Teachinghearts
"Explore the Word. Change the World"
Time: 100 minutes
Print: 21 pages
| Teachinghearts |
Adventist History
"Explore the Word. Change the World" | Statistics: Time: 100 minutes Print: 21 pages |
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| Papacy |  |
French Revolution | 1798 |  |
Great Awakening | Discoveries and Inventions | |||||||
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| 1260 Years | Papacy Falls | 1830 | Millerite Movement | 50 Adventists | |||||||||
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1755 Earthquake |  |
1780 Dark Day |  |
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1833 Leonids | 1844 |  |
Great Disappointment | |||
| Persecutions | Small Pox Epidemic | Hurricane | 1840 | Ottoman Empire Falls | Three Angels' Message | ||||||||
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Oh, that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory and that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.
The prayer of Jabez (I Chronicles 4:10) |
The Great Advent Awakening
This section deals with the history of the Adventist movement.
In the early 1800s, independent of one another, men and women throughout the world began to restudy the prophecies of Daniel. At that time, the little horn power ( the apostate religious system) had reigned for 1260 years from 538 to 1798. At the very end of this time period, Daniel became the topic of biblical scholarship and personal devotion.
In the early 1800s, Manuel de Lacunza, a Catholic priest in South America wrote under the pen name of Juan Josafa Ben-Ezra. As this godly man began to study the prophecies pointing to the time of the end, he came to believe that Jesus was coming very, very soon.
Edward Irving of England came to the conclusion that the prophecies of Daniel pointed to the time of the end.
Johann Bengel, in Germany, almost simultaneously came to the same conclusion and became a preacher of the Second Coming.
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Annihilation was a cold and chilling thought, and accountability was sure destruction to all. The heavens were as brass over my head, and the earth as iron under my feet. Eternity-what was it? And death- why was it? The more I reasoned, the further I was from demonstration. The more I thought, the more scattered were my conclusions. I tried to stop thinking, but my thoughts would not be controlled. I was truly wretched, but did not understand the cause. I murmured and complained, but knew not how or where to find the right. I mourned, but without hope...Suddenly...the character of a Saviour was vividly impressed upon my mind.
William Miller was converted to Jesus Christ. He then set out to challenge his skeptical friends. He was driven to study the Bible with a scientific zeal. His study took him on a 15- year voyage into God's Word. Miller thought it best to dispense with commentaries. Reading verse by verse with the Bible as its own interpreter (like Lacunza, Bengel, Edward Irving, and Joseph Wolf), he discovered that the end was at hand. The impact of his discovery would soon shake the religious world.
What is the Sanctuary?
... Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
Miller had accepted the popular assumption that the sanctuary was the world. So, he deduced that the cleansing of the sanctuary must be the cleansing of the world by fire at the Second Coming. As he traced the 2300 day/ year prophecy, he saw certain events that would take place along the way. He discovered the prediction of the Christ's baptism in A.D. 27, his crucifixion in A.D. 31, and the gospel to the Gentiles in A.D. 34.
As he extended the 2300 years down through the ages, he eventually concluded that 2300 day/year prophecy ended in 1844. He reasoned that since Jesus was baptized in A.D. 27 and died in A.D. 31, exactly fulfilling the prophecy, then the sanctuary's cleansing must also be fulfilled literally in 1844. So, accepting the popular view of the sanctuary, he believed the earth would be cleansed by fire in 1844 with the Second Coming of Christ.
Others all over the world like Joseph Wolf, William Davis of South Carolina, and Alexander Campbell, almost simultaneously reached the same conclusion on their own. As Miller came to his conclusion, the thought pressed upon his mind again and again by the Holy Spirit, "Go tell it to the world." But he was farmer and he thought, "I can't tell it. I'm not eloquent. I can't preach." But the weighty sense of responsibility kept coming to his mind, "Go tell it to the world."
Sharing with Friends. At first Miller shared it with a few friends, but for the most part kept it to himself. However, he had no peace as the Scriptural injunction kept coming to his mind, "If you do not tell it, you are accountable. Their blood will be on your head. Watchman, give the message." Miller was overwhelmed.
One day as this conviction was heavy upon him, Miller went to a grove to pray. In prayer, he made a sort of deal with God. "Oh, God," he prayed, "I am but a farmer. I have no desire to preach, yet I sense Your convicting power. I am surrendered to Your will. If you open the opportunity, I am willing." Relieved, he returned to the house thinking that, since no one would approach him, he was off the proverbial hook. He was quite certain the matter was now settled.
The Millerite Movement: The Farmer Begins To Preach
A short time later, however, he heard a knock on the door. "Uncle Bill! Uncle Bill! Dad wants you to come to Dresden to preach." Miller was shocked but true to his word, Miller went. In this first meeting, 13 entire families accepted Jesus Christ. From 1831-1844, Miller preached to thousands of people in the United States. The Advent movement grew like wild fire. Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Catholics, and Lutherans accepted the message. In the vilest cities and the smallest villages the call went out, "Jesus is coming! The sanctuary is to be cleansed! Christ is coming in 1844!"
