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Resources For SDAs Only Chronology of SDA Apostasy
Resources For SDAs Only Chronology of SDA Apostasy
| Article Index |
|---|
| Chronology of SDA Apostasy |
| 1893-1903 |
| 1904-1915 |
| 1918-1926 |
| 1927-1972 |
| 1973-2006 |
| All Pages |
1859:
"I was shown that the testimony to the Laodiceans applies to God's people at the present time, and the reason it has not accomplished a greater work is because of hardness of their hearts...This fearful message will do its work...It is designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and to lead to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel....
"God will prove His people. Jesus bears patiently with them, and does not spew them out of His mouth in a moment. Said the angel: `God is weighing His people.'(C) If the message had been of as short duration as many of us supposed, there would have been no time for them to develop character....
"Said the angel: `God will bring His work closer and closer to test and prove every one of His people.'...If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have their charge: `They are joined to their idols, let them alone,' and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels.(D) (E) Testimonies, vol 1, p 186-87.
1870:
"God's professed people are selfish and self-caring. They love the things of this world, and have fellowship with the works of darkness. They have pleasure in unrighteousness. They have not love toward God nor love for their neighbors. They are idolaters, and are worse, far worse, in the sight of God than the heathen, graven-image worshipers who have no knowledge of a better way." (2T 440.2)1870
1879:
"As a people, we are backsliding from God. The hearts of His professed children are being estranged from Him. While they have a name to live, the true, vital energies of the soul have become spiritually dead....
"I plead with our brethren and sisters to make the most of their God-given opportunities. Christ, when weeping over Jerusalem, exclaimed, `If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes' [Luke 19:42]. Jerusalem's sin was in abusing past privileges, and she was sealing her doom in rejecting present mercies and warnings. The weak faith of our people today shows that past warnings and reproofs have not been heeded, and hardness of heart, and indifference, and unbelief are the result....
"The hour of probation is fast passing; the cup of God's indignation is fast filling. Will those who profess to be waiting for the appearing of their Lord from heaven be found wanting...?" Review and Herald, vol. 1, p 208-09 (July 10, 1879).
1882:
"My heart aches day after day and night after night for our churches. Many are progressing, but in the back track...Unless they shall become Christians indeed, they will go from weakness to weakness, divisions will increase, and many souls will be led to perdition....
"The sin of ancient Israel was in disregarding the expressed will of God and following their own way according to the leadings of unsanctified hearts. Modern Israel are fast following in their footsteps, and the displeasure of the Lord is as surely resting upon them." Testimonies, vol. 5, p 93-94
1884:
"The Lord has a controversy with his professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. There are calamities on sea and land: and these calamities will increase, one disaster following close upon another; and the little band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will be pointed out as the ones who are bringing the wrath of God upon the world by their disregard of Sunday." {RH, March 18, 1884 par. 8}
"In Revelation 17, Babylon is represented as a woman, a figure which is used in the Scriptures as the symbol of a church. A virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. Babylon is said to be a harlot; and the prophet beheld her drunken with the blood of saints and martyrs. The Babylon thus described represents Rome, that apostate church which has so cruelly persecuted the followers of Christ. But Babylon the harlot is the mother of daughters who follow her example of corruption. Thus are represented those churches that cling to the doctrines and traditions of Rome and follow her worldly practices, and whose fall is announced in the second angel's message." {4SP 233.1}
1885:
"Like ancient Israel, the church has dishonored her God by departing from the light, neglecting her duties, and abusing her high and exalted privilege of being peculiar and holy in character. Her members have violated their covenant to live for God and him only. They have joined with the selfish and world-loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin have been cherished, and Christ has departed. His Spirit has been quenched in the church. Satan works side by side with professed Christians; yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not detect him. They have not the burden of the work. The solemn truths they profess to believe are not a reality to them. They have not genuine faith." (RH, May 5, 1885 par. 4)
1886:
"We must as a people arouse and cleanse the camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and unholy practices are coming in among us in a large degree; and ministers who are handling sacred things are guilty of sin in this respect. They are coveting their neighbors' wives, and the seventh commandment is broken. We are in danger of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become corrupted, and filled with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird; and will we be clear unless we make decided movements to cure the existing evil?" {21MR 380.1} Letter 51, 1886
1887:
"What is our condition in this fearful and solemn time? Alas, what pride is prevailing in the church, what hypocrisy, what deception, what love of dress, frivolity, and amusement, what desire for the supremacy! All these sins have clouded the mind, so that eternal things have not been discerned." R H, March 22, 1887
1888:
"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." R H, July 24, 1888
1889:
"If the church of God becomes lukewarm [Laodicean], it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird [Babylonian]. Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. Only those that are sanctified through the truth will compose the royal family in the heavenly mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him and keep His commandments." {19MR 176.1}Letter 35, 1889
"I was confirmed in all I had stated in Minneapolis, that a reformation must go through the churches. Reforms must be made, for spiritual weakness and blindness were upon the people who had been blessed with great light and precious opportunities and privileges. As reformers they had come out of the denominational churches, but they now act a part similar to that which the churches acted. We hoped that there would not be the necessity for another coming out. While we will endeavor to keep the "unity of the Spirit" in the bonds of peace, we will not with pen or voice cease to protest against bigotry." EGW'88 356, 357 (1889) LDE 48.1
1890:
"Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel's message, and I have answered, 'It is the third angel's message in verity.' The prophet declares, 'And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.' Brightness, glory, and power are to be connected with the third angel's message, and conviction will follow wherever it is preached in demonstration of the Spirit. How will any of our brethren know when this light shall come to the people of God? As yet, we certainly have not seen the light that answers to this description. God has light for His people, and all who will accept it will see the sinfulness of remaining in a lukewarm condition; they will heed the counsel of the True Witness."Ibid., April 1, 1890
"For nearly two years we have been urging the people to come up and accept the light and the truth concerning the righteousness of Christ, and they do not know whether to come and take hold of this precious truth or not. They are bound about with their own ideas. They do not let the Saviour in." The Review and Herald, March 11, 1890
"We have seen souls turned from sin to righteousness. We have seen faith revived in the hearts of the contrite ones." The Review and Herald, May 27, 1890
1892:
"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." 12MR 331.1 May 9, 1892
"The third angel's message is swelling into a loud cry, and you must not feel at liberty to neglect the present duty, and still entertain the idea that at some future time you will be the recipients of great blessing, when without any effort on your part a wonderful revival will take place. . . . Today you are to have your vessel purified, that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord--fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. . . . {Ev 701.4}
"Instead of living in expectation of some special season of excitement, we are wisely to improve present opportunities, doing that which must be done in order that souls may be saved. Instead of exhausting the powers of our mind in speculations in regard to the times and seasons which the Lord has placed in His own power, and withheld from men, we are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to souls who are perishing for the truth." Review and Herald, March 22, 1892. {Ev 702.1}
"I was shown that the testimony to the Laodiceans applies to God's people at the present time, and the reason it has not accomplished a greater work is because of hardness of their hearts...This fearful message will do its work...It is designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and to lead to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel....
"God will prove His people. Jesus bears patiently with them, and does not spew them out of His mouth in a moment. Said the angel: `God is weighing His people.'(C) If the message had been of as short duration as many of us supposed, there would have been no time for them to develop character....
"Said the angel: `God will bring His work closer and closer to test and prove every one of His people.'...If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have their charge: `They are joined to their idols, let them alone,' and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels.(D) (E) Testimonies, vol 1, p 186-87.
1870:
"God's professed people are selfish and self-caring. They love the things of this world, and have fellowship with the works of darkness. They have pleasure in unrighteousness. They have not love toward God nor love for their neighbors. They are idolaters, and are worse, far worse, in the sight of God than the heathen, graven-image worshipers who have no knowledge of a better way." (2T 440.2)1870
1879:
"As a people, we are backsliding from God. The hearts of His professed children are being estranged from Him. While they have a name to live, the true, vital energies of the soul have become spiritually dead....
"I plead with our brethren and sisters to make the most of their God-given opportunities. Christ, when weeping over Jerusalem, exclaimed, `If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes' [Luke 19:42]. Jerusalem's sin was in abusing past privileges, and she was sealing her doom in rejecting present mercies and warnings. The weak faith of our people today shows that past warnings and reproofs have not been heeded, and hardness of heart, and indifference, and unbelief are the result....
"The hour of probation is fast passing; the cup of God's indignation is fast filling. Will those who profess to be waiting for the appearing of their Lord from heaven be found wanting...?" Review and Herald, vol. 1, p 208-09 (July 10, 1879).
1882:
"My heart aches day after day and night after night for our churches. Many are progressing, but in the back track...Unless they shall become Christians indeed, they will go from weakness to weakness, divisions will increase, and many souls will be led to perdition....
"The sin of ancient Israel was in disregarding the expressed will of God and following their own way according to the leadings of unsanctified hearts. Modern Israel are fast following in their footsteps, and the displeasure of the Lord is as surely resting upon them." Testimonies, vol. 5, p 93-94
1884:
"The Lord has a controversy with his professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. There are calamities on sea and land: and these calamities will increase, one disaster following close upon another; and the little band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will be pointed out as the ones who are bringing the wrath of God upon the world by their disregard of Sunday." {RH, March 18, 1884 par. 8}
"In Revelation 17, Babylon is represented as a woman, a figure which is used in the Scriptures as the symbol of a church. A virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. Babylon is said to be a harlot; and the prophet beheld her drunken with the blood of saints and martyrs. The Babylon thus described represents Rome, that apostate church which has so cruelly persecuted the followers of Christ. But Babylon the harlot is the mother of daughters who follow her example of corruption. Thus are represented those churches that cling to the doctrines and traditions of Rome and follow her worldly practices, and whose fall is announced in the second angel's message." {4SP 233.1}
1885:
"Like ancient Israel, the church has dishonored her God by departing from the light, neglecting her duties, and abusing her high and exalted privilege of being peculiar and holy in character. Her members have violated their covenant to live for God and him only. They have joined with the selfish and world-loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin have been cherished, and Christ has departed. His Spirit has been quenched in the church. Satan works side by side with professed Christians; yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not detect him. They have not the burden of the work. The solemn truths they profess to believe are not a reality to them. They have not genuine faith." (RH, May 5, 1885 par. 4)
1886:
"We must as a people arouse and cleanse the camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and unholy practices are coming in among us in a large degree; and ministers who are handling sacred things are guilty of sin in this respect. They are coveting their neighbors' wives, and the seventh commandment is broken. We are in danger of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become corrupted, and filled with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird; and will we be clear unless we make decided movements to cure the existing evil?" {21MR 380.1} Letter 51, 1886
1887:
"What is our condition in this fearful and solemn time? Alas, what pride is prevailing in the church, what hypocrisy, what deception, what love of dress, frivolity, and amusement, what desire for the supremacy! All these sins have clouded the mind, so that eternal things have not been discerned." R H, March 22, 1887
1888:
"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." R H, July 24, 1888
1889:
"If the church of God becomes lukewarm [Laodicean], it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird [Babylonian]. Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. Only those that are sanctified through the truth will compose the royal family in the heavenly mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him and keep His commandments." {19MR 176.1}Letter 35, 1889
"I was confirmed in all I had stated in Minneapolis, that a reformation must go through the churches. Reforms must be made, for spiritual weakness and blindness were upon the people who had been blessed with great light and precious opportunities and privileges. As reformers they had come out of the denominational churches, but they now act a part similar to that which the churches acted. We hoped that there would not be the necessity for another coming out. While we will endeavor to keep the "unity of the Spirit" in the bonds of peace, we will not with pen or voice cease to protest against bigotry." EGW'88 356, 357 (1889) LDE 48.1
1890:
"Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel's message, and I have answered, 'It is the third angel's message in verity.' The prophet declares, 'And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.' Brightness, glory, and power are to be connected with the third angel's message, and conviction will follow wherever it is preached in demonstration of the Spirit. How will any of our brethren know when this light shall come to the people of God? As yet, we certainly have not seen the light that answers to this description. God has light for His people, and all who will accept it will see the sinfulness of remaining in a lukewarm condition; they will heed the counsel of the True Witness."Ibid., April 1, 1890
"For nearly two years we have been urging the people to come up and accept the light and the truth concerning the righteousness of Christ, and they do not know whether to come and take hold of this precious truth or not. They are bound about with their own ideas. They do not let the Saviour in." The Review and Herald, March 11, 1890
"We have seen souls turned from sin to righteousness. We have seen faith revived in the hearts of the contrite ones." The Review and Herald, May 27, 1890
1892:
"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." 12MR 331.1 May 9, 1892
"The third angel's message is swelling into a loud cry, and you must not feel at liberty to neglect the present duty, and still entertain the idea that at some future time you will be the recipients of great blessing, when without any effort on your part a wonderful revival will take place. . . . Today you are to have your vessel purified, that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord--fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. . . . {Ev 701.4}
"Instead of living in expectation of some special season of excitement, we are wisely to improve present opportunities, doing that which must be done in order that souls may be saved. Instead of exhausting the powers of our mind in speculations in regard to the times and seasons which the Lord has placed in His own power, and withheld from men, we are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to souls who are perishing for the truth." Review and Herald, March 22, 1892. {Ev 702.1}
1893:
"How dare mortal man pass his judgment upon them, and call the church a harlot, Babylon, a den of thieves, a cage of every unclean and hateful bird, the habitation of devils, making the nations drunk with the wine of her fornication, confederating with the kings and great men of the earth, waxing rich through the abundance of her delicacies, and proclaiming that her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities?" Manuscript 21 , 1893
