Disclaimer: I am not advocating the content of this article. However, I thought it would be interesting discussion.
ERRORS OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Many SDA's are trying to gain acceptance as part of the orthodox Bible based Christian community. However, the following points show them not holding to the "faith once delivered to the saints." Jude 3.
The false prophecies and teachings of Ellen G. White are the basis of Adventists. When her claims of being an inspired prophetess are put to the scriptural test, they fail. This should warn people not to join this movement or to leave it if they are already involved. See Matt. 24:23-26
1. THE SABBATH
SDA's insist that we must keep the Sabbath as a day of worship. This is wrong because:
a. The New Testament never commands Christians to worship or meet on the Saturday Sabbath. Instead, Christians are recorded as meeting on the first day of the week, Sunday, in the following Bible passages:
1) 1 Corinthians 16:1,2, to put money in the collection.
2) Acts 20:7 Paul preached to Christians at Troas whose habit was to meet to break bread on the first day of the week.
3) John 20:19,26 Jesus, after His resurrection met with the disciples on the first day of the week.
4) Romans 14:5,6 Paul, when discussing which day to meet, did not say that you must meet on the Saturday Sabbath, (as SDA's say), but he said "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
5) Colossians 2:16,17 "Let no man judge you in ... holy days or Sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come."
SDA's judge Christians wrong who keep Sunday as a holyday. Paul says that SDA's are wrong to judge Christians for not keeping Saturday as a holyday.
b. SDA's claim that the Roman Catholic church after Constantine in 320 AD changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday. This is completely false, because we have at least ten quotes from major church writers from 90 - 300 AD who all say that the practice of Christians everywhere was to meet on Sunday, not the Jewish Saturday Sabbath. SDA's have no early quotes to show that early Christians met on Saturday.
2. SOUL SLEEP
SDA's deny that believers on death go to heaven. They say that believers go to soul sleep in the grave until Christ's return. JW's, Christadelphians and other false groups believe this error.
The main verses disproving the soul sleep error are:
1) Philippians 1:23 "I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and TO BE WITH CHRIST; which is far better."
2) 2 Corinthians 5:8 "To be absent from the body (death), and to be PRESENT WITH THE LORD." (in heaven)
3) Hebrews 12:1 "We are surrounded by so great a cloud of WITNESSES". (The departed believers discussed in Hebrews 11)
4) Hebrews 12:23,24 "The heavenly Jerusalem ... the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven and to the SPIRITS of just men made perfect".
5) 1 Thessalonians 4:14 "Them also which sleep in Jesus will God BRING WITH HIM". This means that when Christ returns to resurrect believers bodies at the second coming, He brings our spirits and souls with Him from heaven
6) Revelation 6:9,10 "I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God ... they cried with a loud voice saying..."
7) Isaiah 14:9,10 "Hell from beneath ... stirs up the dead for thee. All they shall speak and say to thee."
8) Ezekiel 32:21 "The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell..."
9) Ezekiel 32:30,31 "The Zidonians which are gone down with the slain ... Pharaoh shall see them and shall be comforted, even Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword."
10) Luke 16:19-31 the rich man and Lazarus who had died spoke to each other.
All these scriptures show the soul sleep of SDA's to be false.
3. SDA'S REGARD ELLEN WHITE (1825-1915) AS A PROPHET OR TEACHER
Paul says: "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." 1 Timothy 2:12.
She claimed to have received more than 2000 "inspired counsels from the Lord" (visions) from 1844 to 1868. SDA's have error in allowing a woman teacher to instruct them.
4. THE SDA JESUS IS NOT THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE
The Adventist Jesus according to the early writings of their false prophetess, Ellen G. White was a created being, the Archangel, Michael.
"When Jesus stands up: when his work is finished in the Most Holy, then there will be not another ray of light to be imparted to the sinner...The light is made to reach far ahead, where all is total darkness. MICHAEL stands up" (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 276). See Also: Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, p. 58; Early Writings, p. 164; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 659; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 239.
Mrs. E. G. White said also: "Christ took upon His sinless nature our sinful nature. Christ took our nature and it's deteriorating condition." (Q.D. p.654-656).
According to White and SDA's, Christ acquired a sinful nature. This is false. Christ had a sinless human nature. Christ took our sin punishment, not our sin nature.
5. LOSS OF SALVATION
"Now while our Great High Priest is making atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ." (ref: The Great Controversy, E.G. White, 1911, p.623).
