A Compilation of Ellen G. White (S.O.P.) in conjunction with God s Holy Writ.

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1 A Compilation of Ellen G. White (S.O.P.) writings for End Time PRESENT TRUTH, in conjunction with God s Holy Writ.

2 Please Note: Facts of Faith has put together this booklet consisting of S.O.P. quotes with Biblical Scriptures dealing with Present Truth and End Time prophecies. This is not an exhaustive study, but I in my studies, I want to share S.O.P. warnings to God s church. More and more leaders and people are devaluing her warnings. Our freedoms are being loss in and out of our church. I am witnessing more and more censorship by leaders and pastors to members in the Seventh-day Adventist church. My dear brothers and sisters, we are in the Omega Rebellion now. I encourage all to prayerfully read S.O.P. books and your Bibles now, so that you will have spiritual discernment to see the errors that have come in and more coming in now.) She has warned you that the Seventh-day Adventist Church will be judged, and that it will not fall There will not be a New Church, but a cleansing of God s church. Brothers and sisters, the Seventh-day Adventist church is not Babylon, but Babylon has invaded the church. The lines have been drawn in the sand, the shaking has begun. The shaking has started Maranatha

3 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 33:8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked [man], thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 33:9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Ezekiel 33:6-9. Special Testimonies Section B, Chapter 2 p Living Temple contains the alpha of these theories. I knew that the omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people. I knew that I must warn our brethren and sisters not to enter into controversy over the presence and personality of God. The statements made in Living Temple in regard to this point are incorrect. The scripture used to substantiate the doctrine there set forth, is scripture misapplied. Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega WILL BE OF A MOST STARTLING NATURE. -- Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 16, written July 24, Ellen G. Whites stated just before her death I am charged to tell our people, that do not realize, that the devil has device after device, and he carries them out in ways that they do not expect. Satan s agencies will invent ways to make sinners out of saints. I tell you now, that when I am laid to rest, great changes will take place. I do not know when I shall be taken; and I desire to warn all against the devices of the devil. I want the people to know that I warned them fully before my death. - Manuscript 1, February 24, 1915

4 1 THE TRACK OF TRUTH CHRIST S MESSAGE TO THE REMNANT - Laodicea s Great Need And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. 12:17 for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev. 19:10 WHAT IS THE MYSTERIOUS DANGER THAT AWAITED THE CHURCH AT THE END OF TIME? ELLEN G. WHITE SAW IT AND SHE "TREMBLED FOR OUR PEOPLE..." "The tract of truth lies close beside the tract of error, and both tracts may seem to be one to minds which are not worked by the Holy Spirit, and which, therefore, are not quick to discern the difference between truth and error. - 1 Vol. SM, P. 202 "Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan Some will go out from among us will bear the ark no longer. But these cannot make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the end." Last Day Events, p See also Selected Messages, book 3, p. 385; MR, vol. 7, p "Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils and will depart from the faith. One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan s banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God s Spirit. Selected Messages, book 3, p. 84. See also Ibid., pp. 48, 83; Testimonies, vol., 4, p Reject False Teachers (Eph. 7-11; No Compromise with evil) We are authorized to hold in the same estimation as did the beloved disciple those who claim to abide in Christ while living in transgression of God's law. There exist in these last days evils similar to those that threatened the prosperity of the

5 2 early church; and the teachings of the apostle John on these points should be carefully heeded.while we are to love the souls for whom Christ died, we are to make no compromise with evil. We are not to unite with the rebellious and call this charity. God requires His people in this age of the world to stand for the right as unflinchingly as did John in opposition to soul-destroying errors. - AA There are some who in the past have had a correct experience, but who have changed leaders. Not all, but many have been beguiled. There are leaders who, before God can own and accept them, must first be converted, and led back to God. The beauty of His holiness is eclipsed by their unsanctified words and acts. They are strangers to God. They have no union with Him. SpTB Those leaders and teachers who refuse to follow Christ place themselves under the guidance of the evil angels. Some have already done this, and some, without severe chastisement from God, will never break the spell that is upon them. SpTB My brethren and sisters, will you take heed to the word of the Lord? Will you listen to His rebuke? If, after men in positions of responsibility have been warned and reproved by the Lord, they continue to follow their own way, affliction will come upon them. God chastens them, giving them opportunity after opportunity to repent. If they utterly refuse to repent, and are determined to listen to the sophistries of the enemy, they are left to their own course of action, and will surely perish in their sins; for God will not be trifled with. Sufficient light and evidence will be given to every soul. If men are overcome by the enemy, it will be because they have hardened their hearts, refusing to listen to the voice of God. Will men hear the word of the Lord, or will they, through yielding to temptation, refuse to hear until it becomes impossible for them to discern between good and evil? - SpTB I have seen men who have been placed in positions of trust as watchmen, molding and fashioning the work in our conferences and institutions in accordance with worldly policy, which God condemns. - SpTB My dear Brother, - SpTB02 49 I am given a message to bear to you and the rest of our physicians who are connected with the Medical Missionary Association. Separate from the influence