"I understood that both these men were at the General Conference [held in Battle Creek, February 17-March 6, 1893], that is, S and C. Could they not discern there the revealings of the Spirit of God? Could they not see that God was opening the windows of heaven and pouring out a blessing? Why was this? Testimonies had been given correcting and counseling the church and many had made a practical application of the message to the Laodicean Church, and were confessing their sins and repenting in contrition of soul. They were hearing the voice of Jesus, the heavenly Merchantman, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: 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." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"Those who assert that the Seventh-day Adventist churches constitute Babylon, or any part of Babylon, might better stay at home. Let them stop and consider what is the message to be proclaimed at this time." TM, 37
"There is but one church in the world who are at the present time standing in the breach, and making up the hedge, building up the old waste places; and for any man to call the attention of the world and other churches to this church, denouncing her as Babylon, is to do a work in harmony with him who is the accuser of the brethren." TM, 50
"The counsel of Christ to the Laodicean Church was being acted upon, and all who were feeling their poverty were buying gold (faith and love), white raiment (the righteousness of Christ), and eyesalve (true spiritual discernment)." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"While God's blessing was penetrating everywhere, while His PRESENCE was consecrating and sanctifying souls unto Himself, why did they not place their souls in the channel of light?" RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"How could they come from that meeting where the power of God was revealed in so marked a manner, and proclaim that the loud cry was that the commandment-keeping people were Babylon?" RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"The work of Satan is to cover the repentant, believing, COMMANDMENT-KEEPING people of God with defiling garments..." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"Beware of those who arise with a great burden to denounce the church. The chosen ones who are standing and breasting the storm of opposition from the world, and are uplifting the downtrodden commandments of God to exalt them as honorable and holy, are indeed the light of the world." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"It seems almost impossible that anyone who had a genuine experience in the faith should suggest such erroneous applications of scripture as applicable to God's commandment-keeping people." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"The wine of Babylon is the exalting of the false and spurious sabbath above the Sabbath which the Lord Jehovah hath blessed and sanctified for the use of man, also [it is] the immortality of the soul. These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon. Kings, merchants, rulers, and religious teachers are all in corrupt harmony." {2SM 68.2}Letter 16, 1893
"God has a people in which all heaven is interested, and they are the one object on earth dear to the heart of God. Let every one who reads these words give them thorough consideration; for in the name of Jesus I would press them home upon every soul. When any one arises, either among us or outside of us, who is burdened with a message which declares that the people of God are numbered with Babylon, and claims that the loud cry is a call to come out of her, you may know that he is not bearing the message of truth. Receive him not, nor bid him Godspeed; for God has not spoken by him, neither has he given a message to him, but he has run before he was sent. The message contained in the pamphlet called the "Loud Cry," is a deception. Such messages will come, and it will be claimed for them that they are sent of God, but the claim will be false; for they are not filled with light, but with darkness. There will be messages of accusation against the people of God, similar to the work done by Satan in accusing God's people, and these messages will be sounding at the very time when God is saying to his people, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." {RH, August 29, 1893 par. 5}
1894:
Sister Ellen White warned that the General Conference leadership were "pursuing a similar course to that of the Roman Catholics" (Manuscript Releases, vol 9, p 179--Letter 53, 1894); that they were trying to make the General Conference "like Rome, the great head of the work" (Manuscript Release #133, p 27--Letter 71, April 8, 1894)
1895:
"Now, it has been Satan's determined purpose to eclipse the view of Jesus, and lead men to look to man, and trust to man, and be educated to expect help from man. For years the church has been looking to man and expecting much from man, but not looking to Jesus, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. Therefore God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's message, in clear, distinct lines." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 93(1895)
Sister White said in that year that leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was already "following in the track of Romanism" (Testimonies to Ministers, p 362)
1900:
"The day of God is right upon us, and the world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting upon a short-sited policy." E.G. White, General Conference Bulletin, 1st Quarter, 1900
"You are exhorted to touch not the unclean thing; for in touching this, you will yourself become unclean. It is impossible for you to unite with those who are corrupt, and still remain pure. "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial?" God and Christ and the heavenly host would have man know that if he unites with the corrupt, he will become corrupt. Ample provision has been made that we may be raised from the lowlands of earth, and have our affections fastened upon God and upon heavenly things." (RH Jan. 2, 1900)
1901:
"The people have lost confidence in those who have the management of the work. Yet we hear that the voice of the Conference is the Voice of God. Every time I have heard this, I have thought that it was almost blasphemy....We have reached the time when the work cannot advance while wrong principles are cherished." Man. 37, 1901
"That these men should stand in a sacred place to be the voice of God to the people as we once believed the General Conference to be, that is past." GC Bulletin 1901, 25
1902:
"Now and ever we are to stand as a distinct and peculiar people, free from all worldly policy, unembarrassed by confederacy with those who have not wisdom to discern the claims of God so plainly set forth in His law." Letter 110, 1902 {MM 329.1}
1903:
"Instead of leading the world to render obedience to God's law, the church is uniting more and more closely with the world in transgression. Daily the church is becoming converted to the world." 8T 119 (1903"
"The minority report expresses in a word the feelings which actuated the minority in making the report, because we believe that the constitution proposed by the majority of the committee appears to us to be so subversive of the principles of organization given to us at the General Conference of 1897 and 1901. Those principles were given to us by the Spirit of God. In my judgment, and in the judgement of the minority of the committee, this constitution is absolutely subversive of those principles. Further: The proposed new constitution reverses the reformatory steps that were taken, and the principles that were given, and which were adopted as the principles of reorganization, at the General Conferences of 1897, and 1901, and which were incorporated in the constitution of 1901.--any man who has ever read 'Neander's History of the Christian Church,' Mosheim's or any of the other of the great historians--any man who has ever read those histories can come to no other conclusion but that the principles which are to be brought in through this proposed constitution, and in the way in which they are brought in, are the same principles, and introduced in precisely the same way, as they were hundreds of years ago when the Papacy was made." General Conference Bulletin, 35th Session, April 10, 1903, Minority Committee [David Paulson, E. J. Waggoner, and P. T. Magan]
Exactly 11 days later, in direct response to these treacherous actions by the leadership that led to the forming of the present organizational structure of the denomination, Ellen White was given following solemn declaration from Christ Himself: "Why is there so dim a perception of the true spiritual condition of the church? . . . Who can truthfully say, 'Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world'? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: 'Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.'" Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 248, 250
"The members of the church triumphant--the church in heaven--will be permitted to draw near to the members of the church militant, to aid them in their necessity." E. G. White, The Southern Watchman, Sep. 8, 1903.
"The enemy of souls, 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, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result?-(1) The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. (2) Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that has sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. (3) A new organization would be established. (4) Books of a new order would be written. (5) A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. (6) The founders of this system would go into the cities and do a wonderful work. (7) The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. (8) Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but (9) God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which without God, is worthless. (10) Their foundation would be built upon the sand, (11) and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure." -Letter 242, October 1903 & Special Testimonies, Series B #7, p. 36-42
"How dare mortal man pass his judgment upon them, and call the church a harlot, Babylon, a den of thieves, a cage of every unclean and hateful bird, the habitation of devils, making the nations drunk with the wine of her fornication, confederating with the kings and great men of the earth, waxing rich through the abundance of her delicacies, and proclaiming that her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities?" Manuscript 21 , 1893
"I understood that both these men were at the General Conference [held in Battle Creek, February 17-March 6, 1893], that is, S and C. Could they not discern there the revealings of the Spirit of God? Could they not see that God was opening the windows of heaven and pouring out a blessing? Why was this? Testimonies had been given correcting and counseling the church and many had made a practical application of the message to the Laodicean Church, and were confessing their sins and repenting in contrition of soul. They were hearing the voice of Jesus, the heavenly Merchantman, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: 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." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"Those who assert that the Seventh-day Adventist churches constitute Babylon, or any part of Babylon, might better stay at home. Let them stop and consider what is the message to be proclaimed at this time." TM, 37
"There is but one church in the world who are at the present time standing in the breach, and making up the hedge, building up the old waste places; and for any man to call the attention of the world and other churches to this church, denouncing her as Babylon, is to do a work in harmony with him who is the accuser of the brethren." TM, 50
"The counsel of Christ to the Laodicean Church was being acted upon, and all who were feeling their poverty were buying gold (faith and love), white raiment (the righteousness of Christ), and eyesalve (true spiritual discernment)." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"While God's blessing was penetrating everywhere, while His PRESENCE was consecrating and sanctifying souls unto Himself, why did they not place their souls in the channel of light?" RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"How could they come from that meeting where the power of God was revealed in so marked a manner, and proclaim that the loud cry was that the commandment-keeping people were Babylon?" RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"The work of Satan is to cover the repentant, believing, COMMANDMENT-KEEPING people of God with defiling garments..." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"Beware of those who arise with a great burden to denounce the church. The chosen ones who are standing and breasting the storm of opposition from the world, and are uplifting the downtrodden commandments of God to exalt them as honorable and holy, are indeed the light of the world." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"It seems almost impossible that anyone who had a genuine experience in the faith should suggest such erroneous applications of scripture as applicable to God's commandment-keeping people." RH, November 8, 1956 par. 6. Ms. 21, June 12, 1893
"The wine of Babylon is the exalting of the false and spurious sabbath above the Sabbath which the Lord Jehovah hath blessed and sanctified for the use of man, also [it is] the immortality of the soul. These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon. Kings, merchants, rulers, and religious teachers are all in corrupt harmony." {2SM 68.2}Letter 16, 1893
"God has a people in which all heaven is interested, and they are the one object on earth dear to the heart of God. Let every one who reads these words give them thorough consideration; for in the name of Jesus I would press them home upon every soul. When any one arises, either among us or outside of us, who is burdened with a message which declares that the people of God are numbered with Babylon, and claims that the loud cry is a call to come out of her, you may know that he is not bearing the message of truth. Receive him not, nor bid him Godspeed; for God has not spoken by him, neither has he given a message to him, but he has run before he was sent. The message contained in the pamphlet called the "Loud Cry," is a deception. Such messages will come, and it will be claimed for them that they are sent of God, but the claim will be false; for they are not filled with light, but with darkness. There will be messages of accusation against the people of God, similar to the work done by Satan in accusing God's people, and these messages will be sounding at the very time when God is saying to his people, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." {RH, August 29, 1893 par. 5}
1894:
Sister Ellen White warned that the General Conference leadership were "pursuing a similar course to that of the Roman Catholics" (Manuscript Releases, vol 9, p 179--Letter 53, 1894); that they were trying to make the General Conference "like Rome, the great head of the work" (Manuscript Release #133, p 27--Letter 71, April 8, 1894)
1895:
"Now, it has been Satan's determined purpose to eclipse the view of Jesus, and lead men to look to man, and trust to man, and be educated to expect help from man. For years the church has been looking to man and expecting much from man, but not looking to Jesus, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. Therefore God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's message, in clear, distinct lines." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 93(1895)
Sister White said in that year that leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was already "following in the track of Romanism" (Testimonies to Ministers, p 362)
1900:
"The day of God is right upon us, and the world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting upon a short-sited policy." E.G. White, General Conference Bulletin, 1st Quarter, 1900
"You are exhorted to touch not the unclean thing; for in touching this, you will yourself become unclean. It is impossible for you to unite with those who are corrupt, and still remain pure. "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial?" God and Christ and the heavenly host would have man know that if he unites with the corrupt, he will become corrupt. Ample provision has been made that we may be raised from the lowlands of earth, and have our affections fastened upon God and upon heavenly things." (RH Jan. 2, 1900)
1901:
"The people have lost confidence in those who have the management of the work. Yet we hear that the voice of the Conference is the Voice of God. Every time I have heard this, I have thought that it was almost blasphemy....We have reached the time when the work cannot advance while wrong principles are cherished." Man. 37, 1901
"That these men should stand in a sacred place to be the voice of God to the people as we once believed the General Conference to be, that is past." GC Bulletin 1901, 25
1902:
"Now and ever we are to stand as a distinct and peculiar people, free from all worldly policy, unembarrassed by confederacy with those who have not wisdom to discern the claims of God so plainly set forth in His law." Letter 110, 1902 {MM 329.1}
1903:
"Instead of leading the world to render obedience to God's law, the church is uniting more and more closely with the world in transgression. Daily the church is becoming converted to the world." 8T 119 (1903"
"The minority report expresses in a word the feelings which actuated the minority in making the report, because we believe that the constitution proposed by the majority of the committee appears to us to be so subversive of the principles of organization given to us at the General Conference of 1897 and 1901. Those principles were given to us by the Spirit of God. In my judgment, and in the judgement of the minority of the committee, this constitution is absolutely subversive of those principles. Further: The proposed new constitution reverses the reformatory steps that were taken, and the principles that were given, and which were adopted as the principles of reorganization, at the General Conferences of 1897, and 1901, and which were incorporated in the constitution of 1901.--any man who has ever read 'Neander's History of the Christian Church,' Mosheim's or any of the other of the great historians--any man who has ever read those histories can come to no other conclusion but that the principles which are to be brought in through this proposed constitution, and in the way in which they are brought in, are the same principles, and introduced in precisely the same way, as they were hundreds of years ago when the Papacy was made." General Conference Bulletin, 35th Session, April 10, 1903, Minority Committee [David Paulson, E. J. Waggoner, and P. T. Magan]
Exactly 11 days later, in direct response to these treacherous actions by the leadership that led to the forming of the present organizational structure of the denomination, Ellen White was given following solemn declaration from Christ Himself: "Why is there so dim a perception of the true spiritual condition of the church? . . . Who can truthfully say, 'Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world'? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: 'Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.'" Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 248, 250
"The members of the church triumphant--the church in heaven--will be permitted to draw near to the members of the church militant, to aid them in their necessity." E. G. White, The Southern Watchman, Sep. 8, 1903.