Of course the skeptics and scoffers said, "No man knows the day or the hour." Miller answered, "I'm not announcing the day or the hour. On the basis of prophecy we are pointing out the year." So it was that the second advent movement continued to grow.
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Under the theory of Manifest Destiny, the United States was conquering the west.
Britain, Spain, France and the Native American Indian Tribes fell to the USA.
The combined successes of United States imperialism and the Advent movement caused two competing theories to emerge.
The coming millennium of peace and the destruction of the world at the Second Coming.
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If I owe anybody any money as a result of my business dealings and if I've not been faithful in paying it, please let me know so I can pay up my debts, because Jesus is coming October 22, 1844, and I want to ascend in the cloud and go with Him.
The Great Disappointment
So that night many gathered in the groves and fields in prayer to await the return of their Lord. The hours ticked by. At last midnight came, but Jesus didn't come. What was sweet at first suddenly became bitter. The sweet prophecy of Daniel's little book was now the source of a great disappointment. Many had sold their homes and failed to bring in the harvest from the fields. Every hope was centered in the soon return of Jesus. That night, many spent the entire night in bitter weeping and returned the next morning to their villages to meet the jeers and laughter of their neighbors.
Hiram Edson wrote recalling the experience said,
"Our fondest hopes and expectations were blasted, and such a spirit of weeping came over us as I never experienced before. It seemed that the loss of all earthly friends could have been no comparison. We wept, and wept, till the day dawn. I mused in my own heart, saying, My advent experience has been the richest and brightest of all my Christian experiences. If this had proved a failure, what was the rest of my Christian experiences worth? Has the Bible proved a failure? Is there no God, no heaven, no golden home city, no paradise? Is all this but a cunningly devised fable? Is there no reality to our fondest hope and expectation of these things? And thus we had something to grieve and weep over, if all our fond hopes were lost." Incomplete Manuscript of Hiram Edson.
The Heavenly Sanctuary Recognized
In the Corn field. The following morning, Edson and a few others went to a barn to pray. After prayer, he was walking home through a corn field with O.R.L Crosier when he looked up and suddenly realized that the sanctuary to be cleansed was not the earthly, but the heavenly sanctuary. He saw that on October 22, 1844 Jesus left the Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary and entered the Most Holy Place to begin his second and last phase of ministry. Suddenly the prophecies came into sharp focus in his mind. He wrote,
"It has been vividly impressed upon my mind that the sanctuary to be cleansed by fire is not the earth, but it is the heavenly sanctuary."
How many sanctuaries?. They went home and studied their Bibles again. They now studied the subject of the sanctuary. How many sanctuaries are there? Two - one on earth and the other in heaven. They discovered that the earthly is a kind of model of the heavenly. And since the earthly sanctuary was destroyed in 70 A.D. by Titus, the only sanctuary that could be cleansed in 1844 is in heaven.
They discovered that the cleansing of the sanctuary prefigured a special work of judgment in heaven to determine the reward of the righteous and to remove the record of sins from the heavenly records. They discovered that they were living in the time called by John the Revelator "the hour of God's judgment."
Disappointment. The Great Disappointment of 1844 was very much like the previous great disappointment of A.D. 31. Jesus' followers thought He would set up His kingdom on earth. Instead, He was killed. That night after the crucifixion, they were utterly disappointed. Then Jesus arose and their false views were corrected. Arising from the ashes of disappointment after Christ's ascension, the New Testament church pointed men and women to the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus Christ entered the Holy Place to minister on their behalf.
Likewise, after the persecution of the little horn, Jesus started a end-time movement from the ashes of the disappointment of 1844. Correcting their misconceptions, they discovered that Jesus had entered the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary. They also discovered that, like the New Testament church, they must point men and women to the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus Christ had begun another phase of ministry in the heavenly judgment.
A Bitter Sweet Experience Prophesied. As they read the tenth chapter of Revelation, they were amazed to discover that this chapter perfectly marked their experience. Just as John had said, the experience was "sweet" at first then "bitter." They were certainly disappointed when Jesus didn't come. Now, they wondered, was the movement based on the prophecies of Daniel and pointing to the Second Coming going to die? Was it to become fragmented? What would happen to those Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, and Episcopalians who had expected Jesus' Second Coming in 1844.
News Events in the Nineteenth Century
To understand the appeal of the message at this time, you must appreciate the fulfillment of events that converged in one generation over seventy years.
Birth of the United States (1776). Revelation 12 predicts the rise of the United States as a nation that helps the persecuted and becomes the final super power. It gained independence this year and begins to expand rapidly.