6 3 exerted by the book Living Temple; for it contains specious sentiments. There are in it sentiments that are entirely true, but these are mingled with error. Scriptures are taken out of their connection, and are used to uphold erroneous theories. SpTB The thought of the errors contained in this book has given me great distress, and the experience that I have passed through in connection with the matter has nearly cost me my life. SpTB It will be said that Living Temple has been revised. But the Lord has shown me that the writer has not changed, and that there can be no unity between him and the ministers of the gospel while he continues to cherish his present sentiments. I am bidden to lift my voice in warning to our people, saying, Be not deceived; God is not mocked. SpTB You have had access to Testimonies for the Church, Volumes VII and VIII. In these Testimonies the danger signal is raised. But the light so clear and plain to minds that have not been influenced by deceptive theories, has not been discerned by some. While the misleading theories of this book are entertained by our physicians, there can not be union between them and the ministers who are bearing the gospel message. There should be no union until there is a change. SpTB A copy of Living Temple was sent me, but it remained in my library, unread. From the light given me by the Lord, I knew that some of the sentiments advocated in the book, did not bear the indorsement of God, and that they were a snare that the enemy had prepared for the last days. I thought that this would surely be discerned, and that it would not be necessary for me to say anything about it. SpTB Finally my son said to me, Mother, you ought to read at least some parts of the book, that you may see whether they are in harmony with the light that God has given you. He sat down beside me, and together we read the preface, and most of the first chapter, and also paragraphs in other chapters. As we read, I recognized the very sentiments against which I had been bidden to speak in warning during the early days of my public labors. When I first left the State of Maine, it was to go through Vermont and Massachusetts, to bear a testimony against these sentiments. Living Temple contains the alpha of these theories. I knew that the omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people. I knew that I must warn our brethren and sisters not to enter into controversy

7 4 over the presence and personality of God. The statements made in Living Temple in regard to this point are incorrect. The scripture used to substantiate the doctrine there set forth, is scripture misapplied. - SpTB All should bear in mind that Satan s special efforts are directed against the ministry. He knows that it is but a human instrumentality, possessing no grace or holiness of its own. He knows that it is an agent that God has ordained to be a powerful means for the salvation of souls and is efficacious only as God, the eternal Spirit, makes it so. He knows that the treasure of the gospel is in earthen vessels, that it is God s power alone that can make them vessels of honor. They may cultivate the vineyard, a Paul may plant and an Apollos water, but God alone can give the increase. - TM Ellen White wrote: There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded - 1SM, 48 There will be counterfeit messages coming from persons in all directions. One after another will rise up, appearing to be inspired, when they have not the inspiration of heaven, but are under the deception of the enemy. All who receive their messages will be led astray. - 3 Selected Messages The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place - 2 SM 380. Called to Be Witnesses In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import the proclamation of the first,

8 5 second, and third angels messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention. - 9T 19.1 The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is to be our work. The world is to be warned, and God s people are to be true to the trust committed to them. They are not to engage in speculation, neither are they to enter into business enterprises with unbelievers; for this would hinder them in their Godgiven work. - 9T 19.2 Christ says of His people: Ye are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14. It is not a small matter that the counsels and plans of God have been so clearly opened to us. It is a wonderful privilege to be able to understand the will of God as revealed in the sure word of prophecy. This places on us a heavy responsibility. God expects us to impart to others the knowledge that He has given us. It is His purpose that divine and human instrumentalities shall unite in the proclamation of the warning message. - 9T 19.3 So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same responsibility as was the prophet of Israel to whom came the word: Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear - 9T 19.4 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Ezekiel 33: T 19.4 Are we to wait until the fulfillment of the prophecies of the end before we say anything concerning them? Of what value will our words be then? Shall we wait until God s judgments fall upon the transgressor before we tell him how to avoid them? Where is our faith in the word of God? Must we see things foretold come to pass before we will believe what He has said? In clear, distinct rays light has come to us, showing us that the great day of the Lord is near at hand, even at the doors. Let us read and understand before it is too late. - 9T 20.1 He is our Creator and commander, infinite in power and terrible in judgment. In mercy He employs a variety of means to bring men to see and repent of their sins. If they will continue to disregard the reproofs He sends them, and act contrary to His declared will, ruin must follow; for God s people are kept in prosperity only by