"The enemy of souls, 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, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result?-(1) The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. (2) Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that has sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. (3) A new organization would be established. (4) Books of a new order would be written. (5) A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. (6) The founders of this system would go into the cities and do a wonderful work. (7) The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. (8) Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but (9) God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which without God, is worthless. (10) Their foundation would be built upon the sand, (11) and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure." -Letter 242, October 1903 & Special Testimonies, Series B #7, p. 36-42
"The
Lord desires us to realize that it is of great importance that we stand
in these last days upon the platform of eternal truth. Those who think
that the church militant is the church triumphant make a great
mistake." Ms 46, 1904 (MR 900.1)
"Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega WILL BE OF A MOST STARTLING NATURE." Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 16, written July 24, 1904.
1906:
"One thing it is certain is soon to be realized,--the great apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing stronger, and will continue to do so until the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout. We are to hold fast the first principles of our denominated faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith. Ever we are to keep the faith that that has been substantiated by the Holy Spirit of God from the earlier events of our experience, until the present time. We need now larger breadth, and deeper, more earnest, unwavering faith in the leadings of the Holy Spirit. If we needed the manifest proof of the Holy Spirit's power to confirm truth in the beginning after the passing of the time, we need today all the evidence in the confirmation of the truth, when souls are departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. There must not be any languishing of soul now." (NYI, February 7, 1906 par. 1)
"We are very sorry to see the result of gathering a large number to Battle Creek. Ministers who have been believers in the foundation truths that have made us what we are--Seventh-day Adventists; ministers who went to Battle Creek to teach and strengthen the truths of the Bible, are now, when old and gray-headed, turning from the grand truths of the Bible and accepting infidel sentiments. This means that the next step will be a denial of a personal God, pulling down the bulwarks of the faith that is plainly revealed in the Scriptures. The sanctuary question is the foundation of our faith. (MR760 26.3)
"The warning is given in the Word, "Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1). 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 an infidel and the other has given up the truth. (MR760 26.4)
"Letters such as this have been coming from different ones. The warning is given me to give to parents, If your children are in Battle Creek, call them away without delay. Satan has come down with great power to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." Ms 20, 1906. ("Preach the Word," February 7, 1906.) (MR760 27.1)
1908:
"On every hand we see those who have had much light and knowledge deliberately choosing evil in the place of good. Making no attempt to reform, they are growing worse and worse." dir="ltr">RP (Report of Progress), September 15, 1908 par. 13
1909:
"Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing and the people are sleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling; will you hear?" Letter 106, 1909
"Our people are now being tested as to whether they will obtain their wisdom from the greatest Teacher the world ever knew, or seek to the god of Ekron. Let us determine that we will not be tied by so much as a thread to the educational policies of those who do not discern the voice of God and who will not hearken to His commandments." {CT 255.4}Letter 132, 1909
1911:
"Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered." Ms. 23, 1911
1913:
"When our workers realize as they should the importance of the times in which we live, there will be seen a determined purpose to be on the Lord's side, and they will become in truth laborers together with God. {2SM 400.1}
"It will be well for us to consider what is soon to come upon the earth. This is no time for trifling or self-seeking. If the times in which we are living fail to impress our minds seriously, what can reach us? Do not the Scriptures call for a more pure and holy work than we have yet seen? {2SM 400.2}
"During the General Conference of 1909 a work should have been done in the hearts of those in attendance that was not done. Hours should have been given up to heart searching, that would have led to the breaking up of the fallow ground of the hearts of those who were at the meeting. This would have given them insight to understand the work so essential to be done by them in repentance and confession. But, though opportunities were given for confession of sin, for heartfelt repentance, and for a decided reformation, thorough work was not done. Some felt the influence of the Holy Spirit, and responded; but all did not yield to this influence. The minds of some were running in forbidden channels. Had there been on the part of all in the assembly a humbling of heart, there would have been manifested a wonderful blessing. {2SM 400.4}
"It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord, rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work... {2SM 401.2}
"And while I still feel the deepest anxiety over the attitude that some are taking toward important measures connected with the development of the cause of God in the earth, yet I have strong faith in the workers throughout the field, and believe that as they meet together and humble themselves before the Lord and consecrate themselves anew to His service, they will be enabled to do His will. {2SM 401.4}
"I have been deeply impressed by scenes that have recently passed before me in the night season. There seemed to be a great movement--a work of revival--going forward in many places. Our people were moving into line, responding to God's call." {2SM 402.1}
1915:
"I am charged to tell our people, that do not realize, that the devil has device after device, and he carries them out in ways that they do not expect. Satan's agencies will invent ways to make sinners out of saints. I tell you now, that when I am laid to rest, great changes will take place. I do not know when I shall be taken; and I desire to warn all against the devices of the devil. I want the people to know that I warned them fully before my death." Manuscript 1, February 24, 1915
"Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega WILL BE OF A MOST STARTLING NATURE." Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 16, written July 24, 1904.
1906:
"One thing it is certain is soon to be realized,--the great apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing stronger, and will continue to do so until the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout. We are to hold fast the first principles of our denominated faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith. Ever we are to keep the faith that that has been substantiated by the Holy Spirit of God from the earlier events of our experience, until the present time. We need now larger breadth, and deeper, more earnest, unwavering faith in the leadings of the Holy Spirit. If we needed the manifest proof of the Holy Spirit's power to confirm truth in the beginning after the passing of the time, we need today all the evidence in the confirmation of the truth, when souls are departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. There must not be any languishing of soul now." (NYI, February 7, 1906 par. 1)
"We are very sorry to see the result of gathering a large number to Battle Creek. Ministers who have been believers in the foundation truths that have made us what we are--Seventh-day Adventists; ministers who went to Battle Creek to teach and strengthen the truths of the Bible, are now, when old and gray-headed, turning from the grand truths of the Bible and accepting infidel sentiments. This means that the next step will be a denial of a personal God, pulling down the bulwarks of the faith that is plainly revealed in the Scriptures. The sanctuary question is the foundation of our faith. (MR760 26.3)
"The warning is given in the Word, "Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1). 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 an infidel and the other has given up the truth. (MR760 26.4)
"Letters such as this have been coming from different ones. The warning is given me to give to parents, If your children are in Battle Creek, call them away without delay. Satan has come down with great power to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." Ms 20, 1906. ("Preach the Word," February 7, 1906.) (MR760 27.1)
1908:
"On every hand we see those who have had much light and knowledge deliberately choosing evil in the place of good. Making no attempt to reform, they are growing worse and worse." dir="ltr">RP (Report of Progress), September 15, 1908 par. 13
1909:
"Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing and the people are sleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling; will you hear?" Letter 106, 1909
"Our people are now being tested as to whether they will obtain their wisdom from the greatest Teacher the world ever knew, or seek to the god of Ekron. Let us determine that we will not be tied by so much as a thread to the educational policies of those who do not discern the voice of God and who will not hearken to His commandments." {CT 255.4}Letter 132, 1909
1911:
"Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered." Ms. 23, 1911
1913:
"When our workers realize as they should the importance of the times in which we live, there will be seen a determined purpose to be on the Lord's side, and they will become in truth laborers together with God. {2SM 400.1}
"It will be well for us to consider what is soon to come upon the earth. This is no time for trifling or self-seeking. If the times in which we are living fail to impress our minds seriously, what can reach us? Do not the Scriptures call for a more pure and holy work than we have yet seen? {2SM 400.2}
"During the General Conference of 1909 a work should have been done in the hearts of those in attendance that was not done. Hours should have been given up to heart searching, that would have led to the breaking up of the fallow ground of the hearts of those who were at the meeting. This would have given them insight to understand the work so essential to be done by them in repentance and confession. But, though opportunities were given for confession of sin, for heartfelt repentance, and for a decided reformation, thorough work was not done. Some felt the influence of the Holy Spirit, and responded; but all did not yield to this influence. The minds of some were running in forbidden channels. Had there been on the part of all in the assembly a humbling of heart, there would have been manifested a wonderful blessing. {2SM 400.4}
"It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord, rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work... {2SM 401.2}
"And while I still feel the deepest anxiety over the attitude that some are taking toward important measures connected with the development of the cause of God in the earth, yet I have strong faith in the workers throughout the field, and believe that as they meet together and humble themselves before the Lord and consecrate themselves anew to His service, they will be enabled to do His will. {2SM 401.4}
"I have been deeply impressed by scenes that have recently passed before me in the night season. There seemed to be a great movement--a work of revival--going forward in many places. Our people were moving into line, responding to God's call." {2SM 402.1}
1915:
"I am charged to tell our people, that do not realize, that the devil has device after device, and he carries them out in ways that they do not expect. Satan's agencies will invent ways to make sinners out of saints. I tell you now, that when I am laid to rest, great changes will take place. I do not know when I shall be taken; and I desire to warn all against the devices of the devil. I want the people to know that I warned them fully before my death." Manuscript 1, February 24, 1915
1918:
The leadership of the SDA Church in Germany declared in one of the newspapers:
"At the beginning of the war our organization was split into two parties. Ninety-eight percent of our membership, by searching the Bible, came to the conviction that they are duty-bound, by conscience, to defend the country with weapons also on Saturdays. This position, unanimously endorsed by the leadership, was immediately announced to the War Ministry. Two percent, however, did not submit to this resolution and therefore had to be disfellowshiped because of their unchristian conduct." Dresdener Neueste Nachrichten, April 12, 1918 What The Seventh-day Adventist leadership declared in Germany in one of the newspapers
1919 (Bible Conference):
A.G. Daniels: "We are to get our interpretation from this Book [the Bible], primarily. I think that the Book explains itself, and I think we can understand the Book, fundamentally through the Book, without resorting to the Testimonies [all the Spirit of Prophecy writings] to prove it up."
A.G. Daniels:"It is not our position, and it is not right that the Spirit of Prophecy is the only safe interpreter of the Bible. That is a false doctrine, a false view. It will not stand. Why, my friends what would all the people have done from John's day down to the present if there were no way to understand the Bible except through the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy! . . What do those people do over in Romania? We have hundreds of Sabbathkeepers there who have not seen a book on [of] the Spirit of Prophecy! What do those people in China do? . . He [God] gave this Book, and He gave men brains and thinking power to study the Book."
A.G. Daniels:"I have heard ministers say that the Spirit of Prophecy is the interpreter of the Bible . .
