This is an important topic as by experience i see that one of the greatest problem in the seventh day adventist church is being comfortable in the truth and light received by the pioneers from God . Since and especially in the last few years. Little research in the bible has been done. In fact when i talk to seventh day adventist many of them are very afraid to research anything other than the 28 fundamental doctrines.
Is there new truth for the seventh day adventist church? If we do not continue to study the bible for ourselves the seventh day adventist church shall become even more lukewarm than it is . A very sad condition exists today. The same sermons are repeated. The same truth are repeated so many times and in different ways . But it is still the same regurgitating of the things that we have listened to many times. Why such a state of thing exists?
"When God's people are at ease, and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure that He will not favour them. It is His will that they should be ever moving forward, to receive the increased and ever increasing light that is shining for them." (5T pp. 708, 709).
God is not pleased with his people . The seventh day adventist church is at ease and satisfied with what is taught without making efforts to seek more of Jesus . This state is what happened in 1844 when churches all over the Usa refused to head new light .
This was the case of the Pharisees that did not welcome any new truth . And this Jesus who came to them was a disturbance. They did not expect nor want any change in their cold and legal religion. They were satisfied with their dead ceremonies that did not please God in any sense. Could the seventh day adventist church be repeating the same offences to God ?
Is there new truth for the adventist church? The Laodicean state
"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." (RH: July 26, 1892).
Here sister White says that we might all have false beliefs that came in from tradition . I have mentioned some of them in other articles. It might be that the seventh day adventist church still have some common beliefs with Babylon. On one side the papacy is Babylon, but on the other side the seventh day adventist church refuses to acknowledge that they are lukewarm, blind naked and in need of all things.
I do not know which is worse. To be in Babylon or to be in Laodicean state. It is true that being in Babylon is to be blind to the truth . God has given the seventh day adventist church its message . It comes directly from God . But modern Israel could fall in the same offences to God as ancient Israel . Legalism, pride, selfishness, unbelief, coldness. Ceremonies and forms of religion that do not change the heart.
"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." (RH: July 26, 1892).
"Among the different denominations there seems to be a determination developing to bind the consciences of their members. They are building up barriers about their own sects, and forming a purpose to listen to nothing outside of their own doctrines. They are restricting themselves from hearing anything new, or any doctrine presented by any other people than those who belong to their own church." (ST: August 27, 1894).
This is a big point in the seventh day adventist church where most members are afraid to listen to sermons from other churches . Or even know what other churches are teaching . They think they are all wrong . Could it be that the majority of the true Adventists are in these churches ? Yes .
The Laodicean state is what makes many Adventists to not study the bible further. Even if the seventh day adventists known the bible well compared to other churches average members. We know that new light has not shown in the mainstream Adventist churches. In this case many members just follow the trend of being satisfied with what they have .
Others will search other independent preachers to learn new things from the bible. Is there new truth for the adventist church? God always sends new truth . Not receiving new light is like saying you have a friend and you do not communicate anything new to each other. This does not make sense. God is your friend and He sends s new truth to learn and new messages. Unless we walk in the light we have then God will not send new light to his people .
Is there new truth for the adventist church? rejecting light
We always say that other churches have rejected light in 1844 and became Babylon . This is what the bible says . It is true. But did you know that the Seventh day adventist church not in a whole but many of them have rejected new light . In 1888 God sent a most precious message called righteousness by faith . Also called the loud cry. Also the third angels message in verity. This message is also the angel of revelation 18 which lights the earth with its glory .
Many adventist leaders then rejected this incredible message .
And the church remained in a great manner in a legalistic state. In fact this legalism in the Adventist church is even stronger now . is there new truth for the adventist church? Yes and God test us when we hear new light . Are we going to follow the truth or prefer to be comfortable in the truth we already heard.
"Investigation of every point that has been received as truth will repay the searcher: He will find precious gems. And in closely investigating ever jot and tittle which we think is established truth, in comparing Scripture with Scripture, we may discover errors in our interpretation of Scripture." (RH: July 12, 1889; par. 15).
