Seventh Day Adventists
By Jim Searcy
Do Not Join Them, Help Them.

First of all, I want to make it clear the Seventh Day Adventists are NOT a cult. I also need to make it clear that I am not, nor would recommend that anyone become a Seventh Day Adventist. I have known many Seventh Day Adventists, and they have all been good exemplary Christian brethren. Seventh Day Adventists have some VERY strange, howbeit, NOT essential doctrines, some of which ARE DANGEROUS.

Here are 2 Audio Files that would be good to share with SDA's that you would like to help be set free from the bondage of the ERRORS, which they have been taught. These two audio files GENTLY address the non-essential items, which may be an offense to SDA's to cause them not to want to hear these files, or become angry with your desire to help them be set free from the bondage of the ERRORS which they have been taught.
http://gjigt-radio.com/podcast/audio/SDApt1Radio.mp3
and
http://gjigt-radio.com/podcast/audio/SDApt2Radio.mp3

The Adventist denomination teaches that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is the ONLY remnant Church of God. Therefore, they very effectively separate Adventists from the rest of the Christian community. Adventists are taught a false, works oriented, sense of security. Pride, hypocrisy, manipulation, and that there is no other alternative to SDA burdens is part of the Adventist experience. Within the heart of most Adventists is the lack of the knowledge of true righteousness, peace that passes understanding, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Adventists are taught that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is THE remnant Church of Revelation 12, who have been called out of the world, while ALL other Christians are lost. Adventists all know this, but are too nice to tell this truth openly to other Christians. Seventh Day Adventists are taught that they have confidential information from God, and that non-Adventist Christians are left in the dark about what God expects from “His remnant” people. Adventists are taught that it is the responsibility of the Seventh Day Adventists to influence people out of the apostate church and into the Adventist remnant church. Probably 99.44% of Adventists have a heart longing for the Joy of the Lord found in the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but are totally in the dark about how such true righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost may be found.

Perhaps 2 simple equations illustrate the Adventist plight more clearly than many words. Hopefully you know which is Correct A or B?
A) Faith in Christ + Good Works = Salvation
B) Faith in Christ = Salvation + Good Works

The KJV Holy Bible EMPHATICALLY and unequivocally teaches B, while Ellen G. White teaches A. So Adventists believe A, and it is therefore no wonder that Adventists do not know that the kingdom of God is NOT meat and drink, and they do NOT know the true IMPUTED righteousness, peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost. The Adventist brethren need to be set free from the bondage of the ERRORS which they have been taught, which hold them in such strong and subtle bondage, and keep them from being effective in Spiritual Warfare in these last days of the Antichrist War on the Saints.

The Adventists main doctrine problems stem from an original founding effort to HIDE and cover up a PROVEN FAILED system of last day prophecy interpretation. The Adventist prophecy interpretation has been PROVEN WRONG for over 165 years. The Adventist eschatology founded upon Ellen G. White's false visions has been PROVEN WRONG for a long time. Still, they are Adventists, and love to talk about last days prophecy. However, Seventh Day Adventists have the most impossible mess of confusion regarding the last days. Their understanding of the prophetic Scriptures is such a hopelessly confused mess that most will not find it fruitful to even try to speak of end time prophecy with them. However, they are among the finest in understanding the foundational essential doctrines of true Christian faith. They are good faithful brethren who should be received as such. There are many things for which they are to be commended.

Seventh Day Adventists OFFICIALLY HOLD the Following Essential Biblical Beliefs, which are True, Orthodox, Right, Correct, Sound Doctrines, to which ALL True Christians should HOLD:

1 - Salvation is 100% by the GRACE of God through faith in the Blood Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Unofficially, the majority of SDA’s believe Ellen G. White who taught NO ONE could possibly be saved without good works.)

2 – Hold the Biblical Doctrine that Jesus Christ is God the Son, Creator as well as Redeemer.

3 – Hold the Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity .

4 – Hold the Biblical Doctrine of the Virgin Birth.

5 – Hold the Biblical Doctrine that the Crucifixion Death of Jesus Christ was necessary for the Atonement of Sin.

6 – Hold the Biblical Doctrine of His Bodily Resurrection .

7 – Hold the Biblical Doctrine of His Ascension to His position at the Father’s right hand in God’s third heaven (with great confusion about before and after 1844).

8 – Hold the Biblical Doctrine that the Lord’s Sabbath should be Remembered and Observed, and NOT the Pope’s Babylonian sun god day Sabbath. 

The Seventh Day Adventist being BIBLICAL, truly Sola Scriptura in HOLDING Sound Doctrine of obeying the Fourth Commandment of God, are often FALSELY labeled a cult. The Adventists will NOT allow the Pope’s authority to supersede the 10 Commandments of God. That is the main reason why they have so often been FALSELY labeled a cult by the other major denominations.  

Even the teacher whom I hold in greatest esteem, the late Dr. Walter Martin, did ERROR greatly, as he sought to MISAPPLY the fasting and food chapter to Sabbath observance. There is NOT one single word in Romans chapter 14 that has ANYTHING to do with the Sabbath. Romans 14 is about what day one chooses as a FAST DAY, and how that we should not judge someone according to what they eat. First Timothy 4:5 is the final word on the subject of God’s biblical instruction regarding food. 

I would NOT recommend that anyone join with the Seventh Day Adventists. However, it would be even more wrong to deny them fellowship, or classify them as a non-Christian cult. Most all of the leadership of other Evangelical denominations have been guilty of FALSELY accusing the Seventh Day Adventists of being a cult, because of their CORRECT understanding and observance of the Fourth Commandment. To his credit, Dr. Walter Martin, who wrote the benchmark standard volume, THE KINGDOM OF THE CULTS, did STEADFASTLY DEFEND the Seventh Day Adventists from the majority of well known Evangelical leaders who wanted to make such false cult accusations. It seems the other denomination leaders prefer to make that FALSE cult accusation, rather than give up their OBEISANCE to the Roman Pope’s sun god day Sabbath ERROR.

The Seventh Day Adventists hold some doctrines that are WRONG, and some of them are DANGEROUSLY wrong. Most Seventh Day Adventists are vegetarians, even though the Bible specifically says it is WRONG to teach that people MUST abstain from meat, or will find some sort of higher plane of spirituality, by abstaining from eating meat. The following is the final Word of God regarding the subject –

1 Tim 4:1-5 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and COMMANDING TO ABSTAIN FROM MEATS, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.

Seventh Day Adventists HOLD the Following WRONG Beliefs:

1- That HELL is NOT Real, and deny that hell is a place of conscious eternal torment.

2 – Soul Sleep, or conditional immortality.

3 - Strange doctrine of the great work in the heavenly SANCTUARY  in 1844.

4 - The great INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT BEGINNING IN 1844.

5 – HOLD the MOST CONFUSED denominational eschatology. Yet, they are ADVENTISTS. They love to talk about end time prophecy and the whole denomination was founded upon FALSE revelations to hide, cover, and hold on to a PROVEN FAILED prophetic interpretation METHOD.

Of the four POSSIBLE methods of interpretation of prophetic books such as Revelation and Daniel, the FUTURIST interpretation is the MOST LOGICAL AND BEST. The REVELATION is the New Testament book of Prophesy just as Daniel is in the Old Testament. IT IS THE Revelation that God gave unto the Lord Jesus Christ to show unto His servants the things that MUST shortly, or suddenly, take place in the last days. To say it has ALL already happened (PRETERITS= past) is NONSENSE. To say that nothing in the book of REVELATION is real (idealist) is just about as ILLOGICAL.  

The Seventh Day Adventists say that REVELATION is a continuous history sometimes called the HISTORICAL method of interpretation. This so-called historical interpretation makes Daniel and Revelation, the Adventists favorite books, very symbolic and difficult, if not IMPOSSIBLE to understand. Their historical method makes for good job security for the Seventh Day Adventist clergy, makes for lively discussions of prophecy, but also makes it IMPOSSIBLE to discuss what the last days Prophetic Scriptures really, and literally, say. And since NON-ADVENTISTS are not taught all of this absurdity that is still held DOGMATICALLY in Adventist eschatology, the Adventist will not likely listen to anyone giving true interpretation of last day prophecies to them. 

The historical, or Seventh Day Adventist method of interpretation brings about many cockeyed identifications of present personalities with those of the REVELATION. In the middle of such persecution as Luther and Wycliffe were in, it is understandable how they could lean toward such a method of interpretation. However, the Seventh Day Adventist historical method of interpretation has been proven over and over NOT to fit the facts, or the Scriptures.   

Most logical people, outside of the Seventh Day Adventist confused school of eschatology, quickly see the logical necessity of the futurist interpretation. It really is the ONLY logical interpretation that is in line with the instruction given in the Scriptures themselves. However, the vast majority of Seventh Day Adventists will choose the writing of Ellen G. White, any and every day, over logic, or Scriptures rightly divided, which refute Ellen G. White's school of prophecy interpretation. 

Most outside the Seventh Day Adventist influence are quick to see that starting with chapter 4, and on through chapter 19 of Revelation, are likely still future and deal with the period just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in Great Power and Glory. Every generation of the Church, and ESPECIALLY OUR GENERATION, must seek to gain such an understanding of chapters 4 - 19 so as to be able to KNOW WITH CERTAINTY that we are the generation to witness these things. Only such an interpretation will motivate us to do what is necessary to be an overcomer and not capitulate or be caught in the web of Antichrist.   