J.M. Anderson:"And he also said 'infallible interpreter.' "
C.M. Sorenson: "That expression has been canceled. That is not our position."
A.G. Daniels: "It is not our position."
A.G. Daniels: "Now on infallibility. I suppose Sister White used Paul's text, 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels,' as much as any other scripture. She used to repeat that often, 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels,' with the idea that she was a poor, feeble woman, a messenger of the Lord trying to do her duty and meet the mind of God in this work.
"When you take the position that she was not infallible, and that her writings were not verbally inspired, isn't there a chance for the manifestation of the human? If there isn't, then what is infallibility? And should we be surprised when we know that the instrument was fallible, and that the general truths, as she says, were revealed; then aren't we prepared to see mistakes?"
1924:
"Doing military service and taking part in war does not involve a covenant with the world, nor is it equivalent to taking sides with Babylon. Participation in war is a mere civil duty." P. P. Paulini, Prophecy, 1924, p. 41, SDA Church in Romania
1925:
"According to the Bible standard, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,' Adventist Christians fulfill all their duties, including military duties. They conscientiously serve the army with weapons in time of peace as well as in time of war." Adventism, 1925, pp. 53, 54 SDA Church in Yugoslavia
1926:
"Back in 1926, long before ecumenism was in vogue, the General Conference Executive Committee adopted an important statement that is now a part of the General Conference Working Policy (075). This declaration has significant ecumenical implications. The concern of the statement was for the mission field and relationships with other "missionary societies." However, the statement has now been broadened to deal with "religious organizations" in general. It affirms that Seventh-day Adventists "recognize those agencies that lift up Christ before men as a part of the divine plan for evangelization of the world, and. . .hold in high esteem Christian men and women in other communions who are engaged in winning souls to Christ." In the church's dealings with other churches, "Christian courtesy, frankness, and fairness" are to prevail..." ( Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Second Revised Edition, 1995, Art. "Ecumenism,")
The leadership of the SDA Church in Germany declared in one of the newspapers:
"At the beginning of the war our organization was split into two parties. Ninety-eight percent of our membership, by searching the Bible, came to the conviction that they are duty-bound, by conscience, to defend the country with weapons also on Saturdays. This position, unanimously endorsed by the leadership, was immediately announced to the War Ministry. Two percent, however, did not submit to this resolution and therefore had to be disfellowshiped because of their unchristian conduct." Dresdener Neueste Nachrichten, April 12, 1918 What The Seventh-day Adventist leadership declared in Germany in one of the newspapers
1919 (Bible Conference):
A.G. Daniels: "We are to get our interpretation from this Book [the Bible], primarily. I think that the Book explains itself, and I think we can understand the Book, fundamentally through the Book, without resorting to the Testimonies [all the Spirit of Prophecy writings] to prove it up."
A.G. Daniels:"It is not our position, and it is not right that the Spirit of Prophecy is the only safe interpreter of the Bible. That is a false doctrine, a false view. It will not stand. Why, my friends what would all the people have done from John's day down to the present if there were no way to understand the Bible except through the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy! . . What do those people do over in Romania? We have hundreds of Sabbathkeepers there who have not seen a book on [of] the Spirit of Prophecy! What do those people in China do? . . He [God] gave this Book, and He gave men brains and thinking power to study the Book."
A.G. Daniels:"I have heard ministers say that the Spirit of Prophecy is the interpreter of the Bible . .
J.M. Anderson:"And he also said 'infallible interpreter.' "
C.M. Sorenson: "That expression has been canceled. That is not our position."
A.G. Daniels: "It is not our position."
A.G. Daniels: "Now on infallibility. I suppose Sister White used Paul's text, 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels,' as much as any other scripture. She used to repeat that often, 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels,' with the idea that she was a poor, feeble woman, a messenger of the Lord trying to do her duty and meet the mind of God in this work.
"When you take the position that she was not infallible, and that her writings were not verbally inspired, isn't there a chance for the manifestation of the human? If there isn't, then what is infallibility? And should we be surprised when we know that the instrument was fallible, and that the general truths, as she says, were revealed; then aren't we prepared to see mistakes?"
1924:
"Doing military service and taking part in war does not involve a covenant with the world, nor is it equivalent to taking sides with Babylon. Participation in war is a mere civil duty." P. P. Paulini, Prophecy, 1924, p. 41, SDA Church in Romania
1925:
"According to the Bible standard, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,' Adventist Christians fulfill all their duties, including military duties. They conscientiously serve the army with weapons in time of peace as well as in time of war." Adventism, 1925, pp. 53, 54 SDA Church in Yugoslavia
1926:
"Back in 1926, long before ecumenism was in vogue, the General Conference Executive Committee adopted an important statement that is now a part of the General Conference Working Policy (075). This declaration has significant ecumenical implications. The concern of the statement was for the mission field and relationships with other "missionary societies." However, the statement has now been broadened to deal with "religious organizations" in general. It affirms that Seventh-day Adventists "recognize those agencies that lift up Christ before men as a part of the divine plan for evangelization of the world, and. . .hold in high esteem Christian men and women in other communions who are engaged in winning souls to Christ." In the church's dealings with other churches, "Christian courtesy, frankness, and fairness" are to prevail..." ( Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Second Revised Edition, 1995, Art. "Ecumenism,")
1927:
"Even in the middle of the battle the soldier can show Christian love: toward the disarmed [adversary] he uses kindness, toward the conquered [foe] he uses mercy, toward the prisoners he uses compassion." Der Adventbote (SDA paper published in Germany), October 15, l927 SDA Church in Germany
1928:
"This sixth assembly of Seventh-day Adventists, 1928, declares and decides that SDAs are required to render to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God that which belongs to God. This means that they are to serve the state in the army and render all forms of service, according to the established rule for all citizens." Report of the Sixth General Assembly of Seventh-day Adventists, May 12–19, 1928 SDA Church in Russia
1942:
"On Tuesday afternoon more than 400 persons attended the dedication of the new $80,000 library of the Washington Missionary College. Included in the group were leading educators and librarians from nearby schools and colleges.... Praising the project, Dr. Roy J. Deferrari, general secretary of the Catholic University of America, as principal speaker, said the 'library is worthy of pride and admiration.'" The Journal [USA], October 9, 1942
1953:
"Outsiders should not interfere in family quarrels. Let Seventh-day Adventists settle their own disputes among themselves. We do not want to get involved in the strife as to whether this or that direction is a true representation of Adventism.... In 1914 two percent of the members were disfellowshipped from the German Seventh-day Adventist Church, because they declared that participation in war service, and that on the Sabbath (Saturday), cannot be reconciled with the Adventist doctrine. The disfellowshiped believers have considered themselves as the true keepers and defenders of Adventism.... In the spring of 1936, this 'Reform Movement' was dissolved and forbidden all over the country, as 'under the cloak of religious activities they were pursuing aims which were opposed to the world views of National Socialism.' Penalties were applied in the form of imprisonment and confinement in concentration camps.... The Adventist 'Reform Movement' in Germany is now reproaching the originally incorporated and recognized Seventh-day Adventist Church for the fact that they are seeking 'better relations to the powers of darkness,' that they consider the Sabbath commandment as suspended in time of war, that they adhered to the Nazi State, that they do not ob serve the meat-eating prohibition, that they permit remarriage of divorced parties, and that they extend the number of those saved beyond 144,000.... There is something else, however, which is important to us. The original SDA Church assures us emphatically that they will 'abstain from any instigation against Catholicism.'" Paulinus [Catholic paper in Germany], March 8, 1953
1959:
"When we as Protestant Christians consider the term of office of Pius XII, we cannot refrain from showing due respect to the pious and reverence-imposing personality of the deceased Pope. . . . John XXIII, whose motto is 'Obedientia et Pax' (obedience and peace), is piloting the Catholic Church thru a difficult time. I am convinced that the prayers of the Protestant world in behalf of a good Pope, make sense. May his decisions stand before One Who is greater than he is!" Jugendleitstern [German Seventh-day Adventist paper], January 1959
1963:
"For the first time in India, Protestant and Catholic choirs organized a joint concert in New Delhi to raise funds for the Indian Red Cross. The Catholic Sacred Heart cathedral choir sang with choirs of Anglican, Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist and other churches and the Delhi Choir Society." Universe [England], January 4, 1963
"Then, another aspect of the friendliness-the way they arranged for the press of the world to have the best seats at the opening ceremony. I sat closer to the Pope than any of the cardinals. I was only forty feet away from him for three or four hours, and I had the clearest view, just as clear as some of you forty feet away. The reason I know he was forty feet away-I stepped it out after the service was over, because I thought, 'Nobody will ever believe me, that I sat so long, so near to His Holiness.'" Arthur S. Maxwell, Editor, Signs of the Times, "The Outstretched Hand," A Sermon Report, given at the Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church, Loma Linda, California)
Comment:
How in the world could a high official of the Seventh-day Adventist Church call the man of sin, 'His Holiness?' Pioneer Seventh-day Adventists would be astonished that an Adventist would refer to the Antichrist as 'His Holiness.'
"Then, another aspect of this new friendliness, was the pope's opening speech. I have it with me. I'm not going to read it because it took a long time, but it was a beautiful speech. This was at the opening of the final session. Do you know what his subject was? Love. I quote one paragraph: . . ." (ibid., Arthur S. Maxwell, Editor, Signs of the Times, "The Outstretched Hand," A Sermon Report, given at the Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church, Loma Linda, California)
Comment:
"Shall this power, whose record for a thousand years is written in the blood of the saints, be now acknowledged as a part of the church of Christ?" ( The Great Controversy, page 571)
"Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now than when she crushed out human liberty and slew the saints of the Most High." (The Great Controversy, page 571)
1964:
"Public protest against Seventh Day Adventist publications offensive to Catholics blew up in 1940 when a book, This Mighty Hour, published by the Signs Publishing Company, another subsidiary of the Adventists, caricatured the Pope as 'Antichrist' and as the 'Beast' of the Book of Revelation.
"Following upon readers' letters, action was taken by the Catholic Women's Social Guild which made a spirited public pro test. Many people, including proprietors of hotels and guest houses, refused to purchase products of the Sanitarium Health Food Company, another Adventist subsidiary.
"The result was that officials of the Sanitarium Health Food Company called at The Advocate office and expressed regret for the publication of the offensive matter. The secretary for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania of the Sanitarium Health Food Company said in a statement to The Advocate that the book in which the offensive statements appeared 'was originally published in Europe and was republished by the Signs Publishing Company here without their careful customary scrutiny of its contents.' The passages complained of, it was said, 'do not represent the views of the Signs Publishing Company's management and certainly not of the Sanitarium Health Food Company.'
"It was said, further, that the book had not been in circulation for some considerable time, was not then being circulated and was not likely to be reproduced by the Signs Publishing Company. 'They greatly regret their part in having republished it and doubt less will attempt by some suitable means to rectify some things so far as lies in their power.'
"Though other Adventists also called at The Advocate office and repudiated the secretary's statement, we accepted the assurance of the secretary, as an official.
"Since later publications had not come to our notice and it seemed that the above offensive type of publication was disappearing in the better climate that has been developing in the intervening years, The Advocate accepted recently in good faith the Sanitarium Health Food Company's advertisement.
"Following protests from some of our readers we contacted the Seventh Day Adventist headquarters at Yarra St. Hawthorn, I and spoke to Pastor L. Jones. He assured us that the book, This Mighty Hour, had been withdrawn early in the forties and was not now in circulation. He said that the author had, in fact, 2 recently visited Australia and was asked about the book. ! According to Pastor Jones, the author said that were he to write such a book today he would write it differently. Pastor Jones added that a new climate now happily existed between the religious denominations and that so far as he knew nothing of this kind of literature, which might be deemed offensive, was now being circulated by the Adventists." The Advocate [Catholic paper in Australia], February 13, 1964
1966:
"The event took place in the chapel of the Christian Adventist Church, whose leaders invited the diocesan bishop of Goya (Corrientes), Monsignor Alberto Devoto. He was a member of the Preparations Committee for Vatican Council II, correspondent for the Press at the 4th session of the council, a member of the Liturgic Reforms Committee that introduced different changes in Catholic worship, and he belongs to the line of dignitaries renovating the Argentine Ecclesiastical hierarchy.
