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Category: ADVENTIST CHURCH

  • Seventh-day Adventist History Quiz: Fascinating Facts About God’s End-Time Movement

    Seventh-day Adventist History Quiz: Fascinating Facts About God’s End-Time Movement

    Do you know Seventh-day Adventist history? It is fascinating to see how God moved in this movement, and how He put things in place for this end-time movement to exist, to bring about the end of the world, and to give the Three Angels’ Messages to the whole world. The Three Angels’ Messages are the last message of Jesus for earth. Jesus says in Revelation 14 that those who accept it receive the seal of God, while those who reject it receive the mark of the beast and the seven last plagues.

    Do you know the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Test your knowledge — we ask a question, and the answer is found right after the question mark. How many questions can you answer? Did you know many of the answers already? By exploring this history, we can better understand how God works with humanity, and learn from His workings throughout history. Test yourself now!

    This is a quiz. A question is asked, then a question mark, then the answer. Test your knowledge by not looking at the answer after the question mark, to see if you know it. Good read!

    Adventist History Questions

    No SDA church in the South? Mason-Dixon Line
    When did E. White say to work in the South? Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation
    What year was emancipation? January 1, 1863
    Slavery abolished year? 1865
    What other event happened two years before? The SDA Church was officially formed
    Who was the 1st SDA minister in the South? Elbert Lane

    Who was the 1st Black SDA minister? Charles Kinney
    Which year? 1889
    What was Edson White’s boat called? The Morning Star
    What was the 1st SDA church in the South called? The Morning Star SDA Church
    1st SDA Black school city? Vicksburg
    What did Edson establish? The Southern Missionary Society

    Name the SDA South magazine? The 1898 Gospel Herald Magazine
    Where were the first episodes printed? On the Morning Star
    When was E. White’s 1st health vision? 1863
    What was the 1st SDA health institute called? Western Health Reform Institute
    At what age did Kellogg invent corn flakes? 24
    Who created the word “sanitarium”? Kellogg
    From? “Sanatorium,” a hospital for soldiers
    On which ship were Kellogg’s machines used? On the Titanic

    Who was Anna Knight? The 1st Black female SDA missionary
    How far did she travel to get baptized? 600 kilometers
    Where did she go as a missionary? India
    Who was Nathaniel Faulkhead? A Freemason who became SDA
    When did E. White arrive in Australia? 1891
    Where did Faulkhead work? Echo Publishing House, as secretary

    What did God give him a dream of? E. White having a message for him
    What did E. White do while talking to Faulkhead? Made Masonic signs
    What did Faulkhead ask her? If she knew the signs she made
    How many people in Australia knew those signs? Only 6, and all men

    How many brothers and sisters did William Miller have? Oldest of 16
    His birth city? Low Hampton, NY
    Miller’s wife? Lucy Smith
    Where did they meet? Poultney, Vermont
    War experience 1? A shell exploded 2 feet from Miller
    Other soldiers? Were injured
    How did the USA win? By being less trained and fewer in number
    What did the signs help him do? Believe in God
    What did Miller do during his 1st sermon reading? Cried
    Why? Reading was a parental duty to teach children to pray, while he himself did not pray

    What year did God reveal 1843 to Miller? 1818
    How long did Miller keep the message to himself? 13 years
    What did God tell him in his heart? Go and tell the world
    Who knocked on Miller’s door? His nephew Irving
    What did Miller do when invited to preach? Stormed off angry
    Who promoted William Miller? Joshua Himes
    Who found the 1844 date? Samuel Snow

    Who gave the “come out of Babylon” message for the first time? Charles Fitch
    How did he die? October 14, of pneumonia after baptizing people in cold water
    Where did believers close to William Miller wait for Jesus’ return? On his farm’s rock
    What is this rock called? Ascension Rock

    City E. White was born in? Gorham, Maine
    12 miles from? Portland
    Where was E. White’s father during her accident? In the South, where hats sold at a higher price
    What was his job and name? Hat maker, Robert
    What did he say when he saw Ellen? He did not recognize her

    How old was Ellen White in 1844? 17
    What were her sister and brother’s names? Robert and Elizabeth
    What did they do after 1844? Lost their faith in Jesus
    Who received visions before Ellen G. White? William Foy and Hazen Foss
    When did William Foy receive his 1st vision? 1842
    What ethnicity was he? Black
    How long did his 2nd vision last? 13 and a half hours

    How old was he? 20
    How many visions did he have? 2
    Who received the same vision as Ellen White? Hazen Foss
    When? After E. White received her 1st vision
    What did he do with the visions? Refused to give them

    Why? Afraid of ridicule
    What happened when he finally agreed to give the vision? He could not remember one word
    What words did he hear the Holy Spirit say? “You have grieved away the Spirit of God”
    What happened to him afterward? He never showed any spiritual interest again
    What did those who heard him say? It was one of the most horrible and sobering scenes

    What happened to the potatoes the Millerites left in the field? They did not rot
    What happened to the non-believer farmers’ crops? Blight, early harvest, rotten
    When did God give Ellen White her 1st vision? A few weeks after October 1844
    Which vision was it? Traveling to the City of God
    What did the angel tell Ellen White after she related the vision for the 1st time? Deliver the message faithfully

    Who was the woman who brought the Sabbath to the SDA? Rachel Oakes
    Who was the preacher in the church she attended? Frederick Wheeler
    Did this happen before or after the Great Disappointment? Before
    Did she become SDA? Yes
    When? One year before her death
    At what age did Frederick Wheeler die? 99

    Which two men were instrumental in the Sabbath question, along with Frederick Wheeler? Tim Prebble
    What did Prebble write? A tract on the Sabbath
    Who read this tract? Joseph Bates
    Bates traveled where after reading it? To these three men’s cities

    What happened when Joseph Bates arrived? They studied the Bible with the three men until morning
    Who was the 3rd man? Cyrus Farnsworth
    What happened to Bates when he returned to his city? He crossed a bridge and met a neighbor
    What did she ask him? “What’s new, Captain Bates?”
    What did he answer? “The Sabbath is the news.”

