As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. -1 Peter 2:16
The final 2 texts are key in understanding the importance of this article. They remind us not to take the liberty that Christ grants Ida's a license to maliciousness. Is that exactly what is happening among Protestants today? Even in some Seventh-day Adventist circles? We are going to examine this matter further and put the nail in a sure place.
Is it really possible that some SDA leaders would take the side of the U.S. Government and the man of sin in maligning bible believing Seventh-day Adventist and marginalizing them as fundamentalists for standing firmly upon the word of God as their sure foundation. Beloved that is exactly what it appears to be.
It is not without reason that the claim has been put forth in Protestant countries, that Catholicism differs less widely from Protestantism than in former times. There has been a change; but the change is not in the papacy. Catholicism indeed resembles much of the Protestantism that now exists, because Protestantism has so greatly degenerated since the days of the reformers. – {GC88 571.2}
As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the world, false charity has blinded their eyes. They do not see but that it is right to believe good of all evil; and as the inevitable result, they will finally believe evil of all good. Instead of standing in defense of the faith once delivered to the saints, they are now, as it were, apologizing to Rome for their uncharitable opinion of her, begging pardon for their bigotry. – {GC88 571.3}
The papacy is well adapted to meet the wants of all these. It is prepared for two classes of mankind, embracing nearly the whole world,—those who would be saved by their merits, and those who would be saved in their sins. Here is the secret of its power. – {GC88 572.2}
In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendency, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the opinion is gaining ground, that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. – {GC88 563.1}
The following statement are by Nicholas Miller, Andrews University Church History Professor, in a conference on the campus of Washington Adventist University in Tokoma Park, Maryland on January 8, 2018 .
"Seventh-day Adventists are not fundamentalists."
This statement however undermines the information we covered earlier. I personally am not interested in labeling individuals based on their beliefs but by definition true blue Seventh-day Adventists are fundamental bible Christians.
David Trim, Seventh-Day Adventist world church Director of Archives, Statistics, and Research added the following remarks in a sideline interview with Adventist News Network;
“They(SDA's) are part of a specific set of geographical and historical circumstances which affects their plans and projects, even the way they see their mission.”
But is this really true? Is Seventh-Day Adventisim at its core a result of geography and circumstance? I for one in good conscience cannot agree with that statement.
Miller also added, "Pioneers did not believe absolute proof was needed to understand truth. They believed in the role of judgment for apprehending truth."
I was raised baptist and I can remember the adage "This is what I got from the scripture you might get something else." However the bible clearly tells us, "that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." Before our pioneers accepted any doctrine they were sure to have a plain thus saith the Lord in its support.
Here is another interesting statement from Miller:
“So, for instance, when the Bible spoke about eternal fire,” said Miller, “early Adventists looked for alternative explanations, since they understood that a good God would never punish His children for eternity.”
I don't care for this statement for a couple of reasons.
1.) if you read testimonies for the church volume 1 you will see for yourself that early Adventists weren't looking to find alternative explanations for doctrine. They were searching to have a working knowledge of the bible's teachings for themselves.
2.) This whole idea of knowing what a "good God" would or would not do sounds like a springboard to introduce popular error under the cloak of inclusiveness(i.e. Women's ordination, salvation in sin, baptism of ordination of Members of the L.B.G.T. Community...)
There are more erroneous statements in this presentation which I will not cover at this time, but you can read the full article at
news.adventist.com
We as Seventh-Day Adventists have been called to share the 3 Angels' messages as found in Revelation 14:6-12; in preparation for the soon return of Jesus. We have been called to give the warning message to Laodicea; even the straight testimony.
I will leave you with a few closing thoughts from the pen of inspiration:
MANY are going directly CONTRARY TO the LIGHT which God has given to His people, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT READ the books which contain the light and knowledge in cautions, reproofs, and warnings...” {4T 391.1}
We are to REPEAT THE WORDS of the pioneers in our work, who knew what it cost to search for the truth as for hidden treasure, and who labored to lay the foundation of our work. The word given me is, Let that which these men have written in the past be reproduced”—Ellen White, Review and Herald, May 25, 1905.
The experience of William Miller and his associates, of Captain Joseph Bates, and of other pioneers in the advent message, should be kept before our people. (Letter 105, 1903).
"When you find men questioning the testimonies, finding fault with them, and seeking to draw away the people from their influence, be assured that God is not at work through them. It is another spirit." 1 Selected Messages, p. 45.
When we reach the standard.that the Lord would have us reach, wordlings will regard seventh-day adventists as odd, singular, strait-laced extremists. We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." (FE 289.1)
It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction.—Testimonies for the Church 4:211. {LDE 178.2}
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