Resources For SDAs Only Is The Reformed SDA Church, God's True Remnant Church Today
| Is The Reformed SDA Church, God's True Remnant Church Today |
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Now to your questions regarding the Reformed SDA church and why I am convinced that they are not, nor can ever be the true remnant church, I will let the word of Inspiration speak for me rather then my own opinion, for that is of little worth in the sight of God if that is all we have to offer. I will try to specifically address the issues you present in your letter.
1. Their claim that "their movement
is symbolized by that other angel of Revelation 18." How does this square
up against the word of Inspiration? We read: "The third angel's message is
swelling into a loud cry..." 1888 Materials: pg.959; and again: The time
of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun
in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer.
This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the
whole earth." Ibid.1073. I believe that we are in this "swelling" period right now, the "beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth." My conviction that this is so is enforced by the following statement which I believe is being fulfilled RIGHT NOW! "I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant." EW 261. Doesn't this exactly describe your experience and mine and the experience of thousands around this globe, and doesn't this statement strengthen and encourage us as we see its fulfillment happening all around us?
But let us read on: "Under the
proclamation of the third angel, great power is to come to the church. This is
represented in the description given by John in Revelation 18: "And after
these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and
the earth was lighted with his glory" (verse 1). This is the last call to
And again: "The last great conflict
is before us; but help is to come to all who love God and obey his law, and the
earth, the whole earth, is to be lighted with the glory of God. "Another
angel" is to come down from heaven. This angel represents the giving of
the loud cry, which is to come from those who are preparing to cry mightily,
with a strong voice, "
So this angel of Revelation 18 represents the giving of the loud cry (IT DOES NOT REPRESENT A CHURCH OR AN ORGANIZATION), but let us look at another VERY IMPORTANT aspect of the loud cry, which also tells us when it will be manifested. We read: "I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth in great power. It had effect. I saw those who had been bound; some wives had been bound by their husbands, and some children had been bound by their parents. The honest who had been held or prevented from hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold of the truth spoken. All fear of their relatives was gone. The truth alone was exalted to them. It was dearer and more precious than life. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, "It is the latter rain. The refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The loud cry of the Third Angel." 1RH 12/31/57.
And again: "As the members of the
body of Christ approach the period of their last conflict, "the time of
Jacob's trouble," they will grow up into Christ, and will partake largely
of his Spirit. As the third message swells to a loud cry, and as great power
and glory attends the closing work, the faithful people of God will partake of
that glory. It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass
through the time of trouble. Their faces will shine with the glory of that
light which attends the third angel." 1RH 05/27/62 So if these people maintain that "their movement is symbolized by that other angel of Revelation 18" then they are saying that the latter rain began in 1914 when that church was founded, are they not? But we read: "Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost." 5T 214.
"When the third angel's message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received "the latter rain," "the refreshing from the presence of the Lord," and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received "the seal of the living God." Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, "It is done;" and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven," is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords." GC 613.
The way I understand the chain of these
events is that if the Reform SDA church claims to be "the angel of
Revelation 18, then the sealing began, as did the latter rain began to fall way
back in 1914. But the problem that presents itself is where then does that
statement from EW 261 [par.4, pg.1] fit in if the people are called out
"before the loud cry of the third angel is given"? In fact to
strengthen this argument we read: "The first, second, and third angels'
messages are to be repeated. The call is to be given to the church: "
Again we read: "Many who heard the
first and second angels' messages thought they would live to see Christ coming
in the clouds of heaven. Had all who claimed to believe the truth acted their
part as wise virgins, the message would ere this have been proclaimed to every
nation, kindred, tongue, and people. But five were wise and five were foolish.
The truth should have been proclaimed by the ten virgins, but only five had
made the provision essential to join that company who walked in the light that
had come to them. The third angel's message was needed. This proclamation was
to be made. Many who went forth to meet the Bridegroom under the messages of
the first and second angels, refused the third angel's message, the last
testing message to be given to the world. A similar work will be accomplished
when that other angel, represented in Revelation 18, gives his message. The
first, second, and third angels' messages will need to be repeated. The call
will be given to the church, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not
partakers of her sins." "
Now when were the 3 angel's messages
repeated prior to 1914?, for it is only after the 2nd time they are given that
the angel of Revelation 18 is manifested! And when was the call given to
"the church" to come out of
2. You state that "Some of them assert that the self-supporting ministries are going into the track of independency." Let us look at that in the light of Inspiration. They are probably referring to this statement: "I know that the Lord loves His church. It is not to be disorganized, or broken up into independent atoms. There is not the least consistency in this. There is not the least evidence that such a thing will be. Those who shall heed this false message, and try to leaven others will be deceived, and prepared to receive advance delusions, and they will come to naught." MS 1: 304.