SDA's teach that though saved by grace, we are kept saved by keeping the Law. This is partial atonement. Therefore, to stay saved according to SDA's, we must continue to keep the Sabbath, the 10 Commandments and pay the tithe.
6. INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT
Investigative judgement means no assurance of salvation. According to SDA's, beginning on October 22, 1844, Christ entered upon the "judgement phase" of His ministry, whereby He blots out sin. The SDA "Investigative Judgement" doctrine rests on Ellen White's claimed revelation that Christ entered the Holy of Holies not at His ascension, but in 1844 (The Great Controversy, p.362-373).
Hebrews 9:12 contradicts White's theory: "by His own blood he entered (past tense) in once (not in 1844) into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.' Hebrews 9:12,25.
"...now once in the end of the world hath (past) he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" v.26.
SDA's teach that Christ transferred the record of believers sins to the heavenly sanctuary, which will be finally cleansed at the conclusion of the Investigative Judgement, their day of atonement.
White says in "Patriarchs and Prophets", p.357. this heresy: "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."
Hence SDA's sins are not canceled or forgiven yet. What a worry. No wonder they have no assurance of salvation until the imaginary Investigative Judgement is finished.
Q: If Christ can create the universe in 6 days, why does he take from 1844 until now to investigate the books? Is Christ a slow reader?
These verses show the Investigative Judgement to be false:
"The Lord knoweth them that are His." 2 Timothy 2:19
"I know my sheep." John 10:14
"cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
"he had by himself purged our sins." Hebrews 1:3
"yet now hath he reconciled..." Colossians 1:21
"having forgiven you all trespasses." Colossians 2:13
Christ's judgements are AFTER he returns, not BEFORE He returns: "When the Son of Man shall come in his glory ... then shall he sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations." Matthew 25:31,32.
Hebrews 4:13 exposes the SDA limitation on Christ's omniscience: "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 Jesus knows all cases already, why must He investigate?
7. SATAN AS THE SCAPEGOAT FOR OUR SINS
White says in TGC page 422: "When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place them upon Satan, who, in the execution of the judgement, must bear the final penalty."
Satan, according to SDA's, becomes the scapegoat of Leviticus 16. This lack of clear distinction between the forgiveness of sins at salvation, and the blotting out of sins at some time in the future, makes it impossible for anyone to know, even at death, whether he is saved or not.
SDA's are not allowed to experience assurance of salvation, because there would be no pressure for them to keep the O.T. law and Sabbath as interpreted by Ellen White.
Having the sins of all men laid on Satan, assigns to Satan an indispensable role in the blotting out of sins. This nullifies the all-sufficiency of the finished work of Christ.
8. ANOTHER GOSPEL
The Investigative Judgement and Scapegoat theories are "another Gospel" that Paul warns us about in Galatians 1:8,9. Paul places a curse on those preaching a false gospel such as SDA's.
9. THE MARK OF THE BEAST
SDA's believe that Sunday keeping will be the mark of the Beast of Revelation 13:16-18
White says in TGC page 449: "In the last days, the Sabbath test will be made plain. When this time comes, anyone who does not keep the Sabbath will receive the mark of the Beast and will be kept from heaven."
This is not rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). This shows SDA's careless, deceitful handling of Scripture.
10. SDA'S ARE VERY CONFUSED ON PROPHECY SUBJECTS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS
SDA's teach falsely that God is finished with Israel. Romans 11:2 and 25 contradict this idea. To SDA's, much of Revelation had been fulfilled by 500 AD. They don't understand Daniel's 70 week prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27)
SDA's teach falsely that during the millennium (1000 year reign of Christ) the earth will be utterly destroyed and only Satan and his angels will inhabit it.
SDA's insist that we must keep the Sabbath as a day of worship. This is wrong because:
a. The New Testament never commands Christians to worship or meet on the Saturday Sabbath.
:bouncy:**That is an argument from silence. Just because the NT doesn't say it's important(even though it does), it doesn't mean it's not. It is mentioned quite a bit.
Instead, Christians are recorded as meeting on the first day of the week, Sunday, in the following Bible passages:
:bouncy:**This is probably the weakest argument from scripture I've ever seen concerning doctrine, but here we go.
1) 1 Corinthians 16:1,2, to put money in the collection.
:bouncy:**This does not designate a day as "Holy" or sanctified to the Lord. In fact, it's almost the opposite. Paul requested that the collection be taken up on the first day to avoid any commotion or distraction from when he arrived.