9 6 His mercy, through the care of His heavenly messengers. He will not uphold and guard a people who disregard His counsel and despise His reproofs. - 4T Those who refuse to give heed to the Lord s instruction will go steadily downward in the path of ruin. The day of test and trial is just before us. Let every man put on his true colors. Do you choose loyalty or rebellion? Show your colors to men and angels. We are safe only when we are committed to the right. Then the world knows where we shall be found in the day of trial and trouble. If the work begun at the General Conference had been carried forward to perfection, I should not be called upon to write these words. There was opportunity to confess or deny wrong, and in many cases the denial came to avoid the consequences of confession. Unless there is a reformation, calamity will overtake the publishing house, and the world will know the reason. I have been shown that there has not been a turning to God with full purpose of heart. The Lord is dishonored in the institutions erected for His honor. The marked disregard of God s commandments in the publishing house has placed its impress on the workers. God asks: Shall I not judge for these things? I saw heavenly angels turning away with grieved countenances. God has been mocked by your hardness of heart, which is continually increasing. According to their responsibility will be the punishment of those who know the truth and yet disregards God s commands. - 8T pg.96 Duty to Reprove Sin I have been shown that God here illustrates how He regards sin among those who profess to be His commandment-keeping people. Those whom He has specially honored with witnessing the remarkable exhibitions of His power, as did ancient Israel, and who will even then venture to disregard His express directions, will be subjects of His wrath. He would teach His people that disobedience and sin are exceedingly offensive to Him and are not to be lightly regarded. He shows us that when His people are found in sin they should at once take decided measures to put that sin from them, that His frown may not rest upon them all. But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for those sins. In His dealings with His people in the past the Lord shows the necessity

10 7 of purifying the church from wrongs. One sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God from the entire congregation. When the people realize that darkness is settling upon them, and they do not know the cause, they should seek God earnestly, in great humility and self-abasement, until the wrongs which grieve His Spirit are searched out and put away. - 3T. P. 265 The visible and the invisible world are in close contact. Could the veil be lifted, we would see evil angels pressing their darkness around us and working with all their power to deceive and destroy. Wicked men are surrounded, influenced, and aided by evil spirits. The man of faith and prayer has yielded his soul to divine guidance, and angels of God bring to him light and strength from heaven. No man can serve two masters. Light and darkness are no more opposites than are the service of God and the service of Satan. The prophet Elijah presented the matter in the true light when he fearlessly appealed to apostate Israel: If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan may boast of great benefit received thereby, but does this prove their course to be wise or safe? What if life should be prolonged? What if temporal gain should be secured? Will it pay in the end to disregard the will of God? All such apparent gain will prove at last an irrecoverable loss. We cannot with impunity break down a single barrier which God has erected to guard His people from Satan s power. Our only safety is in preserving the ancient landmarks. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. - 5T. Pg. 199 Our position on the Testimonies is like the keystone of the arch, take that out and there is no logical stopping-place till all the special truths of the message are gone.... Nothing is more sure than this, that this message and the visions belong together, and stand or fall together. 1 G. I. Butler, president of the General Conference, cited in Review and Herald Supplement, Aug. 14, 1883 COMMIT: It is Satan s plan to weaken the faith of God s people in the testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. Vol. 4, T

11 8 SUGGESTIVE STUDY: If we refuse to accept the Spirit of Prophecy, must we not also deny that we the remnant people of God? See Rev. 12:17; and Rev. 19:10 J. N. Loughborough declared that the first step of apostasy is to get up a creed, telling us what we shall believe. The second is to make that creed a test of fellowship. The third is to try members by that creed. The fourth is to denounce as heretics those who do not believe that creed. And fifth, to commence persecution against such. I plead that we are not patterning after the churches in any unwarrantable sense in the step proposed. - Review and Herald, Oct. 8, After others spoke, James White, in his inimitable fashion, made a comprehensive statement that had lasting significance. It included: I take the ground that creeds stand in a direct opposition to the gifts. Let us suppose a case: We get up a creed, stating just what we shall do in reference to this thing and that, and say that we will believe the gifts too. But suppose the Lord, through the gifts, should give us some new light that did not harmonize with our creed; then, if we remain true to the gifts, it knocks our creed all over at once. Making a creed is setting the stakes, and barring up the way to all future advancement. God put the gifts into the church for a good and great object; but men who have got up their churches, have shut up the way or have marked out a course for the Almighty. They say virtually that the Lord must not do anything further than what has been marked out in the creed. A creed and the gifts thus stand in direct opposition to each other. Now what is our position as a people? The Bible is our creed. We reject everything in the form of a human creed. We take the Bible and the gifts of the Spirit; embracing the faith that thus the Lord will teach us from time to time. And in this we take a position against the formation of a creed. We are not taking one step, in what we are doing, towards becoming Babylon. - Review and Herald, Oct. 8, 1861 F. M. Wilcox, editor of the church paper for more than three decades, and one of the five original trustees of the Ellen G. White Estate, Inc., wrote often on the contribution of Ellen White to the Adventist Church. An editorial in 1921 is typical of his consistent position: As God has spoken to His church in past ages