"The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not proof that our ideas are infallible." (RH: December 20, 1892; par. 1).
The belief of the seventh day adventist church are all true because they were confirmed through visions to Ellen g White and they come from God .
The 3 angels message, the sabbath, the sanctuary message and many others are 100 percent from the bible . Here sister White is not talking about those . But some common beliefs with the protestant churches that come way back before the Adventist church could remain in us .
Is there new truth for the adventist church? Fear of false doctrines
"New Light will ever be revealed on the word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness . . . The diligent seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the Word of God . . . Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God . . .Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 34).
Ellen g White says God will always send new light to the people of God . But as the righteousness by faith is still being rejected by some adventist . God sends new light to a select few. In fact a few weeks ago i was at a seventh day adventist church . The pastor started the sermon well about righteousness by faith . But ended up the sermon saying we need to do this and that to be saved.
We see that on this point there is still a confusion about saved by grace of works . But the bible is plain it is either one of the other . It cannot be both at the same time .
RO 11 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Also the same thing weeks before talking to an Adventist brother who is confused about the topic but does not want to know the truth . Here we see an example set in a belief and refusing new light . Confusion about the topic of being saved by works or by faith . is there new truth for the adventist church? Yes there will always be new light to shine forth from the bible . The question is will Gods people accept it?
"There are mines of truth yet to be discovered." (5T 704).
"We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light yet to come to us." (RH, June 3, 1890).
"There are old, yet new truths still to be added to the treasures of our knowledge." (RH: February 25, 1890).
"There are bright and important truths of which we only discern the shadows." (E.G. White, Letter 147, 1897).
Is there new truth for the adventist church? Laziness in bible study
Laziness in bible study . I understand that life gets to us and in this moment .But we need to study the bible for new light to learn new things. Studying the sabbath school lesson is good . But this is food that has been masticated and handed over. How many of you have read the pioneers writings? Yet this is the message God gave the three angels message was given to those men . Their books are free on pioneer websites and Ellen g White writings website.
The fear of many is to believe false doctrines. is there new truth for the adventist church?
Yes and the only way we can continue to study the bible is with the possibility of false beliefs on what we are studying . The question is Is it better to not study the bible for new truth and fall back in a Laodicean state? Or is it better to study the bible for new truth with the danger of believing lies ? It is better to study the bible with the danger of believing false light .
Why ?Because all honest people will discern with the help of the Holy Spirit that which is false and that which is true . As God gave us discernment to know that the sabbath is true. The same goes for new light God sends. is there new truth for the adventist church? Yes will the people of God seek for new light and revive their dormant spiritual life and bones ?
"The Lord has made His people the repository of sacred truth. Upon every individual who has had the light of Present truth devolves the duty of developing that truth on a higher scale than it has hitherto been done." (MS # 27, 1897).
We are to continue to study the bible to know more truth about different topics. Not only from what we already received but to seek for new truth and topics that have not been studied yet.
While we hold to this position, the testimony of the True Witness applies to our cases its rebuke, "And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Those who feel rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, are in a condition before God, and they know it not." (RH: August 7, 1894; par. 2).
This is a powerful quote that says that the seventh day adventist church in their present condition do not see their condition and are blind to the legalism and Laodicean condition . This is why anytime someone says that the church is lukewarm the message is rejected. As the Laodicean condition makes one blind to its condition .
The refusal of the seventh day adventist church is general . Not all , but many refuse this straight testimony . Most Adventists do not even know what the straight testimony is ? Why because very few preachers talk about it and because few members will study anything else that is preached in churches. And because so few adventists read the spirit of prophecy books .The straight testimony of the Laodicean message is all over Ellen g White books . Yet Adventists claiming to be adventists reject their own writings. What a sad spiritual state.
Is there new truth for the adventist church? Weak spiritual life
"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." (RH: March 25, 1890).