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; This clearly tells us that there will be some past information, but it also tells us quite clearly that it is NOT ALL PAST information.  Most of the information is for the present and the future. If we want to rightly divide the word of truth in the book of Revelation, seek an understanding that places us as a witness of the things described in chapters 4 - 19, and pray for the Lord to show us how we are to live and prepare to live during such conditions. This is just what Luther, Calvin, Wycliffe and other persecuted leaders of the Reformation did. 

The persecuted leaders of the Reformation were thus motivated to be the best they could be for the Glory of God. How MUCH MORE reason do we have to believe that we are the witnesses of the unfolding of Revelation 4 – 19? We don't want to hear this but we must test by the Spirit and the Word for ourselves, to see if things like the Seventh Day Adventist methods, or preterism, or pre-trib rapture doctrine, is sound doctrine or not. We must not play like an ostrich and stick our head in the sand.

We can understand these things, although most Seventh Day Adventists would have to leave their church and just study the KJV Holy Bible by themselves, for about a year to get deprogrammed. However, that is the same need for the preterits and those still in pre-trib lala land. They may have even been in more serious peril than the Seventh Day Adventists. At least the Seventh Day Adventists still highly regard the need for, and strive after, HOLINESS.

It is unwise to totally avoid the Book of Revelation, and many pre-trib professors on occasion from their pulpits, even say exactly that. I have heard some big name pre-trib lala land personalities actually directly order their congregations not to read or study the book of Revelation. If any generation ever needed to properly understand the Books of Revelation and Daniel it is THIS GENERATION, more so than any other.

The Seventh Day Adventists, and the other forms of Adventism, for over a century have borne a stigma of being called a non-Christian cult system. The Adventism of today is different in many ways from the Adventism of 1844.

One can NOT be a Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, Christadelphian, Christian Scientist, Spiritist, Theosophist, or other heretical pseudo-Christian cult group, and be a Christian, in the biblical sense of the term. It is however, completely possible to be a Seventh Day Adventist and be a true follower of Jesus Christ, despite certain non essential unorthodox beliefs and doctrines. Of the ten largest Protestant Christian denominations the Seventh Day Adventists may have a higher percentage of genuine Christians than any other in these last days of the great falling away from THE Faith.

Seventh day Adventism sprang from the "Great Second Advent Awakening," which shook the religious world just before the middle of the nineteenth century when a re-emphasis on the second advent of Jesus Christ was rampant in Britain and on the continent of Europe. Before long, many of the Old World views of prophetic interpretation crossed the Atlantic and penetrated American theological circles. Based largely upon the apocalyptic books of Daniel and Revelation, the theology of the Advent Movement was discussed in the newspapers as well as in theological journals. New Testament eschatology competed with stock market quotations for front-page space, and the "seventy weeks," "twenty-three hundred days," and "the abomination of desolation" (Daniel 8–9) were common subjects of conversation.

Following the chronology of Archbishop Ussher, and interpreting the 2300 days of Daniel as 2300 years, many Bible students of various denominations concluded that Christ would come back about the year 1843. The Great Second Advent Awakening, which swept the United States in the 1840’s, stemmed largely from the activities of one man named William Miller, who confidently taught in the year 1818, that in "about" twenty-five years, or about 1843, Jesus Christ would come again. As Miller himself said, I was thus brought in 1818 at the close of my two-year study of the Scriptures to the solemn conclusion that in about twenty-five years from that time all the affairs of our present state would be wound up. Miller also wrote, I believe the time can be known by all who desire to understand and to be ready for His coming. And I am fully convinced that some time between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844, according to the Jewish method of computation of time, Christ will come and bring all His saints with Him; and that then He will reward every man as His work shall be.

Miller and his followers were NOT crackpots or uneducated tools of Satan. The Great Advent Awakening movement that spanned the Atlantic from Europe was bolstered by a tremendous wave of contemporary biblical scholarship. Although Miller himself lacked academic theological training, actually scores of prophetic scholars in Europe and the United States had accepted and espoused Miller’s views before he himself announced them. In reality, his was only one more voice proclaiming the 1843/1844 fulfillment of Daniel 8:14, or the 2300-day period allegedly dating from 457 BC. and ending in AD. 1843–1844.

Many books have been written about William Miller and the Millerite movement, and none of them proved Miller to be dishonest or deceptive in his prophetic interpretation of Scripture. Miller had the reputation, among all who knew him, of being an exemplary Christian. One does not have to endorse the errors of Millerism, therefore, to respect the historical figure of William Miller. Regardless of his shortcomings, Miller was a genuine  Christian of remarkable integrity, who, if he did have a more extensive understanding of the Scriptures, most probably would never have embarked upon his disastrous date-setting career.

Although Miller popularized the 1843/1844 concept of Christ’s coming again, he was by no means alone. If we condemn him, we must also condemn a large number of internationally known scholars who were among the best of their day. However, they had a blind spot in prophetic interpretation and endorsed this particular fallacious system of date-setting. Regardless of the number of scholars who confirmed his errors, Miller and the Millerites simply were WRONG. Miller and his followers were subsequently humiliated, and ridiculed. William Miller set the time for the return of the Lord between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844, reckoning according to the Jewish calendar.

The Millerites were zealous and sincere, but of necessity were greatly disappointed as the calculated date came and went and the Lord did not return. When the dream closest to their hearts failed to materialize, Miller openly confessed he was wrong. Most date setters are not found to be so honest in confessing their error.

Miller openly OPPOSED various new theories that had developed following October 22, 1844. He NEVER accepted the distinctive positions of the UNCONSCIOUS SLEEP OF THE DEAD, and eventually declared unequivocally that the movement was NOT a fulfillment of prophecy in ANY sense. The theology of William Miller differed from Seventh Day Adventist theology on TWO points: He denied the doctrine of the SLEEP OF THE SOUL; and the final, utter destruction of the wicked, or the annihilation of the wicked. Miller AFFIRMED the clear biblical teaching of the reality of the eternal torment of Hell.

Those are distinct DOCTRINES HELD by the Seventh Day Adventist denomination. Miller died shortly after the time when he had calculated the Return of the Lord as a broken and disillusioned man who was, GENUINELY repentant, and HONEST. Whatever is to be said about Miller, it should be said that the man was a man of integrity, who was honest in his error, and honest even in repudiating his own error. This is far different than the majority of date setters who dare to claim THUS SAITH THE LORD, and make only PRETENDED repentance, and go about setting new dates.

There were three segments of Millerism that eventually united to form the Seventh Day Adventist denomination. Each of these groups held a distinctive doctrine. The group headed by Hiram Edson in western New York proclaimed the doctrine of the SANCTUARY. Edson said the sanctuary held a special or final ministry of Christ in the Holy of Holies in the heavenly sanctuary, which gave a new meaning to the message that The Hour of God’s Judgment Has Come. Another group, headed by Joseph Bates, advocated the observance of the Seventh Day Sabbath as involved in the keeping of the Commandments of God. The third group emphasized the Spirit of prophecy or the testimony of Jesus, which they believed was to be made manifest in the faithful remnant, Rev 12:17, 14:6–12, and 19:10. They believed this faithful remnant to be the last segment of God’s Church. By 1847, the beliefs of these groups crystallized and was actively promoted in the writings of their leaders, Hiram Edson, O.R.L. Crosier, Joseph Bates, James White, and Ellen G. White.

The entire structure of the Millerites’ prophetic interpretation that brought about the Great Awakening of the mid-nineteenth century was based upon their view of the book of Daniel, chapters eight and nine, with particular emphasis upon Daniel 8:14 and 9:24–27. The Millerites believed that the prophecy of the seventy weeks of Daniel nine must date from the year 457 BC. That date has been subsequently confirmed by recent archaeological evidence. The year 457 BC was the exact date of the decree of King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25). Tracing the seventy weeks of Daniel on the theory that, as the Hebrew indicated, it should be rendered “seventy weeks of years” or 490 years, the Millerites arrived at the date AD. 33; that is, from 457 BC. to AD. 33. Since this date generally corresponds with Christ’s crucifixion, Millerites then linked it to Daniel 8:14—“Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed”—with the seventy weeks of years prophecy, and the 2300 days became 2300 years. Thus, if you subtract 490 years (adding, of course, AD. 1 to 33), the figure arrived at is 1843. Many biblical scholars in that time frame had shown that in Scripture a day frequently symbolizes a year; further, that the seventy weeks and 2300 days of Daniel could have begun on the same date. And that date, according to the Millerites, was 457 BC. Many expositors had embraced the same method of interpretation, which is no argument for accepting it, but a strong argument for the right of the Millerites to do so.

When the Millerite calculations failed, all appeared to be lost; but a singular event took place only three days later in a cornfield near Port Gibson, New York. It changed the face of Adventist history and brought about a reinterpretation of the eighth and ninth chapters of the book of Daniel, an interpretation which remains a KEYSTONE of the Seventh Day Adventists view of prophecy.

