" or "tokens"
of an experience. What experience is the seventh day Sabbath a sign of?
Sanctification:
"Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me
and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them." (Ezek 20:12; see also Ex
31:13); "the Sabbath is given to all who through Christ become a part of
the Israel of God." (DA 288; see also this entire chapter, "The
Sabbath" 281-289). "The sanctification of the Spirit signalizes the
difference between those who have the seal of God and those who keep a
spurious rest day." (7BC 980). So we
find that the rejection of sanctification is also a rejection of the seventh
day Sabbath--regardless of which day you sit in the pews--and when the Sunday
laws are enforced, those who have not been experiencing sanctification
through victory over all sin will fail the test and receive the mark of the
beast. Satan has
gotten the majority of the Christian world to believe that the fourth
commandment is the only one that we don't have to obey; but he's also got the
majority of SDA's believing that it is the only commandment that we DO have
to obey--that somehow the "seventh day" part of the commandment is
more important than the "keep it holy" (by being holy, DA 283) part
of it, and more important than the other nine commandments. The
second way is outlined here: "Those who are uniting with the world are
receiving the worldly mold and preparing for THE MARK OF THE BEAST." (5T 216). Notice
how perfectly this quote harmonizes with and verifies the proper
interpretation of GC 608: "By uniting with the world and partaking of
its spirit... they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side." So,
the nail is in the coffin; there can be absolutely no mistaking the fact that
the corporate structure of Seventh-day Adventists is preparing its members to
receive the mark of the beast, and therefore to receive of the seven last
plagues (Rev 18:4)--they are most definitely leading towards perdition;
without question, that organization has crossed the "line", and
fully qualifies as Babylon! However,
in God's eyes, they not only have joined Babylon--but they are worse than the
other harlot daughters, and even the Mother of harlots: "Of
those who boast of their light, and yet fail to walk in it, Christ says, 'But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre
and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum
[Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great light], which art exalted unto
heaven [in point of privilege], shalt be brought down to hell: for if the
mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would
have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment
than for thee.'" (RH 08-01-93; comments in brackets
added by E.G. White). "In
the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be
weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has
had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that
Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred
have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be
pronounced the sentence: 'Found wanting.' By the light bestowed, the opportunities
given, will she be judged."
(8T 247). The
bottom-line question is whether SDA's should be called out of the Conference
at this time; anyone with a trace of spiritual discernment will agree that
people should come out of a system which is preparing its members to receive
the mark of the beast: "those who fear God today are heeding the message
to withdraw from spiritual Babylon" (PROPHETS AND KINGS p 715). THE "B" WORD Part 11 of
12 Should the SDA Conference Structure be Called
"Babylon"? Actually,
there is still one more question which has not yet been answered: the one in
the title above. We have conclusively determined that the General Conference
is part of Babylon; but somehow, a very strange idea has developed that, even
though it fully qualifies, the structure doesn't need to be called Babylon,
and God's people don't need to be called out of it at this time. However,
Rev 18:2 does not say: And he spoke softly with a weak voice when nobody was
around, quietly whispering, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen... My
Bible reads this way: "And he cried mightily with a strong voice,
saying..." My Bible also says: "Ye are the light of the world. A
city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on
a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the
house." (Matt 5:14,15).
Identifying Babylon and calling people out of it is so extremely vital, that
it constitutes two of the four (2nd & 4th angel) "most solemn truths
ever entrusted to mortals" (9T 19). Babylon
is Babylon no matter where it is found; and all who are following Jesus will
not be afraid of identifying Babylon and calling people out of it, no matter
how unpopular that message may be; while those wanting to follow Jesus who
are now in its communion will not only come out of Babylon themselves, but
also call others out (even if you're not a theologian, you can still copy and
distribute this STUDY). Closely
related to the concept that an organization must teach and practice Sunday
keeping, before it can qualify as Babylon-is the concept that we should wait
until the corporate Adventist machine officially changes to Sunday services
(RH 03-18-84), before God's people should be called out of it. The main
problem with this idea, is
that by then it will be too late! The masses will have already been prepared
to receive the mark of the beast; the seal of God will not be on their
foreheads, and they will fail the big test. It's true that when Satan begins
enforcing Sunday laws, and
the latter rain/loud cry comes as God's opposing force in this last great
battle: many will come out of the Sunday keeping churches at that time and
still be saved (GC 612). But this will NOT be the case of SDA's, who have had
access to great light: "I
was shown that if God's people make no efforts on their part, but wait for
the refreshing [latter rain] to come upon them and remove their wrongs and
correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of
the third angel, they will be found wanting." (1T 619;
see also EW 71; TM 507). Do you
see the crisis that is upon SDA's? It is NOW, before the big test that SDA's
have their test. "It
is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the earnest voice proclaimed
at midnight, 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,' and the
sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was seen who had made
preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was
prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. So
now, a sudden and unlooked-for calamity, something that brings the soul face
to face with death, will show whether there is any real faith in the promises
of God. It will show whether the soul is sustained by grace. The great final
test comes at the close of human probation, when it will be too late for the
soul's need to be supplied." (COL 412). Another
strange reason for not calling the Conference Babylon is the idea that this
is the devil's way of getting our attention off of giving the three angels'
messages. There are several problems with that misconception: (1) It would be just as unreasonable to say that we
shouldn't waste time calling God's people out of the Sunday keeping
Protestant denominations, because that is the devil's way to divert us from
our mission to call Catholics out of their religion. (2) Identifying and calling people out of Babylon,
wherever it may be found, IS a fundamental part of the three angels'
messages; it is not possible for the giving of the second angel's message to
be a diversion from giving the three angels' messages! (3) All of our time should not be invested on those
who are in the SDA part of Babylon; but there is a very wide range between
giving them all of our time, and entirely neglecting them! What, do we not
care if they're lost? THE "B" WORD Part 12 of 12 Are there any other Excuses? "The
Jews [SDA's] worshiped the temple [structure] and were filled with greater
indignation at anything spoken against that building [organization] than if
it had been spoken against God." (EW 198). Those who
don't want to let go of their cherished idol (SDA Conference) have made all
sorts of excuses for clinging to it, most of which have already been dealt
with in this study; but there is one more common excuse that has not yet been
answered: "There
is no need to doubt, to be fearful that the WORK will not succeed. God is at
the head of the WORK, and He will set everything in order. If matters need
adjusting at the head of the WORK, God will attend to that, and work to right
every wrong." (2SM 390). Please
take careful note of the fact that the wording here used is "work",
and not "General Conference". What, then, is the word
"work" here referring to? "In a special sense Seventh-day
Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them
has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining
wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a WORK of the most
solemn import--the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels'
messages. There is no other WORK of so great importance. They are to allow
nothing else to absorb their attention." It
doesn't say that they are to allow floats in the Rose Parade, and Christmas
specials on network TV, etc, to absorb their attention. Going
on: "The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us
to proclaim to the world [not just brush over in the lesson quarterly, once
in a rare while]. The proclamation of these truths is to be our
WORK." (9T 19). No, the
Conference corporate structure of Seventh-day Adventism is not giving the
straight three angels' messages to the world; quite the opposite, we have
already found that they are preparing their own members to fail the test
outlined in the third angel's message and receive the mark of the beast. Yes,
the General Conference was originally part of the "work"; but what
happens when an organization fails to do the "work" that God has
entrusted to them? "The
Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish
people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of
God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this
principle with every branch of His WORK. When a church proves unfaithful to
the WORK of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred
their calling [even the SDA Conference], the Lord can no longer WORK with
them. OTHERS are then chosen to bear important responsibilities." (UL 131).
Jim Snipes |