Knowledge Increases. Between 1770 and 1844 there were many spectacular inventions, discoveries and public systems created in agriculture, transportation, indoor plumbing, electromagnetics and communication. Between 1859 and 1895 many system wide inventions were in place for energy, public education, communications, medicine and transportation. This fulfills Daniel 12.
Fall of the Papacy (1798). This was the biggest sign and it stirred many people to look at the prophecies as they begun to understand the significance of the Middle Ages.
Fall of the Ottoman Empire (1840). Then Josiah Litch predicted the exact week of the fall of the Ottoman empire using Revelation 9 two years before it occurred.
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News Events Near the Twenty First Century
To understand the appeal of the message at this time, you must appreciate the fulfillment of events that are converging today.
Discarding any optimistic texts about the nearness of His coming, since 1981, there are no more powers or capabilities or events that cannot be accomplished in one generation. Since 2001 there are no remaining events that cannot be completed in three years.
United States Supremacy (1991). The fall of the Soviet Union created one superpower.
Knowledge Increases. Computers, global telecommunications and the internet can spread the gospel. Weapons technology, energy production and use and genetic engineering can destroy the world.
Rise of the Papacy (1929, 1981). The papacy began its modern rise with the Lateran Treaty in 1929 and John Paul II in 1981.
Rise of the Islamic Empire (2001).
Militant Islamic activities have created a destabilizing force around the world, causing the imposition of harsh persecution laws and organizations in democratic nations.
The disastrous USA response only escalated events. Their growing power and networking are creating the forces needed to fulfill certain prophecies about Israel.
Global Financial Collapse. During the seven last plagues a global financial collapse, beginning in the United States, will cripple the world.
We have had the dress rehearsal.
Conversion of Israel (Future). Israel will accept Christ as the Messiah during a major crisis involving war from the surrounding nations.
Ellen White
Many have stated that this woman founded the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Not so. At the time of the disappointment she was just a teenage girl with limited education.
She lived from 1827 to 1915 and had her first vision in 1844 - two months after the disappointment of 1844.
She said that God gave her visions to enlighten her mind as to what Adventists should do - but the doctrinal foundations of the church came from extensive prayer and Bible study of the pioneers.
The Visions
She reportedly experienced visions and dreams in which she received understanding from God.
In her visions, she would go into a trance like state unaware of her surroundings until the vision ended.
On many occasions when they tested her she was not breathing.
She also reportedly had super human strength and would hold a heavy Bible in her outstretched hand for hours.
| Primary Works | |
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| Book | Contents |
| Steps to Christ | My favorite. It talks about the great love of God. |
| Early Writings | One of the first books about her visions |
| Testimonies to the Church | A 5 Volume Series sometimes printed in 9 volumes. |
| The Conflict of the Ages Series | A 5 volume work about the leading of God from the time of Adam to the end.
» Patriarchs and Prophets. » Prophets and Kings. » The Desire of Ages. » Acts of the Apostles. » The Great Controversy. |
The Writings
There are many books with her name as the author. Many of these were not written by her in that form.
They are compilations, or collections of sayings on different topics, written in her primary works.
Because they are compilations, it is very possible that a quotation could have been taken out of context.
For example, one controversial statement was that it was a sin to have a bicycle.
In context, she was talking about the enormous debt to which people subjected themselves when they bought this new
invention. This she said was wrong. Similarly, if families purchase a luxury vehicle to impress the neighbors and cannot
afford to give their children a Christian education or basic necessities, then this would be a similar evil.
All words were her own. She used secretaries to edit her work or transcribe her words.
One person's duty was to keep a log of everything she wrote. In reviewing new work, she would often research and
find previous works on the topic and they may be included with Mrs. Whites' approval.
Also, there is a charge that she plagiarized the work of others (for example, medical information).
So it must be noted that in her days, the strict references and footnotes that we use today under our
strict copyright rules were not common in her day. And many Bible commentators in her day are guilty of the same charge.
So if she quoted directly from these sources or if God gave her information to
confirm what was being said in some medical circles then it should be noted that almost everything she said medically was
controversial and it must have taken divine intelligence for her to plagiarize the correct information.
The Love of God. She wrote passionately about the love of God in Christ.
Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. ‘The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows, and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. ‘He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147: 3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.
Steps to Christ - Page 100
The Importance of Personal Bible Study.
You have a duty to read the Bible directly.
Go to God for yourselves, pray for divine enlightenment that you may know that you know what is truth, that when the wonderful miracle working power shall be displayed, and the enemy shall come as an angel of light, you may distinguish between the genuine work of God and the imitative work of the powers of darkness.
Selected Messages , Volume 3 page 389, (1888).
Simple Methods. "Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness."
Testimonies to Ministers, 300.
Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service.
... the sins of Babylon will be laid open. ... all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these.
The Great Controversy, pages. 606 (1888).