On October 25, 1844, following the “Great Disappointment,” Hiram Edson, a devout Adventist and follower of William Miller, was winding his way homeward with his friend O.R.L. Crosier. In order to avoid the mocking gazes and taunts of their neighbors, they cut across a cornfield. As they walked through the cornfield in deep silence and meditation, Hiram Edson stopped, became more deeply immersed in meditation, and then with upturned face indicative of a heartfelt prayer for spiritual light, he suddenly received a great spiritual revelation. Suddenly there burst upon his mind the thought that there were two phases to Christ’s ministry in the Heaven of Heavens, just as in the earthly sanctuary of old. In his own words, an overwhelming conviction came over him “that instead of our high priest coming out of the most holy of the heavenly sanctuary to come to this earth on the tenth day of the seventh month at the end of the twenty-three hundred days, He for the first time entered on that day the second apartment of that sanctuary, and that He had a work to perform in the most holy before coming to this earth.”

Seventh Day Adventists from then on believe that Hiram Edson found the reason why the Millerites had been disappointed. They had expected Christ to come to earth to cleanse the sanctuary, but the sanctuary was not on earth. It was located in heaven! Instead of coming to earth, therefore, Christ had passed from one apartment of the sanctuary into the other apartment to perform a closing work now known as the “INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT.” In the year 1846, this new interpretation of Daniel was convincingly put forth by O. R. L. Crosier, who outlined and defended Hiram Edson’s concept in a lengthy article in a special number of The Day Star, a Millerite publication in Cincinnati, Ohio. Edson himself really believed that Christ had passed from the “holy place” to the “most holy place” in the heavenly sanctuary.

The Old Testament tabernacle was divided by a veil into two apartments, the Holy place and the most Holy place. In the most Holy place was the Ark of the Covenant. Into this apartment the high priest went once a year to sprinkle blood upon the mercy seat to make atonement for the sins of the people. In Christian theology, this blood symbolized prophetically the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, for the sins of all the world. Transferring this Old Testament ceremonial concept to the New Testament, and making an extremely literalistic interpretation of the book of Hebrews, Edson and Crosier formulated the doctrines of “the heavenly sanctuary” and “investigative judgment.” These concepts are now understood to mean that in 1844 Christ entered the “second phase” of His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, and ever since has been reviewing the cases of believers to determine their worthiness for eternal life. Further, He will come forth from the “second apartment,” or finish the “second phase” of His ministry in the sanctuary, to usher in judgment upon the world at His Great Second Advent. This, in essence, was the interpretation that shaped the later concepts of the “heavenly sanctuary” and the “investigative judgment” in Seventh Day Adventist theology. Thus, good Millerite-Adventists were justified in endorsing the work of William Miller. They even believed that God had allowed Miller to make mistakes for the greater blessing of the “little flock.”

In her Early Writings, Ellen G. White wrote, I have seen that the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that it should not be altered; that the figures were as He wanted them, that His hand was over and hid a mistake in some of the figures so that none could see it until His hand was removed. White was referring to Fitch’s prophetic chart, utilized by the Millerites, which led them to the year 1843 instead of the date that she considered to be correct—October 22, 1844. The fact remains, however, that the Millerites erred in their prophetic, chronological interpretation of the book of Daniel, and only the concept of Hiram Edson in the cornfield and the explanatory writings of O. R. L. Crosier, buttressed by the “revelations” of Ellen G. White, saved the day.

The Seventh Day Adventist doctrines of the last days are some of the most convoluted to be found today. Most Seventh Day Adventists today do not in their heart accept White’s explanation, or the interpretations of Edson, Crosier, and other Seventh Day Adventist expositors since E.G. White. However, regardless how the greatest modern so-called Christian scholars may try to deny, refute, denigrate, or dismiss the Seventh Day Adventist doctrines, even the Roman Catholic Church acknowledges them to be the only major Protestant Christian denomination, which is TRULY SOLA SCRIPTURA in their doctrines on the Seventh Day Sabbath. As wrong as it truly may be, those who try to stand against the biblical doctrine of the importance of the Lord's Sabbath, being as right as the pope's Sabbath is WRONG. Most detractors do obeisance to the pope, and not to The Truth or the Spirit of Truth. Some are so ridiculous as to attempt to rely on Romans 14 to stand against the sound doctrine. Romans 14 says ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the Sabbath Day. Romans 14 is all about food, fasting, and fast days, but has not ONE WORD regarding the Sabbath, or the Fourth Commandment, in God's Royal Law of Love, Life, and Liberty.

The Seventh Day Adventists are distinguished by standing for full obedience to God’s Holy Commandments, including the observance of the Seventh day as a Sabbath. They distinguish the denomination by claiming that faith and obedience are not to be separated, and that obedience is the proof of faith. However, probably the majority of Seventh Day Adventists do not really believe the concept of Christ entering the most Holy place in the heavenly sanctuary on October 22, 1844, for the final work of judgment and the receiving of His kingdom.

The biggest problem with the Seventh Day Adventists is their PROPHETESS, with the Spirit of prophecy, Ellen G. White. Mrs. White's credentials as a pre-eminent prophet of the denomination is the biggest problem within, and without, the Seventh Day Adventist denomination. Some receive Mrs. E. G. White as the personification of the spiritual gift of prophecy, and some do not. Many of those who do NOT, or did not accept Mrs. White in such an exalted prophet status, in the past, could not openly discuss this issue. Mrs. White had numerous visions that confirmed many Adventist doctrines. When the Edson, Crosier, Bates, and White adherents joined forces, the Seventh-day Adventist denomination was launched. Today the Seventh-day Adventist Church seems to downplay White’s role as a prophet, describing her more in terms of a gifted author, speaker, and administrator. In fact, the Seventh Day Adventist Church today clearly affirms that any post-biblical prophet’s words MUST be tested by the Bible. One of such clear recent official statements in this regard, far different than 100 years ago, is “The Scriptures retain authority even over the gifts that come from the Holy Spirit, including guidance through the gift of prophecy, or speaking in tongues.”

Today, the Seventh Day Adventists, are the EIGHTH Largest of Protestant Denominations, with over 16 million members in over 200 countries. In spite of those who say otherwise, Seventh Day Adventists, as a major Protestant Christian denomination, do adhere tightly to the foundational doctrines of Christian and/or Biblical theology. They have some peculiar heterodox doctrines. However, the Adventists do affirm the infallibility of the Bible, of the Trinity, and of the full deity of Jesus Christ. The Adventist doctrines on creation, God's control and direction of the universe, the incarnation, the virgin birth, the resurrection of Christ, and the absolute necessity for regeneration, or sanctification by the Holy Spirit, and on Christ’s literal return, are as BIBLICALLY SOUND, as their eschatology and other non-essential doctrines are UNSOUND.

Seventh Day Adventists reject the doctrine of eternal torment. They rationalize away the reality of Hell on the following reasons according to their official doctrinal statement: (1) Because everlasting life is a gift of God (Romans 6:23). The wicked do not possess this—they “shall not see life” (John 3:36); “no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). (2) Because eternal torment would perpetuate and immortalize sin, suffering, and woe, and contradict, we believe, divine revelation, which envisions the time when these things shall be no more (Revelation 21:4). (3) Because it seems to us to provide a plague spot in the universe of God throughout eternity, and would seem to indicate that it is impossible for God himself ever to abolish it. (4) Because in our thinking, it would detract from the attribute of love as seen in the character of God, and postulates the concept of a wrath which is never appeased. (5) Because the Scriptures teach that the atoning work of Christ is to “put away sin” (Hebrews 9:26)—first from the individual, and ultimately from the universe. The full fruition of Christ’s sacrificial, atoning work will be seen not only in a redeemed people but in a restored heaven and earth (Ephesians 1:13–14).

Seventh Day Adventist non-essential doctrines get even more unorthodox or heterodox with the Seventh Day Adventist doctrine of The SANCTUARY and the INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT, which include their soul sleep doctrine, and denial of the biblical doctrine regarding HELL. The SDA Scapegoat Teaching of a twofold responsibility for sin is not what most reading the KJV Holy Bible would conclude. Those who would say that the Adventists believe Christ had a sinful, carnal, or degenerate human nature are making a FALSE Accusation. The Official doctrine of the denomination has always upheld the sinless perfection of Jesus Christ, who though tempted, NEVER did yield to any temptation, and always remained SINLESS.

Ellen G. White, at the age of seventeen, embraced the Adventist faith of the Millerites. Although deeply stirred by Miller’s sincerity and his chronological calculations, her family remained in fellowship with the Methodist Church of Portland, which in 1845 disfellowshipped them because they believed in the pre-millennial second advent of Jesus Christ. In December 1844, after “The Great Disappointment,” while visiting a friend in Portland, Ellen experienced what she termed her first vision that portrayed the “vindication” of the Adventist faith. In that vision she claimed to see the Adventists triumphant over their critics—pressing upward to heaven in the face of insufferable obstacles.
.................................
For many years controversy has raged about White and her “revelations,” and there are conflicting opinions within and without Adventism regarding both the extent and nature of her “revelations” and “inspiration.” The position of Ellen White in Adventist teaching, then, is most significant and must be understood if we are to get a proper picture of this Adventist people group. The writings and counsels of Ellen G. White are termed the “Spirit of prophecy,” an expression taken from Revelation 19:10. Adventists believe that in the last days special counsels from God are to be revealed, which neither add to nor contradict Scripture, and that these counsels are primarily for the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. And, while following these counsels, they claim they always test them by the Word of God. Finally, they believe that the visions of Mrs. White and her counsels to their denomination are the “Spirit of prophecy” for their Church.