12 9 by prophets and special messengers, so to the remnant church He has sent by His own chosen servant many special messages of warning, reproof, instruction, and exhortation. These messages are contained in the writings of Mrs. E. G. White.... They do not constitute for the remnant church a new Bible, as our opponents sometime charge.... Rather, they constitute a spiritual commentary upon the Scriptures, a divine illumination of the Word, expressing in detail many of its great principles. - Review and Herald, Feb. 3, Again, in 1928, Wilcox represented the thinking of the church: The writings of Mrs. White were never designed to be an addition to the canon of Scripture. They are, nevertheless, the messages of God to the remnant church, and should be received as such, the same as were the messages of the prophets of old. As Samuel was a prophet to Israel in his day, as Jeremiah was a prophet to Israel in the day of the captivity, as John the Baptist came as a special messenger of the Lord to prepare the way for Christ s appearing, so we believe that Mrs. White was a prophet to the church of Christ today. And the same as the messages of the prophets were received in olden times, so her messages should be received at the present time. - Review and Herald, Oct. 4, Kenneth H. Wood, Adventist Review editor for 16 years, observed in his September 15, 1977, editorial: Each succeeding generation that lauds the ancient prophets and rejects contemporary ones becomes guiltier than the preceding one, since it has greater light and additional lessons from history. How great, then, is our guilt today if we fail to study and apply the counsels given to us by God through Ellen G. White. The editorial, entitled Stoning God s Prophets, ended with this admonition, This is no time to stone God s prophets. It is time to heed them. There will be counterfeit messages coming from persons in all directions. One after another will rise up, appearing to be inspired, when they have not the inspiration of heaven, but are under the deception of the enemy. All who receive their messages will be led astray. - Vol. 3 Selected Messages 404.4

13 10 Every conceivable message is coming to counterfeit the work of God, and always bearing the inscription of truth upon its banner. - 2 Selected Messages 92.3 What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong? The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. - Review and Herald, September 16, 1873 paragraph 5 In the representations the Lord has given me, I have seen those who follow their own desires, misrepresenting the truth, oppressing their brethren, and placing difficulties before them. Characters are now being developed, and men are taking sides, some on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ, some on the side of Satan and his angels. The Lord calls for all who will be true and obedient to His law to come out of and away from all connection with those who placed themselves on the side of the enemy. -Letter 256, August 1, 1906 & Last Day Events from the Letters and Manuscripts of E.G. White, p 94 & This Day With God, p 222 In the future, deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. THE ENEMY WILL BRING IN FALSE THEORIES, SUCH AS THE DOCTRINE THAT THERE IS NO SANCTUARY. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith. Where shall we find safety unless it be in the truths that the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years? - RH May 25, Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega WILL BE OF A MOST STARTLING NATURE. -- Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 16, written July 24, To introduce into the church errors that will destroy it, and then to protect them under the umbrella of "unity" is a problem that Ellen White had to address in "We are to unify," she declared, "But not on a platform of error." -- Letter, Ellen G. White to Dr. W. H. Riley, August 3, Omega, p. 75.