    Whom did J.N. Andrews and Uriah Smith marry? Two sisters
    How so? They were living in the same city
    Which city? Paris Hill, Maine
    At what age did J.N. Andrews decide to keep the Sabbath? 15 years old
    What was located in Paris Hill, Maine? The Review and Herald
    Where did the Review and Herald move to? New York, then Battle Creek
    To whom did God explain the cleansing of the sanctuary? Hiram Edson
    When? October 23, one day after the Disappointment

    What did Hiram Edson say when Joseph Bates presented the Sabbath to him? “I am with you to keep it.”
    What is 15 minutes away from Hiram Edson’s farm? The Fox sisters’ house
    And 20 minutes away from what? Cumorah Hill
    What happened there? Joseph Smith claimed Moroni gave him tablets
    On which hill? Cumorah Hill
    Who brought the state-of-the-dead teaching to the SDA Church? George Storrs
    Whose tract did he read? Henry Grew’s

    Which doctrines did Storrs not accept? The Sabbath and the sanctuary
    What was Henry White doing before he died? Helping with the 1863 chart
    What sickness did he die from? Pneumonia
    Which book did E. White write after Henry’s death? An Appeal to the Youth

    Who was William Farnsworth? The one who went back to chewing tobacco
    Who alone knew he chewed tobacco? He and his son
    How did Farnsworth’s son know his dad chewed tobacco? He saw him spit it out and hide it in the snow
    What did Ellen White say when visiting his church? She said he ate pork and chewed tobacco

    Where was the 1st SDA press? In Rochester
    Who was Annie Smith? Uriah Smith’s sister
    What did she write? 10 hymns in the SDA hymnal
    Where did the Pilgrims from Europe arrive? Plymouth Rock
    In which city was Hiram Edson’s farm located? Port Gibson
    In which city was Uriah Smith born? West Wilson, New Hampshire

    What was Uriah Smith’s physical problem? He had to have an amputation at age 12
    Where did Uriah Smith start working? The Review and Herald
    At what age? 21 years old
    How long did Uriah Smith work at the Review and Herald? 23 years
    Who was Uriah Smith like? The pastor of the whole church
    Why? Because there was no other news, and the Review and Herald was the news for the people

    What was the Review and Herald like? The glue that kept the church together
    How many books did Uriah Smith write? 18
    When did the Review and Herald burn down? 1903
    How did Uriah Smith die? Stroke
    What is Uriah Smith’s most famous hymn? “O Brother, Be Faithful”
    Where was the Great Controversy vision first published? Spiritual Gifts, Volume 1
    Then enlarged into which set? Spirit of Prophecy, Volumes 1 to 4

    Who started the 1st SDA school, and when? Goodloe Bell, in 1868
    Which year did the SDA publishing work start? July 1849
    Who started this work? James White
    Who told Ellen and James to start a magazine? God, through the “streams of light” vision
    Who wanted to be a preacher and failed? George King
    What did they say he could do instead? Be a “fireside preacher”

    What was this the birth of? Literature evangelism
    In which city did Ellen White receive her first health vision? Otsego, Michigan
    At what age did Harvey Kellogg become director of the Health Reform Institute? 24
    Who raised up the 1st SDA church outside the USA? Michael Czechowski
    Who was he? A former Catholic priest
    Where was this first church? Tramelan, Switzerland
    Which year? 1867

    At what age did he die? 57
    Why? Exhaustion
    Who was an early SDA Bible worker in Europe? Jacob Erzberger
    Who did he become? The 1st SDA pastor in Europe
    Who was the 1st SDA missionary in Europe? J.N. Andrews
    What did Erzberger write? The 1st SDA German tract, and he started a church

    Who did Erzberger help in Europe? Conradi
    Who was called “the ablest man in our ranks”? J.N. Andrews
    When was he sent to Europe? 1874
    Who did J.N. Andrews take with him to Europe? His 2 children
    Where was his wife? She had died 2 years earlier
    What could J.N. Andrews recite from memory? The New Testament and most of the Old Testament
    Who first taught keeping the Sabbath from sunset to sunset? J.N. Andrews
    At what age did he write History of the Sabbath? 29
    What position did he hold at age 38? General Conference President

    Why did the SDA Church receive noncombatant status in the war? Because of J.N. Andrews
    What sickness did J.N. Andrews contract 3 years after arriving in Europe? Pneumonia
    Which year were Ellen and James White married? August 13, 1846
    Which city? Portland, Maine
    At what ages? 26 and 19

  • What Is the Straight Testimony in Ellen White’s Writings?

    What Is the Straight Testimony in Ellen White’s Writings?

    I love Seventh-day Adventists. They are, by and large, honest and disciplined people. In fact, Ellen G. White says that God rebukes them precisely because they are the apple of His eye. Yet there are a few things Jesus holds against them — a message found in Revelation 3, addressed to the Laodicean church. The sad reality is that many Seventh-day Adventists reject any rebuke directed at the church, even when that rebuke comes directly from God.

    The 1888 message of righteousness by faith was also rejected.

    What is the straight testimony? This is a message found throughout both the Bible and the writings known as the Spirit of Prophecy, yet many Adventists — even pastors — remain unaware of it. Many Adventists have been taught that theirs is the true church, which is both true and biblical. But many teachers have failed to teach the other side of that truth: that the church, too, has fallen into a lukewarm state, and that God sent Ellen G. White largely to deliver this rebuke — the straight testimony — to His people.

    Why is this message so rarely taught in Adventist churches around the world? Why is it that when an Adventist discovers this message, found throughout Ellen White’s own writings, they are often treated as troublemakers? This represents a significant failure among many members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

    What Is the Straight Testimony? It Is the Laodicean Message

    We see here a tendency among many members to relate to church leadership the way Catholics often relate to their priests — depending entirely on the messenger for spiritual instruction, and avoiding any topic the minister doesn’t personally address.

    “The Laodicean message must be given with earnestness and power, as a message from heaven.” (SpTB02 20.1)

    Yet astonishingly, almost no Adventist church regularly teaches this message. I was a Seventh-day Adventist for many years before I encountered the straight testimony myself. What is the straight testimony? It is the Laodicean message. And what is the Laodicean message? It is a message of loving rebuke from God to His end-time Israel, His end-time church. Let us examine this message as found in Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy.

    “The message to the Laodicean Church is appropriate to the church at this time: ‘And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

    Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.

    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.’ There are many who are priding themselves upon their spiritual riches, their knowledge of the truth, and are living in guilty self-deception. When the members of the church humble themselves before God by zealous, not half-hearted, lifeless action, the Lord will receive them. But he declares, ‘I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.’ How long shall this warning be resisted? How long shall it be slighted?” (RH, December 23, 1890, par. 14)

    What Is the Straight Testimony? The Message and the Members Are Different

    So what is the underlying problem? It is this: the fact that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the remnant church of Revelation 12 does not mean its members are exempt from becoming lukewarm. There’s a meaningful difference between the truth God has given — which cannot be altered, since God revealed it to Moses and Abraham — and whether individuals actually live according to that truth. God does not force anyone to follow it.

    People often confuse the messenger with the message — these are two entirely different things. Many will look at a particular Christian’s unloving or unkind behavior and conclude they don’t want to follow Jesus at all. But God’s responsibility is to preserve the truth; He does not force any individual to be loving or good. Let us examine the message itself and see whether it comes from God.

    The fact that the message — the three angels’ message of Revelation — is true does not mean that every member of the remnant church is automatically loving and Christlike. What is the straight testimony? It functions much like the message of Elijah — a call to decision, a call to honestly examine our true spiritual condition. This message works hand in hand with righteousness by faith, also called the loud cry message of Revelation 18.

