This series of 7 messages examines some of the doctrines of Seventh Day Adventism, (and Seventh Day Baptists,) in the light of the word of God.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1Thes.5:21)
Copyright © 2000-2008 by Richard Clark for non-commercial use.
From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subject: Under the Law?
>>>CQ> That the will of God as it relates to moral conduct is comprehended in His law of ten commandments. These are great moral, unchangeable precepts, binding upon all men in every age. (Ex. 20:1-17)
>>RC> The covenant of the ten commandments was for the children of Israel whom the LORD brought "out of the land of Egypt" (Ex.20:2;De.5:2-6)
>CQ> Richard, the "law" is God's standard of conduct.
The only "law" for Christians is "the law of the Spirit of life" in Christ Jesus the Lord, that sets [us] free from the law of sin and death.
>CQ> While the penalty of the law (death) has no hold on those justified in Him; it yet remains.
Neither the penalty nor the law it self has any hold on Christians who are justified through faith in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ we are dead to the law, being justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
>CQ> If we love Jesus, we will not harden our hearts to the Holy Spirit; who writes the "law" in our hearts and minds.
The Holy Spirit does not lead people under grace to put themselves back under the law. You really ought to trust the Lord's Christ.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Gal.3:24,25)
>CQ> This process is called sanctification, which is completed at His second advent, where we put off corruption.
"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal.3:2,3)
"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them." (Gal.3:11,12)
>CQ> Any attempt to keep the law, without the prerequisite change in heart, is not counted as righteousness.
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Gal.5:4)
Sanctification is not through the law, but through the Spirit: "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. --Richard
From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subject: Under the Law?
>>RC> "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:10,11)
>>RC> "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Rom.3:20)
>>RC> Why then do you trouble men with your false doctrine, subverting their souls by saying they must keep the law? ("to whom we gave no such commandment"--Acts 15:24p)
>CQ> Richard, at no time have I said that one must keep the law in order to be saved!
Your claim in fact said it was "binding upon all men." There is no command in the new testament for Christians to "keep the law."
The ten commandments were part of the old covenant between the LORD and Israel, and there is no such commandment to those that are not under the law, but under grace in the new testament.
"For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." (--Acts 15:28,29; unto the Gentile brethren.)
>CQ> Richard, If you have a problem with the OLD Testament, listen to the NEW.
Most of the references you gave have to do with the ministry of the circumcision. I am not under the ministry of the law, but of grace.
"Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:" (Rom.15:8)
"That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God" (--Paul, Rom.15:16p)
"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:" (--Paul, Rom.11:13)
Be not deceived by the false doctrine of the SDA (or SDB) cults.
Remember that Jesus is the Lord and receive the love of the truth. Grace be to them that love the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. --Richard
From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subject: The Historical View
>CQ> Futurism takes the 70th week, separates it from the other 69 weeks, and places it in the future.
The word of God separates the 70th week from the other 69 weeks, and also divides the 69 weeks into 7 and 62. (49yrs and 434yrs and 7 years = total 490yrs) In Genesis 29:27, with Jacob(Israel) we find that the word "week" can represent "seven years". Also in the case of the children of Israel wandering 40 years because of the 40 days that they spied the land, we see that a "day" can be for a "year". A "day" on the north pole lasts for a year from one sunset to the next, due to the tilt of the earth, and the Lord dwells in the sides of the north and sits upon the circle of the earth, so it is understood that his viewpoint being different, a larger measure of time is indicated in Daniel 9:25-27.
>CQ> This time prophesy commences with the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem - given by Artaxerses during the seventh year of his reign in 457 B.C.
NOPE. The decree was given in the 20th year of his reign. The prophecy of Daniel 9:25 says--
"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."
In Nehemiah 2, Nehemiah makes request that he should be sent "unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it." The king Artaxerxes gave him the decree in the month Nisan (Mar/Apr), in the twentieth year of his reign. After arriving in Jerusalem, he "viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down" and in Neh.2:17--
"Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how that Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach."
The decree of Ezra 7 is not to build Jerusalem, but rather, pertains to the restoration of the temple, the house of God, its furnishings and offerings of the Gentiles. And the other decrees in Ezra (of Cyrus and Darius) pertain to the same. The decree of Nehemiah 2 is what is indicated by Daniel 9:25.
>CQ> Thus the 70-week (490 year) probationary period...
Is not a probationary period, but times of "desolation", and the 70th week especially pertains to the "times of Jacob's trouble" and what Jesus called "great tribulation".
Remember that Jesus is the Lord and that it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man: Let no man deceive you! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Grace be with you for the Lord Jesus' sake. Amen. --Richard
From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subject: SDA Doctrine 2 of 4
>CQ> That the condition of man in death is one of unconsciousness.
"...the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." (Luke 16:22p-24)
>CQ> That all men, good and evil alike, remain in the grave from death to the resurrection. (Eccl.9:5,6;Ps.146:3,4;John 5:28,29)
Lazarus did not remain in the grave until the final resurrection. The Lord Jesus says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." (John 5:25)
>CQ> That the finally impenitent, including Satan, the author of sin, will, by the fires of the last day, be reduced to a state of non-existence, becoming as though they had not been, thus purging the universe of God of sin and sinners. (Rom. 6:23; Mal. 4:1-3; Rev. 20:9,10; Obadiah 16)
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Rev.20:10)
The beast and the false prophet, are not reduced to a state of non-existence after 1000 years in the lake of fire. The torment in the lake of fire never ceases to exist, "for ever and ever." Be not deceived.