Testimonies Volume V, page 80.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the strong. and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. (1 Corinthians 1: 27-29)
1888 edition of the Great Controversy? (1888 514.1,2). I do not understand the reference.
In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord's servants will be tried. They have faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to His word alone. God's Spirit, moving upon their hearts, has constrained them to speak. Stimulated with holy zeal, and with the divine impulse strong upon them, they entered upon the performance of their duties without coldly calculating the consequences of speaking to the people the word which the Lord had given them. They have not consulted their temporal interests, nor sought to preserve their reputation or their lives. ... The work which they have undertaken seem far beyond their ability to accomplish. They are threatened with destruction. The enthusiasm which animated them is gone; yet they cannot turn back. Then feeling their utter helplessness, they flee to the Mighty One for strength. They remember that the words which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade them give the warning. God put the truth in their hearts, and they could not forbear to proclaim it.
The Great Controversy, pages. 607-608 (1888).
Testimonies Volume 9, page 11.
God is in Control. In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the Word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.
Prophets and Kings, pages. 499, 500 (1888).
Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbath keepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.
Great Controversy, 608.
Maranatha, Page 209.
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Contribution to Prophecy
All prophetic interpretation on this Web site, is based on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and the New Testament.
In looking at Mrs. White's prophecies, I find that what she adds to a few prophecies is the identification of a group and
information on sequence and detail, but generally there was no new prophecy. The greatest contribution to our understanding are the following:
Protestant Leadership. It is the Protestants that will seem to lead the takeover of the United States government and use spiritualism.
This has been fulfilled since 1980 when the Protestants organized political entities to petition the government and occupy these positions.
United with Catholicism and Spiritualism. Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hands of spiritualism; They will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.
Great controversy (page 588)
(Review and Herald, June 15 1897)
The Image to the Beast has been Formed.
According to this prophecy we have formed the image to the beast because we have met the requirements of the state using its power to accomplish purely religious goals in Europe and in the United States.
"Sustain the Institutions".
The Faith Based Initiative of 2001 and school voucher bills fulfill this prophecy.
The government funnels billions to Catholic charities and few thousand to other religious organizations, while the president claimed that the message of some were too hateful to achieve government support.
Here is the history of this fulfillment.
"Enforce the Decrees".
This is being done in Europe but only partially in the United States as "Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the state".
The Catholic Leadership. Protestants will submit to Catholic leadership.
In the movements now in progress in the United States to secure for the institutions and usage of the church the support of the state, Protestants are following in the steps of papists. No, more, they are opening the door for the papacy to regain in Protestant America the supremacy which she has lost in the Old World.
Great Controversy, page 573. (1911)
The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head - the papal power - the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witness. This union is cemented by the great apostate.
Testimonies Volume 7, page 182 (1902).
Sunday Laws. Governments will enforce Sunday as the day of rest.
To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday Law.
Testimonies Volume 5, page 451.
If the people can be led to favor a Sunday law, then the clergy intend to exert their influence to obtain a religious amendment to the constitution, and compel the nation to keep Sunday.
Review and Herald Extra December 24, 1889.
Sunday Laws in Europe.
Europe now has Sunday laws disguised as labor laws since 1993. There was a ten year period of adjustment so that after 2003 the members were expected to comply.
Generally, Europe no longer hosts sporting events on Sunday, some businesses are still open but there is soft pressure for closure.
Employees no longer have a legal remedy for job loss because the law only guarantees one day of rest. But the law stipulates that that day must be Sunday.
See how churches influence the United States government.
See how the government cooperates with the church.
See how the church influences other governments.
Sunday Laws in America.
We have laws that are loosely enforced but have been declared constitutional.
There are powerful movements trying to secure Sunday as a day of rest that will be enforced.
These forces are also trying to get the European and American legislatures to make Christianity the foundation of civil law because that was the intention of the architects of the constitution.
Because, in the mind of Rome, if the states are Catholic they derive their authority from the Catholic church.
Spiritualism. Occult beliefs will become popular in the church.
Early Writings, Page 43.
Great Controversy, page 557-558.
Satan's Final Deception. Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world ... "Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time."
Great Controversy, Page 561
"Demonic Astronomical Signs. Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle working demons."
Great Controversy, Page 624 (1911) by 1917 the Fatima apparitions had appeared in Portugal
Satan Impersonates Christ - The Powerful Delusion.
Satan will impersonate Christ in a false Second Coming.
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A Dazzling Being. "As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Savior's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come.
In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: `Christ has come! Christ has come!' The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody.
Great Controversy, page 624-625 (1911).
Bible Commentaries Volume 5 pages 1105-1106.
Fundamentals of Christian Education, pages 471-472.
Sunday Legislation. The government will make laws to protect Sunday as the day of rest. Europe already made these laws since 1993.
The dignitaries of Church and state will unite to bribe, persuade or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to obtain public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance.
Great controversy, page 410.
Mark of the Beast. These Sunday laws will be enforced by persecution.