Through the years, some over-zealous Adventist writers have given the impression that everything White said or wrote, even in private letters, was inspired and infallible. This is decidedly NOT the official position. The Adventist denomination readily admits that not everything White said or wrote was either inspired or infallible, although some individual Adventists still cling to that idea. The Adventists do NOT regard the writings of Ellen G. White as an addition to the sacred Canon of Scripture. Ellen G. White's writings are not thought of as having universal application, as is the Bible. However, some Adventists do hold them to have such authority for the Adventist Churches, though this is NOT any sort of OFFICIAL position.

Officially, Adventists do NOT regard White's writings in the same sense as the Holy Scriptures, which stand alone and unique as the standard by which all other writings must be judged. Seventh Day Adventists uniformly believe that the Canon of Scripture closed with the Book of Revelation. Adventists as a denomination hold that all other writings and teachings, from whatever source, including E.G. White's writings, are to be judged by and are subject to the Bible. Adventists as a denomination recommend, The Holy Bible, as the Word of God, as the rule of faith and practice. By the Scriptures, which themselves explicitly are the Word of God, is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. Adventists OFFICIALLY have never considered Ellen G. White to be in the same category as the writers of the Canon of Scripture. Adventists hold preeminence for Ellen G. White in the category of messengers, other than the biblical writers. Among Seventh Day Adventists, she was recognized as one who possessed the gift of the Spirit of prophecy, though she herself never assumed the title of prophetess. Seventh Day Adventists regard her writings as containing inspired counsel concerning personal religion, and the conduct of Adventist denominational work.

That portion of Ellen G. White's writings that might be classified as predictions, really forms a small segment of her writing, and the Adventist denomination acknowledges that E. G. White was fallible, and in error on her predictive writings. The Adventist denomination holds the Holy Scriptures, ONLY, as being an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. The Holy Scriptures are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience. While Adventists hold the writings of Ellen G. White in highest esteem, officially the Adventists claim that her writings are not the source of their teaching and preaching ministry. Adventists officially claim to base teachings only on the Scripture, and that the Holy Bible is the only foundation of all true Christian doctrine. However, most Adventists, and some to extreme, believe that the Holy Spirit opened to Ellen G. White's mind two important events, and called her to give certain instructions for these last days.

The instructions to the Adventists given by Ellen G. White, are believed by the majority of Adventists to be in harmony with the Word of God, which Word alone is able to make us wise unto Salvation. Adventists, as a denomination, accept the writings of E. G. White as inspired counsels from the Lord. However, the Adventists have never, as a denomination, equated them with Scripture as some often falsely charge.

Seventh Day Adventists hold to the restoration of the “gift of prophecy” in the last days of the Christian Church, and that they believe this restoration occurred in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White. The Adventists differ from other Churches in that while they hold the Bible to be the unique, complete, infallible, and inerrant Word of God, they maintain that in specific contexts Ellen White’s writings are to be accepted by Adventists as “testimonies” from the Spirit of God to guide their denominational activities. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find any other denomination in all of Christendom that has given such recognition, so exclusively, to its founder or top theologian, as does the Seventh Day Adventist Bible Commentary. To say Ellen White is preeminent is a GREAT understatement, in regard to the Adventist  denomination Bible Commentary.

The Preface to that Bible Commentary contains the statement: “At the close of each chapter is a cross reference or index to those passages in Ellen G. White’s writings that comment on the various texts in that chapter.” It goes on to say, “The Advent movement has grown strong through the study of the Bible; and it can be said with equal truth that the movement has been safely guided in that study by the light shining from the Spirit of prophecy.” Those who wrote the Seventh Day Adventist Bible Commentary give the impression that the Spirit of prophecy has rested conclusively, if not exclusively, upon Ellen G. White.

Seventh Day Adventists are of necessity committed to her visions and counsel because they believe that the Spirit of prophecy rested upon her like no other person of their group. It is this belief which has produced perhaps the most confusing and IMPOSSIBLE eschatology. For Adventists, “inspiration” in connection with White’s writings has a rather different meaning from the inspiration of the Bible. Adventists freely admit that the Bible is objectively the Word of God, the final authority in all matters of faith, and morals. But the writings of White cannot be so regarded, and they are the first to say so.

Adventists can not help but finding themselves defending a situation which is at best paradoxical, and at times CONTRADICTORY. There are many Adventists who obviously have made faith in White’s writings a test of fellowship between themselves and other denominations. Many Adventists have tried to compel other Christians to accept the “testimonies” of White as indispensable to a deeper, richer experience of Christian consecration and living. If Seventh Day Adventists did indeed claim for White inspiration in every area of her writings, then we might well be cautious about having fellowship with them. However, they do NOT do this. They may in their heart believe themselves holier than thou, or certainly more enlightened than thou, but you will find them invariably too nice, and with too much false humility to say so.

If Seventh Day Adventists are to defend their claim for White’s inspiration, they must explain a number of contradictions in her writings. Ellen G. White seems to have had an extremely complex personality. She was both mortal, and a sinner like anyone else. A biblical false prophet was not a believer. A biblical false prophet was a servant of the devil, attempting to lead people away from the truth. White did make false statements. She did misuse what she claimed was the prophetic gift. But one cannot say that she was like a biblical false prophet. Of course, technically, all would agree that the person who prophesies in the name of God, and turns out to be wrong has prophesied falsely. But White was not as a biblical false prophet, because she was a true Christian, even though what she did was sinful.

White was definitely influenced in some of her writings by time, circumstances, and also by the powerful personalities who surrounded her. Some Adventists maintain that this would in no way prevent her conveying messages from the Lord. However, anyone who attempts to prove she was divinely inspired or infallible, must first dispose of the evidence. White was truly a regenerate Christian woman who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and fully dedicated herself to bear witness for Him, as she felt led. Ellen G. White was true to the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, regarding the salvation of the soul, and the believer’s life in Christ. However, she was WRONG in her interpretation of the sanctuary, WRONG about the investigative judgment, and WRONG about the scapegoat doctrine. White was WRONG in the conscious state of the dead. Ellen White was WRONG in her teaching of the final destruction of the wicked. However, no one can deny the fact that her writings conform to the basic principles of the true Gospel. Adventists who assume that White’s writings are free from theological and critical error are WRONG.

The Adventist claim that Ellen G. White possessed the gift of prophecy, as that described in 1 Corinthians 14, is WRONG. While Ellen G. White claimed that ALL of her writings were by inspiration of the Lord, it has been extensively proven that she quite freely copied the work of others. Ellen G. White quite obviously was not truthful in that claim, and it would appear that she was willfully deceptive about that. One may quickly see this proven at this link – http://www.nonsda.org/egw/egw103.shtml

Ellen White was a part of the late-nineteenth-century culture, and she was most certainly NOT infallible. Although Seventh Day Adventists do hold White and her writings in great esteem, they maintain that the Bible is their only “rule of faith and practice.” Whatever one finds that E. G. White wrote on Salvation, or Christian living, proves her to be Christian in every sense of the term.

The doctrine of CONDITIONAL IMMORTALITY, commonly called “soul-sleep”, and its obvious annihilation TO DENY the biblical teaching on the reality of Hell, have been some of the most important foundational teachings from the beginning of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They must critically be dealt with, if the theology underlying the basic premise is to be understood. Many noted Christians of the past believed in conditional immortality, such as Luther, Tyndale, and Wycliffe. Luther even stated that he could not support the doctrine of immortality of the soul, which he called one of the “endless monstrosities in the Roman dunghill of decretals. That there were some heroes of the Protestant reformation who professed conditional immortality was to strengthen their stand against the Pope's big moneymaker of PURGATORY, and the idolatry of necromancy. Tyndale declared that in putting the souls of the departed dead in heaven, hell, or purgatory, you destroy the arguments wherewith Christ and Paul doth prove the Resurrection. Tyndale also said, if the souls be in heaven, tell me then what cause is there for their resurrection? To Tyndale I would answer, God created man in His image as a tripartite being, body, soul, and spirit. Tyndale will rejoice in the resurrection, when he receives his resurrection glorified body. The Adventist should be informed that Luther also clearly taught that in the interim between death and the resurrection the soul does NOT sleep, but IS AWAKE and enjoys the vision of angels and of God, and has living interaction with them.

The Christian Church does not base its belief in the conscious fullness of joy of departed Saints on the opinions of individuals, but ONLY upon the biblical foundation of the Christian faith. By the WRONG leading in these areas to hold on to and cover up a PROVEN FAILED last days prophecy understanding through the writings of Ellen G. White, the Adventists definitely do believe that man rests in the tomb until the resurrection morning. Then, at the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4–5), the resurrection of the just (Acts 24:15), the righteous come forth immortalized at the call of Christ, the Life Giver, and they then enter into life everlasting in their eternal home in the kingdom of glory.