14 11 "The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect.... Every wind of doctrine will be blowing.... Those who trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light." "In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged." -- 5T p. 80. In the very courts of the temple scenes will be enacted that few realize. God's people will be tried and tested that He may discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. VENGEANCE WILL BE EXECUTED AGAINST THOSE WHO SIT IN THE GATES DECIDING WHAT THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE. -- Manuscript 15, IT WOULD BE MORE PLEASING TO THE LORD IF LUKEWARM PROFESSORS OF RELIGION HAD NEVER NAMED HIS NAME. They are a continual weight to those who would be faithful followers of Jesus. They are a stumbling block to unbelievers. -- 1T p. 188 False doctrines will sap the foundations of man, because they have not learned to discern truth from error. Our only safeguard against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, The indulgence of one known sin will cause weakness and darkness and subject us to fierce temptation In Heavenly Places Soon the battle will be waged fiercely between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. Soon everything that can be shaken will be shaken, that those things that cannot be shaken may remain. - 9T 15.5 Modern Spiritualism resting upon the same foundation, is but a revival in a new form of the witchcraft and demon worship that God condemned and prohibited of old. It is foretold in the Scriptures, which declare that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1Timothy 4:1. - Patriarchs and Prophets P 686.1

15 12 "Thou shalt make no covenant with them," God had said; and those who had recently rededicated themselves to the Lord at the altar set up before the ruins of His temple, realized that the line of demarcation between His people and the world is ever to be kept unmistakably distinct. They refused to enter into alliance with those who, though familiar with the requirements of God's law, would not yield to its claims. - PK The worst enemies we have are those who are trying to destroy the influence of the watchmen upon the walls of Zion. Satan works through agents. He is making an earnest effort here. He works according to a definite plan, and his agents act in concert. A line of unbelief stretches across the continent and is in communication with the church of God. Its influence has been exerted to undermine confidence in the work of the Spirit of God. This element is here and is silently working. Be careful lest you be found aiding the enemy of God and man by spreading false reports and by criticisms and decided opposition. - 5T The end is fast approaching and many in our churches are asleep. Let all now make it their chief business to serve the Lord. The Lord has entrusted to His people the talent of means, some more and some less than others. With many the possession of wealth has proved a snare. In their desire to follow the fashions of the world, they have lost their zeal for the truth, and they are in peril of losing eternal life. In proportion as God has prospered them, men should return to Him of the goods He has entrusted to their stewardship TDG And the religious world too, is to be terribly shaken, for the end of all things is at hand.... All society is ranging into two great classes, the obedient and the disobedient SM There Will Be Laws Controlling Conscience -- The so-called Christian world is to be the theater of great and decisive actions. Men in authority will enact laws controlling the conscience, after the example of the papacy. Babylon will make all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Every nation will be involved. Of this time John the Revelator declares: - 3SM 392.1

16 13 The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat. SM. Vol.2, pg. 380 "I saw the nominal church and nominal Adventists, like Judas, would betray us to the Catholics to obtain their influence to come against the truth. The saints then will be an obscure people, little known to the Catholics; but the churches and nominal Adventists who know of our faith and customs (for they hated us on account of the Sabbath, for they could not refute it) will betray the saints and report them to the Catholics as those who disregard the institutions of the people; that is, that they keep the Sabbath and disregard Sunday." E.G. White, Spalding--Magan Unpublished Testimonies, p.1. The Lord has a controversy with His professed people in these last days. In this controversy MEN IN RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS WILL TAKE A COURSE DIRECTLY OPPOSITE TO THAT PURSUED BY NEHEMIAH. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. IN CHURCHES AND IN LARGE GATHERINGS IN THE OPEN AIR, MINISTERS WILL URGE UPON THE PEOPLE THE NECESSITY OF KEEPING THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. RH, Vol. 1, pg GOD HAS IN HIS WORD ESTABLISHED THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING HIS WORSHIP, AND THAT MEN ARE NOT AT LIBERTY TO ADD TO THESE OR TO DETRACT FROM THEM. THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE GREAT APOSTASY WAS IN SEEKING TO SUPPLEMENT THE AUTHORITY OF GOD BY THAT OF THE CHURCH. Rome began by enjoining what God had not forbidden, and she ended by forbidding what He had explicitly enjoined. -- GC pgs. 289, 290 "God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. It is Bible truth, showing the perils that are right upon us. This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures and a most CRITICAL examination of the positions which we hold. God would have all the