But the question that needs to be
answered is "independent" of what--the organized church? Let us see.
"God is leading a people out from the world upon the exalted platform of
eternal truth--the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. He will discipline
and fit up his people. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing,
and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each moving independently
of the body. Through the diversity of the gifts of governments he has placed in
the church, they will all come to the unity of the faith. If one man takes his
views of Bible truth without regard for the opinions of his brethren, and
justifies his course, alleging that he has a right to his own peculiar views,
and then presses them upon others, how can he be fulfilling the prayer of
Christ? and if another, and still another, arises, asserting his right to
believe and talk what he pleases without reference to the faith of the body,
where will be the harmony that Christ prayed might exist with his brethren that
existed between him and his Father? Test. 24: 164.
So it is not being independent that
displeases God, it is being independent of "the exalted platform of
eternal truth--the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, the unity of the
faith, the faith of the body." In fact, contrary to what you have been
told we read: "As we do this work, we must learn to rely upon what God can do for the saving of souls. Generally too much dependence is placed upon human ability, and too little faith is shown in him whose grace is sufficient to supply all our deficiencies. We are inclined to think that unless an organized company of workers is sent to a field, the efforts put forth will be useless. We feel as if we must belong to some organization if we would accomplish good. But John the Baptist did not work on this plan. His mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah by his God-given message; and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he did the work appointed him without calling to his aid priest or rabbi." 5RH 03/29/98
And again: "He [Satan] works to
restrict religious liberty, and to bring into the religious world a species of
slavery. Organizations, institutions, unless kept by the power of God, will
work under Satan's dictation to bring men under the control of men: and fraud
and guile will bear the semblance of zeal for truth, and for the advancement of
the
In fact, look at these startling
statements: "Independent men of earnest endeavor are needed, not men as
impressible as putty. Those who want a work all made ready to their hand, where
they have a fixed amount to do and a fixed salary, and where they will prove an
exact fit without trouble of adaptation or training, are not the men God calls
to do a work in his cause. A man who cannot adapt his abilities, to fill almost
any place if necessity requires, is not the man for this time. Men whom God
will connect with his work are not to be fibreless and limp, without muscle or
moral force of character." T25:50 And again: "Individual independence
and individual power is what is now needed. Individual character need not be
sacrificed, but modulated, refined, elevated." Ibid. So this sentiment that working independently is working contrary to God is only because the god they now worship is not God the Creator but the temple, the structure which they have erected, not God, as we shall see.
Yes, the Reform SDA church does have much truth. That cannot be denied. In fact, in contrast to the corporate SDA church their doctrines are much purer, but let us look at "the rest of the story." Their belief, sentiment, teaching, etc., that unless you belong to their church you cannot be saved is not Biblical in the slightest bit. We read: "Cyprian (d. about 258) is considered the founder of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. He advocated the theory that there is but one true church, and that outside of it there is no access to salvation." 4BC: 835.
So this is a totally papal concept which no true Christian should be expressing or even entertaining. For "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. "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. And "by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." 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." 4RH 01/10/91
In closing, let me present the most
significant reason why it is impossible for the Reform SDA church to be God's
true remnant church. But first I must quote from their publication, which has a
direct bearing on this issue. We read: "The apostasy in
Of course the author of this statement
would like it to be true, and may even believe with all of his heart that it is
true, because the organization of the Reform SDA church is an exact mirror
image of the apostate, corporate, SDA church--it too has a General Conference,
Divisions, Unions, and so on. It is no wonder that he is defending that
organizational system. But that statement is absolutely false, as we shall see,
for it IS its system of organization that led the SDA church to the fall into
apostasy In 1903, the leadership of the SDA church were involved in General Conference Proceedings. At this time a Minority Committee [David Paulson, E.J. Waggoner, and P.T. Magan] gave a report, part of which stated: "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.