2) Acts 20:7 Paul preached to Christians at Troas whose habit was to meet to break bread on the first day of the week.
:bouncy:**Again, it is not a habit that makes a day holy to God. God himself designates a day as holy. They broke bread on many other days as well.
3) John 20:19,26 Jesus, after His resurrection met with the disciples on the first day of the week.
:bouncy:**He met with them after he rose from the dead. That would make sense, since he was dead the day before. What day was he in the grave on? Is there any significance that death is considered "Rest" or "Sleep" in the bible, and Jesus was in the grave on the day of "Rest"?
4) Romans 14:5,6 Paul, when discussing which day to meet, did not say that you must meet on the Saturday Sabbath, (as SDA's say), but he said "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
:bouncy:**This is a true statement, and I believe it, concerning EVERY belief held by a follower of God. However, the truth is still to be constantly sought out, and God's commandments are as well. Also, in context, Paul is very clearly talking about the ceremonial laws concerning food and feast days and religious holidays. The 7th day Sabbath does not fall into this category, it is one of the 10 commandments, and it is tied to creation. The entirety of protestant denominations agree whole-heartily that 9 of the commandments are immutable and eternal moral laws to be taken literally and spiritually, except for one.
5) Colossians 2:16,17 "Let no man judge you in ... holy days or Sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come."
:bouncy:**Again, he is talking about ceremonial laws for the sanctuary service. He upholds the ten commandments at every mention, none of them are done away with.
SDA's judge Christians wrong who keep Sunday as a holyday. Paul says that SDA's are wrong to judge Christians for not keeping Saturday as a holyday.
:bouncy:**SDA's believe it is wrong to transgress the 10 commandments, but as an Adventist, I can speak for my denomination. We do not believe people that are "fully convinced" in their own minds are doing "wrong". To his own master a servant stands or falls, God is the judge. If someone truly believes that they are fulfilling their duty to God in regard to the 4th commandment, that is fine. Adventists believe that the massive majority of those saved by Jesus' sacrifice will NOT be Adventists. BUT a wise counsel would be that Cain and Abel both worshiped God. One in his own way, and one in God's way. Only one was accepted, I do not want be a potential "Cain". The Sabbath is a blessing and important to God. Important enough for him to observe it himself to seal his creative work, and also in his redemptive work. I believe we should observe it at least in some way, because he asked us to remember it. As new creatures, saved by faith, we establish the law. It is written in our hearts and we live it in our lives. As far as the 4th commandment goes, my belief is that if God came down and said "Hey guys, I'm going to set aside a specific day for us to have some extra quality time. I love spending real time together when we all don't have a whole bunch of other stuff on our minds", I would definitely not have any problem with that, because I would love to do that. Why is it such a horrible legalistic thing to want to do what God asks? IF it was only for the Jews, I would be jealous.
b. SDA's claim that the Roman Catholic church after Constantine in 320 AD changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday. This is completely false, because we have at least ten quotes from major church writers from 90 - 300 AD who all say that the practice of Christians everywhere was to meet on Sunday, not the Jewish Saturday Sabbath. SDA's have no early quotes to show that early Christians met on Saturday.
:bouncy:**SDA's believe that the early Christians kept both days, and then when Constantine made Christianity the state religion, the mass influx of nominal "christian" pagans, whose holiest day was Sunday, brought much error with them, and they just kept the day that was holy to them and forgot the Sabbath. I'm sure the early church did not revere idols originally, Paul commands them to keep themselves from idols many times. So what happened? The Catholic churches are full of images, some that used to even be statues of pagan gods. It's like a stony testament of the compromise that took place.
2. SOUL SLEEP
SDA's deny that believers on death go to heaven. They say that believers go to soul sleep in the grave until Christ's return. JW's, Christadelphians and other false groups believe this error.
The main verses disproving the soul sleep error are:
:bouncy:**I'll just counter scripture with scripture here, but I want to comment. The author of the article even left out one I'm used to defending against.
LUKE 23:42
Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you today you will be with me in Paradise."
:bouncy:**There is no punctuation in the original text. I believe it would read more like this, especially since Jesus has not come into his kingdom yet. "I say unto you today, you will be with me in paradise". Meaning, Jesus promised it to the thief in that instant, that in the future he will be with him in paradise.
1) Philippians 1:23 "I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and TO BE WITH CHRIST; which is far better."