Seventh Day Adventists have NO sound biblical reasons for the idea that death is a state of unconsciousness. The New Testament frequently indicates that the unregenerate man is already “dead,” but not even the Adventists would say that he was extinct or unconscious. Some instances of this are: Matthew 8:22, “Let the dead bury their dead”; John 5:25, “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”; and Ephesians 2:1, “You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Not in just the New Testament, but throughout all writings of history the most common metaphor for death is sleep. It is not at all unusual, or wrong, to see death compared with sleep. However, everyone should recognize, and know, there are differences between death and sleep. One does not develop a doctrine from a figure of speech, as conditional immortalists such as Ellen G. White have done. Sound Doctrine is based upon rightly dividing and applying the Word of God in full context, and true understanding by the Spirit of Truth. Context is important because things taken out of context become pretexts. Metaphors, symbolic figures of speech are true, but not necessary LITERALLY true, but rather figuratively true.

The Scripture absolutely teaches, that eternal life is vastly different from immortality. Immortality will be bestowed upon the believer at the resurrection. However, in this life, here and now, the believer already has been given eternal life IN Christ, which is a spiritual quality of existence that will, at the resurrection, be united with the physical quality of incorruptibility. The Bible speaks of incorruptibility as immortality. We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 Corinthians 13:12 and 1 John 3:2). The New Testament words for immortality and eternal life are neither identical nor synonymous.

For certain Adventist writers, therefore to treat these terms as interchangeable, is clearly WRONG. What study of the truth, by the Spirit of Truth would find, is that it is NOT possible linguistically. In 2 Tim 1:10 Paul writes that God’s eternal purpose “is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” In this verse “life” (zoe) and “immortality” (aphtharsian) are clearly distinguished. Life has been bestowed upon the believer at the moment of regeneration by faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:11–12); immortality is a future gift, to be bestowed upon the believer’s body at the second advent of our Lord, or as Paul expressed it, “This corruptible must put on incorruption (aphtharsian), and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53, athanasian).

Again, in Romans 2:7, the apostle clearly distinguishes between “eternal life” as a conscious quality of spiritual existence bestowed upon the believer as a gift; and “immortality,” which, in this connection in the New Testament, refers to the resurrection bodies of the Saints, or to the nature of God Himself. Thus, God’s Word clearly indicates the difference between “life” as spiritual existence, and “immortality” as incorruptibility in a body like that of our risen Lord.

Philippians 1:21–24: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I know not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Here is how the Seventh Day Adventists WRONGLY would try to explain the truth of Phil 1:21-24 away, saying: Of course it will be better to be with Christ, but why, it must be asked, should we conclude that the apostle expects immediately upon death to go at once into the presence of Christ? The Bible does not say so. It merely states his desire to depart and be with Christ. One might reason that the implication is to the effect that being with Christ would be immediately on his departure. But it must be admitted that such is not a necessary implication, and it certainly is not a definite statement of the text. In this particular passage, Paul does not tell us when he will be with his Lord. In other places he uses an expression similar to one in this passage. For instance, he says, “The time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim 4:6). The Greek word used in these two texts, analuo, is not used very often in the Greek New Testament, but the word has the meaning “to be loosened like an anchor.” It is a metaphor drawn from the loosened moorings, preparatory to setting sail.

In the main, Seventh Day Adventists support their soul-sleep arguments with Old Testament passages, most of which are taken out of context while ignoring metaphor usages, implications, or deductions. However, in the New Testament, when faced with a positive statement like this one by the apostle Paul, it seems that they refuse to be literal and insist upon metaphors, deductions, and implications. They seem unwilling to accept the apostle’s statement at face value.

Now, of all the texts in the New Testament on the state of the believer after the death of his body, this one alone gives us Paul’s mind on the subject. Therefore, we should pay close attention to what he says. If we will we will see the BIBLE EXPLICITLY THAT UPON DEATH OF THE BODY THE SOUL AND SPIRIT OF THOSE WHY DIE IN CHRIST GOES IMMEDIATELY TO BE WITH THE LORD.

In verse 21 Paul states that to continue to live is Christ and to die “is gain.” Since Paul was ordained to preach the Word of God to the Gentiles while enjoying fellowship with the living Christ, what would he gain by death or unconsciousness? According to the Adventist idea, fellowship with Christ would end and Paul would merely go to sleep until the resurrection. Context? Grammar? Such an argument violates both context and grammar. Verse 23 is grammatically simple. It is a simple series of coordinated statements. The phrase “to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” is grammatically devastating to the Seventh-day Adventist position. The preposition is, plus the definite article shows “true purpose or end in view”—the strong desire that causes Paul’s dilemma. Both infinitives (analusai and einai) have one construction—they are used with one definite article—and so are one thought, one grammatical expression: literally, “my desire is to the ‘to depart and to be with Christ.’ ” In simple English, Paul’s one desire has a twofold object: departure and being with Christ! If departure did not mean his immediately being with Christ, another construction would have been employed. It therefore seems IMPOSSIBLE that soul-sleep was in the mind of the apostle since, he desired to depart from his body, and to spiritually enjoy the presence of his Lord.

The Second Advent could not have been in view in this passage, for the context indicates that Paul expected death—and instantaneous reunion with Christ—THEN, not at the resurrection. There would have been no need of his staying to instruct the Philippians (v. 24) if he were speaking of the Second Advent, for they would ALL be glorified TOGETHER, and no longer in need of His presence to strengthen them.

Philippians 1:21–24 teaches the historical position of the Christian Church, which is, the conscious presence of the believer with Christ at the death of the body. Nevertheless, the Adventists, like all conditional immortalists, say, Why should we conclude from this that the apostle expects immediately upon death to go at once into the presence of Christ? The Bible does not say so. It merely states his desire to depart and to be with Christ. THE FACT IS THE BIBLE DOES SAY SO, AND THE ADVENTISTS DO NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FACT.

To the Adventist, and to all who so disparately want to deny the reality of Hell being an eternal like of fire, we MUST in truth say that the context simply states that the apostle expected to go at once into the presence of his Lord. Nevertheless, the Adventists insist, The Bible does not say so. It merely states his desire to depart and to be with Christ. THIS ADVENTIST STATEMENT IS NOT ACCURATE, and it is not even honest. It will not stand the test of the CONTEXT. It is a DISHONEST attempt to justify a doctrine that is NOT supported by the Word of God. When the Adventist says, in this particular passage, Paul does not tell us when he will be with his Lord, honest knowledgeable believers must point out that the apostle categorically states that his desire is “to depart.” If this departure did not mean immediate presence with Christ, he would have used a different grammatical construction, but as it stands, it can have no other POSSIBLE meaning. Adventist scholars are much more likely to trust some writing of Ellen G. White and disregard the preponderance of historical scholarship in favor of the doctrine of “soul-sleep.

1 Thess 4:13–18 says, I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

This passage quite clearly refutes the Adventist teaching on the intermediate state of the dead. In verse 14, the Holy Spirit tells us that God intends to bring with Him, that is, with Jesus at His second advent, all of the believing Christians who have experienced physical death. The physical state of their BODIES is described as “sleep,” which is the most common metaphor for death, not just in the New Testament, but of all writing of all history. In every instance where the word “sleep” is used to describe death, it always refers to the body, and cannot be applied to the soul, especially since “sleep” is never used with reference to the soul. This fact the Adventists will always IGNORE.

In verse 17, which tells us that believers who survive to the coming of the Lord will be caught up together with them, that is, with the dead in Christ to meet the Lord in the air. There is no meaning other than “together with,” a fact most Seventh Day Adventists can always be expected to IGNORE. And so shall we ever be with the Lord - is quite obvious that at the second advent of Christ, those who at death departed to be spiritually with the Lord (Philippians 1:21–24) return with Him, or together with Him to claim their resurrected, immortal bodies. Simultaneously, their corrupting bodies in the graves, spoken of as “asleep,” are instantly metamorphosed or changed and reunited with the returning personalities. In verse 17, grammatically it cannot mean something altogether different in the same context and parallel usage of verse 14. Therefore, if at Christ’s advent our bodies are to go with Him physically (verse 16), it is obvious that the Saints who preceded us in death have been with Him from the moment of death, since they accompany Him in His return (verse 14). This fact the Adventists will always IGNORE.

The corpses of the physically dead saints are to be raised and united with their returning souls (verse 14). Not once does the context or grammar indicate that the souls of departed believers are “asleep.” Instead, it categorically states that they are “with Jesus” or returning “together with” Jesus. The great hope of the believer is the joy of personal union with the Lord, and this union, the apostle Paul tells us, takes place at the death of the body. This has been the position of the Christian Church since the times of the apostles. The Adventists can not deny this but they can be counted upon to IGNORE this fact.

Now to anyone who wants to say the Adventists are some sort of non-Christian cult - DO NOT DO THAT. They are willingly ignorant in choosing the teaching of Ellen G. White over the clear teaching of the Word of God, on a NON ESSENTIAL point of doctrine. And for such willing ignorance, or choosing to be dumb on purpose, about a NOT ESSENTIAL doctrine, the command of the Lord in 1 Cor 14:38 is - But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. ALSO, Eph 4:2-3 should be the demonstration of love. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

In 1 Thessalonians 4, the apostle Paul was giving comfort to people who were mourning for departed loved ones; and his words carry the undeniable conclusion that they are not “dead” in the usual pagan sense. Although physically dead, they are spiritually alive and with Christ, awaiting the day when they will return “together with him” (verse 14) to claim their inheritance of completion, physical immortality, or incorruptibility.