    “The True Witness says, ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot.’ And again, ‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent.’ Then comes the promise, ‘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.’ ‘To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.’” (RH, September 16, 1873, par. 23)

    Here we see that God’s end-time people are, in many cases, spiritually blind — unable to recognize their own condition, unable to see how offensive legalism and spiritual apathy are to God. The truth, given so freely through Ellen White, can paradoxically make people spiritually complacent. When we are legalistic, we rarely recognize it in ourselves. Churches repeat so often that we must do this or that to be saved that we eventually come to believe it, even though Ellen White never taught that we work our way into heaven.

    What Is the Straight Testimony? The Shaking

    How serious is this message? Extremely serious. As I often tell fellow Seventh-day Adventists: many know about the three angels’ message intended for the world. But did you know there is also a specific message for the church itself? Most Adventists tell me, “No, I had no idea.” This is remarkable — we have Ellen White’s writings, we have the Bible, where the remnant church is prophesied from Old Testament to New — and still, so many remain unaware.

    This message — the straight testimony — is connected to what’s known as “the shaking.”

    “I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people.” (EW 270.2)

    This means that only a select few Seventh-day Adventists — whether independent or affiliated with the official conference structure, it doesn’t matter — will be entrusted with delivering this specific message to the church. What does this straight testimony typically include? It runs throughout both the Spirit of Prophecy writings and Scripture itself.

    What are some of the rebukes contained in it? Legalism, pride, apathy, spiritual laziness, and an unkind, unloving spirit, among others. The rejection of the 1888 righteousness by faith message pushed the church further into a Laodicean condition — marked by abuse of authority, coldness, and a lack of genuine love. There are, in fact, many more character traits that many Seventh-day Adventists take pride in avoiding outwardly, while remaining blind to the same condition within their own hearts.

    “This company who bound themselves together by cords of unsanctified sympathy would not receive reproof and counsel. The straight testimony was irksome to them.” (PH159 179.1)

    “I have been instructed to give a message of warning to our churches in Oakland and Berkeley. Many who love self-indulgence and who murmur at the straight testimony of the Laodicean message, are ignorant of how sinful their actions really are.” (18MR 232.1)

    Here Ellen White affirms that we are often blind to our own condition. A legalistic mindset tends to see itself as fundamentally good — first, because such individuals compare themselves to the world around them rather than to Jesus; and second, because they place undue weight on outward works rather than on how they genuinely treat others.

    Both Ellen White and Scripture make clear that we will ultimately be judged far more by how we treated others than by our personal habits. Many Seventh-day Adventists focus heavily on dietary choices, dress standards, and other external practices — while the heart underneath remains unloving, unkind, and self-centered. Yet many mistakenly believe their outward conduct is sufficient, remaining blind to the true condition of their hearts. In effect, Jesus is left standing outside the door, while the simple lessons of the gospel are dismissed as too elementary to bother with.

    Many Seventh-day Adventists gravitate toward advanced prophetic study, while overlooking the foundational lessons — humility, turning the other cheek, forgiveness, helping those in need, meekness. These basic lessons have never lost their importance. What truly defines a Christian is Christlikeness.

    “…the solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs.” (CCh 338.5)

    “The light given me has been very forcible that many would go out from us, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” (2SM 392.2)

    “But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place, we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that his fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor. There are few really consecrated men among us; few who have fought and conquered in the battle with self.” (PH117 62.2)

    “In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and be saved.” (1T 608.3)

    Only a small portion of Seventh-day Adventists, according to this statement, will ultimately be saved. This is a sobering quote — it suggests that only a fraction of the many who hold this faith will truly enter heaven. Yet many of us assume that simply accepting the final message for earth, the three angels’ message, guarantees our salvation. It does not.

    What is the straight testimony? It is God’s rebuke directed at the Seventh-day Adventist Church — though it applies equally to all churches, since many members of other denominations will eventually embrace the three angels’ message themselves, while many Adventists who reject the straight testimony will leave the church altogether.

    “We are coming to a crisis, and I am in terror for our souls. Why is it that we find men leaving the faith? Are we in a position where we shall know what we believe, and shall not be shaken out?” (YRP 129.4)

    Here the Spirit of Prophecy states plainly that many will leave the faith. Does it say they will leave the church itself? Not necessarily — it says they will leave the faith.

    Sadly, many members never look beyond what their pastor happens to preach, and many never study Scripture deeply on their own. One of the things that most contributes to spiritual lukewarmness in the church is a fear of exploring new topics — a preference for remaining comfortable with the light already received, rather than embracing further light, such as the straight testimony, even when it is laid out so plainly.

    “The straight testimony must be revived, and it will separate those from Israel who have ever been at war with the means that God has ordained to keep corruptions out of the church. Wrongs must be called wrongs. Grievous sins must be called by their right name. All of God’s people should come nearer to Him and wash their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Then will they see sin in the true light and will realize how offensive it is in the sight of God.” (3T 324.1)

    When was the last time you heard a sermon specifically addressing pride, selfishness, or an unloving spirit? Legalism? These topics are almost never directly addressed. Many Adventist sermons today simply repeat familiar themes we’ve heard hundreds of times. How many more times do we need to be reminded that the dead are asleep, not in heaven? How many more times do we need to hear that Saturday is the Sabbath? Sister White noted that God will, at times, send important messages outside the usual channels, through individuals He personally chooses.

    “There must be a revival of the strait testimony. The path to Heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must be sacrificed, if it cause us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom, and to receive the kingdom of Heaven as a little child?

    Are we willing to part with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen worldly associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men? The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to be attained?” (PH001 6.3)

    The approval of others is a powerful temptation. Many who claim to be Christian still long deeply to please the world around them. Self-righteousness is a serious offense to God — when someone, through their actions, essentially declares, “I am good enough; I don’t need Jesus,” even while verbally affirming that we’re saved by grace, their behavior tells a different story. This renders the cross of Jesus, in effect, an unnecessary offense, robbing it of its purpose.

    What Is the Straight Testimony? The Last Church

    “Those who permit themselves to rise in opposition to the plain testimony, become self-deceived, and have really thought that those upon whom God laid the burden of His work were exalted above the people of God, and that their counsels and reproofs were uncalled for. They have risen in opposition to the plain testimony which God would have them bear in rebuking the wrongs among God’s people.” (CD 428.2)

    “I have no desire to hurt the soul of any one, but I must bear the straight testimony given me.” (LLM 43.7)

    There’s a meaningful distinction between someone who criticizes the church without cause and without any divine calling, and someone genuinely called by God to deliver this specific heavenly message known as the straight testimony. Specific sins and shortcomings are addressed directly through this message. What is the straight testimony?

    It is Jesus’ loving rebuke to the Laodicean, end-time remnant church — addressing pride, legalism, lack of love, spiritual indifference, apathy, and more. This message runs throughout many of Ellen White’s writings. Now that you understand what the straight testimony is, you may find your eyes opened to recognize this message wherever it appears.