:bouncy:**The instant we close our eyes in death, AKA "sleep", if we are saved, our next conscious thought is seeing Jesus coming in the clouds. "In the twinkling of an eye". I believe death for a saved person will just be like blinking. Closing our eyes in death, and opening them to see Jesus in his glory. Taking the scripture I'm sharing after these in context, I believe this would be a more accurate interpretation of what Paul was saying.
2) 2 Corinthians 5:8 "To be absent from the body, and to be PRESENT WITH THE LORD."
:bouncy:**See above.
3) Hebrews 12:1 "We are surrounded by so great a cloud of WITNESSES".
:bouncy:**You can be dead and your life can still be a witness.
4) Hebrews 12:23,24 "The heavenly Jerusalem ... the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven and to the SPIRITS of just men made perfect".
5) 1 Thessalonians 4:14 "Them also which sleep in Jesus will God BRING WITH HIM". This means that when Christ returns to resurrect believers bodies at the second coming, He brings our spirits and souls with Him from heaven.
:bouncy:**I love how this guy interprets stuff for us:ribbit:. It could also mean that Christ will be bring the resurrected to heaven with him.
6) Revelation 6:9,10 "I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God ... they cried with a loud voice saying..."
:bouncy:This is a prophecy, but it could also be representative of the first fruits, people who were already taken to heaven, like Moses and Enoch and Elijah, etc, and the people resurrected at Jesus' resurrection. There are people in heaven now.
7) Isaiah 14:9,10 "Hell from beneath ... stirs up the dead for thee. All they shall speak and say to thee."
:bouncy:**Prophecy again.
8) Ezekiel 32:21 "The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell..."
:bouncy:**Prophecy again.
9) Ezekiel 32:30,31 "The Zidonians which are gone down with the slain ... Pharaoh shall see them and shall be comforted, even Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword."
:bouncy:**Prophecy again.
10) Luke 16:19-31 the rich man and Lazarus who had died spoke to each other.
:bouncy:**Parable. If every part was taken literally, we would have some pretty crazy beliefs taken from that.
All these scriptures show the soul sleep of SDA's to be false.
:bouncy:**What about all these?
Job 14
10But man dies, and wastes away: yea, man expires, and where is he? 11As the waters fail from the sea, and the river decays and dries up:12So man lies down, and rises not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.13O that you would hide me in the grave, that you would conceal me, until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!14If a man dies, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change comes.15You shall call, and I will answer you: you will have a desire to the work of your hands.
Acts 7
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Duet 31
16And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers
John 11
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Acts 2
29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.34For David IS NOT ASCENDED into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right and,35Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Ezekiel 18
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Isaiah 38
18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
Psalm 115
17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
Ecclesiastes 9
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Psalm 13
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Psalm 6
5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Job 3
17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
Ecclesiastes 9
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Psalm 17
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Psalm 146
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.4His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
1 Corinthians 15
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
Daniel 12
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Daniel 12
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Isaiah 26
19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
John 5:28
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Ephesians 5:13
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
:bouncy:**And there's more, I just got bored.
3. SDA'S REGARD ELLEN WHITE (1825-1915) AS A PROPHET OR TEACHER
Paul says: "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." 1 Timothy 2:12.
She claimed to have received more than 2000 "inspired counsels from the Lord" (visions) from 1844 to 1868. SDA's have error in allowing a woman teacher to instruct them.
:bouncy:**Deborah, Miriam, and many other females in the bible were prophetesses. Women can be prophets and deliver instruction from God.
4. THE SDA JESUS IS NOT THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE
The Adventist Jesus according to the early writings of their false prophetess, Ellen G. White was a created being, the Archangel, Michael.
"When Jesus stands up: when his work is finished in the Most Holy, then there will be not another ray of light to be imparted to the sinner...The light is made to reach far ahead, where all is total darkness. MICHAEL stands up" (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 276). See Also: Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, p. 58; Early Writings, p. 164; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 659; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 239.
Mrs. E. G. White said also: "Christ took upon His sinless nature our sinful nature. Christ took our nature and it's deteriorating condition." (Q.D. p.654-656).
According to White and SDA's, Christ acquired a sinful nature. This is false. Christ had a sinless human nature. Christ took our sin punishment, not our sin nature.
:bouncy:**This is all a blatant misrepresentation. We do not believe Jesus is a created being. We believe "Michael" is simply another name for Jesus before he was named "Jesus". Again, we do not believe he is a created being. Never have, never will. The Hebrew translation of the name "Michael" is "who is as God". That would be a pretty blasphemous name for a created being. The term "angel" only means "messenger", it does not mean "created being". Jesus is THE messenger.