"The news of Monsignor Devoto's visit to the Adventist Church had created great interest and expectation. Pastor Victor Schulz, local leader of the Adventist Church, received the high dignitary of the Catholic Church on his arrival. After a welcome had been given him, Monsignor Devoto entered the church accompanied by the Adventist leaders. The distinguished visitor was then introduced to the assembly by Pastor Schulz. He expressed the pleasure of the Christian Adventist Church 'for having on its rostrum such a learned priest of the Catholic Church,' and he said he was looking forward with great interest to 'the subject of his address,' considering the fact that he (Mon signor Devoto) had attended all the meetings of the Council, thus being thoroughly informed concerning the atmosphere of the eminent congress, and familiar with the historic transcendencies of the thoughts of its promoters, John XXIII and Paul VI." Asi [Argentine magazine], October 1966
1968:
"During the visit of the Church-State Study Commission to Italy, the members joined in a general papal audience in St. Peter's. Afterwards three members of the commission spoke briefly with the Pope Pierre Lanares, religious liberty secretary of the Southern European Division; Roland R. Hegstad, editor, Liberty; and Leif Kr. Tobiassen of Andrews University. The pope . . . (presented) . . . a souvenir medal to Dr. Tobiassen." RH May 30, 1968
1969:
"Sister Bernice, a Roman Catholic nun who is a graduate student in mathematics at Andrews University, recently spoke to the ministerial club at Andrews." Lake Union Herald [SDA paper in USA], January 2, 1969
1972:
"Adventists dedicate a chapel (in Maringa, Parana, Brazil). The presence of diocesan bishop Jayme Luiz Coelho and other priests and pastors transformed the dedication of the central chapel of the Seventh-day Adventist Church into an authentic example of ecumenism.... During the dedication services, pastor Jose Ira ja da Costa e Silva, who handed the chapel over to the congregation; the diocesan bishop; and mayor Adriano Valente had the floor." Folha de Londrina [Brazilian newspaper], May 14, 1972
"Even in the middle of the battle the soldier can show Christian love: toward the disarmed [adversary] he uses kindness, toward the conquered [foe] he uses mercy, toward the prisoners he uses compassion." Der Adventbote (SDA paper published in Germany), October 15, l927 SDA Church in Germany
1928:
"This sixth assembly of Seventh-day Adventists, 1928, declares and decides that SDAs are required to render to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God that which belongs to God. This means that they are to serve the state in the army and render all forms of service, according to the established rule for all citizens." Report of the Sixth General Assembly of Seventh-day Adventists, May 12–19, 1928 SDA Church in Russia
1942:
"On Tuesday afternoon more than 400 persons attended the dedication of the new $80,000 library of the Washington Missionary College. Included in the group were leading educators and librarians from nearby schools and colleges.... Praising the project, Dr. Roy J. Deferrari, general secretary of the Catholic University of America, as principal speaker, said the 'library is worthy of pride and admiration.'" The Journal [USA], October 9, 1942
1953:
"Outsiders should not interfere in family quarrels. Let Seventh-day Adventists settle their own disputes among themselves. We do not want to get involved in the strife as to whether this or that direction is a true representation of Adventism.... In 1914 two percent of the members were disfellowshipped from the German Seventh-day Adventist Church, because they declared that participation in war service, and that on the Sabbath (Saturday), cannot be reconciled with the Adventist doctrine. The disfellowshiped believers have considered themselves as the true keepers and defenders of Adventism.... In the spring of 1936, this 'Reform Movement' was dissolved and forbidden all over the country, as 'under the cloak of religious activities they were pursuing aims which were opposed to the world views of National Socialism.' Penalties were applied in the form of imprisonment and confinement in concentration camps.... The Adventist 'Reform Movement' in Germany is now reproaching the originally incorporated and recognized Seventh-day Adventist Church for the fact that they are seeking 'better relations to the powers of darkness,' that they consider the Sabbath commandment as suspended in time of war, that they adhered to the Nazi State, that they do not ob serve the meat-eating prohibition, that they permit remarriage of divorced parties, and that they extend the number of those saved beyond 144,000.... There is something else, however, which is important to us. The original SDA Church assures us emphatically that they will 'abstain from any instigation against Catholicism.'" Paulinus [Catholic paper in Germany], March 8, 1953
1959:
"When we as Protestant Christians consider the term of office of Pius XII, we cannot refrain from showing due respect to the pious and reverence-imposing personality of the deceased Pope. . . . John XXIII, whose motto is 'Obedientia et Pax' (obedience and peace), is piloting the Catholic Church thru a difficult time. I am convinced that the prayers of the Protestant world in behalf of a good Pope, make sense. May his decisions stand before One Who is greater than he is!" Jugendleitstern [German Seventh-day Adventist paper], January 1959
1963:
"For the first time in India, Protestant and Catholic choirs organized a joint concert in New Delhi to raise funds for the Indian Red Cross. The Catholic Sacred Heart cathedral choir sang with choirs of Anglican, Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist and other churches and the Delhi Choir Society." Universe [England], January 4, 1963
"Then, another aspect of the friendliness-the way they arranged for the press of the world to have the best seats at the opening ceremony. I sat closer to the Pope than any of the cardinals. I was only forty feet away from him for three or four hours, and I had the clearest view, just as clear as some of you forty feet away. The reason I know he was forty feet away-I stepped it out after the service was over, because I thought, 'Nobody will ever believe me, that I sat so long, so near to His Holiness.'" Arthur S. Maxwell, Editor, Signs of the Times, "The Outstretched Hand," A Sermon Report, given at the Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church, Loma Linda, California)
Comment:
How in the world could a high official of the Seventh-day Adventist Church call the man of sin, 'His Holiness?' Pioneer Seventh-day Adventists would be astonished that an Adventist would refer to the Antichrist as 'His Holiness.'
"Then, another aspect of this new friendliness, was the pope's opening speech. I have it with me. I'm not going to read it because it took a long time, but it was a beautiful speech. This was at the opening of the final session. Do you know what his subject was? Love. I quote one paragraph: . . ." (ibid., Arthur S. Maxwell, Editor, Signs of the Times, "The Outstretched Hand," A Sermon Report, given at the Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church, Loma Linda, California)
Comment:
"Shall this power, whose record for a thousand years is written in the blood of the saints, be now acknowledged as a part of the church of Christ?" ( The Great Controversy, page 571)
"Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now than when she crushed out human liberty and slew the saints of the Most High." (The Great Controversy, page 571)
1964:
"Public protest against Seventh Day Adventist publications offensive to Catholics blew up in 1940 when a book, This Mighty Hour, published by the Signs Publishing Company, another subsidiary of the Adventists, caricatured the Pope as 'Antichrist' and as the 'Beast' of the Book of Revelation.
"Following upon readers' letters, action was taken by the Catholic Women's Social Guild which made a spirited public pro test. Many people, including proprietors of hotels and guest houses, refused to purchase products of the Sanitarium Health Food Company, another Adventist subsidiary.
"The result was that officials of the Sanitarium Health Food Company called at The Advocate office and expressed regret for the publication of the offensive matter. The secretary for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania of the Sanitarium Health Food Company said in a statement to The Advocate that the book in which the offensive statements appeared 'was originally published in Europe and was republished by the Signs Publishing Company here without their careful customary scrutiny of its contents.' The passages complained of, it was said, 'do not represent the views of the Signs Publishing Company's management and certainly not of the Sanitarium Health Food Company.'
"It was said, further, that the book had not been in circulation for some considerable time, was not then being circulated and was not likely to be reproduced by the Signs Publishing Company. 'They greatly regret their part in having republished it and doubt less will attempt by some suitable means to rectify some things so far as lies in their power.'
"Though other Adventists also called at The Advocate office and repudiated the secretary's statement, we accepted the assurance of the secretary, as an official.
"Since later publications had not come to our notice and it seemed that the above offensive type of publication was disappearing in the better climate that has been developing in the intervening years, The Advocate accepted recently in good faith the Sanitarium Health Food Company's advertisement.
"Following protests from some of our readers we contacted the Seventh Day Adventist headquarters at Yarra St. Hawthorn, I and spoke to Pastor L. Jones. He assured us that the book, This Mighty Hour, had been withdrawn early in the forties and was not now in circulation. He said that the author had, in fact, 2 recently visited Australia and was asked about the book. ! According to Pastor Jones, the author said that were he to write such a book today he would write it differently. Pastor Jones added that a new climate now happily existed between the religious denominations and that so far as he knew nothing of this kind of literature, which might be deemed offensive, was now being circulated by the Adventists." The Advocate [Catholic paper in Australia], February 13, 1964
1966:
"The event took place in the chapel of the Christian Adventist Church, whose leaders invited the diocesan bishop of Goya (Corrientes), Monsignor Alberto Devoto. He was a member of the Preparations Committee for Vatican Council II, correspondent for the Press at the 4th session of the council, a member of the Liturgic Reforms Committee that introduced different changes in Catholic worship, and he belongs to the line of dignitaries renovating the Argentine Ecclesiastical hierarchy.
"The news of Monsignor Devoto's visit to the Adventist Church had created great interest and expectation. Pastor Victor Schulz, local leader of the Adventist Church, received the high dignitary of the Catholic Church on his arrival. After a welcome had been given him, Monsignor Devoto entered the church accompanied by the Adventist leaders. The distinguished visitor was then introduced to the assembly by Pastor Schulz. He expressed the pleasure of the Christian Adventist Church 'for having on its rostrum such a learned priest of the Catholic Church,' and he said he was looking forward with great interest to 'the subject of his address,' considering the fact that he (Mon signor Devoto) had attended all the meetings of the Council, thus being thoroughly informed concerning the atmosphere of the eminent congress, and familiar with the historic transcendencies of the thoughts of its promoters, John XXIII and Paul VI." Asi [Argentine magazine], October 1966
1968:
"During the visit of the Church-State Study Commission to Italy, the members joined in a general papal audience in St. Peter's. Afterwards three members of the commission spoke briefly with the Pope Pierre Lanares, religious liberty secretary of the Southern European Division; Roland R. Hegstad, editor, Liberty; and Leif Kr. Tobiassen of Andrews University. The pope . . . (presented) . . . a souvenir medal to Dr. Tobiassen." RH May 30, 1968
1969:
"Sister Bernice, a Roman Catholic nun who is a graduate student in mathematics at Andrews University, recently spoke to the ministerial club at Andrews." Lake Union Herald [SDA paper in USA], January 2, 1969
1972:
"Adventists dedicate a chapel (in Maringa, Parana, Brazil). The presence of diocesan bishop Jayme Luiz Coelho and other priests and pastors transformed the dedication of the central chapel of the Seventh-day Adventist Church into an authentic example of ecumenism.... During the dedication services, pastor Jose Ira ja da Costa e Silva, who handed the chapel over to the congregation; the diocesan bishop; and mayor Adriano Valente had the floor." Folha de Londrina [Brazilian newspaper], May 14, 1972
1973:
In 1973 Bert Beverly Beach coauthored a book with Lukas Vischer, Secretary of the World Council of Churches. The title of the book was, So Much In Common, the subtitle, 'Between the World Council of Churches and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.' The book was published by the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland, in 1973. In this book, Beach disclosed that the cooperation between the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World Council of Churches started with Vatican II Council. "In view of the fact that informal conversations between the World Council of Churches and the Seventh-day Adventist Church have been taking place on a regular basis for over four years, it is not inappropriate to consider the significance of these contacts and take stock of what has been accomplished so far."(Bert B. Beach, So Much In Common, page 98)
"The first meeting was held in 1965, the participants being selected by the two organizers. Thus, the Conversations got underway on a completely informal basis and were held under the sole responsibility of the participants. Subsequent meetings have become somewhat more formal, in the sense that the employing bodies of the SDA participants have authorized and financed their presence and the executive committees of the three Adventist Divisions involved have given their blessing by facilitating the selection of the SDA representatives; the World Council of Churches has defrayed the expenses of its group. The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has been kept informed regarding the meetings, though it has taken no direct, active part in the Consultations, except through its three European Divisional branch offices. The November 24-26, 1969, Consultation was the fifth in the series." (ibid., Bert B. Beach, So Much In Common, page 98)
"Samuele Bacchiocchi, who studied at Andrews University and was Bible teacher at the Adventist Junior College in Ethiopia, recently received a gold medal from Pope Paul VI for taking the degree of licentiate in church history with distinction (summa cum laude), at the Papal Gregorian University in Rome." Adventecho [German SDA paper], June 15, 1973
"What we like about this going concern is that it has cut across denominational boundaries. At the recent election of officers at the annual general meeting, a new committee was elected. It consists of two Catholics, one Presbyterian, one Anglican, one Pentecostal, and four Australian-Chinese Adventists (the four who saw the need and went into action)." Australasian Record [Australian SDA paper], September 3, 1973
Comment:
"Now and ever we are to stand as a distinct and peculiar people, free from all worldly policy, unembarrassed by confederating with those who have not wisdom to discern the claims of God, so plainly set forth in His law." (Battle Creek Letters, page 52)
1974:
"Although it is true that there was a period in the life of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when the denomination took a distinctly anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint...that attitude on the church's part was nothing more than a manifestation of widespread anti-popery among conservative Protestant denominations in the early part of this century and the latter part of the last, and which has now been consigned to the historical trash heap so far as the Seventh-day Adventist Church is concerned." (Neal C. Wilson, past president of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, Court Transcript of United States vs the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission vs the Pacific Press Publishing Association and the General Conference, Reply Brief for Defendants, p 4, Civil Case #74-2025 CBR, presided over by Judge Charles B. Renfrew, U.S. District Court, San Francisco, California, 1974-1975.)