Truth is advancing God will send new light . It will not contradict light already received but it Wil expand it . Such as i believe the Jeff Pippenger message of the time of the end and Daniel chapter 11 Verse 40 to 45 i believe to be new light sent by God .
"It is a fact that we have the truth, and we must hold with tenacity to the positions that cannot be shaken; but 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 settle.
There is one verse in the spirit of prophecy that saays we cannot have new organisation . This verse was twisted in saying that it means we cannot have new ministries and everybody should remain in the regular line of Adventism . I am in the regular line of Adventism. The suspicion that many adventists have to new truth is scary . As this is one thing that could bring them out from the Laodicean condition
Is there new truth for the adventist church? Unbelief and the 1888 message
"We are to comprehend the deep things of God. There are themes to be dwelt upon which are worthy of more than a passing notice. Angels have desired to look into the truths which are revealed to the people who are searching God's Word and with contrite hearts praying for wisdom, for greater lengths and breadths and heights of that knowledge which God alone can give. . . . as we near the closing scenes of this earth's history still more wonderful representations will be made.
We need to study the Scriptures with humble, contrite hearts. Those who will devote their powers to the study of God's Word, and especially the prophecies referring to these last days, will be rewarded by the discovery of important truths." (Ms 75, 1899, pp. 4,5. [Untitled Manuscript, May 11, 1899] -- may be found as Manuscript release #54 in Manuscript Releases, Vol. 1, pp. 195-196).
Here sister White says that people will be rewarded with new light who search diligently the bible . And that they will be rewarded by the discovery of new important truth .
"In the Scriptures thousands of gems of truth lie hidden from the surface seeker. The mine of truth is never exhausted. The more you search the Scriptures with humble hearts, the greater will be your interest, and the more you will feel like exclaiming with Paul:
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Every day you should learn something new from the Scriptures.
Unless individually we search for the bible then we will be like the Catholics. Who follow the priest in all he teaches. The same thing in a way is done in the seventh day adventist church. Many follow what is taught and do not search for themselves.
Search them as for hid treasures, for they contain the words of eternal life. Pray for wisdom and understanding to comprehend these holy writings. If you would do this you would find new glories in the word of God; you would feel that you had received new and precious light on subjects connected with the truth, and the Scriptures would be constantly receiving a new value in your estimation." (5T p. 266).
God will send precious light to those who pray for wisdom and understanding of the bible . She says God will send new and precious light on the bible .
"At no period of time has man learned all that can be learned of the word of God. There are yet new views of truth to be seen, and much to be understood of the character and attributes of God,-- his benevolence, his mercy, his long forbearance, his example of perfect obedience. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Here it says the bible is infinite ad God is infinite. The study of the bible never ends. The words of the bible are spiritual . Only God can open the bible to us and help us understand it meaning . Spiritual things are only spiritually discerned.
1 CO 2 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
This is a most valuable study, taxing the intellect, and giving strength to the mental ability. After diligently searching the word, hidden treasures are discovered, and the lover of truth breaks out in triumph. Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: 'God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.' '
"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 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.
People fall in a Laodicean state sister White says here because searching for the bible give grace to hits seeker. They are constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of the bible . God Wil give them new light When we see spiritual life decline sister White says it is because mack of personal bible study and a satisfaction on the truth already obtained.
They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion…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." (5T pp. 706-707).
What is worse i see not only in the world but in the church that many people are afraid of discussing bible topics. And many get angry once a topic is open for discussion . Many even in the seventh day adventist church donor want to answer arguments given for one position . And are satisfied with what they already know .
Is there new truth for the adventist church? There will be new light until the end . If we refuse new light we are rejecting Jesus and we will fall deeper in a Laodicean condition that will not be pleasant to God .
Did you know Jesus loves you ? Why not accept Jesus in your heart now? Repeat after me Father God forgive my sins, give me your righteousness by faith . Help me to search and accept new light . Bless and heal me in the name of Jesus amen
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