The mark of the beast is the papal Sabbath.
Evangelism, page 234.
Sunday keeping is not yet the mark of the beast, and will not be until the decree goes forth causing men to worship this idol Sabbath. The time will come when this day will be the test, but that time has not come yet.
Church Union. Churches will unite on points of common interest, not doctrine. This has been fulfilled by the ecumenical movements and the combination of Catholics and Protestants to influence the political process since 1980's.
The wide diversity in belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed - however important they might be from a Bible standpoint - must necessarily be waived.
Great Controversy, page 444.
Status of Church Unions.
Most large Protestant churches have already united. Many now seek to unite with the Roman church.
Already, the Catholic church is making special consideration for these clergy - they can remain married.
Although some united churches still have their own name, they now exchange clergy and for all intent and purposes have put aside any doctrinal differences.
The pastor serves as a goodwill ambassador in there is no emphasis on important doctrines.
The result is that we now see a change in the view of the authority of the Bible.
Now practices unheard of in the church are now accepted.
Now all church doctrine takes its cue from the secular world.
We wondered how they could reconcile their differences.
They are not - they are ignoring the Bible. See the history of Ecumenism
and completed Unions and cooperation.
The union will not, however, be affected by a change in Catholicism, for Rome never changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will change.
Review and Herald, June 1, 1886.
Other Last Day Predictions.
A Pandemic.
She predicted that for merciful reasons God would allow a pandemic at the end of time. This will kill many elderly and children because
they will not be able to survive the persecution.
(I am searching for the reference but the following may be related to this prophecy).
This promise is yours. You may be comforted and trust in the Lord. The Lord has often instructed me that many little ones are to be laid away before the time of trouble. We will see our children again. We will meet them and know them in the heavenly courts. Put your trust in the Lord, and be not afraid. (Letter 196, 1899)
Selected Messages, Volume II, page 259.
Slavery Returns.
I remember when her critics laughed about this.
They said that this was impossible in our civilized society with international laws.
Miracles.
In the last days, Satan will perform many real miracles.
Revelation states that the whole world will be deceived by the beast and the false prophet because of miracles.
Therefore the final actions and message cannot be centered
on a display of power but rather on the word of God.
This strategy is supported by the Old Testament which states that no prophet can contradict the
word of God, and any prophecy must be subject to the scrutiny of the written word.
Prophecy cannot contradict the written word.
God's people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought.
Testimonies Volume 9, page 16 (1909).
The Bible will never be superseded by miraculous manifestations. The truth must be studied, it must be searched for as hidden treasure. Wonderful illuminations will not be given aside from the word or take the place of it. Cling to the Word, receive the engrafted Word which will make men wise unto salvation.
Selected Messages, Volume 2, page 48 (1894)
Signs in the Heavens.
I thought that this prophecy was interesting, considering the Catholic prediction of blessed Faustina.
Notice that Mrs. White's prophecy was published in 1911,
while the vision of Fatima was in 1917,
and the vision of blessed Faustina was in 1937.
Faustina claims that a great cross will appear in the sky. The Fatima incidences were accompanied by signs in the sky. Different witnesses saw different things.
This vision is slightly similar to Ellen White 's vision of 1911.
A Bright Star. A bright star appears before the Second Coming.
Through a rift in the clouds there beams a star whose brilliance is increased fourfold in contrast with the darkness. It speaks hope and joy to the faithful, but severity and wrath to the transgressors of God's law. Those who have sacrificed all for Christ are now secure, hidden as in the secret of the Lord's pavilion.
Great Controversy page 638 (1911).
The Law of God Appears in the Sky.
According to Mrs. White , the following event will occur during the seven last plagues.
Interestingly, it will be during this time that the great delusion will occur.
The event will certainly be the false Second Coming.
Does Satan intend to use the vision of Faustina to fool even Adventists?
It is a provocative thought.
One vision has a hand holding the ten commandments, the other has a vision of a cross.
Although we are prepared for a false Second Coming, will we think that this is the vision of the
hand holding the ten commandments?
There appears in the sky a hand holding two tablets of stone folded together. Says the prophet, "The heavens declare His righteousness for God is judge Himself" Psalm 50: 6.
That holy law, God's righteousness, that amid thunder and flame was proclaimed from Sinai as the guide for life, is now revealed to men as the rule of judgment.
The hand opens the tables, there are seen the precepts of the decalogue, traced as with a pen of fire. The words are so plain that all can read them. Memory is aroused, the darkness of superstition and heresy is swept from every mind, and God's ten words, brief comprehensive, and authoritative, are presented to the view of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Great Controversy page 639 (1911).
Contribution to Science and Health
Dangers of Smoking.
In her days, not only were doctors prescribing smoking, they were actually telling people to
inhale deeply so that the beneficial smoke can go deep into their lungs.
The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet.