17 14 bearings and positions of truth thoroughly and perseveringly searched, with prayer and fasting." -- 5T p. 707, 708. "The patience of God has an object, but you are defeating it. HE IS ALLOWING A STATE OF THINGS TO COME THAT YOU WOULD FAIN SEE COUNTERACTED BY AND BY, BUT IT WILL BE TOO LATE. God commanded Elijah to anoint the cruel and deceitful Hazael king over Syria, that he might be a scourge to idolatrous Israel. WHO KNOWS WHETHER GOD WILL NOT GIVE YOU UP TO THE DECEPTIONS YOU LOVE? Who knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm and true may be the last who shall offer the gospel of peace to our unthankful churches? IT MAY BE THAT THE DESTROYERS ARE ALREADY TRAINING UNDER THE HAND OF SATAN and only wait the departure of a few more standardbearers to take their places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry, "Peace, peace," when the Lord hath not spoken peace. I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write. It may be that erelong all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers." -- 5T p. 77. "As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the world, false charity has blinded their eyes. They do not see but that it is right to believe good of all evil, and as the inevitable result they will finally believe evil of all good." -- GC p Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega WILL BE OF A MOST STARTLING NATURE.-- Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 16, written July 24, "The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect.... Every wind of doctrine will be blowing.... Those who trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light." "In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged." -- 5T p. 80.

18 15 Let Pioneers Identify Truth.--When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth. No after suppositions, contrary to the light God has given are to be entertained. Men will arise with interpretations of Scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth. The truth for this time, God has given us as a foundation for our faith. He Himself has taught us what is truth. One will arise, and still another, with new light which contradicts the light that God has given under the demonstration of His Holy Spirit. - CW 31.2 The standard-bearers who have fallen in death, are to speak through the reprinting of their writings to bear their testimony as to what constitutes truth for this time. CWE - Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.32 The history of the early experiences in the message will be a power to withstand the masterly ingenuity of Satan s deceptions.- Letter 99, 1905 The record of the experience through which the people of God passed in the early history of our work must be republished. (Letter 105, 1903)The experience of William Miller and his associates, of Captain Joseph Bates, and of other pioneers in the advent message, should be kept before our people. - Letter 105, 1903 Three Reasons to Reprint: These multiple calls around appear to be given for these reasons: 1. The pioneers were dying and their living, eyewitness accounts were being lost. Uriah Smith died during this time period. 2. New church members were unacquainted with how the Lord led in the founding of the church. A new generation had arisen who had not lived through those early years. 3. The devil was bringing in deceptions that an understanding of the foundations would expose. Blindness (that came from rejecting the advancing light of righteousness by faith) was resulting not merely in failure of the house being finished, but in open attacks on the foundations. The only pioneers still alive besides Ellen White when this call was reaching its peak were J. L. Prescott, G. I. Butler, George Amadon, S. N. Haskell, and J. N. Loughborough. Observe below when the other prominent first-generation Seventh-day Adventists had died.

19 16 (The bolded names are those who wrote extensively.) Pioneer Year of Death: Rachel Oakes Preston 1868, Bates, Joseph 1872, White, James 1881, Edson, Hiram 1882, Pierce Stephen 1883, Andrews, J. N. 1883, Byington, John 1887, Farnsworth, William 1888, Waggoner, J. H. 1889, Cottrell, Roswell F. 1892, Cornell, Merritt E. 1893, Smith, Uriah Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of PRIMITIVE godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His people. GC p There are men among us in responsible positions who hold that the opinions of a few conceited philosophers, so called, are more to be trusted than the truth of the Bible, or the testimonies of the Holy Spirit. Such a faith as that of Paul, Peter, or John is considered OLD-FASHIONED and insufferable at the present day. It is pronounced absurd, mystical, and unworthy of an intelligent mind.... God has shown me that these men are Hazaels to PROVE A SCOURGE to our people. THEY ARE WISE ABOVE WHAT IS WRITTEN. This unbelief of the very truths of God's word because human judgment cannot comprehend the mysteries of His work is found in every district, in all ranks of society. It is taught in most of our schools and comes into the lessons of the nurseries. Thousands who profess to be Christians give heed to lying spirits. Everywhere the spirit of darkness in the garb of religion will confront you. -- 5T p God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, AS THE STANDARD OF ALL DOCTRINES AND THE BASIS OF ALL REFORMS. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority--not one or all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord" in its support. Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God. He leads the people to look to bishops, to pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of searching the Scriptures to learn their duty