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 compelled to write these words: "In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: "Found wanting." By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged… The heavenly Teacher inquired: "What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they are in need of everything."... 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." 8T 247-250.
It was the very action of introducing the
papal hierarchal system, the exact same system adopted by the Reform SDA
church, and which governs it to this day, that compelled God to not only call
it an HARLOT, but to remove His divine presence and glory from it! Where is the
evidence that, as that committee reported, a papacy was forming? We read the
following from official publications and leading scholars of the SDA church:
"Structure. At the local conference
level the
And again: "There is ANOTHER
universal and TRULY CATHOLIC ORGANIZATION, the
FIVE TIMES then president of the General
Conference, Neal Wilson referred to some of his vice-presidents as
"CARDINALS," at the New Orleans General Conference. Adventist Review
7/3/1985. So, as stated before, but which cannot be emphasized too much, the hierarchal system of organization which the Reformed SDA church practices and defends is directly contrary to the principles given by God and which led the SDA denomination to be labeled a harlot, devoid of His presence and glory. How then can the Reformed SDA church continue to claim that it is, or ever was, God's true remnant church???
Brother D, I hope that this answers satisfactorily your questions regarding the Reform SDA church, and what our attitude should be regarding any man-led denomination. In closing may I invite you to read with me: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by Thy name, to take away our reproach." Isaiah 4:1. Now let us compare that verse with this one: "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. There were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb." Revelation 14:4
Now we either belong to one group or the other. Which group, brother D, would you say the Reformed SDA church belongs to? Can it be a harlot and a virgin at the same time? Can it proclaim that none can be saved outside of it--none can find salvation in any other name, and yet claim to follow Christ also?
May God abundantly bless, and keep you as you contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Yours in the Blessed Hope,
Your brother in Christ,
Clarence A. Settle
The Issue
Hits: 1853 Comments (3)
  written by Daniel Scarbrough, November 19, 2009
As I was reading this well structured argument I thought...Why all the fuss over the writings of Ellen White?
To show that the Reform SDA or any other church is or is not the "remnant church" as they claim, all you need to accomplish that task is the Holy Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Why not use the Bible alone to make your point? If the audience can't accept the word of God as final authority in all matters concerning our salvation or any other concern then you are dealing with cult mentality. The more I read EGW here and on another site where they teach the soon coming of our Lord, I see the same thing. A battle raging over the words of EGW, trying to prove this or that point using the words that were published in her name instead of the Bible. The extensive use and abuse of the published works of EGW by the church is one of the major contributing factors whereby many lost their way! Many not only left the SDA church when they found out the extent of the White deceptions and lies, some were so discouraged and confounded by the lies exposed by Walter Rea that they even threw out the truth with it and disregard the Sabbath! How SAD is that? They threw out the baby with the bathwater! The works of Ellen White have proved to be a source of contention among the would be elect...and a source of constant confusion as the battle rages. Because of her writings a most loved family member of mine is going to be lost. In fact ALL of them in my family that are SDA will NOT budge. They are so thoroughly indoctrinated and controlled by the church through the writings of EGW that they can't see the Bible truth. They maintain that you MUST accept EGW as the "Spirit of Prophecy". To an Adventist, Ellen always trumps the Bible! For example, When I try to show them the TRUE explanation of Rev. 17 they always ask, what does Ellen have to say about that? If it were not for the erroneous teaching that her books, articles and letters are all from God then we would not have this mess on our hands today. Your article brought a very intriguing issue forward...Ellen White stayed in the corrupt SDA corporate church structure and did not come out even after declaring it a HARLOT. I have seen equally valid arguments presented in the light of statements made by EGW in regards to the issue of the SDA church today, Babylon or not? She used the words "would" "could" and "should" when describing what "would" happen "if" certain conditions apply. Any fool can do that, hey I'm a prophet because I can predict that the ground will be wet on a given future date "if" it rains on that particular day. To prophesy with certainty that something will come to pass you would declare with confidence as a prophet that it "will be" wet or "shall be" wet, not "would be" wet "if" a certain