Even by the late 1970's and early 1980's vegetarianism was not popular.
I know. That was when I became a vegetarian.
Now science has proved her correct.
She talked about the benefits of the soy bean - before we knew what it was.
She talked about diseases being carried by animals and how it would get worse in the last days.
History has proved her right.
The point is her viewpoints were controversial and against the best medical advice of her day and she had limited education.
She must have received this information supernaturally.
The Benefits of Exercise and Eight Principles of Health.
She praised the benefits of water, exercise, rest and fasting, temperance, nutrition, trusting God, fresh air and sunlight.
Clinics which used her methods (like the famous Battle Creek Sanitarium) were sought after by the rich and famous.
Now, others are selling these same principles as new ideas.
Education.
Through her influence, the Seventh Day Church has the largest Protestant school and Medical
systems in the world.
Fulfilled Prophecies.
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Manuscript 30, 1903
The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fireproof buildings and said: "They are perfectly safe." But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.
I am instructed that when the Lord's time comes, should no change have taken place in the hearts of proud, ambitious human beings, men will find that the hand that had been strong to save will be strong to destroy. No earthly power can stay the hand of God. No material can be used in the erection of buildings that will preserve them from destruction when God's appointed time comes to send retribution on men for their disregard of His law and for their selfish ambition.
Testimonies for the Church, Volume. 9, pages. 12, 13 (1909).
No Specific Information by 1906. I have no light in particular in regard to what is coming on New York, only that I know that one day the great buildings there will be thrown down by the turning and overturning of God's power. . . . Death will come in all places. This is why I am so anxious for our cities to be warned.
Review and Herald, July 5, 1906.
| God Acts | Detail | World | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sealing |  First angel's message | 1840 | Three Angel's message Latter Rain |
|
| Second Angel's message | 1844 | |||
| United States speaks as a dragon | 2001 | |||
| Image of the beast forming | Yes | |||
| Babylon has fallen | ? | |||
| Third Angel's message | ? | |||
| » Image of the beast formed. » Church and state united | ? | |||
| » Sunday law enforced. » Signal to leave the cities | ? | |||
| Mark of the beast | ? | |||
| It is done | Four angels release the four winds | |||
| Time of Trouble | Persecution and martyrdom | |||
| Probation closes | ||||
| Plagues 1 to 2 | 1 | ? | One Year | Seven Last Plagues |
| 2 | Death decree | |||
| Plagues 3 to 4 |
3 | ? | ||
| 4 | ** God's law appears in the sky | |||
| Plagues 5 to 7 | 5 | Confusion and fear among the church leaders | ||
| 6 | The end of the political alliance of the church and state. | |||
| 7 | Second Coming | |||
Sequence of Final Prophetic Events
Ellen White added information about the importance and sequence of events.
As of 2001 we are at the point where the image of the beast is forming.
And as of 2002 we can probably say that Babylon is fallen because she has become the
location of every foul spirit. You will understand why I say this, if you have been monitoring the visions from Mary,
the impact it has on the church, and how it has driven this pope to make an alliance with every world leader and power, and the admiration they receive - even from the media.
The table on the right represents my interpretation of the sequence of events or the type of issues according to her prophecies.
But the placement of the events of the fourth plague is my best guess.
She and the other pioneers also introduced other concepts connected to this time that people criticize, even though they are completely supported by the bible. The Jewish understanding of the events at the close of Yom Kippur completely support these views.
Sealing in the Book During the Ten Days of Awe.
Between Rosh Hashannah and the end of Yom Kippur the Jews also believed that this as a solemn time in which their names are sealed or kept in the Book of Life or blotted out.
In this period Jews would greet each other with these words.
"May you be sealed and may your name be written in the book."I was amazed, I had never seen this in Adventist circles. We were teaching what the Jews taught about the judgment without even knowing it. Only God coordinated this knowledge and understanding.
Neilah ("Locking"). The gates of heaven are closed at the end of Yom Kippur.
Finished Work. The high priest leaves after he has finished making the offering and cleaning up the sanctuary
and he cannot enter the Most Holy place for another year.
Righteous People. The sins of the people are removed and the sanctuary is cleansed. And, as far as God was concerned those people were perfect.
Ellen White Criticism and Answers
It would not be fair to talk about her work without talking about her critics.
The claim is that if something she said did not come through then she is a false prophet.
I agree - unless it was a conditional prophecy.
In 2000, my response to these criticisms were to look at the charges and see which ones were absolutely indefensible -
no matter what. Then I intended to do a lengthy search of articles.
Fortunately, someone had written a book many decades ago about these same charges.
I will not answer all the criticisms, especially those which are obvious misrepresentations.
But I answered all the worst ones that I could find and the ones that also concerned me.
But you can read the responses in the book by Francis Nichol (1).
I will respond to all the criticisms that I selected as disturbing before I found this book.