    What Is the Straight Testimony? A Message of Love

    It is genuinely true that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the prophesied Laodicean church of Revelation, and the remnant church spoken of in Scripture. But does having the truth from God mean its members are automatically holy and good? No. Did ancient Israel possess the truth? Yes — given directly through Moses, Abraham, and the prophets.

    Did that mean Israel remained holy throughout its history? No — their condition deteriorated so severely that God was ultimately forced to set ancient Israel aside. Did you know that Ellen White warns that modern Israel, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, faces the danger of repeating that same fate? What a sobering thought.

    “The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time.” (3T 252.1)

    “God reproves men because He loves them.” (1SM 48.1)

    “He reproves, He rebukes, He chastens; but it is only that He may restore and approve at last.” (TM 22.2)

    “The Lord is merciful. He does not chastise His people because He hates them, but because He hates the sins they are committing. He must chastise them, that they may return to their loyalty. If the warnings and reproofs given in the Word of God and in the testimonies of His Spirit are not plain enough, what words would be sufficiently plain to bring about a revival and a reformation?” (UL 240.7)

    “I am now charged to write out the straight testimony which was given to me Monday night. I am to withhold none of it.” (LLM 164.5)

    “But some of those who know of my experience, and who have had all the evidence that the Lord will ever give them, evade the truth when the straight testimony comes to rebuke some of their plans.” (13MR 122.1)

    What Is the Straight Testimony? A Rejected Message

    The fact that many reject this message does not mean you need to reject it as well. In fact, the straight testimony is, in essence, the same message ancient prophets delivered to Israel long ago — addressing legalism, empty ritual, pride, and unbelief.

    Believing oneself to be righteous, good, and holy while remaining spiritually corrupt is a tragic state of self-deception. Someone who has genuinely experienced righteousness by faith will never claim to be holy and good on their own merit, nor will they judge others harshly simply to criticize. The very sins once rebuked among the Pharisees are the same ones addressed in this message to the Seventh-day Adventist Church today.

    “While these evils remain untouched everything passes along smoothly, but when the straight testimony comes and reproof and rebuke are given, there is a rising up against the straight testimony. It does not agree with the carnal mind, their carnal security is disturbed, they resist the work of God, and some will fall off.” (15MR 330.1)

    “Jesus must abide in the heart; and where He is, the carnal desires will be subdued and be kept in subjection by the operation of the Spirit of God.” (ST, June 6, 1892, par. 5)

    What Is the Straight Testimony? A Call to Repentance

    This message exists to bring us light, to open our eyes to our true spiritual condition. It asks: You hold all the truth? You keep the Sabbath? You follow the health message? You believe in the sanctuary doctrine? Your beliefs may be correct — but do you genuinely resemble Jesus in character? Do you believe that simply professing Christianity is sufficient?

    Is church membership alone enough to secure your place in heaven? Sadly, many believe exactly this — that church membership and the label of “Christian” are sufficient for salvation, even while their actual fruit reveals an unloving, arrogant spirit, the very opposite of who Jesus truly is. Is the goal not to become like Jesus — loving, kind, honest, and humble? Unless we genuinely experience this transformation in Christ, my friend, we will never walk those streets of gold. We will never enter the heavenly mansions prepared for us. We will never live a life that reflects the very character of God.

    “God’s plan is not to send messengers who will please and flatter sinners, He delivers no messages of peace to lull the unsanctified into carnal security. But He lays heavy burdens upon the conscience of the wrong-doer, and pierces his soul with sharp arrows of conviction.” (ST, February 12, 1880, par. 25)

    “He is knocking, knocking at your heart. Open the door and let Him in. Empty the heart of all selfishness, by living right, eating right, thinking right. Enthrone the Saviour in the heart. With His long human arm He encircles the race, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. I am hungry for the Spirit of God. Are you, brethren? My soul longs for it. May the Lord help us to take steps heavenward.” (Ms 29, 1901)

    “The counsel of the true Witness is full of encouragement and comfort. The churches may yet obtain the gold of truth, faith, and love, and be rich in heavenly treasure. ‘Buy of me gold . . . that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.’ The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ that may be wrought into the character. Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb.” (RH, July 24, 1888; 7BC 965.3)

    Did you know that the straight testimony is essentially the same as “the counsel of the True Witness”? This message is, fundamentally, the Laodicean message itself. How can we acknowledge that we are the Laodicean church, while simultaneously rejecting the very message addressed specifically to Laodicea?

    “If ever there was a people that needed to heed the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodicean church to be zealous and to repent before God, it is the people who have had opened up before them the stupendous truths for this time, and who have not lived up to their high privileges and responsibilities. We have lost much in not living up to the light of the solemn truths which we profess to believe.” (RH, June 4, 1889, par. 9)

    Many Seventh-day Adventists never share the three angels’ message with others, even though billions of lives hang in the balance because of it. This itself is a serious offense before God. It is better to live an imperfect Christian life while sharing the three angels’ message with others, than to obsess over minor personal regulations purely out of self-righteousness and ego.

    How long will it take for the church to be revived and spiritually awakened once again? Do you know that Jesus loves you? Repeat after me: Father God, forgive my sins. Come into my heart. Heal and bless me. Give me Your righteousness, please, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

    If you enjoyed this post, feel free to comment below and on other articles. Join the forum to share your faith and thoughts — you’re welcome to post links connected to spiritual topics there as well.

  • Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible?

    Can You Prove Ellen G. White’s Writings from the Bible?

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Yes. The Bible says in Revelation 12:17:

    Yes. Many people claim to be prophets, yet when Jesus says His end-time church has the spirit of prophecy, we know that this is very important. I believe Ellen G. White was sent to prepare the world for the end and the return of Jesus.

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Yes — in fact, there are many chapters that speak about this advent movement, the sanctuary message, and the judgment-hour message.

    Revelation 12:17

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Yes. The Bible says in Revelation 12:17:

    “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

    We learn above that the dragon is Satan. He makes war against the true church. The whole of Revelation 12 is the story of the true church — from the Jewish nation giving birth to Jesus, to the church being born out of the Old Testament church, to this true church hiding in the wilderness for 1260 years, to the true end-time church called the remnant church.

    This remnant church has specific identifying marks. But first, how can we prove that the woman represents the church?

    “I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.” (Jeremiah 6:2)

    “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2)

    The church is compared to a woman in prophecy. A pure woman — the woman of Revelation 12 — is the true church. The harlot of Revelation 17 and 18 is Babylon, the apostate church which mixes Christianity with pagan and evil worship. Here is where we can further prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible, because this prophecy gives us a time frame: 1260 years.