1975:
"Not all those cooperating in the project are Seventh-day Adventists. Father Sean O'Donoghue, rector of the Kodiak Catholic church, offered the facilities of the St. Mary's Parish School for use by Maranatha.... The fellowship is genuine. Father O'Donoghue delivers one of the early morning worship talks and prays for the success of the Adventist center. He and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart eat with the workers and seem intently interested in a religion that would motivate people to perform as Maranatha is doing. Father O'Donoghue is invited to participate in the opening services of the new SDA Church)." GIeaner [official publication of the North Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Union Conference], August 18, 1975
"Robert Hunter, pastor of the Morganton, North Carolina (SDA), district, and a member of the local ministerial association, joined in PULPIT EXCHANGE DAY, exchanging pulpits with (Father) Thomas Burke of St. Charles Roman Catholic Church. The theme of the city-wide program was 'Blest Be the Tie.'" Southern Tidings [official publication of the Southern Union], April 1975
1977:
B. B. Beach has a private audience with Pope Paul VI in the Vatican and presents him with gold medallion confirming friendship of the SDA Church with the Vatican. (R&H, Aug 11, 1977)
"Seeking the Objectives of Complete Unity
"After the general audience of Wednesday, the 18th inst., the Holy Father received the participants of the Conference of Secretaries of World Confessional Families. The group was accompanied by Bishop John Howe, General Secretary of the Anglican Consultative Council, and Mr. B. B. Beach, General Secretary of the Seventh-day Adventists. This was the first time that representatives of the Seventh-day Adventists met the Pope.
"To commemorate this significant moment, they offered an artistic gold medal to the Holy Father.
"The Holy Father directed the following discourse to them:
"Dear brethren in Christ:
"We rejoice to be able to receive such an important group today, and we welcome you to Peter's See.
"In you we greet the representatives of a considerable portion of the Christian people, and through you we send our wishes of grace and peace in the Lord to your Confessional Families.
"We are happy to express, in your presence, our common faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only Mediator with the Father, the Saviour of the world. Yes, brethren, together with the Apostle Peter, we proclaim that 'Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' Acts 4:12.
"On her part, the Catholic Church is solemnly engaged, through Vatican Council II, in an ecumenism based on increased fidelity to Christ the Lord and on heart conversion. At the same time, she is conscious that 'nothing is more alien to ecumenism than that false irenicism that would harm the Catholic doctrine and obscure its genuine and precise meaning.
"Reinforced by the power of the word of God, let us therefore pursue, despite all difficulties, the objective of full unity in Christ and in the Church.
"And, with humbleness and love, let us direct our thoughts and our hopes to our Lord Jesus Christ. Glory be given to Him, as well at to the Father and to the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever." L'Osservatore Romano [Catholic paper, Portuguese edition], May 29, 1977
Adventist for the First Time With the Pope
"On Wednesday, May 18, Pope Paul VI received in special audience the representatives of the Conference of Secretaries of World Confessional Families. In the group there were, among others, Bishop John Howe, First Secretary of the Anglican Advisory Council, and Mr. B. B. Beach, First Secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is the first time that a representative of this religious body has come to meet the Pope. On that occasion, to commemorate their visit, they presented the Pope with a gold medal....
"The Conference of Secretaries of World Confessional Families was organized twenty years ago, and its founder was the First Secretary of the Anglican Advisory Council, Bishop John Howe. The present Secretary of the Conference and at the same time the First Secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mr. Beach, made a statement at the Vatican Radio emphasizing the importance of this first meeting of Adventists with the Pope. Word for word, this is what he said: 'It was a great honor for me, as the Secretary of the Conference, to be present here in Rome, in audience with the Holy Father. On this occasion I presented to the Pope a book about the world-wide work of the Adventist church.'" Glas Koncila [Catholic paper in Yugoslavia], June 5, 1977
1981:
"there is another universal and truly catholic organization, the Seventh-day Adventist Church." (Neal C. Wilson, General Conference President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Adventist Review, March 5, 1981, p 3).
1986:
Judge William T. Hart issued the following ruling against Derrick Proctor and in favor of the SDA church. He stated: "Church documents that prescribe the church's structure and governance confirm that all parts of the church are parts of a single entity. Next to the Roman Catholic church, the Adventist church is the most centralized of all the major Christian denominations in this country." Derrick Proctor vs General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, case #81 C 4938, Findings of Fact, Section B, Church Objectives and Structures, p 22
1990:
In the 1990 General Conference session in Indianapolis, B.B. Beach said: "I am pleased to introduce to the assembly this afternoon T. J. Murphy, ...representing the PONTIFICAL Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He is here to give greetings on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church." [Applause]. T.J. Murphy then proceeded to give his ecumenical welcome, and was even allowed to have a prayer for the assembly. (Adventist Review, July 13, 1990, page 8; see also Review, August 11, 1977, page 23).
A condensation of 'The Great Controversy' was handed out in Indianapolis. "Shirley Burton, a spokesperson for the denomination, told the Indianapolis Star Daily newspaper the tract was 'trash....The main body of the Church has moved away from an anti-Catholic position. The new position of co-operation with the Catholic Church was exemplified by the invitation from the Seventh-day Adventists to the Vatican to send an official observer to the conference." (Arkansas Catholic 7-29-90). The following are further comments found in The Indianapolis Star, July 14, 1990, "Though Adventist officials conceded the history of the denomination has an anti-Catholic bent, they said the modern church is trying to move from that stance. 'They (the dissidents) want us to be like we were 100 years ago.' said Herbert Ford, news director for the 6.2 million-member church. "But, the church has to move not away from the eternal principles of God, but things do have to change. 'These people are a thorn in the flesh, but the church tolerates them. United States in Prophecy [Great Controversy] which was sponsored by Adventist Layworkers Affiliate of Tennessee, calls Catholicism a pagan religion and refers to the pope as a beast. Adventists who want to cling to the church's historic anti-Catholic beliefs represent only about 1,000 in the North American division of 750,000 members, Ford said."
1991:
"But just think: if you were a Catholic, what time does Mass begin? What? 6:00 a.m. And Catholic means universal. So you really are a Catholic--Adventist Catholic, a Roman Catholic..." Transcript of Taped Sermon by SDA pastor Gale Gabbert, November 9, 1991, p 1., LaGrange Seventh-day Adventist Church, Georgia, USA
"The Eucharist, turning the communion bread into the literal body of Christ, fits into the circle of the three angels' messages." (Review, May 2, 1991, Roy Adams)
1993:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Church follows a model of organizational order in the church which is modified from the orders of Roman Catholicism, but it retains the same notions of clerical order which separates the members of the Church into two classes--clergy and laity." (Douglas Devnich, president of the Canadian Union of Seventh-day Adventists, in the Messenger (Official Journal of the Canadian Union Conference), December, 1993, p 2)
"We praised the pope for sounding like an Adventist or protestant preacher, and suggested God was using this pope to bring the gospel to the Catholics." (Review, September 19, 1993, Miriam Widmer)
1995:
"Seventh-day Adventists believe that all sincere Christians, of whatever communion, constitute the people of God. . .," SDA leadership states. "They regret that their sense of world mission makes membership in the National Council and the World Council impracticable." (ibid., Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Second Revised Edition, 1995, Art. "Ecumenism,")
"...the Pope and I descended from the same Father, that makes us brothers who should not go around making personal attacks on each other.... differences, no matter how legitimate, would not justify the alienation of a member of the family....After all, the Pope and I are brothers." Columbia Union Visitor, June 1, 1995, quoting Mitchell Tyner, the associate general counsel for the General Conference
At the 1995 General Conference Session in the Netherlands, the Vatican flag was carried through the meeting hall in a singular fashion amidst an unusually loud ovation.
"Baptism will be the theme of the Roots and Branches Convocation, Thursday through Sunday at [Seventh-day Adventist] Union College [Nebraska], sponsored by Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska. Speakers include William Cardinal Keeler, archbishop of Baltimore and president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops; the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, dean of Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky; the Rev. Gayle Felton of Duke University Divinity School; and Brigalia Bam, general secretary of the South African Council of Churches. The event is the first in three-year series of annual convocations for laypersons and clergy, said Daniel Davis, executive secretary of the Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska. More than 200 people from across Nebraska and around the country are expected to attend Convocations in 1996 and 1997 will focus on communion and ministry. "Together with baptism, they represent the three key ecumenical issues facing efforts at church cooperation and unity worldwide," Davis said. The convocation is an opportunity for people "to come together and celebrate together, worship together, talk together, enjoy together," he said. "So far as we know this is the first time anywhere this kind of thing has been done. . .." Edward Cardinal Cassidy, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, was scheduled to attend but at the last minute was sent by the pope to Romania. Monsignor John Radano, a staff member of the Pontifical Council, will attend as his representative. A worship service at 7 p.m. at College View Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3015 S. 49th St., with [Cardinal] Keeler speaking on "Baptism and the Community" is open to the public. . .." (Lincoln Journal Star, Saturday, October 21, 1995). (emphasis supplied).
Comment:
What is the business of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to host a meeting between the fallen Roman Catholic and Evangelical church leaders to promote 'the three key ecumenical issues facing efforts at church cooperation and unity worldwide?' Are not Seventh-day Adventists supposed to call people out of Babylon? (Revelation 18:4). Or has the Seventh-day Adventist Church in reality gave up her God-given mission in pursuit of acceptance by the fallen churches?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church merged its health care system in Colorado, USA, with the Roman Catholic Health system. The following are some excerpts from the press release announcing the event to the world:
TWO OF COLORADO'S LARGEST HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FORM SINGLE ORGANIZATION:--Denver, Colorado, December 14, 1995. Two of Colorado's largest health care providers have finalized an agreement to form a single management company, which will create Colorado's largest provider of integrated health services... The announcement made at a news conference today held by PorterCare Adventist Health System and Sister of Charity Health Services Colorado...Purpose of the new management company is to: extend to the community each system's mission of service...The new organization will be a unique organization in the United States which financially combines two separate Christian health care systems in this manner...Factors that brought these systems together include...shared values of health care as mission derived from a common Christian heritage... The organization will be governed by a board of directors who represent both PorterCare Adventist Health System and Sister of Charity Health Services Colorado. Sisnara will serve as chief executive officer...Louisville, [CO] Times, December 16, 1995 (page 10)
Comment:
We will list some of the divine council regarding the above action.
"The Lord has repeatedly instructed me to say to His people that they are not to bind up with the world in business partnerships of any kind, and especially in so important a matter as the establishment of a sanitarium. Believers and unbelievers, serving two masters, cannot properly be linked together in the Lord's work. 'Can two walk together, except they be agreed?' God forbids His people to unite with unbelievers in the building up of His institutions." (6BIO 42.1) 1905
"Let not God's people in any of our institutions sign a truce with the enemy of God and man. The duty of the church to the world is not to come down to their ideas and accept their opinions, their suggestions, but to heed the words of Christ through His servant Paul, 'Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?' This means in a special sense marriage with unbelievers, but it covers more ground than this: it means in our instrumentalities ordained of God, in our institutions for health, in our colleges, in our publishing houses... Be afraid of uniting or binding up in bundles with them communicating the works connected with the Lord's cause to those who have no part with God, or sympathy with those who love the truth of God. "And I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." {TM 271.2} Review & Herald, Feb 18, 1890
Disregard of such clear instructions by the Seventh-day Adventist Church proves that they have chosen the friendship of God's arch enemy over God.
1996:
'Father' Benedict O'Cinnsealeigh presented a talk on Sabbath morning, September 14, 1996, to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kettering, Ohio. His talked centered on and was titled " The Similarities of Adventism and Catholicism."