It is a common Christian principle, with which Adventists agree, that the Old Testament must be interpreted by the New Testament, and not the reverse. However, where conditional immortality is involved, Adventists do NOT follow this principle. The New Testament teaches that the non physical, or non temporal, or eternal nature of man, (soul and spirit), is separate. (Matthew 10:28; Luke 8:55; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12 and Revelation 16:3). The soul and spirit is also independent of man’s material form and departs from that body at death to go either into the presence of the Lord (Philippians 1:23) or into a place of punishment (Luke 16). In Acts 7:59, Stephen committed his spirit (pneuma) into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This establishes the fact that the non-physical nature of man is independent of his body. At the same time, the Scripture tells us, Stephen fell asleep in death; that is, his physical body took on the appearance of “sleep.” But man is a tripartite being of body, soul, and spirit. His soul and spirit did not die; he merely experienced separation of the soul and spirit from the body, and he went to be with the Lord, into whose hands he had committed his spiritual nature.

In Luke 23:46, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” This verse would be meaningless if it applied only to the “breath of Jesus.” The classic example of the penitent thief, who in his last moments believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, is proof that eternal life is a quality including conscious existence. It does not terminate with the death of the physical, but continues in never-ending personal fellowship with our Lord. “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (v. 43) is the guarantee of the Son of God that those who trust Him will never be separated from His presence and fellowship.

Seventh Day Adventists, like other conditional immortalists, such as Jehovah Witnesses and many other NON-Christian cults, attempt to explain this by reading the text with different punctuation: “Verily, I say unto thee today, shalt thou be with me in paradise.” The reason they try to do this is obvious. For Christ’s POSITIVELY REFUTES their doctrine of soul-sleep.

Adventists seem to IGNORE the important fact that whenever Jesus used the words, “Verily I say unto you,” He NEVER qualified them because qualification was unnecessary. It would have been redundant for Jesus to say, Verily I say unto you, that is, today I am saying unto you. By this type of interpretation, the Adventists violate the plain sense of one of Christ’s most common expressions of emphasis. In Matthew 17:3, we see Moses and Elijah with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. We know that Moses died (Deuteronomy 34:5), and Elijah was translated (2 Kings 2:11). However, it was Moses who was communing with our Lord. Since the Scripture nowhere states that Moses had been raised from the dead for this occasion. It is evident that the soul of Moses appeared to our Lord. The conscious existence of Moses in his intermediate state can be expected to be IGNORED by the Adventists.

Based upon Scripture, the doctrine of soul-sleep cannot stand in the light of God’s revelation, by His Word, and His Spirit of TRUTH. The Adventist has made a choice to IGNORE the meanings of words, and the grammar, and the context of the Greek New Testament. Seventh-day Adventist writers charge that orthodox theologians have been overly dogmatic about the nature of man, while Adventists have maintained a guarded reserve. But Adventists have been equally dogmatic in denouncing the orthodox position. THE TRUTH is that the Adventists have chosen to IGNORE things they want to IGNORE.

To be dogmatic one should have a sound, scholarly basis for his dogmatism, and such a basis is IGNORED by Adventist scholars, for the purpose keeping the false doctrine of soul-sleep and DENYING THE REALITY OF HELL. Adventists generally confuse “immortality” with “eternal life.” Careful study which does not choose to IGNORE things will find “immortality” refers only to the resurrection body of the saints and to the nature of God himself. Therefore, since the saints are to be clothed with their resurrection bodies at the Second Advent, they do not now possess “immortality.” For Adventists to confuse “immortality” with “eternal life” and then to argue that “immortality” means “eternal life” and is never applied to the spirit, IS WILLING ERROR based on willing IGNORANCE. As Kent Hovind would say - that is being DUMB ON PURPOSE.

The question or issue of soul-sleep, however, should cause no serious division between Christians since it does not affect the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith or the salvation of the soul. It is merely an area of theological debate and has no direct bearing upon any of the great and essential doctrines of the Bible. The ground of fellowship is not the condition of man in death, but rather, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the love He commanded us to have one for another (John 13:34–35). Seventh Day Adventists are welcome to hold this doctrine, but when one is faced with such concrete Old Testament instances as Samuel’s appearance to Saul (1 Sam 28:18–19) and such New Testament accounts as those given by the apostle Paul (2 Cor 5:8), “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord,” or (Philippians 1:23) “to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better,” it is difficult to see how our Adventist brethren can sufficiently substantiate their claim for the “sleep of the soul.”

The Millerites were bitterly disappointed; and when Christ did not appear, Miller himself renounced the system and all resultant movements, including Seventh-day Adventism. But the early Seventh Day Adventists, relying upon the "vision" of Elder Hiram Edson, transferred the location of the sanctuary from the earth to heaven, and taught that in 1844 Christ went instead into the second apartment of the sanctuary in heaven to review the cases of those deemed to be worthy of eternal life. This phase of our Lord’s ministry, the Seventh Day Adventists call the "investigative judgment."

This unique theory is intended to discipline Christians by the threat of impending judgment and condemnation upon those whose cases are decided upon unfavorably by our Lord. When concluded, the investigative judgment will usher in the second advent of Jesus Christ, according to the Seventh-day Adventist theology, and the devil, prefigured by the scapegoat of Leviticus 16, Azazel, will bear away unto eternal destruction or annihilation his responsibility for causing sin to enter the universe.

James White, Ellen G. White's husband, a stalwart Seventh-day Adventist leader, when first confronted with the doctrine of the investigative judgment, TOTALLY REJECTED it. He put forth the very same arguments given by all subsequent ex-Seventh Day Adventists. James White finally gave up his opposition to the doctrine of the investigative judgment. There are many critics of Seventh-day Adventism who, when approaching the sanctuary, investigative judgment, and scapegoat concepts, deride and mock the early Adventists and their descendants for accepting such unsupported, extra biblical theories. However, that unloving tendency should be resisted, and we should remember that Adventists hold these doctrines in sincerity. If the Adventists are ever expected to receive the truth of the ERROR in the nature of their faith, only the facts of Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will make that happen.

These strange doctrines were developed to avoid the sad horrible disaster that came to the Millerite movement. The original Adventist leaders wanted to avoid embarrassment that resulted from the failure of the Millerite prophecies and their interpretations of the book of Daniel. With the events of the last 20 years all Christians should be aware, and KNOW the coming of King Yeshua, the Lord Jesus Christ is at hand. His coming is indeed "the blessed hope" of the Christian church (Titus 2:13). This Blessed Hope is the SAME for Adventists and non-Adventists, who both share the same essential gospel and Christian message, witness, and testimony.

The heavenly SANCTUARY and INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT judgment teaching is still an integral part of foundational Adventist doctrine. Here is how it is described in Adventist official doctrine - There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle, which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great high priest and began His intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment, which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have a part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent.

It is good to ask the Adventist - What is the purpose of the heavenly sanctuary and its cleansing? What are the Adventists really teaching?

The book of Hebrews definitely sets forth a "heavenly sanctuary" of which Christ is the minister (Heb 8:1–2), and Paul in this epistle repeatedly contrasts the Lord Jesus Christ, our risen high priest, with the Aaronic priesthood. He shows that as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, Christ derives His authority from the power of "an endless life" (Hebrews 7:16), and that He was both high priest and an offering on Calvary.

It is futile, therefore, to argue that the word "sanctuary" does not apply to heaven or something of a heavenly nature, since the Scriptures teach that it does. But the Adventists’ error is that they draw from the Scriptures’ interpretations that cannot be substantiated by what the Scriptures actually say, in full context, rightly divided by the Spirit of Truth and Holiness. These Adventist doctrines and interpretations rest upon rationalizations, inference, and are taken from theological ideas, which THEY have DESIGNED, and NOT from the Scriptures. The Adventist doctrines of the heavenly SANCTUARY, INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT, and SCAPEGOAT are purely from their OWN making rather than scripture. Mostly, it was through the leading of their prophetess who was given the spirit of prophecy, Ellen G. White.

Here is how Ellen G. White explains the Adventist SANCTUARY TEACHING:
As anciently the sins of the people were by faith, placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred in figure to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred in fact to the heavenly sanctuary. And as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal or blotting out of the sins that are there recorded.

This is the CENTER of Seventh-day Adventist teaching relative to how sin is atoned or covered. Advents say that the sins of believers have been transferred, deposited, or recorded in the heavenly sanctuary, and are now being dealt with in the investigative judgment.