condition such as rain is present. She said "books of a new order would be written" in regard to the issue of whether they would become Babylon. She did NOT say with absolute certainty that they will become Babylon, she said that they "would" be "if" certain conditions apply. Ellen and the church ignored the bible concerning the council from Paul on the conduct of women in the churches. Paul explains very carefully with detail WHY they are to "keep silent" and "not to teach" nor to "usurp authority" over the man. Paul also says that if she ask anything, ask it of her husband at home. I don't see anywhere in my Bible where there are any exceptions to the rule! Women first was deceived, NOT man...that is where it all started, Paul breaks it down for you but you will have to break out your Bible and read all about it. This issue alone should be enough of a warning sign to give a serious Bible student pause! I have stayed relatively quiet on this issue until now...I just can't take the lies and deception anymore! GOD DOES NOT CHANGE HIS MIND ON ANY ISSUE AND HE CERTAINLY DID NOT GIVE ALTERNATE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ELLEN! If I could show you irrefutable evidence that she was indeed less than truthful concerning her sources of "inspiration" of her "visions" would you accept the TRUTH and cease to be mistaken? Or will you cease to be honest and continue in the tradition of the SDA in the belief that she is a prophet of God? God's remnant keep His commandments and have the testimony of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus Christ is the Spirit of Prophecy, not the "Gift" of Prophecy as most think. The SPIRIT of prophecy is the same spirit where ALL the gifts originated. This is one of the most overlooked delusions of the end time, the delusion that God would go against His own words and place a woman over men in authority in religious matters in the Church! God FORBID!!!!!
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"How can I be sure I'm a "remnant" person?
Read Revelation 12:10-11. Here we see a clash between the true Christian and Satan. How do the Christians win in this conflict? (They relied on the death and resurrection of Jesus and they told others about it.)
Read Revelation 12:16-17. Who made the dragon mad? (If we are right about the woman, it would be a faithful remnant.) Who, logically, would be the "offspring" of the remnant? (Those born later who were also true Christians.)
Why is Satan mad at the offspring? (For the same reasons he was mad at Jesus - they are the opposition. They stand in the way of his evil plans for the earth.)
Look at Revelation 12:17 again, because it gives us a very clear description of the remnant. What two characteristics do we see? (They obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.)
Why, from a "prophetic gift" point of view, are the Ten Commandments so important? (Recall that they are the "gold standard" for God's communication to humans. They are the only communication we have which was written by the hand of God.
From Satan's point of view, why would he attack those who kept the Ten Commandments? (If you are not following God's will for your life, how are you an enemy of Satan? There is no need to fight those who are not on the field of battle against you.)
Look again at Revelation 12:17. Put yourself in John the Revelator's place. How important is the message about Jesus? (The whole point of his ministry was to persuade people that Jesus was the Messiah - Jesus is God.)
Let's read a series of texts to better understand how Revelation uses this term "testimony of Jesus." Read Revelation 1:1-2, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 14:12, Revelation 17:6, Revelation 19:10, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 22:16, Revelation 22:20-21. How do you understand the meaning of the term "testimony of Jesus" after reading these verses? (These are people who are communicating Jesus' message to the world.)
Did you notice Revelation 19:10 says "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." What do you understand that to mean? We know that a prophet is one who conveys God's message. The remnant's testimony about Jesus is a message from God.
Read Joel 2:28-29. What does Joel prophecy about the remnant in the last days? (They are filled with the Holy Spirit. Their message about Jesus is driven by a close connection with the Holy Spirit.)
How can we tell whether God is speaking to us through the Holy Spirit or through a prophet? (Read Isaiah 8:20. You check the accuracy of the current message by past revelations you believe are from God.)
What are the "law" and the "testimony?" (I believe the law is the gold-standard Ten Commandments (written personally by God). If you read through Isaiah 8, testimony refers to testimony about God. Thus, this is the familiar test of whether the prophet is leading people to the true God.)
Are you filled with the Holy Spirit, saved by the grace of Jesus, witnessing to what Jesus has done, and determined to live a life in obedience to God's law? Have you separated from Babylon?
If your answer is not a clear, "Yes!" then will you pray right now for the Holy Spirit to come into your life in full power that you may communicate Jesus' Testimony to the world?
Welcome to the Remnant!
I agree that the works such as the Great Controversy are great books...but they aren't original.