1999:
When the pope visited St. Louis in January of 1999, he held a Vespers Service where there was an ecumenical gathering. Representatives of many faiths came together to meet the Pope and welcome him to America. The Dayton Daily News of January 28, 1999, recorded this event. "The pope continued the theme of unity at his final ceremony Wednesday evening at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where representatives of many faiths - Judaism, Hinduism, Seventh-day Adventists - joined him in prayer." This description only touches the tip of the iceberg, friend. The conference had a representative there, pastor B.T. Rice of the Northside Seventh-day Adventist church, who spoke and made a presentation to the Pope! Before he and other religious leaders spoke, a Catholic representative made the statement, "For many people outside the Catholic community with willingness and graciousness, our brothers and sisters of the ecumenical and inter-religious community, have accepted the invitation to come together this evening with your holiness." A little later, pastor Rice spoke, "Pope, your Holiness [!]. Your historic visit to St. Louis Missouri has served as a catalyst in the creation of this program [ecumenical program?] and it transforms your presence into a lasting legacy for our region. Today, we present to you, this proclamation, announcing the creation of Faith Beyond Walls, your commitment to improving inter-faith relations has fostered an environment wherein the spirit of collective faith positively action can thrive. In addition, we also present you with this banner, the emblem of Faith Beyond Walls. We hope and pray it will inspire inter-faith communities around the world. To focus their efforts on improving health and the quality of life for all humanity. Again, we welcome you to our region." He then approached the pope and shook his hand. This was covered on television with 2,800 members of the press covering the event and can be seen in the video Victory in St. Louis produced by the ministry Modern Manna. Modern Manna had 40 volunteers in St. Louis at that time to hand out 100,000 Is Mary Dead or Alive books. "And soon, after the Holy Spirit had been poured out and their mission completed, an apology would be offered by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists to the Pope of Rome, '...begging pardon for their [Modern Manna's] bigotry.'"
"..Honesty demands an acknowledgment that in recent decades Roman Catholicism has changed in positive ways in most parts of the world.. There is mush spirituality in the Roman Catholic Church of which Protestants can be envious. Furthermore, the Catholic Church has formally accepted the principle of religious freedom. It is not fair to suggest that these and other positive developments are just window dressing and must, in fact, be watched with suspicion, or that they should be seen as clever tactics to lull other Christians into sleep while Catholics await a fortuitous moment when they can wipe out other Christians, Adventists first and foremost.
"In criticizing Catholic history, Adventist should try to be more balanced than in the past and should avoid offering a simple extension of the often biased and inaccurate picture that many past Protestants have offered of the medieval Church. Medieval Christianity also had positive and beautiful dimension." Reinder Brinsma, "Adventists and Catholics: Prophetic Preview or Prejudice?" Spectrum, Summer 1999. [Reinder Bruinsma is the secretary of the Trans-European Division. He received his B.D. Hons. and Ph.D. in theology from the University of London. An author in English and Dutch, he has published numerous articles and ten books. His most recent English book is It's Time to Stop Rehearsing What We Believe and Start Looking at What Difference It Makes (Idaho: Pacific Press, 1998)."-Spectrum, Summer 1999.]
2002:
"Members of the London Adventist Credit Union prayed on one the chapels in St. Peter's, the Vatican, during their ten-day tour of Italy...." Messenger, Feb 11, 2002, Journal of the SDA Church in the UK & Ireland
2005:
"Also spearheading reconciliation with Rome is the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, formerly one of the strongest critics of the papacy." James Ng'ang'a by Taken from article entitled: It is imperative that all the world's faiths unite under a global church, dated June 17, 2005, at www.vaticanfm.com
2006:
"We worship and love You, heavenly Father, for who you are. And Jesus, we worship and adore You for becoming our brother. And Holy Spirit we worship and love You, too, for making all this real to us." {Signs of the Times, May 2006, p. 60 }
In 1973 Bert Beverly Beach coauthored a book with Lukas Vischer, Secretary of the World Council of Churches. The title of the book was, So Much In Common, the subtitle, 'Between the World Council of Churches and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.' The book was published by the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland, in 1973. In this book, Beach disclosed that the cooperation between the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World Council of Churches started with Vatican II Council. "In view of the fact that informal conversations between the World Council of Churches and the Seventh-day Adventist Church have been taking place on a regular basis for over four years, it is not inappropriate to consider the significance of these contacts and take stock of what has been accomplished so far."(Bert B. Beach, So Much In Common, page 98)
"The first meeting was held in 1965, the participants being selected by the two organizers. Thus, the Conversations got underway on a completely informal basis and were held under the sole responsibility of the participants. Subsequent meetings have become somewhat more formal, in the sense that the employing bodies of the SDA participants have authorized and financed their presence and the executive committees of the three Adventist Divisions involved have given their blessing by facilitating the selection of the SDA representatives; the World Council of Churches has defrayed the expenses of its group. The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has been kept informed regarding the meetings, though it has taken no direct, active part in the Consultations, except through its three European Divisional branch offices. The November 24-26, 1969, Consultation was the fifth in the series." (ibid., Bert B. Beach, So Much In Common, page 98)
"Samuele Bacchiocchi, who studied at Andrews University and was Bible teacher at the Adventist Junior College in Ethiopia, recently received a gold medal from Pope Paul VI for taking the degree of licentiate in church history with distinction (summa cum laude), at the Papal Gregorian University in Rome." Adventecho [German SDA paper], June 15, 1973
"What we like about this going concern is that it has cut across denominational boundaries. At the recent election of officers at the annual general meeting, a new committee was elected. It consists of two Catholics, one Presbyterian, one Anglican, one Pentecostal, and four Australian-Chinese Adventists (the four who saw the need and went into action)." Australasian Record [Australian SDA paper], September 3, 1973
Comment:
"Now and ever we are to stand as a distinct and peculiar people, free from all worldly policy, unembarrassed by confederating with those who have not wisdom to discern the claims of God, so plainly set forth in His law." (Battle Creek Letters, page 52)
1974:
"Although it is true that there was a period in the life of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when the denomination took a distinctly anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint...that attitude on the church's part was nothing more than a manifestation of widespread anti-popery among conservative Protestant denominations in the early part of this century and the latter part of the last, and which has now been consigned to the historical trash heap so far as the Seventh-day Adventist Church is concerned." (Neal C. Wilson, past president of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, Court Transcript of United States vs the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission vs the Pacific Press Publishing Association and the General Conference, Reply Brief for Defendants, p 4, Civil Case #74-2025 CBR, presided over by Judge Charles B. Renfrew, U.S. District Court, San Francisco, California, 1974-1975.)
1975:
"Not all those cooperating in the project are Seventh-day Adventists. Father Sean O'Donoghue, rector of the Kodiak Catholic church, offered the facilities of the St. Mary's Parish School for use by Maranatha.... The fellowship is genuine. Father O'Donoghue delivers one of the early morning worship talks and prays for the success of the Adventist center. He and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart eat with the workers and seem intently interested in a religion that would motivate people to perform as Maranatha is doing. Father O'Donoghue is invited to participate in the opening services of the new SDA Church)." GIeaner [official publication of the North Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Union Conference], August 18, 1975
"Robert Hunter, pastor of the Morganton, North Carolina (SDA), district, and a member of the local ministerial association, joined in PULPIT EXCHANGE DAY, exchanging pulpits with (Father) Thomas Burke of St. Charles Roman Catholic Church. The theme of the city-wide program was 'Blest Be the Tie.'" Southern Tidings [official publication of the Southern Union], April 1975
1977:
B. B. Beach has a private audience with Pope Paul VI in the Vatican and presents him with gold medallion confirming friendship of the SDA Church with the Vatican. (R&H, Aug 11, 1977)
"Seeking the Objectives of Complete Unity
"After the general audience of Wednesday, the 18th inst., the Holy Father received the participants of the Conference of Secretaries of World Confessional Families. The group was accompanied by Bishop John Howe, General Secretary of the Anglican Consultative Council, and Mr. B. B. Beach, General Secretary of the Seventh-day Adventists. This was the first time that representatives of the Seventh-day Adventists met the Pope.
"To commemorate this significant moment, they offered an artistic gold medal to the Holy Father.
"The Holy Father directed the following discourse to them:
"Dear brethren in Christ:
"We rejoice to be able to receive such an important group today, and we welcome you to Peter's See.
"In you we greet the representatives of a considerable portion of the Christian people, and through you we send our wishes of grace and peace in the Lord to your Confessional Families.
"We are happy to express, in your presence, our common faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only Mediator with the Father, the Saviour of the world. Yes, brethren, together with the Apostle Peter, we proclaim that 'Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' Acts 4:12.
"On her part, the Catholic Church is solemnly engaged, through Vatican Council II, in an ecumenism based on increased fidelity to Christ the Lord and on heart conversion. At the same time, she is conscious that 'nothing is more alien to ecumenism than that false irenicism that would harm the Catholic doctrine and obscure its genuine and precise meaning.
"Reinforced by the power of the word of God, let us therefore pursue, despite all difficulties, the objective of full unity in Christ and in the Church.
"And, with humbleness and love, let us direct our thoughts and our hopes to our Lord Jesus Christ. Glory be given to Him, as well at to the Father and to the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever." L'Osservatore Romano [Catholic paper, Portuguese edition], May 29, 1977
Adventist for the First Time With the Pope
"On Wednesday, May 18, Pope Paul VI received in special audience the representatives of the Conference of Secretaries of World Confessional Families. In the group there were, among others, Bishop John Howe, First Secretary of the Anglican Advisory Council, and Mr. B. B. Beach, First Secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is the first time that a representative of this religious body has come to meet the Pope. On that occasion, to commemorate their visit, they presented the Pope with a gold medal....
"The Conference of Secretaries of World Confessional Families was organized twenty years ago, and its founder was the First Secretary of the Anglican Advisory Council, Bishop John Howe. The present Secretary of the Conference and at the same time the First Secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mr. Beach, made a statement at the Vatican Radio emphasizing the importance of this first meeting of Adventists with the Pope. Word for word, this is what he said: 'It was a great honor for me, as the Secretary of the Conference, to be present here in Rome, in audience with the Holy Father. On this occasion I presented to the Pope a book about the world-wide work of the Adventist church.'" Glas Koncila [Catholic paper in Yugoslavia], June 5, 1977
1981:
"there is another universal and truly catholic organization, the Seventh-day Adventist Church." (Neal C. Wilson, General Conference President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Adventist Review, March 5, 1981, p 3).
1986:
Judge William T. Hart issued the following ruling against Derrick Proctor and in favor of the SDA church. He stated: "Church documents that prescribe the church's structure and governance confirm that all parts of the church are parts of a single entity. Next to the Roman Catholic church, the Adventist church is the most centralized of all the major Christian denominations in this country." Derrick Proctor vs General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, case #81 C 4938, Findings of Fact, Section B, Church Objectives and Structures, p 22
1990:
In the 1990 General Conference session in Indianapolis, B.B. Beach said: "I am pleased to introduce to the assembly this afternoon T. J. Murphy, ...representing the PONTIFICAL Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He is here to give greetings on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church." [Applause]. T.J. Murphy then proceeded to give his ecumenical welcome, and was even allowed to have a prayer for the assembly. (Adventist Review, July 13, 1990, page 8; see also Review, August 11, 1977, page 23).
A condensation of 'The Great Controversy' was handed out in Indianapolis. "Shirley Burton, a spokesperson for the denomination, told the Indianapolis Star Daily newspaper the tract was 'trash....The main body of the Church has moved away from an anti-Catholic position. The new position of co-operation with the Catholic Church was exemplified by the invitation from the Seventh-day Adventists to the Vatican to send an official observer to the conference." (Arkansas Catholic 7-29-90). The following are further comments found in The Indianapolis Star, July 14, 1990, "Though Adventist officials conceded the history of the denomination has an anti-Catholic bent, they said the modern church is trying to move from that stance. 'They (the dissidents) want us to be like we were 100 years ago.' said Herbert Ford, news director for the 6.2 million-member church. "But, the church has to move not away from the eternal principles of God, but things do have to change. 'These people are a thorn in the flesh, but the church tolerates them. United States in Prophecy [Great Controversy] which was sponsored by Adventist Layworkers Affiliate of Tennessee, calls Catholicism a pagan religion and refers to the pope as a beast. Adventists who want to cling to the church's historic anti-Catholic beliefs represent only about 1,000 in the North American division of 750,000 members, Ford said."