When we by the grace of God evidenced in REPENTANCE, confess and put any sin under the BLOOD of Messiah, we should KNOW that God has a sea of forgetfulness, and there is NO RECORD of that sin in heaven. Micah 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

However, this is more of what E. G. White has to say on this subject of the SANCTUARY:
In the sin offerings presented during the year, a substitute had been accepted in the sinner’s stead; but the blood of the victim had not made full atonement for the sin. It had only provided a means by which the sin was transferred to the sanctuary. By the offering of the blood the sinner acknowledged the authority of the law, confessed the guilt of his transgression, and expressed his faith in Him who was to take away the sin of the world; but he was not entirely released from the condemnation of the law. On the day of atonement the high priest having taken an offering for the congregation went into the most holy place with the blood and sprinkled it upon the mercy seat above the table of the law. Thus the claims of the law that demanded the life of the sinner were satisfied. Then in his character of mediator the priest took the sins upon himself and, leaving the sanctuary, he bore with him the burden of Israel’s guilt. At the door of the tabernacle he laid his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, confessed over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their transgressions and all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat. And as the goat bearing these sins was sent away, they were with him regarded as forever separated from the people. Not until the goat had been thus sent away did the people regard themselves as freed from the burden of their sins.

The Adventist teaching is that Christ as our high priest transferred the sins of believers, MEANING THE RECORD OF SINS, to the heavenly sanctuary, which will be finally cleansed at the conclusion of the great Day of Atonement, the INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT having been concluded. Then the cases of all the righteous having been decided, their sins will be blotted out, followed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory. White made it clear that the sin transferred to the sanctuary in heaven would remain there until the conclusion of the investigative judgment and the subsequent cleansing of the sanctuary. The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin; it would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement; so then the type, the blood of the sin offering removed the sin from the penitent but it rested in the sanctuary until the day of atonement.

The devil just love to bring up our past sins. When the devil wants to bring up the past, I want to bring up his future and my future. When a sin is under the BLOOD there is NO record of that sin in heaven. The Blood of The Lamb of God, JUSTIFIES. We are justified by His sacrifice. JUST AS IF I'D NEVER SINNED. It is sad how the Adventists allow the burden of the BAD, WRONG, theology developed just to cover up a FAILED PROPHECY INTERPRETATION. That is one of the clear ways we know the difference between the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit and the condemning voice of the accuser of the brethren. When a sin is properly put under the BLOOD, there is NO record of it in heaven.

THEIR SANCTUARY AND INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT ADVENTIST DOCTRINES CAN NOT BE SUBSTANTIATED BY SCRIPTURES BUT THE ADVENTISTS SURE DO TRY HARD

The Adventists give Acts 3:19 - Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

The big problem with the Adventist contention is that the Greek of Acts 3:19 does not substantiate their teaching that the blotting out of sins will take place as a separate event from the forgiveness of sins. NOTHING IN SCRIPTURE SUPPORTS THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY AND INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT DOCTRINE AND DOGMA.

The Bible explicitly declares that when one accepts Christ as Lord, God freely forgives all his sins and ushers him from spiritual death to spiritual life solely on the merits of the perfect life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. To this Adventists fully agree, and this makes their teaching on investigative judgment inconsistent. In John 5:24, especially when we look at Strongs for the fullness and explicitness of the words in this verse. John 5:24 says, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

The Lord says He that hears my word and believes Him that sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come under judgment but is passed from death to life. According to the Word of God, Christians, therefore, do NOT need to anticipate any INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT for their sins. True, we shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive the deeds done in the body (2 Corinthians 5:10), but this has NOTHING to do with any investigative judgment. It is a judgment for rewards. Several judgments are mentioned in the Bible, but NOT one passage substantiates the INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT THEORY which is Adventist dogma.

Things taken out of context can become pretexts for anything. The Adventist teaching and dogma on INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT proves that in point like few other doctrines of men can be demonstrated. The Adventist investigative judgment relies completely upon out-of-context quotations, which are admittedly only supported Spirit of prophecy. While they should not be condemned for this dogma, it is NOT Biblical. Faithful, or scriptural. Biblical teaching forbids the idea. While the blood of Christ, was shed to release the REPENTANT sinner from the condemnation of the law, it was NOT to cancel the sin; where it would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement or until blotting out of all sins. God said, and the Scriptures explicitly teach in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We see more of the evidence of this truth of the completeness of the forgiveness of God and the cleansing power of the blood of Messiah, the Lamb of God, which God Himself would provide as prophesied by Abraham. Hebrews 1:1-3 says, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF PURGED OUR SINS, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The Lord Jesus and His sacrifice that He alone, BY HIMSELF, gave to our sinful spiritual natures the complete cleansing of forgiveness and purification on the cross. When He said from the Cross IT IS FINISHED, that is exactly what He meant. Satan and all of his followers were FINISHED. The Great Work of Redemption was FINISHED. Christians may now rejoice that the Lord Jesus Christ is not engaged in weighing our frailties and failures, for "He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14). God has better things to do than to play around in some garbage pile. God wants us to be FINISHED with sin, and gives the power of His Spirit, to make that possible. Either a sin is properly put under the BLOOD or it is not. If it is, then there is NO record of it in heaven. We are justified by the Blood of Christ, not some silly religious forms of bondage. We cannot, therefore, accept the Adventist teaching on the INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT.

With this SANCTUARY and INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT being used to save their embarrassing eschatology from the beginning, one can only imagine how hopelessly confused and warped is their eschatology today. There is NO, Zero, None, Zip, Nada, Scripture basis for the Adventist dogma of the investigative judgment.

Our Adventist brethren, when teaching this doctrine, IGNORE the fact that "the Lord knoweth them that are his" (2 Tim 2:19). The Lord Jesus Christ who declared in John 10:14, I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Paul said in Rom 5:6 about us sinners, For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. And in Col 1:20-22 we read, And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

It is good to pray that our Adventist brethren may hear the Holy Spirit declare that we are NOW reconciled through the death of Christ, having been forgiven all our trespasses through the blood of the cross. Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

The Seventh Day Adventists will try to go to scripture like Dan 7:9–10; 8:14; Rev 11:18, and 14:7; 11:18, which refer to "judgment" and "books," in a vain attempt to "prove" that the investigative judgment is meant. However, all the Adventist proves by this is that things taken out of context can become pretexts for anything, even a dogmatic investigative judgment, originally invented to cover and hide a FAILED and embarrassing eschatology doctrine of the last days. None of those texts has anything to do with any judgment going on now. Neither the grammar nor context supports such a contention. One can only base this interpretation by acknowledging the Adventist premise that the Adventist historicist school of prophetic interpretation is the only accurate one, and by accepting the Adventist definition of the sanctuary and investigative judgment, which Christ has been doing since 1844. It was ERROR - PROVEN WRONG in 1844. Hanging on to an ERROR, and proclaiming such PROVEN ERROR for 166 years, does not fix the ERROR or make it any less of an error than it was proven to be in 1844. It is an amazing CIRCLE when one realizes the investigative judgment dogma was INVENTED to hide and cover up a FAILED prophetic interpretation method.

It is interesting to look at James White, husband of Ellen G. White, how he at the beginning, categorically denied the teaching of the investigative judgment. Ellen G. White's husband THEN gave very good reasons for rejection of the doctrine, which should have stood solidly against this NON-SCRIPTURAL doctrine and vain imagination, which exalted itself against the knowledge of God. What Mr. White wrote against the investigative judgment was solidly based upon the scriptures. James White THEN wrote:

It is not necessary that the final sentence should be given before the first resurrection as some have taught; for the names of the saints are written in heaven and Jesus and the angels will certainly know who to raise and gather to the New Jerusalem. The event that will introduce the judgment day will be the coming of the Son of Man to raise the sleeping saints and to change those that are alive at that time.

Relative to the time for the beginning of the great judgment, James White wrote, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at, (NOT BEFORE), his appearing in his kingdom (2 Tim 4:1). Asked when he expected the judgment of Daniel 7 was to take place, James White stated, Daniel in the night vision saw that judgment was given to the saints of the most high, but not to mortal saints. Not until the ancient of days comes will the little horn cease prevailing, which will not be until he is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming. E.G. White's HUSBAND SAID IT WELL.

It is clear that James White at the beginning rejected the investigative judgment with GOOD SCRIPTURAL reasons. He also said that the advent angel, Revelation 14:6–7, saying with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come" does NOT prove that the day of judgment came in 1840 or in 1844, NOR that it will come prior to the Second Advent. Some have contended that the day of judgment was prior to the Second Advent. This view is certainly without foundation in the Word of God.

At that time, James White was on solid biblical ground, but he later forsook this position for the theories and prophetic speculation promulgated by his wife and other influential Adventist leaders.

The Lord Jesus Christ himself placed the judgment after His second advent when He said, When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations (Matt 25:31–32). One only needs to read thes next passages to see that the judgments of God upon believers and unbelievers are future events. Notice the language employed:
1. "The quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom" (Acts 10:42; 1 Peter 4:5 and 2 Timothy 4:1).
2. "When the Son of Man shall come in his glory … he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left" (Matthew 25:31–33).
3. The wheat and the tares: "The harvest is the end of the world" (Matthew 13:24–30, 36– 43).
4. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body … whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).
5. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:10–12).
6. "Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it" (1 Corinthians 3:13).

In addition to these verses, which unmistakably indicate future judgment, the writer to the Hebrews declares, "As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). This, to any non-Adventist, is conclusive evidence that there is no investigative judgment now going on for believers to fear. Hebrews 4:13 also exposes the faulty concept of investigative judgment: "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." Since our Lord knows the disposition of "cases" allegedly being reviewed in heaven, what need is there for "investigative judgment"? We believe the Scriptures decidedly do not warrant such a doctrine.