:bouncy:**We believe Jesus took on our "sinful" nature, in that Jesus took on our fallen state and was tempted in all points like we are, and not Adam's perfect body/mind. Not that Jesus was sinful. It would be much easier for Adam to resist some of the sinful tendencies that we ourselves struggle with in our degenerated bodies, and if Jesus was in Adam's recently and perfectly created condition, he would not be tempted like we are.
5. LOSS OF SALVATION
"Now while our Great High Priest is making atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ." (ref: The Great Controversy, E.G. White, 1911, p.623).
SDA's teach that though saved by grace, we are kept saved by keeping the Law. This is partial atonement. Therefore, to stay saved according to SDA's, we must continue to keep the Sabbath, the 10 Commandments and pay the tithe.
:bouncy:**SDA's teach that we are saved by grace, and that keeping God's commandments are a direct result of becoming a new creature. If we love God, we will keep his commandments, not as a saving mechanism, but because our hearts are changed and we no longer dwell in sin. Transgression of the law is sin. If you know the truth, and willingly disregard it, it is sin.
James 4:17
Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.
Romans 6
15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
We do also believe in free will, and that one can lose their salvation. We can have a discussion on that, and here's a verse to get it started.
Ezekiel 33:
12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
6. INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT
Investigative judgement means no assurance of salvation. According to SDA's, beginning on October 22, 1844, Christ entered upon the "judgement phase" of His ministry, whereby He blots out sin. The SDA "Investigative Judgement" doctrine rests on Ellen White's claimed revelation that Christ entered the Holy of Holies not at His ascension, but in 1844 (The Great Controversy, p.362-373).
Hebrews 9:12 contradicts White's theory: "by His own blood he entered (past tense) in once (not in 1844) into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.' Hebrews 9:12,25.
"...now once in the end of the world hath (past) he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" v.26.
SDA's teach that Christ transferred the record of believers sins to the heavenly sanctuary, which will be finally cleansed at the conclusion of the Investigative Judgement, their day of atonement.
White says in "Patriarchs and Prophets", p.357. this heresy: "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."
Hence SDA's sins are not canceled or forgiven yet. What a worry. No wonder they have no assurance of salvation until the imaginary Investigative Judgement is finished.
Q: If Christ can create the universe in 6 days, why does he take from 1844 until now to investigate the books? Is Christ a slow reader?
These verses show the Investigative Judgement to be false:
"The Lord knoweth them that are His." 2 Timothy 2:19
"I know my sheep." John 10:14
"cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
"he had by himself purged our sins." Hebrews 1:3
"yet now hath he reconciled..." Colossians 1:21
"having forgiven you all trespasses." Colossians 2:13
Christ's judgements are AFTER he returns, not BEFORE He returns: "When the Son of Man shall come in his glory ... then shall he sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations." Matthew 25:31,32.
Hebrews 4:13 exposes the SDA limitation on Christ's omniscience: "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 Jesus knows all cases already, why must He investigate?
:bouncy:**All I'm going to say about this is that it's a much more complicated doctrine than the mocking tone of this article can translate. Adventists believe that the scope of this contest between God and Satan extends beyond this world, and into the heavenly angels and possibly other created worlds if they exist. Sin started in heaven, there was a war over it. Simply confining it to us is not biblical. As such, there are other implications concerning the eradication of sin. If anyone has questions, let me know, and be prepared for a long message.
7. SATAN AS THE SCAPEGOAT FOR OUR SINS
White says in TGC page 422: "When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place them upon Satan, who, in the execution of the judgement, must bear the final penalty."
Satan, according to SDA's, becomes the scapegoat of Leviticus 16. This lack of clear distinction between the forgiveness of sins at salvation, and the blotting out of sins at some time in the future, makes it impossible for anyone to know, even at death, whether he is saved or not.
SDA's are not allowed to experience assurance of salvation, because there would be no pressure for them to keep the O.T. law and Sabbath as interpreted by Ellen White.
Having the sins of all men laid on Satan, assigns to Satan an indispensable role in the blotting out of sins. This nullifies the all-sufficiency of the finished work of Christ.