20 17 for themselves. Then, by controlling the minds of these leaders, he can influence the multitudes according to his will. -- The Great Controversy p God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us. When the lawyer came to Jesus with the inquiry, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" the Saviour referred him to the Scriptures, saying: "what is written in the law? how readest thou?" IGNORANCE WILL NOT EXCUSE YOUNG OR OLD, NOR RELEASE THEM FROM THE PUNISHMENT DUE FOR THE TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW; BECAUSE THERE IS IN THEIR HANDS A FAITHFUL PRESENTATION OF THAT LAW AND OF ITS PRINCIPLES AND CLAIMS. It is not enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. His soul's salvation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself. However strong may be his convictions, however confident he may be that the minister knows what is truth, THIS IS NOT HIS FOUNDATION. He has a chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey, AND HE OUGHT NOT TO GUESS AT ANYTHING. It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God. -- The Great Controversy p The English Reformers, while renouncing the doctrines of Romanism, had retained many of its forms. Thus though the authority and the creed of Rome were rejected, not a few of her customs and ceremonies were incorporated into the worship of the Church of England. It was claimed that these things were not matters of conscience; that though they were not commanded in Scripture, and hence were nonessential, yet not being forbidden, they were not intrinsically evil. Their observance tended to narrow the gulf which separated the reformed churches from Rome, and it was urged that they would promote the acceptance of the Protestant faith by Romanists. To the conservative and compromising, these arguments seemed conclusive. But there was another class that did not so judge. The fact that these customs "tended to bridge over the chasm between

21 18 Rome and the Reformation" (Martyn, volume 5, page 22), was in their view a conclusive argument against retaining them. They looked upon them as badges of the slavery from which they had been delivered and to which they had no disposition to return. THEY REASONED THAT GOD HAS IN HIS WORD ESTABLISHED THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING HIS WORSHIP, AND THAT MEN ARE NOT AT LIBERTY TO ADD TO THESE OR TO DETRACT FROM THEM. THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE GREAT APOSTASY WAS IN SEEKING TO SUPPLEMENT THE AUTHORITY OF GOD BY THAT OF THE CHURCH. Rome began by enjoining what God had not forbidden, and she ended by forbidding what He had explicitly enjoined. -- GC pgs. 289, 290. The aims of the Celebration Movement are to: 1. Put the Seventh-day Adventist people into a stupor so that they cannot see nor discern the trap that is set for them. To banish all fear that may come from the results of the plans being set to destroy them. The rationale in all this is to confuse them so that they cannot comprehend the difference between right and wrong, and would not know where sin is in their lives so that they could repent of them. Then by having them "rejoice" and "praise the Lord," they would be deluded into thinking that they are right with God and thus lose their Christian strength, fortitude, and last but not least, salvation. The "diversity" we have been saturated in for decades is the forerunner and necessary soil for the plans behind Celebration. That's why we hear all the boisterous music coming in, along with pastors who try desperately to put us on an emotional high. There is also a strong plea which says, "Don't look at the establishment!" In other words, we are to merely trust what they are doing believing that God will lead the church organization through to glory notwithstanding her determination to deal with all those who try to correct her problems. The further plans of this movement are to: 2. Prevent the predicted PRIMITIVE revival soon to come. 3. Stop the preaching of the Three Angel's Messages, particularly the third. The history of the early experiences in the message will be a power to withstand the masterly ingenuity of Satan s deceptions. - Letter 99, 1905

22 19 *** Ellen G. White Rebuked Adventist Leaders for Not Thinking for Themselves. The Review and Herald April 6, 1886 Ellen G. White Diligence a Necessary Qualification in the Minister "Do your own work. The subjects which many of our ministers present before the people are not half as connected and as clear and strong in argument as they should be. They profess to be teachers of the Word, but they sadly neglect to search the Scriptures for themselves. They are content to use the arguments which are prepared in pamphlets and books, and which others have labored earnestly to search out; but they are not willing to tax their minds to study them out for themselves. In order to make full proof of their ministry, those who open the Word of God to others should search the Scriptures diligently. They should not be content to use other men's thoughts, but should dig for truth as for hid treasures. While it is perfectly right to gather ideas from other minds, they should not be satisfied to take those ideas and repeat them in a poll-parrot manner. Make these ideas your own, brethren; frame the arguments yourselves, from your own study and research. Do not borrow the productions of other men's brains and pens, and recite them as a lesson; but make the most of the talents, the brain power, that God has given you." The Review and Herald, April 6, New Hermetics has creeped in to the Seventh-day Adventist church "Men will arise with interpretations of scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth. The truth for this time, God has given us as a foundation for our faith. He Himself has taught us what is truth. One will arise, and still another, with new light which contradicts the light God has given under the demonstration of His Holy Spirit... We are not to receive the words of those who come with a message that contradicts the special points of our faith." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p 32. Dissecting the Word of God In the days of Christ the leaders and teachers of Israel were powerless to resist the work of Satan. They were neglecting the only means by which they could have