    I will not go into detail about the 1260 days, but it is the time frame of the antichrist’s rule — the papacy. Many reformers, such as Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and Wycliffe, said that the little-horn power of Daniel 7 — also called the antichrist, Babylon, or the man of sin — refers to the papacy of the Catholic Church. We are not denouncing the people, who are often kind and sincere believers. But the Bible exposes a system hidden from view to many Catholics.

    We have established that the woman is the church. We have established that a power would arise and rule for 1260 years, persecuting Christians, changing the Sabbath, taking over pagan European kingdoms, and having a man at its head who speaks blasphemies, claims to forgive sins, and claims to be God. Only one power fits this description: the papacy, which ruled from 538, when Justinian gave the pope absolute power, to 1798, when Berthier came to Rome and took the pope captive. This marked the end of the 1260-year rule of the papacy.

    Why does this matter? Because Jesus says in Revelation 12:17 that the true church — the one with a true prophet — comes at the end of the 1260 years. This means that the true church described in:

    “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17)

    — comes after the 1260 years, and has these characteristics:

    • They keep the commandments of God, including the Sabbath.
    • They have the testimony of Jesus.

    What is the testimony of Jesus? It is the spirit of prophecy. We read this in:

    “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10)

    Now, to find out who this true end-time church is, we need to ask: Which church arose after the 1260 years of papal power, kept the Sabbath, and had a prophet? Can the Catholic, Baptist, or Methodist church fulfill this prophecy? No. Can any other church fulfill this prophecy? No. You can do the research yourself, my friend. You will find that the only power that fulfills this prophecy is the Seventh-day Adventist Church — and the prophet is Ellen G. White.

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Yes. This does not mean that the Seventh-day Adventist Church only has good people in it — many are lukewarm — but as the Bible says, a remnant will be saved. On the other hand, anyone in a fallen church needs to study this topic, and once convicted that it is true, needs to come out — not to simply join a church, but to join the last message given on earth, called the three angels’ messages.

    The Sanctuary Message

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? The sanctuary message was given by William Miller in 1844 and in the years before. This is very important in proving Ellen White as the true prophet from the Bible. And the question we have is: When was the first angel’s message given? Why does this matter? Because the fall of Babylon arrives right after the first angel’s message is given.

    “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:6–7)

    This message could only be given after the 1260 years of papal persecution. Let us look at history and ask: who, after 1798, gave a message about the sanctuary, the cleansing of the sanctuary, and the start of the judgment? The only time in history we find a message given worldwide about the sanctuary and the judgment is the 1844 Millerite movement.

    We know that this sanctuary message was given around the end of the world, and after the 1260 years of papal persecution, because Scripture says that after it is given, Jesus returns:

    “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.” (Revelation 14:14)

    This is another way to prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible. We found that the true end-time church would keep the Sabbath and have a true prophet. We found that a very important message was given to all nations after the 1260 years of papal persecution, which ended in 1798. We found that only one group of people gave this message — the Millerite movement, from which Ellen White came. This is very solid biblical evidence. Yes, the Bible proves that the end-time prophet is Ellen White.

    The Millerite Movement

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? William Miller himself never accepted the Sabbath, but because of his work, an angel marks his grave, and at the resurrection, William Miller will go to heaven. This is where Ellen White received her first visions. She was not the first one called — another person refused the call, and Ellen White accepted the mission God gave her to deliver the end-time message with clarity.

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Yes. This is a very important time, because after 1798, when the papacy’s 1260 years of persecution ended, God sent His last-day movement. As Revelation 12:17 says, the remnant comes after this persecution and has the spirit of prophecy and keeps the commandments of God. No other Bible-believing group fulfills this.

    “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” (Revelation 12:6)

    This verse also proves that the 1260 years of persecution had to end before the true end-time movement would arise. The remnant comes in the last verse of Revelation 12, after the 1260 years and after 1798. The Millerite movement began this work, made up of church members from many denominations. Then Ellen White began to have visions, and the message became more defined. God gave Ellen White around 3,000 visions, and all of them came true — all of Ellen White’s prophecies proved true.

    It is true that there are perhaps two of Ellen White’s prophecies that do not appear to have come to pass — one being the “worm” prophecy. Taking her writing in context, we find that she said we might have to remain in this world many more years because of disobedience. We learn that prophecies can be conditional on the spiritual state of the people. In Nineveh, the city was not destroyed, because the people repented.

    This prophecy did not come to pass because the Adventist people became lukewarm and rejected the righteousness-by-faith message and the loud-cry message of Revelation 18. God’s blessing was conditional.

    The Little Book

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Consider the little book in the hand of the angel in Revelation, connected to the book of Daniel. At one point in history, the church expected Jesus to do something, and that event did not come to pass. One example is when the church expected Jesus to reign over Israel — they were deeply disappointed when Jesus died on the cross instead. It was a great disappointment. In the same way, in 1844, Jesus did not return. The book that was sweet in the mouth became bitter:

    “And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.” (Revelation 10:9)

    This disappointment was prophesied. At the end of the chapter, it says that they would need to prophesy again, and not let the experience that covered this mistake cause them to give up their faith:

    “And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” (Revelation 10:11)

    When William Miller preached that the cleansing of the sanctuary meant the return of Jesus to earth, he did not know that the sanctuary was not on earth, but in heaven. The calculations were right and precise, but the event was misunderstood. This sweet book became bitter — yet God told His people to prophesy again to many people and nations.

    The day after October 22, 1844, when Jesus did not return to earth, God gave a vision to Hiram Edson while he was walking through a field. God showed him that the cleansing of the sanctuary was not on earth, but that there was a sanctuary in heaven. God was testing His people to see whether those who went through the disappointment would remain faithful and continue studying for greater light. Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Yes — the bitter-book experience is another proof that the end-time prophet who emerged from this experience is Ellen White. No one else fulfills this prophecy.

    Your Daughters Shall Prophesy

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Peter, preaching in the book of Acts, says that in the end times, your daughters shall prophesy. Not only that, but Peter gives us a time frame — certain signs will appear, and then our daughters shall prophesy:

    “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)

    Can you prove Ellen G. White’s writings from the Bible? Yes. This prophecy must have an application — which daughters had dreams? Even though this may apply locally to women having visions and dreams, it has a broader application for the whole world. Some daughter or woman would have dreams and visions that would prepare the world for the end. Who fulfills this prophecy? We know Peter is speaking of the end of the world here — he says “in the last days.”

    Gabriel, in Daniel 12, tells us that the time of the end is after 1798. Thus, this daughter receiving dreams and visions can only be Ellen White. We correlate this with Revelation 12, where Jesus says His church keeps the commandments and the Sabbath, and has a true prophet. We correlate this also with the three angels’ messages, since one group of people gave the sanctuary and judgment-hour message.

    We also connect this to the truth that a group of people would be disappointed and have a bitter experience that would lead them to preach to all nations. The Bible also says that God’s end-time church would preach the three angels’ messages right before the return of Jesus. All these signs and Bible verses prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that Ellen G. White is the end-time prophet sent to prepare the world for the end.