:bouncy:**Another misrepresentation. SDA's believe that Christ bore the penalty for everyone's sin, but Jesus is innocent, and Satan will bear the responsibility. In the sanctuary object lesson of the Lord's Goat, and the Scapegoat, the Lord's goat is sacrificed for sin, the scapegoat is left to wander the desert alone. I think it's obvious what the object lesson is trying to portray. Jesus died for our sins to forgive them and blot them out, Satan bears the responsibility for all the death and destruction he has caused, and he will die for his actions in the judgment of the wicked at the second resurrection.
8. ANOTHER GOSPEL
The Investigative Judgement and Scapegoat theories are "another Gospel" that Paul warns us about in Galatians 1:8,9. Paul places a curse on those preaching a false gospel such as SDA's.
:bouncy:**I hope I'm at least giving decent enough evidence for my faith.
9. THE MARK OF THE BEAST
SDA's believe that Sunday keeping will be the mark of the Beast of Revelation 13:16-18
White says in TGC page 449: "In the last days, the Sabbath test will be made plain. When this time comes, anyone who does not keep the Sabbath will receive the mark of the Beast and will be kept from heaven."
This is not rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). This shows SDA's careless, deceitful handling of Scripture.
:bouncy:**SDA's believe that keeping ALL the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus Christ will be the seal of God in the last days, and conversely, the mark of the beast will be a false obedience to God against the commandments and in disagreement with the testimony of Jesus. Whoever disobeys ANY commandment will receive the mark of the beast, we just believe Satan's last deception will be one that will deceive the very elect if it were possible, and it will just be a tiny thing in our eyes.
Matthew 15:6-8
Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7
7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men. 13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Colossians 2
8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
:bouncy:**Where is the command to keep any other day holy but the Sabbath? Is Sunday-keeping a tradition of men or a commandment of God? Does it negate a commandment of God? I don't think it's a careless mishandling of the scripture, it's a relevant warning to everyone about the specifics of the situation.
10. SDA'S ARE VERY CONFUSED ON PROPHECY SUBJECTS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS
SDA's teach falsely that God is finished with Israel. Romans 11:2 and 25 contradict this idea. To SDA's, much of Revelation had been fulfilled by 500 AD. They don't understand Daniel's 70 week prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27)
SDA's teach falsely that during the millennium (1000 year reign of Christ) the earth will be utterly destroyed and only Satan and his angels will inhabit it.
:bouncy:**The 1000 year reign will be in heaven, not on this earth. Have a read.
<< Revelation 20 >>
1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Conclusion: Leave the SDA movement today.
:bouncy:**I will not, unless God chooses to convince me through the bible that the truth I believe is incorrect. I'm following my conscience, and I believe God has led me here.
I am gathering that you are SDA, eh Mark? Thanks for taking the time to answer each point. It will be interesting to read the counterarguments first hand from an SDA follower. I think I might have to print it out.
Documenting what a particular denomination believes from a negative biased opinion, as this clearly was, does not give a good representation. Would it be wise to ask an atheist what a Christian believes? I think not. Let�s go straight to the source:This is ACTUALLY what sda's believe: http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html
Addressing one point, the point of Sabbath, I found this food for thought. Here is an interesting link that provides Sabbath keepers throughout the ages: http://www.remnantofgod.org/sabhist.htm#1
Some more interesting reads:
The Roman Church admission: http://www.wwco.com/religion/believe/believe_39.html
Sabbath Quotes and Testomonies: http://avoiceinthewilderness.org/quotes.html
More Quotes regarding the Sabbath: http://truthontheweb.org/notes.htm
Daniel 7:25 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
I have to thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my faith, though I'm finding it hard to believe you didn't notice:laugh:. You're a smart fella.
@GraceUndeserved - Yes, I did indeed read the disclosure and fully understood when I responded. Thank you for trying to clarify but I stand behind my response that it's best to start this subject with going "straight to the horses mouth" so to speak. :) There was someone who responded to this post as if they "now understood what SDA's believe". This beginning post should not be a represent of what the SDA denomination believes anymore than an Atheist could represent what a Christian believes. If you want to know what the SDA denomination believes then read the link from the SDA which CLEARLY posts their fundamental beliefs.
There are many problems with hearing things "second hand." In fact, I'd venture to say that many "Bible" teachings are heard second, third, etc hand instead of people reading the Bible and finding out for themselves..... which adds to many misunderstandings and things that are quite simply false (not in the Bible at all). For instance,(here are how things can get twisted by "heresay") this link shows that there are things people have "heard" that is in the Bible and then believe it...... and then repeat it to others. http://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/sayings.cfm