So, I will give you my initial reaction to the charge and also the answers that I received from others who have studied all her writings.
| Criticism | Response | |
|---|---|---|
| Her writing are considered another Bible by Adventists. | ||
 |
My initial response was that was not how I was brought up in the church. And I have never met anyone who even suggested that her writings were equal to the bible. I have met people who believe that if we think she is a prophet, then we ought to listen to her (they were mostly talking about vegetarianism). This generation ignores her almost like her generation. | |
| She was criticized for "reversing" herself on Sabbath keeping by telling workers in Australia to "give Sunday to the Lord". | ||
| |
My Response. I did not believe that she said we should not keep Sabbath. It looked like it meant work for God on Sunday. So I wanted to see the whole story in context to find out what else "give Sunday to the Lord" meant that caused people to believe that it meant to ignore the Sabbath.
Nichol's Response. The fact is that legislative persecution was happening. Blue laws were in effect and officers of the court were actually spying on Adventist institutions to see if they were violating Sunday by working on that day. She did not say that Sabbath (Saturday) was no longer necessary - rather, she said that in order to avoid the appearance of being trouble makers we should stop working on Sundays and devote that day also to missionary work. You see, we do not violate God's commandments by not working on other days - we just violate His laws by working on Saturday. So they still kept Sabbath but did missionary work on Sundays instead of work that could cause arrest. | |
| She is criticized for repeating other prophecies or other works. | ||
| |
My Response. This is an absurd criticism because, as you will see, in prophetic studies - God continually repeats the prophecies and often adds details in later prophecies. If fact, one of the tests of the validity of a prophet is that they do not contradict previous prophets or the words of God, but reinforce them. Therefore, she cannot be a "Lone Wolf" prophet with brand new ideas which have no foundation in the past. It would seem that these critics want her to behave like a store front psychic who make predictions about everything trivial and modern. | |
| She gave false figures on the moons of a planet. | ||
| |
My Response. I had none. But, after reading Nichol's response, I was ashamed at the length to which critics would go
in deliberately misrepresenting the facts. When they quoted "her vision", they were actually quoting other people's writings and blending two visions.
Nichol's Response. There might have been two separate visions. In the final one that she wrote, neither names or number of moons were recorded. In what might have been an earlier vision in which an astronomer was present she never named the planets. It was the astronomer who jumped to the conclusion that it must have been Saturn and Jupiter. Her husband assumed this also. But neither the witnesses to the first vision, nor her own account of what might have been a second vision reports that she named any planet. Further Response. I just finished researching information for a science page and geography project and I was amused at the information about the "moons of a planet". They keep finding many of these things as they probe the universe. Until 2002 Jupiter had 16 moon, the number is now 63. Saturn had 18, it is now 34. In addition, the definition of a moon also includes objects that orbit a planet but are so far away or so small that they might meet the scientific definition but not the observational definition. Therefore, she could be describing the number of visible moons from her perspective in the vision. This means that she may not even have seen the visible moons on the other side of the planet at that time of day. This year (2004) I finally had the first of many dreams in my entire life. They were apocalyptic dreams. I am amazed at how much I remember and what I think is important as I am trying to write down these dreams. It truly gave me some perspective on this incident. I have also had incidences where people have taken what I said and in public stated what they thought it means in a way that made it seem that I agreed. When in reality I had no clue and I never made such associations and in some cases actually said "I do not believe it means this". So until things are more clear, I documented most of my experiences so that I can capture the sense of bewilderment. | |
| She made a false claim that some in her day would be alive at the Second Coming. | ||
| |
My Response. My initial response was that we had the same problem with words of the disciple and even Jesus Himself.
Jesus seemed to have said that this generation who saw the destruction of Jerusalem would see the Second Coming.
On this topic, Jesus also said that those who "pierced" Him would see Him coming. We do not know how this will work out because these prophecies will occur at the very end. Therefore, we cannot say that they will not be fulfilled. Some have speculated that there will be a special resurrection of Jesus' tormentors so that they would see His victory, then they will be killed with the rest of the wicked. With this possibility, then it is entirely possible that either the resurrection of the righteous will occur in time for them to see His coming, or for some martyrs and workers (for example the disciples) they will have this experience while the rest of the righteous dead will be resurrected minutes later. Anyway, it is irrelevant since it cannot be proved until the end and it does not contradict what will happen. | |
| Slavery until the second advent | ||
| |
My response is that slavery does exist now. | |
| Financial Affairs. She commercialized her work, lived lavishly, owned much fine land, died heavily in debt and gave gifts to her children through her book royalties. | ||
| |
According to her critics, there is an implied sin in the fact that she took royalties from her books.