23 20 withstood evil spirits. It was by the word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one. The leaders of Israel professed to be the expositors of God's word, but they had studied it only to sustain their traditions, and enforce their man-made observances. By their interpretation they made it express sentiments that God had never given. Their mystical construction made indistinct that which He had made plain. They disputed over insignificant technicalities, and practically denied the most essential truths. Thus infidelity was sown broadcast. God's word was robbed of its power, and evil spirits worked their will. - DA History is repeating. With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in it as the word of God. They busy themselves with dissecting the word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God's word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and iniquity is rife. - DA "I have been writing upon the first volume of Great Controversy, and it makes me feel very solemn as I review these important subjects...the workings of the powers of darkness are laid clearly before my mind. Most trying times are before us; and Satan, clad in angel robes, will come to souls with his temptations as he came to Christ in the wilderness. He will quote Scripture; and unless our life is hid with Christ in God, he will surely bind our souls in unbelief. {5T 572.3} Those who turn from the plain teaching of Scripture and the convicting power of God's Holy Spirit are inviting the control of demons. Criticism and speculation concerning the Scriptures have opened the way for spiritism and theosophy-- those modernized forms of ancient heathenism--to gain a foothold even in the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. - DA (1 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; see EGW on John 17:17). Beyond Finite Comprehension.--There are some that may think they are fully capable with their finite judgment to take the Word of God, and to state what are the words of inspiration, and what are not the words of inspiration. I want to warn you off that ground, my brethren in the ministry. "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the

24 21 place whereon thou standest is holy ground." There is no finite man that lives, I care not who he is or whatever is his position, that God has authorized to pick and choose in His Word. - 7BC How would finite man know anything about that matter? He is to take the Word of God as it reads, and then to appreciate it as it is, and to bring it into the life and to weave it into the character. There is everything plainly revealed in God's Word which concerns the salvation of men, and if we will take that Word and comprehend it to the very best of our ability, God will help us in its comprehension. - 7BC Human minds without the special assistance of the Spirit of God will see many things in the Bible very difficult to be understood, because they lack a divine enlightenment. It is not that men should come to the Word of God by setting up their own way, or their own will or their own ideas, but it is to come with a meek and humble and holy spirit. - 7BC Never attempt to search the Scriptures unless you are ready to listen, unless you are ready to be a learner, unless you are ready to listen to the Word of God as though His voice were speaking directly to you from the living oracles. Never let mortal man sit in judgment upon the Word of God or pass sentence as to how much of this is inspired and how much is not inspired, and that this is more inspired than some other portions. God warns him off that ground. God has not given him any such work to do (MS 13, 1888). {7BC 919.8} (Ex. 3:5.) God's Word Not to Be Dissected.--It takes all of eternity to unfold the glories and bring out the precious treasures of the Word of God. Do not let any living man come to you and begin to dissect God's Word, telling what is revelation, what is inspiration and what is not, without a rebuke. Tell all such they simply do not know. They simply are not able to comprehend the things of the mystery of God. What we want is to inspire faith. We want no one to say, "This I will reject, and this will I receive," but we want to have implicit faith in the Bible as a whole and as it is.

25 22 We call on you to take your Bible, but do not put a sacrilegious hand upon it, and say, "That is not inspired," simply because somebody else has said so. Not a jot or tittle is ever to be taken from that Word. Hands off, brethren! Do not touch the ark. Do not lay your hand upon it, but let God move. It is with His own power, and He will work in such a manner that He will compass our salvation. We want God to have some room to work. We do not want man's ideas to bind Him about. - 7BC The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. Selected Messages, book 2, p Now we see [the] need of workers in the opening fields before us, but where are the men that can be trusted? Where are the men who year by year have been growing into a better knowledge of God and His ways and the movings of His providence? I want to sound in the ears of these sleepy, half-paralyzed souls the words spoken to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" [John 3:5]. There is need to seek God with all the heart. Elevate the standard. The commonness, the cheapness of conversation, reveal the measure of the spirituality of members of the church. Now those who have had years in this same experience, know not God nor Jesus Christ whom He has sent, and should such go forth as representatives of Jesus Christ? These men will never give the right mold to other minds; they have grown up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. They simply have the name of Christians but are not fitted for the work of God, and never will be until they are born again, and learn the A.B.C. in true religion of Jesus Christ. There is a little hope in one direction: Take the young men and women, and place them where they will come as little in contact with our churches as possible, that the low grad of piety which is current in the day shall not leaven their ideas of what it means to be a Christian. -Letter 16f, May 9, 1892 & Manuscript Releases, vol 12, p Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan.... Some will go out from among us who