1991:
"But just think: if you were a Catholic, what time does Mass begin? What? 6:00 a.m. And Catholic means universal. So you really are a Catholic--Adventist Catholic, a Roman Catholic..." Transcript of Taped Sermon by SDA pastor Gale Gabbert, November 9, 1991, p 1., LaGrange Seventh-day Adventist Church, Georgia, USA
"The Eucharist, turning the communion bread into the literal body of Christ, fits into the circle of the three angels' messages." (Review, May 2, 1991, Roy Adams)
1993:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Church follows a model of organizational order in the church which is modified from the orders of Roman Catholicism, but it retains the same notions of clerical order which separates the members of the Church into two classes--clergy and laity." (Douglas Devnich, president of the Canadian Union of Seventh-day Adventists, in the Messenger (Official Journal of the Canadian Union Conference), December, 1993, p 2)
"We praised the pope for sounding like an Adventist or protestant preacher, and suggested God was using this pope to bring the gospel to the Catholics." (Review, September 19, 1993, Miriam Widmer)
1995:
"Seventh-day Adventists believe that all sincere Christians, of whatever communion, constitute the people of God. . .," SDA leadership states. "They regret that their sense of world mission makes membership in the National Council and the World Council impracticable." (ibid., Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Second Revised Edition, 1995, Art. "Ecumenism,")
"...the Pope and I descended from the same Father, that makes us brothers who should not go around making personal attacks on each other.... differences, no matter how legitimate, would not justify the alienation of a member of the family....After all, the Pope and I are brothers." Columbia Union Visitor, June 1, 1995, quoting Mitchell Tyner, the associate general counsel for the General Conference
At the 1995 General Conference Session in the Netherlands, the Vatican flag was carried through the meeting hall in a singular fashion amidst an unusually loud ovation.
"Baptism will be the theme of the Roots and Branches Convocation, Thursday through Sunday at [Seventh-day Adventist] Union College [Nebraska], sponsored by Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska. Speakers include William Cardinal Keeler, archbishop of Baltimore and president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops; the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, dean of Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky; the Rev. Gayle Felton of Duke University Divinity School; and Brigalia Bam, general secretary of the South African Council of Churches. The event is the first in three-year series of annual convocations for laypersons and clergy, said Daniel Davis, executive secretary of the Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska. More than 200 people from across Nebraska and around the country are expected to attend Convocations in 1996 and 1997 will focus on communion and ministry. "Together with baptism, they represent the three key ecumenical issues facing efforts at church cooperation and unity worldwide," Davis said. The convocation is an opportunity for people "to come together and celebrate together, worship together, talk together, enjoy together," he said. "So far as we know this is the first time anywhere this kind of thing has been done. . .." Edward Cardinal Cassidy, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, was scheduled to attend but at the last minute was sent by the pope to Romania. Monsignor John Radano, a staff member of the Pontifical Council, will attend as his representative. A worship service at 7 p.m. at College View Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3015 S. 49th St., with [Cardinal] Keeler speaking on "Baptism and the Community" is open to the public. . .." (Lincoln Journal Star, Saturday, October 21, 1995). (emphasis supplied).
Comment:
What is the business of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to host a meeting between the fallen Roman Catholic and Evangelical church leaders to promote 'the three key ecumenical issues facing efforts at church cooperation and unity worldwide?' Are not Seventh-day Adventists supposed to call people out of Babylon? (Revelation 18:4). Or has the Seventh-day Adventist Church in reality gave up her God-given mission in pursuit of acceptance by the fallen churches?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church merged its health care system in Colorado, USA, with the Roman Catholic Health system. The following are some excerpts from the press release announcing the event to the world:
TWO OF COLORADO'S LARGEST HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FORM SINGLE ORGANIZATION:--Denver, Colorado, December 14, 1995. Two of Colorado's largest health care providers have finalized an agreement to form a single management company, which will create Colorado's largest provider of integrated health services... The announcement made at a news conference today held by PorterCare Adventist Health System and Sister of Charity Health Services Colorado...Purpose of the new management company is to: extend to the community each system's mission of service...The new organization will be a unique organization in the United States which financially combines two separate Christian health care systems in this manner...Factors that brought these systems together include...shared values of health care as mission derived from a common Christian heritage... The organization will be governed by a board of directors who represent both PorterCare Adventist Health System and Sister of Charity Health Services Colorado. Sisnara will serve as chief executive officer...Louisville, [CO] Times, December 16, 1995 (page 10)
Comment:
We will list some of the divine council regarding the above action.
"The Lord has repeatedly instructed me to say to His people that they are not to bind up with the world in business partnerships of any kind, and especially in so important a matter as the establishment of a sanitarium. Believers and unbelievers, serving two masters, cannot properly be linked together in the Lord's work. 'Can two walk together, except they be agreed?' God forbids His people to unite with unbelievers in the building up of His institutions." (6BIO 42.1) 1905
"Let not God's people in any of our institutions sign a truce with the enemy of God and man. The duty of the church to the world is not to come down to their ideas and accept their opinions, their suggestions, but to heed the words of Christ through His servant Paul, 'Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?' This means in a special sense marriage with unbelievers, but it covers more ground than this: it means in our instrumentalities ordained of God, in our institutions for health, in our colleges, in our publishing houses... Be afraid of uniting or binding up in bundles with them communicating the works connected with the Lord's cause to those who have no part with God, or sympathy with those who love the truth of God. "And I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." {TM 271.2} Review & Herald, Feb 18, 1890
Disregard of such clear instructions by the Seventh-day Adventist Church proves that they have chosen the friendship of God's arch enemy over God.
1996:
'Father' Benedict O'Cinnsealeigh presented a talk on Sabbath morning, September 14, 1996, to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kettering, Ohio. His talked centered on and was titled " The Similarities of Adventism and Catholicism."
1999:
When the pope visited St. Louis in January of 1999, he held a Vespers Service where there was an ecumenical gathering. Representatives of many faiths came together to meet the Pope and welcome him to America. The Dayton Daily News of January 28, 1999, recorded this event. "The pope continued the theme of unity at his final ceremony Wednesday evening at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where representatives of many faiths - Judaism, Hinduism, Seventh-day Adventists - joined him in prayer." This description only touches the tip of the iceberg, friend. The conference had a representative there, pastor B.T. Rice of the Northside Seventh-day Adventist church, who spoke and made a presentation to the Pope! Before he and other religious leaders spoke, a Catholic representative made the statement, "For many people outside the Catholic community with willingness and graciousness, our brothers and sisters of the ecumenical and inter-religious community, have accepted the invitation to come together this evening with your holiness." A little later, pastor Rice spoke, "Pope, your Holiness [!]. Your historic visit to St. Louis Missouri has served as a catalyst in the creation of this program [ecumenical program?] and it transforms your presence into a lasting legacy for our region. Today, we present to you, this proclamation, announcing the creation of Faith Beyond Walls, your commitment to improving inter-faith relations has fostered an environment wherein the spirit of collective faith positively action can thrive. In addition, we also present you with this banner, the emblem of Faith Beyond Walls. We hope and pray it will inspire inter-faith communities around the world. To focus their efforts on improving health and the quality of life for all humanity. Again, we welcome you to our region." He then approached the pope and shook his hand. This was covered on television with 2,800 members of the press covering the event and can be seen in the video Victory in St. Louis produced by the ministry Modern Manna. Modern Manna had 40 volunteers in St. Louis at that time to hand out 100,000 Is Mary Dead or Alive books. "And soon, after the Holy Spirit had been poured out and their mission completed, an apology would be offered by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists to the Pope of Rome, '...begging pardon for their [Modern Manna's] bigotry.'"
"..Honesty demands an acknowledgment that in recent decades Roman Catholicism has changed in positive ways in most parts of the world.. There is mush spirituality in the Roman Catholic Church of which Protestants can be envious. Furthermore, the Catholic Church has formally accepted the principle of religious freedom. It is not fair to suggest that these and other positive developments are just window dressing and must, in fact, be watched with suspicion, or that they should be seen as clever tactics to lull other Christians into sleep while Catholics await a fortuitous moment when they can wipe out other Christians, Adventists first and foremost.
"In criticizing Catholic history, Adventist should try to be more balanced than in the past and should avoid offering a simple extension of the often biased and inaccurate picture that many past Protestants have offered of the medieval Church. Medieval Christianity also had positive and beautiful dimension." Reinder Brinsma, "Adventists and Catholics: Prophetic Preview or Prejudice?" Spectrum, Summer 1999. [Reinder Bruinsma is the secretary of the Trans-European Division. He received his B.D. Hons. and Ph.D. in theology from the University of London. An author in English and Dutch, he has published numerous articles and ten books. His most recent English book is It's Time to Stop Rehearsing What We Believe and Start Looking at What Difference It Makes (Idaho: Pacific Press, 1998)."-Spectrum, Summer 1999.]
2002:
"Members of the London Adventist Credit Union prayed on one the chapels in St. Peter's, the Vatican, during their ten-day tour of Italy...." Messenger, Feb 11, 2002, Journal of the SDA Church in the UK & Ireland
2005:
"Also spearheading reconciliation with Rome is the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, formerly one of the strongest critics of the papacy." James Ng'ang'a by Taken from article entitled: It is imperative that all the world's faiths unite under a global church, dated June 17, 2005, at www.vaticanfm.com
2006:
"We worship and love You, heavenly Father, for who you are. And Jesus, we worship and adore You for becoming our brother. And Holy Spirit we worship and love You, too, for making all this real to us." {Signs of the Times, May 2006, p. 60 }
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written by anthony johnson, December 01, 2008
The SDA church is not perfect. But if the ones who know the truth will stand up for GOD. the truth will set you free. If you know GOD all this is but a thing. May GOD bless all who do his will.
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written by afolabi samuel, October 23, 2008
This also goes to Damian Jackson and Logan Norman,- It is very unfortunate for you both to have arrived at such a conclusion. "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" Galatians 4:16.
We have declared the pure truth of God and it is so plain for honest person to see. Far from it that we want people to follow our views, God forbid! Please endeavor to open your eyes and heart and do not allow your preconceived opinion and blind love for your church to hinder your salvation. Trust not to your church. "We are not saved as a sect; no denominational name has any virtue to bring us into favor with God. We are saved individually as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.... We may have our names recorded on the books of the most spiritual of the churches, and yet we may not belong to Christ, and our names may not be written on the Lamb's book of life. Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." -{RH, February 10, 1891 par. 5}
"And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
"And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." Acts 28:25-28.
Please know for sure that:"God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church."-{UL 315.5}
We will seize this opportunity to plead with you both to once again, with an open mind (like the "Berians" that Apostle Paul commended), re-study everything in this section for SDAs only. We shall claim the promise of God found in Isa 30:21 "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."
In His love and service,
WLC Team.
We have declared the pure truth of God and it is so plain for honest person to see. Far from it that we want people to follow our views, God forbid! Please endeavor to open your eyes and heart and do not allow your preconceived opinion and blind love for your church to hinder your salvation. Trust not to your church. "We are not saved as a sect; no denominational name has any virtue to bring us into favor with God. We are saved individually as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.... We may have our names recorded on the books of the most spiritual of the churches, and yet we may not belong to Christ, and our names may not be written on the Lamb's book of life. Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." -{RH, February 10, 1891 par. 5}
"And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
"And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." Acts 28:25-28.
Please know for sure that:"God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church."-{UL 315.5}
We will seize this opportunity to plead with you both to once again, with an open mind (like the "Berians" that Apostle Paul commended), re-study everything in this section for SDAs only. We shall claim the promise of God found in Isa 30:21 "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."
In His love and service,
WLC Team.
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written by Daniel Scarbrough, August 23, 2008
I also read the entire article and found it to be a facinating work. What part of doing business with the branches of the anti-Christ kingdon is not apostasy? You can't have it both ways. You can't invite satans servrnts into the Lord's work. He can't bless those who would in any way fraternize with his and our enemy, Lucifer!As a corporate denomination the SDAs have obviously been tap dancing with the Devil for quite some time and is becoming more prevalent. I also was witness to the Satanic workings of Bert Beach. What a shame it was and is. You folks out there can now stop sweeping the dirt under the rug and come on out and be counted. Don't worry, You don't need a big bureucratic denominatioal monster to finish God's work! Sister White clearly described all this would come to pass soon and it HAS. His work is being finished by more and more private militants for Christ. I have found that most SDAs are quite satisfied with the current arrangement,and would not want to have to do anything personally. Give the Church institution that $ and let then worry about the work. That's what you pay them for is it not? That's the way we have grown to operate,is it not?
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written by Logan Norman, August 02, 2008
I too have read through the "Chronology of Apostasy" and am failing to see where it meets the definition of apostasy. The SDA church, like all others are not perfect. No one is. Doesn't God want us to bring light to the feet of the blind, how are we suppose to do that if we avoid them.
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written by Damian Jackson, June 25, 2008
I read through your so called Chronology of SDA Apostasy but I can't really see where it really is an apostasy. I understand that some SDA's might have made some wrong statements but that wasn't the teaching of the church overall. I am still a bit short on your full explanation of this apostasy.
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