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  • Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? 

    Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? 

    This is a very good question, for there is an amazing Bible answer. Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? When was this church started? Is it a church, or is it an end-time movement prophesied in the Bible? What is the purpose of the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Let us find out.

    Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

    The Millerite movement

    The Bible says that the end-time remnant church comes after the end of the 1260 years of papal persecution. Jesus says that it has distinctive signs, such as keeping the Sabbath, having the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy, preaching the 3 angels’ message, preaching the sanctuary judgment-hour message, preaching in all the world, and having a message like Elijah that is life or death. Who is this remnant?

    It all started around 1830, when a farmer called William Miller started to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. In fact, William Miller was a Baptist. He was not a preacher. But sometimes, when the local Baptist preacher was away, William Miller took the role of the preacher and Bible reader.

    Before that, William Miller did not believe in a personal biblical God. He took on this two-year Bible study. When William Miller arrived at Daniel 8:14, he found this verse.

    DA 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

    William Miller connected this verse to Revelation 14, which says, “The hour of his judgment is come,” and to the Jewish sanctuary. Every October 22, the Day of Atonement was the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary. Here William Miller found that this was the same thing, but the high priest this time is Jesus. And it was not only for the Jews anymore, but it is the cleansing of the sins of the whole world since creation. We could say William Miller was the founder, but there were no Adventists until twenty years after the 1844 message.

    William Miller took the Bible principle of one day for a year. In Bible prophecy, most of the time, one day is one year. We see that in Daniel, where Gabriel says 1260 days to the time of the end. After that, Gabriel says this refers to the end of the world. We know, then, that it cannot be 1260 days in Bible prophecy, as 1260 years after the start of the prophecy only ends 3 years and a half later, not at the time of the end.

    DA 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that liveth forever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

    Time, times, and half a time is the same thing as 1260 days and 43 months. We find this prophecy repeated in Revelation. This repetition means it is very important. Time is one year, times is 2 years, and half a time is 6 months. Or 42 months by 30 days is 1260 days or years.

    Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Day for a year

    The day-for-a-year principle is confirmed by these two Bible verses.

    EZ 4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.

    NU 14:34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.

    After Gabriel tells Daniel when the end of those wonders will be, Gabriel confirms:

    DA 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

    9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

    This confirms the fact that it cannot be 1260 days, as it refers to the end of the world.

    Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? 2300 days

    We see that William Miller was a Baptist, yet God called him to start the preaching of the end-time 3 angels’ message. But Miller started preaching the first angel’s message. William Miller calculated that the 2300 years of the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the start of the judgment in heaven, began when Jerusalem was rebuilt in 457 BC. After that, it is easy to calculate the end year of the 2300 years.

    DA 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

    So 457 BC + 2300 years is 1843. We add the zero year and arrive at 1844. The mistake was not the calculation, which is biblical and inspired, but God put a veil over their eyes concerning what the sanctuary is. William Miller thought the sanctuary was the earth. Calculating 2300 years, it arrives at October 22, 1844. When that day arrived, nothing happened. It was a disappointment.

    But not for long, as the next day God gave a vision to Hiram Edson, who saw in vision the heavenly sanctuary. As they studied the heavenly sanctuary, they found out that the sanctuary was in heaven, where Jesus started to judge all humans in the Most Holy Place on Oct 22, 1844. This means that everybody that ever lived on earth is being judged by Jesus since Oct 22, 1844. As Noah’s time remained 120 years, we know that Jesus will soon finish deciding who goes to heaven and who is destroyed very soon.

    We are living in a solemn time, in which the end will happen soon, and in which everybody’s words, actions, and thoughts are being passed in review in heaven. With God, all things are possible, and we know God is merciful and forgiving, not wanting that any shall perish.

    Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Adventist pioneers

    A question to ask is: did nobody else give a sanctuary judgment message after the 1260 years of papal persecution? No. Then this prophecy can only be fulfilled by William Miller and the Seventh-day Adventist Church afterward. When Jesus says they have the spirit of prophecy in RE 12:17, it means not only one prophet but a group of people to whom the gift of prophecy was given. The explanation of the sanctuary was given to Hiram Edson.

    The Sabbath came about with Joseph Bates, a sea captain. One day he was walking on a bridge. Someone asked him, “What is new, Captain Bates?” Bates answered, “The Sabbath is the news.” He published a paper about the Sabbath, proving beyond a doubt that the Sabbath was still valid and that the law of God was not annulled, like many Christians teach. We cannot keep the commandments about killing and stealing and say the Sabbath is done away with. The whole law is one.

    Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? The Sabbath and the pioneers

    William Miller, who in fact never kept the Sabbath, and a few Adventist pioneers such as Joseph Bates, Ellen G. White, her husband James White, and a few others such as John Byington, John Andrews, and Uriah Smith, among others, helped establish the movement. Other arguments for the Sabbath are that Jesus, the apostles, and all the prophets kept the Sabbath. The Sabbath was never changed in the Bible. Three hundred years after Jesus died, people started to keep Sunday by tradition from the Catholic Church. The Sabbath was still Saturday and still is today.

    When Jesus died, the apostles still kept the Sabbath. Luke 23 tells us that they rested on the Sabbath after Jesus died on Friday. They returned to see Jesus’ tomb on Sunday.

    LK 23:54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

    55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

    56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

    Then on Sunday, after they kept the Sabbath, even after Jesus was in the tomb:

    LK 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

    All the apostles still kept Sabbath after Jesus rose. If Sabbath was changed into Sunday, then they would have rested also on Sunday.

    It says in Isaiah that in heaven everybody will keep Sabbath.

    IS 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.

    24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

    When Col 2 says, “Let no one judge you about sabbath days,” this is not the Seventh-day Sabbath. It talks about the yearly feasts of Leviticus 23. These were yearly sabbaths, plural, that fell on Monday, Tuesday, etc. These yearly sabbaths were not the seventh-day Sabbath. This was the law of ordinances that was nailed to the cross. The Ten Commandments were not nailed to the cross, because the Ten Commandments are not the law of ordinances but the moral law.

    Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? The 3 angels’ message

    The continuance of the first angel’s message of the cleansing of the sanctuary was continued with the second angel’s message, which says Babylon is fallen. Most churches around the world refused the first angel’s message. They fell into a Babylonian state. They did not want Jesus to return. As they refused light, they fell into a dark spiritual state. New light was not revealed to them. Many left those churches to join the 3 angels’ message movement. Here is the second angel’s message:

    RE 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

    The papacy is the mother church. The Protestant churches fell into a Babylonian state for refusing light from Jesus, who will judge all humans.

    This 3 angels’ message is very similar to the ark of Noah. Those who entered the ark were safe. Those who refused to enter were destroyed by the flood. Here, all people have to make a decision: either follow human inventions and Sunday worship, or keep the Sabbath as the Bible teaches.