"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." (Isa.66:24)
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:44)
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:46)
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:48)
Be not deceived by the devilish doctrines of the SDA cult. THE FIRE SHALL NOT BE QUENCHED. You really ought to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved by grace for Jesus' sake. Amen. --Richard
From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subject: SDA Doctrine 2 of 4
>CQ> That no prophetic period is given in the Bible to reach to the Second Advent, but that the longest one, the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14, terminating in 1844, reaches to an event called the cleansing of the sanctuary.
Obviously the sanctuary was not cleansed in 1844. When Daniel sought for "the meaning" (Dan.8:15p) of the prophecy, Gabriel was sent to make him "understand the vision" (Dan.8:16p), and said unto Daniel: "Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision." (Dan.8:17p) Obviously then the prophecy is yet future and pertains to "the time of Jacob's trouble", even the "great tribulation" and associated events of the second advent of the LORD.
>CQ> that this heavenly sanctuary is the one to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14, its cleansing being, as in the type, a work of judgement,|
>CQ> This work of judgment in the heavenly sanctuary began in 1844.
Again, you are in the wrong time frame. Go back to chapter 7 where Daniel is given a "vision by night" and four great beasts came up from the sea, but yet the interpretation of the four great beasts in Daniel 7:17, says that they are "four kings, which shall arise out of the earth." The vision was given during the reign of the LAST king (Belshazzar) of Babylon. Therefore Babylon could not be one of the four which "shall arise". In the vision, they arose out of the sea, but in the interpretation, they arise out of the earth.
Compare that with Revelation 13, and you will see that the four beasts (lion, bear, leopard, dreadful) of Daniel 7:1-7 from the sea, are combined in one beast from the sea in Rev.13:1-10. Now consider that the four beasts of Daniel 7:17 are four kings that shall arise out of the earth, and further, that the ten horns of the fourth kingdom are ten kings that shall arise (and another after them!) Now read Revelation 13:11-18, and the Lord give understanding to them that shall understand. Take heed that no man deceive thee.
Grace be to them that love the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. --Richard
From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subject: SDA Doctrine 3 of 4
>CQ> That the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary, synchronizing with the period of the proclamation of the message of Revelation 14, is a time of investigative judgment, first, with reference to the dead, and second, with reference to the living.
The proclamation of Revelation 14 is connected with the tribulation, which will last 42 months, and is yet (near) future. Be not deceived by the accursed SDA so-called gospel. (read Gal.1:8,9)
>Gal.1:8,9> But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
>CQ> Further, that in eating and drinking and in their entire course of conduct they should shape their lives as becometh followers of the meek and lowly Master.
The kingdom of God is not meat and drink. Whether ye eat or drink, or whatever; do all unto the glory of God in Christ Jesus the Lord.
>CQ> That the divine principle of tithes and offerings for the support of the gospel is an acknowledgement of God's ownership in our lives and that we are stewards who must render account to Him of all that He has committed to our possession. (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:8-12; Mat. 23:23; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; 2 Cor. 9:6-15)
Stewards are indeed accountable, but there is no commandment for new testament saints to tithe. The principle set forth in Abraham where he gave "tithes of all", is certainly a worthy example though. Biblical Christians should first give their own selves unto the Lord!
>CQ> That the gift of the Spirit of prophecy is one of the identifying marks of the remnant church. (1 Cor. 1:5-7; 1 Cor. 12:1-28; Rev. 12:17; Rev. 19:10; Amos 3:7; Hosea 12:10,13) They recognize that this gift was manifested in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White.
The false teachings of E.G.White are manifest as doctrines of devils, being contrary to the revealed word of God in the holy scriptures. Be not deceived by the seducing spirits of the accursed SDA cult. Grace be to them that love the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. --Richard
From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subject: SDA Doctrine 4 of 4
>CQ> That the millennial reign of Christ covers the period between the first and the second resurrection, during which time the saints of all ages will live with their blessed Redeemer in heaven.
Those of the first resurrection live and reign with Christ on earth. Present day saints are already raised up together with Christ and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus the Lord. We will still be with the Lord after the redemption of the body, that where he is there we may be also, whether in heaven or on earth.
>Eph.2:4-7> But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
>CQ> At the end of the millennium the Holy City with all the saints will descend to the earth.
False. The new Jerusalem comes down upon the "new earth" after Gog and Magog and this present evil world are destroyed. (Rev.21)
>CQ> The wicked raised in the second resurrection, will go up on the breadth of the earth with Satan at their head to compass the camp of the saints, when fire will come down from God out of heaven and devour them.
False. The nations are gathered by Gog and Magog and go up on the breadth of the earth, etc. The wicked dead are not raised until after that, at the great white throne judgment. (Rev.20:11-15)
People that follow the dead E.G.White teachings are condemned with the same judgment. Be not deceived. ("But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.")
The word of faith says, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved; For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Be not deceived.)
Remember that Jesus is the Lord and receive the love of the truth. Grace be to them that love the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. --Richard
| NEXT |
URL of this page: http://www.avbtab.org/rc/read/sda.htm