Rewards for believers will be meted out after the second coming of our Lord, or at "the resurrection of the just," for the resurrection of life (John 5:29 and Luke 14:14). Even the Adventists concur in believing that the judgment of the wicked will not take place until the end of the millennial age (Revelation 20:11–12 and Matthew 25:31–46). Once again the investigative judgment theory conflicts with the biblical teaching on judgment regarding both believer and unbeliever. The great error of the sanctuary and investigative judgment teachings is the premise that sins confessed by Christians are not fully dealt with until the conclusion of the investigative judgment, a position Scripture will NOT allow. Adventists are only speculating with their sanctuary and investigative judgment theories. Actually they have created doctrines to compensate for errors in prophetic interpretation. However, the very doctrines intended to solve their theological problems have in turn only increased their dilemma, and why so many Adventists are disappearing even though their names are kept on the Seventh Day Adventist church membership rolls.

Romans 8:1 declares, There is therefore now NO condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus; This is the point which the Seventh Day Adventist leadership must address. Fear of condemnation has long been what holds Adventists under the burden that their FALSE doctrines impose. We can never be indicted again for our sins or convicted for them, because Christ has fully paid the penalty. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, there must come knowledge that they will NOT get the hell they deserve, as sure as they know hell is what they deserve. However, as 2 Corinthians 5:10 teaches, we shall be judged for how we live as Christians.

Seventh Day Adventists needlessly subscribe to a doctrine that neither solves their difficulties nor engenders peace of mind. Holding as they do to the doctrine of the investigative judgment, it is extremely difficult for Adventists to experience the joy of salvation and the knowledge of sins forgiven. While works are not a means of salvation, good works are the inevitable result of salvation. However, these good works are possible only for the child of God whose life is directed and empowered by the Spirit of God. One thing is certain, man cannot be saved by any effort of his own. We profoundly believe that no works of the law, no deeds of the law, no effort however commendable, and no good works—whether they be many or few, sacrificial or not—can in any way justify the sinner (Titus 3:5 and Romans 3:20). Salvation is wholly of grace; it is the gift of God (Romans 4:4–5 and Ephesians 2:8).

These and many similar clear-cut statements in current authoritative Seventh-day Adventist literature confess the basis of their salvation to be grace, and grace alone, the only basis upon which God deigns to save the fallen children of Adam. In chapter 14 of Questions on Doctrine, Adventists spell out their allegiance to divine grace as the only channel of salvation: "According to Seventh-day Adventist belief, there is, and can be, no salvation through the law, or by human works of the law, but only through the saving grace of God."  

By their life and by worldwide witness, Adventists give true evidence that they have experienced the "new birth," which is by grace alone, through faith in our Lord and His sacrifice upon the cross. Seventh Day Adventists are Christians who believe the historical gospel message. They cannot rightly be called non-Christian cultists, since they are sound on the great New Testament doctrines including grace and redemption through the propitiation offering of Jesus Christ "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10) and give evidence of life IN Christ.

However, there is bondage of fear in the Adventist Bubble. They are taught a holier than thouism that causes them not seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but rather even to fear the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They know this, but are too nice to ever express it either to Adventists or non-Adventists. Adventists know that all non-Adventist churches are apostate, but though they may speak of this belief to other Adventists, they are too nice to ever say it to non-Adventists.

Many follow the Seventh Day Adventist beliefs to the point that they do NOT honestly KNOW Jesus, because their identity is so bound in their required show of religion, that it hinders their relationship with God, and certainly hinders their fellowship and relationship with brethren who are not SDA. Sadly, the Seventh Day Adventists religion is more about conformity to the Adventist rules than a relationship by the Spirit of Christ to the Lord. Everything is about what looks right rather than the condition of the heart. Adventists excel at enforcing the behavior, the works, and the looks. Adventists are taught such great fear of Satan that they will never seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or learn the principles and tactics of spiritual warfare to engage in effective spiritual warfare. Adventists are thoroughly taught that if anyone leaves the Adventist church they are lost forever in apostasy having walked away from the truth, which they believe only the Adventist church can possibly have.

A good question to ask the Seventh Day Adventist is: Haven’t you ever wondered about the level pride and hypocrisy within the Adventist church? EVERY ADVENTIST WONDERS ABOUT THIS EVERY DAY. Most Adventists in their heart of hearts believe there is a wall between them and Jesus. That is the result of being taught to be fearful of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Because of the INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT false doctrine, most Adventists will confess the same sin, over, and over, and over, and never really feel forgiven. 

NOTHING OF PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE HAPPENED in 1844 OTHER THAN THE MILLERITE METHOD
LAST DAYS PROPHETIC INTERPRETATION
AND UNDERSTANDING
WAS PROVEN FALSE in 1844.
Ellen G. White's Seventh Day Adventist Church STILL Uses Her FALSE Visions to Keep as SDA Dogma, this PROVEN Failed Method of Prophetic Understanding Maintained as SDA Dogma.

Here are OFFICIAL belief statements of the Seventh Day Adventist Denomination copied directly from the SDA 28 Fundamental Beliefs regarding the SDA Doctrine of Last things:

24. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary

There is a SANCTUARY in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work of INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent.

(Note that though SDA's may give many scriptures, there is absolutely NO Scripture basis for this 1844 Event given credibility by the FALSE VISIONS and FABLES of Ellen G. White. The False Vision and fables of Ellen G. White were fabricated to hide, cover up and maintain a PROVEN FAILED Method of Prophecy Interpretation and Understanding)

26. Death and Resurrection

The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later.

(Note - Since Ellen G. White believed and taught Soul Sleep, or conditional immortality, regardless of the lack of Scripture base for the doctrine - this non-essential teaching, which can easily be proven to be in error, is still held as Dogma of the SDA's.)

27. Millennium and the End of Sin

The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in HEAVEN between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever.

(Note - Christ does NOT take the saints to heaven. The souls and spirits of those departed saints return with Him to this EARTH to receive their immortal glorified bodies. Those saints alive on this earth at His coming then also receive glorified immortal bodies and go up to meet the Lord in the AIR, and the ENTIRE COMPANY led by the Lord land in Zion, NOT Heaven, but on this RESTORED EARTH, near where the Mount of Olives now stands. That is what the Bible Teaches - However since that BIBLE TRUTH does not agree with Ellen G. White's visions and fables - the SDA's still hold that as Dogma.)

13. Remnant and Its Mission

The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness.

(Note – Though most would be to nice to say what every Adventist understands this to mean – By this the Seventh Day Adventists DOGMATICALLY believe that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is the ONLY group that comprises the faithful remnant, and that any and all other churches are APOSTATE. It is very strong holier than thouism.)

8. Great Controversy

Humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation.

(Note – Seventh Day Adventists understand this to mean salvation is available only through the Seventh Day Adventist church because they believe only the Seventh Day Adventist church was blessed by the necessary spirit of Prophecy which they trust more than the Holy Ghost which most Seventh Day Adventists seem to thing was resident only in the one who founded and set up their Seventh Day Adventist Church.)

18. The Gift of Prophecy

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.

(Note – Though they will not say it - Adventists understand this to mean that only the Seventh Day Adventist Church was founded upon and has the Holy Spirit gift of Prophecy. The sad reality is the Adventists are in bondage to fear from their false doctrines, and false dogmas from their foundation. Most Adventists have no desire to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Adventists are good brethren who are kept in such bondage by doctrinal dogmatic error as to really be afraid of the Holy Ghost, rather than to seek to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.)

Do you know which is Correct A or B?
A) Faith in Christ + Good Works = Salvation
B) Faith in Christ = Salvation + Good Works
LET US KNOW IF YOU DO NOT YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE

The KJV Holy Bible teaches B, while Ellen G. White teaches A. So Adventists believe A, and it is therefore no wonder that Adventists do not know that the kingdom of God is NOT meat and drink, and they do NOT know true righteousness, peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost. The Adventist brethren need to be set free from the bondage of the ERRORS which they have been taught.

The Adventist needs to be told that to keep Commandment number 4 so religiously, and then bear such false witness against their brethren and so flagrantly and hypocritically violate Commandment number 9, still leaves the Adventists way short of the superiority they presume of their Adventist church as the ONLY faithful remnant church.

Adventists need to be set free from their FALSE doctrines and seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit of TRUTH. Everyone in and out of the Seventh Day Adventist church knows the Adventist church is proud, deceptive, and hypocritical. The cement in the foundation of the Adventist church is the FALSE prophecies, and false doctrines, with NO Scripture support, some even contradicting the Scriptures. These FALSE doctrines were developed by Ellen G. White and used to cover up, hide, and continue with a PROVEN FALSE method of interpreting bible prophecy. The duty of love is not to be too nice to have the courage and honesty to tell them. Many are leaving the Seventh Day Adventist church, and many more will leave if the FALSE Doctrines are not fixed. There are many good brethren who would like to be free of the burdens imposed upon the Adventist because they have been taught that the only choice is the Seventh Day Adventist or Totally Reprobate Apostate church. They need to know that we are ALL called to BE the Church more so than go to a Church.

Back to GJiGT Home Index Page