    RE 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

    10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

    11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

    This remnant church, or 3 angels’ message movement, is different from the other churches that teach that we are under grace and do not need to keep the law of God anymore.

    RE 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

    Who started the Seventh-day Adventist Church? The loud cry

    Yet a shaking will happen, not only in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but many Adventists will leave the church, and many Sunday Protestants will start to believe in the 3 angels’ message. The loud cry will be the latter rain, in which righteousness by faith will be the revelation of the love of Jesus in human hearts.

    The Seventh-day Adventists who refuse the righteousness by faith message will leave the truth. Only those who experience this amazing gift of righteousness by faith will give the loud cry, the latter rain. We are saved by faith. Our works cannot gain us an entrance to heaven. Only when we recognize that we are sinful and that there is nothing good in us do we have hope.

    Then we have hope. Legalism is men thinking that he is good and his works are good enough. This is a great deception. Only God is good. Only God can give us His righteousness, an amazing gift. This gives amazing peace, to know that God Himself does all through us. Peace like a river can flow once this message is experienced.

    Do you know that Jesus loves you? Why not accept Jesus in your heart now? Repeat after me: Father God, forgive my sins. Come into my heart. Heal and bless me. Give me Your righteousness. Help me to walk with You, in the name of Jesus, amen.

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  • Why Do Christians Reject Righteousness by Faith? The Third Angel’s Message

    Why Do Christians Reject Righteousness by Faith? The Third Angel’s Message

    1. Looking Like a Christian While Working for Self

    Many Christians love to sound and look like Christians. There are two sides to this, however, and the side that appears most Christian is often not truly so — or is only so in appearance. Why do so many Christians desperately want to be seen as Christians rather than be Christians? This is precisely what the righteousness by faith message addresses.

    Does doing everything that sounds and looks Christian make us Christian? No. Performing religious duties and seemingly doing everything Jesus commands does not make us Christian. Righteousness by faith tells us that Christianity is not what we do — it is what we are. As long as we are caught up in appearances, we are just as lost as the Pharisees.

    2. Looking Like a Christian for People’s Applause

    It seems so hard for people to understand that nothing we can do earns us heaven. Furthermore, none of our works are truly done by ourselves. Our works come automatically once we spend time in daily connection with Jesus. This is righteousness by faith.

    Once someone continues to believe that what they do makes them a Christian, they remain lost.

    Connection with Jesus has nothing to do with what we do. Connection with Jesus has everything to do with who we are. The works are done by faith — by Jesus, through us. The works of God in us are never done so that we might be saved, approved, or have our conscience appeased. Righteousness by faith begins here.

    Why do so many Christians still believe their Christianity is based entirely on what they do? Because they have believed the lie that there is something inherently good in them.

    3. Looking Like a Christian for Self-Gratification

    Once a Christian truly believes and understands that there is nothing good in him apart from Christ, he will stop performing and striving to appear righteous before others or to satisfy his own conscience. Christianity has nothing to do with what you do — what you do is the natural outworking of who you are. This is righteousness by faith.

    When a Christian measures how well he is doing by his own performance, he is still lost. Paul said in Galatians 5:4:

    “You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by the law. You have fallen from grace.”

    The Bible makes clear this is a serious matter:

    1. Such a Christian does not truly have Jesus.
    2. This Christian is separated from Jesus — which means they cannot have eternal life.
    3. This Christian has fallen from grace — the very thing that saves us from our fallen condition.

    4. Looking Like a Christian for Peace of Mind

    It is a very sad condition when a Christian measures their spiritual life by what they do. They have not understood that who they are and what they do are two entirely different things. Someone can always do the right thing outwardly while being deeply evil inside. Someone can perform good deeds their entire life yet remain selfish, proud, and uncaring at the core.

    Righteousness by faith tells us that true conversion comes from God through faith. Righteousness by faith transforms the heart so that the power of God works within a person without them straining to produce it. They do not need to worry about their works — those works become automatic.

    The Christian who bases everything on personal performance still believes there is something good in himself. He is lost and does not understand the fallen nature of humanity. He will become rigid, believing that Christianity depends on how strictly one adheres to outward details and performance.

    He thus appeases his own mind, and on a good day — when his obedience to rules and outward performance seems strong — he deludes himself into thinking he has done well. In reality, God has not approved any of his so-called good works. All his works are filthy rags, done in a self-justifying spirit (Isaiah 64:6).

    5. Looking Like a Christian Out of Pride

    Performance-based Christianity is a proud and selfish Christianity. It wants the self to feel good about its own soul. Such a person’s worth as a Christian does not rest on what Jesus did — it rests entirely on what they do and how well they perform. Deep inside, they can be very selfish, proud, uncaring, unloving, and apathetic — resembling Satan far more than Jesus.

    Their understanding of what makes a Christian has nothing to do with resembling Christ. It has everything to do with following rules. Satan follows rules. In fact, Satan’s army is highly organized and orderly. Does that make Satan and his army good and holy? No.

    Now is the time, brothers and sisters, to repent of this self-justifying spirit that stands in direct opposition to the righteousness by faith message. Those who cannot understand that Jesus died for them — and who continue to believe that their own efforts contribute to their salvation — will ultimately be lost. They will not receive the seal of God. They remain separated from Christ, even while sitting in the church.

    Pray this with me:

    “Father God, help me to understand righteousness by faith. Help me understand that I am lost and separated from You as a legalist. Help me understand that there is nothing good in me. Give me daily Your robe of righteousness, in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

  • Can Adventists Accept New Light, New Truth? Ellen G. White on Investigating Scripture

    Can Adventists Accept New Light, New Truth? Ellen G. White on Investigating Scripture

    The work for the Jews, as outlined in the eleventh chapter of Romans, is a work that is to be treated with special wisdom. It is a work that must not be ignored. The wisdom of God must come to our people. In all wisdom and righteousness, we must clear the King’s highway…. — 9MR 311.1

    She talks about this “work,” implying that it is in the future — that it “is to be.” She implies that it is difficult — “to be treated with special wisdom.” She implies that it is important — “not to be ignored.” She implies that only divine power can make it possible. She implies that there are obstacles — “clear the King’s highway.” She implies that we need to make changes.

    “In all wisdom and righteousness we must clear the King’s highway.”

    “We are plainly taught that we should not despise the Jews…” — 1MR 137.4

    Chapters 4 and 5 in Counsels to Writers and Editors contain a collection of statements relevant to this discussion. Chapter 4 is “Attitude to New Light.” Chapter 5 is “Investigation of New Light.”