» Royalties. These are the facts. She used the royalties to pay for major publishing costs - typesetting, illustrations, workers. She supported missionary efforts in several places. She paid for the tuition of several students. At her death she owed money because she had to borrow against the royalties to continue the work. » Died in Debt. But her estate went to the church which settled the $21,000 debt out of the income. » Lived Lavishly. She is also accused of owning much fine property. She owned 50 acres, bought another 150 acres of hillside property for the wood (it was cheaper). She and other church members used the wood for fuel - chopping the wood also provided labor for others. When the wood was cleared for the property she exchanged the property for other property which was later given to the church to build a school. If you would be fair, I would like you to compare her life and her use of money to the current religious leaders who live in palatial mansions, are always promoting their books and family businesses, and fly in private jets and use only luxurious hotel suites costing thousands of dollars per night. » Historical Note. President Thomas Jefferson died $107,000 in debt and his estate at Monticello was sold to pay for some of his debt. He was in debt because he gave much to charitable causes because others would not support such righteous causes as public education. | |
She said the tower of Babel was before the flood.
The Lord first established the system of sacrificial offerings with Adam after the fall, which he taught to his descendants. The system was corrupted before the flood, and by those who separated themselves from the faithful followers of God, and engaged in the building of the tower of Babel.The underlined section is the missing text. It totally changes the meaning. | ||
| |
My Response. My initial response was that it must have been a typographical error. Because even a six year old knows that the tower came after the flood.
Besides, in all of the writings in which she talks about the tower of Babel, it was about their continued disobedience even after the flood.
Nichol's Response. This was attributed to a statement in Spiritual Gifts Volume 3, page 301. The editor of the Review and Herald apologized for this error on July 31, 1866 stating that after the word "flood" a comma and an "and" had been left out. At this point I became disgusted. In the process of building this WEB site, I had stumbled across a recent internet site that had these charges. I had made a decision to do the prophecies only with the text from the Bible and not to add her prophecies. Because our beliefs are based on the Bible. Because I had written a section on false prophets and because I found the WEB site with the criticisms, I decided to include this WEB page. I was disgusted because, at least on this one point, the error and explanation had been discovered over 130 years ago. The book which I later discovered that answered these criticism had been in print since 1951! Yet people insist on making these false charges because most people will check no further. I expected more honesty from Christian leaders. | |
| Adventists worship on the Sabbath because she decided so after one of her false visions | ||
| |
We worship on the Sabbath because the Bible says so.
She did not receive every single detail of every doctrine we came to believe in vision. The early leaders prayed and studied and debated. They came to the Sabbath truth through a Seventh Day Baptist. They studied it and came to the conclusion that this was correct. Then they later learned that the Jews started their day from sunset to sunset. This caused another series of study and debate - and they came to the truth through study and prayer. Afterwards she did confirm through a vision that they were correct, but we had already decided through Bible study that this was correct. | |
The Test of a True Prophet. These are the biblical tests.
The Firm Foundation of Our Faith. My opinion about her work is that she is an advocate for the position of God. She is not a theologian who introduces doctrine. She supports doctrine that others have proven from the Bible. Sometimes she has a vision that assists them, but everthing is in harmony with the Word of God. She said the following about herself.
Diligent Bible Study. Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid.
...
Often we remainded together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. When they came to a point in their study when they said, "We can do nothing more", the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instructions as to how we were to labor and teach effectively.
...
During the whole time I could not understand the reasoning of the brethren. My mind was locked, as it were, and I could not comprehend the meaning of the scriptures we were studying. This is one of the greatest sorrows of my life. I was in this condition of mind until all the principal points of our faith were made clear to our minds, in harmony with the Word of God. The brethren knew that when not in vision, I could not understand these matters, and they accepted as light direct from heaven the revelations given.
Selected Messages, Book 1. Pages 206-207. Early writings, page xvi-xvii.
As they studied, God gave her revelations that she shared with the brethren when they could no longer understand, otherwise she could not follow their reasoning. Because it was difficult for her to understand their theological discussions, they took it as a revelation from God when she was able to explain any difficulty that even they could not understand but she could explain to their satisfaction.
This web site does not use Mrs White to prove any doctrine. But God has allowed me to prove unique predictions that she made by the Bible and to harmonize the Old and the New Testaments.
Summary
The Adventist message rose as a part of a prophetic movement.
The message and the disappointment were prophesied, and God provided a prophet to guide them.
And God may now be leading others.
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Becoming a Christian
And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them; I will say, They are my people, And they will say, The Lord is my God. Zechariah 13: 9. Copyright Updated : April 24, 2002, October 15, 2002. March 31, 2005. April 2006. March 2008. Author: Laverna Patterson. Editor: Patterson (March 2008) Credits: The information was compiled from various sources. (1) Ellen G. White and her critics by Francis D. Nichol (1951) (2) Ellen White Comments on The Crisis Ahead. Robert W. Olson, Compiler (2000) (3) The History came from Mark Finley. (4) Last Day Events - compiled from the writings of Ellen G. White |
Pasteurization and Germ Theory. Louis Pasteur discovers germs