    “…we must not look with suspicion upon any new light which God may send, and say, Really, we cannot see that we need any more light than the old truth which we have hitherto received, and in which we are settled.” — The Review and Herald, August 7, 1894. CW 33.1

    “We must not think, ‘Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.’ The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.” CW 33.2

    “There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.” CW 35.2

    “How shall we search the Scriptures? Shall we drive our stakes of doctrine one after another, and then try to make all Scripture meet our established opinions? or shall we take our ideas and views to the Scriptures, and measure our theories on every side by the Scriptures of truth? Many who read and even teach the Bible, do not comprehend the precious truth they are teaching or studying.” CW 36.2

    “We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.” CW 37.1

    “In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it; God alone is infallible. His word is true, and in Him is no variableness, or shadow of turning.” — 1888, p. 1393.2

    “Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end.

    But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God’s word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.” CW 38.3

    “The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God’s people, should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may not be clearly discriminating between truth and error.

    When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they know not what.” CW 39.1

    “Agitate, agitate, agitate! The subjects which we present to the world must be to us a living reality. It is important that in defending the doctrines which we consider fundamental articles of faith, we should never allow ourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly sound. These may avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth. We should present sound arguments, that will not only silence our opponents, but will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny….” CW 40.3

    “The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel no necessity for more truth and greater light. We are living at a time when Satan is at work on the right hand and on the left, before and behind us; and yet as a people we are asleep. God wills that a voice shall be heard arousing His people to action.” — Gospel Workers, pp. 297-300 (1915). CW 41.3

    “Our brethren should be willing to investigate in a candid way every point of controversy. If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side. We should all know what is being taught among us; for if it is truth, we need it. We are all under obligation to God to know what He sends us.

    He has given directions by which we may test every doctrine — ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ If the light presented meets this test, we are not to refuse to accept it because it does not agree with our ideas.” — Gospel Workers, pp. 300-301. CW 43.3

    “Truth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest its strength. We should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who, we have reason to believe, desire to know what is truth as much as we do. Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing?” CW 44.1

    “The only right way would be to sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented, in the light of God’s word, which will reveal truth and unmask error. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation, it is time that we knew it. There must be no spirit of pharisaism cherished among us. When Christ came to His own, His own received Him not; and it is a matter of solemn interest to us that we should not pursue a similar course in refusing light from heaven.” CW 44.2

    “In public labor do not make prominent and quote that which Sister White has written as authority to sustain your positions. To do this will not increase faith in the testimonies. Bring your evidences, clear and plain, from the Word of God. A ‘Thus saith the Lord’ is the strongest testimony you can possibly present to the people. Let none be educated to look to Sister White, but to the mighty God, who gives instruction to Sister White.” — Letter 11, 1894, p. 2. (To Brother and Sister Colcord, January 16, 1894.) 5MR 140.2

    “But I do not ask you to take my words. Lay Sister White to one side. Do not quote my works again as long as you live until you can obey the Bible. When you make the Bible your food, your meat and your drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, ‘Sister White said this,’ and, ‘Sister White said that.’ Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands.” — Manuscript 43, 1901, p. 10. (E. G. White talk in college library, April 1, 1901.) 5MR 141.1

    The Work for the Jews

    “The work for the Jews, as outlined in the eleventh chapter of Romans, is a work that is to be treated with special wisdom. It is a work that must not be ignored. The wisdom of God must come to our people. In all wisdom and righteousness, we must clear the King’s highway.” — 9MR 311.1

    She speaks of this “work” as something still in the future — “is to be.” She implies it is difficult — “to be treated with special wisdom.” She implies it is important — “not to be ignored.” She implies that only divine power can make it possible. She implies there are obstacles to overcome — “clear the King’s highway.” She implies that changes will be required of us.

    “We are plainly taught that we should not despise the Jews.” — 1MR 137.4

    On New Light

    Chapters 4 and 5 of Counsels to Writers and Editors contain a collection of statements relevant to this discussion. Chapter 4 is titled “Attitude to New Light.” Chapter 5 is titled “Investigation of New Light.”

    “We must not look with suspicion upon any new light which God may send, and say, ‘Really, we cannot see that we need any more light than the old truth which we have hitherto received, and in which we are settled.’” — The Review and Herald, August 7, 1894; CW 33.1

    “We must not think, ‘Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.’ The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.” — CW 33.2

    “There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.” — CW 35.2

    “How shall we search the Scriptures? Shall we drive our stakes of doctrine one after another, and then try to make all Scripture meet our established opinions? or shall we take our ideas and views to the Scriptures, and measure our theories on every side by the Scriptures of truth? Many who read and even teach the Bible, do not comprehend the precious truth they are teaching or studying.” — CW 36.2

    “We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.” — CW 37.1

    “In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it; God alone is infallible. His word is true, and in Him is no variableness, or shadow of turning.” — 1888 Materials, p. 1393.2

    “Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end.

    But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God’s word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.” — CW 38.3

    “The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God’s people, should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may not be clearly discriminating between truth and error.

    When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they know not what.” — CW 39.1

    “Agitate, agitate, agitate! The subjects which we present to the world must be to us a living reality. It is important that in defending the doctrines which we consider fundamental articles of faith, we should never allow ourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly sound. These may avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth. We should present sound arguments, that will not only silence our opponents, but will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny.” — CW 40.3

    “The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel no necessity for more truth and greater light. We are living at a time when Satan is at work on the right hand and on the left, before and behind us; and yet as a people we are asleep. God wills that a voice shall be heard arousing His people to action.” — Gospel Workers, pp. 297–300 (1915 ed.); CW 41.3

    “Our brethren should be willing to investigate in a candid way every point of controversy. If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side. We should all know what is being taught among us; for if it is truth, we need it. We are all under obligation to God to know what He sends us.

    He has given directions by which we may test every doctrine — ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ If the light presented meets this test, we are not to refuse to accept it because it does not agree with our ideas.” — Gospel Workers, pp. 300–301; CW 43.3

    “Truth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest its strength. We should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who, we have reason to believe, desire to know what is truth as much as we do. Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing?” — CW 44.1

    “The only right way would be to sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented, in the light of God’s word, which will reveal truth and unmask error. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation, it is time that we knew it. There must be no spirit of pharisaism cherished among us. When Christ came to His own, His own received Him not; and it is a matter of solemn interest to us that we should not pursue a similar course in refusing light from heaven.” — CW 44.2

    “In public labor do not make prominent and quote that which Sister White has written as authority to sustain your positions. To do this will not increase faith in the testimonies. Bring your evidences, clear and plain, from the Word of God. A ‘Thus saith the Lord’ is the strongest testimony you can possibly present to the people. Let none be educated to look to Sister White, but to the mighty God, who gives instruction to Sister White.” — Letter 11, 1894, p. 2 (to Brother and Sister Colcord, January 16, 1894); 5MR 140.2

    “But I do not ask you to take my words. Lay Sister White to one side. Do not quote my works again as long as you live until you can obey the Bible. When you make the Bible your food, your meat and your drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, ‘Sister White said this,’ and, ‘Sister White said that.’ Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands.” — Manuscript 43, 1901, p. 10 (E. G. White talk in college library, April 1, 1901); 5MR 141.1