Ellen G. White, along with her husband James White, were the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Although James White was the head of the organization while he lived, it was Ellen G. White who provided the alleged visions and revelations from God that defined the doctrinal framework of the organization's teachings.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
The Seventh-day Adventist Church and the teachings of Ellen G. White developed out of the Millerite movement organized by William Miller in the 1840's. William Miller was a former Baptist preacher and formed his own religious views, stating that all churches had become apostate and were "Babylon," that all Christians were to leave those churches and join his movement, and that the second coming, or the advent, of Jesus Christ was imminent. He developed a teaching in which he claimed that he knew the exact year and day in which Jesus Christ would return. Ellen G. Harmon (later Ellen G. White) became a member and follower of the Millerite movement.
William Miller initially set the day for the return of Jesus Christ in 1843. When the second coming failed to occur, he set another date for March 21, 1844, which also failed and then another date for October 22, 1844, which again failed. The effect on the Millerite movement was a major disaster, and the failure of the return of Jesus Christ to appear was called the "Great Disappointment." The failed prophecies of William Miller proved that he was a false prophet, not only because of their failure, but also because of the fact that he contradicted Scripture which says that only God knows the time of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
After the failure of his movement, William Miller continued on by presenting a new teaching which attempted to justify the failure of Jesus Christ to return physically in 1844. He stated that the explanation was that it was not the second coming which was to occur, but the entrance of Jesus Christ into the Holy of Holies in the Heavenly sanctuary; a doctrine not taught in the Scriptures. He established a group called the Adventist Church and continued his teaching. While initially continuing with his Adventist teachings as a result of his new doctrine, William Miller eventually renounced his affiliation, admitted to his error and denounced the new doctrines that had been developed. He died in 1849.
Most followers of the original Millerite movement disbanded, but a small groups continued which were not directly connected with or under the authority of William Miller. One of those groups included Ellen G. Harmon (White). They justified their continuing belief by adopting William Miller's new explanation about the coming of Jesus Christ into the Holy of Holies. This interpretation provided the foundational structure for what would later become the "Investigative Judgement" doctrine adopted by Ellen G. White, which is also not taught in the Scriptures. Both beliefs were accepted and taught by Ellen G. Harmon (White). Out of those doctrines, Ellen G. Harmon (White) accepted the revelation about the "Shut Door." She taught that at the point when Jesus Christ entered into the Holy of Holies, no other persons could then be saved. The "door" of salvation was shut, people could no longer join the Adventist group (since they claimed to be the only ones with the truth from God) and therefore could not obtain eternal life.
Ellen G. Harmon (White) continued with the group with which she was affiliated and later met James White. They married in 1846 and with the union and the continuing visions of Ellen G. White, they were established as the leaders of what had become a revised Adventist movement and foundation of current Seventh-day Adventist theology. Seventh-day Adventist theology has very deep roots in the Millerite movement, but has progressed far beyond those basic teachings as a result of the visions claimed by Ellen G. White.
CURRENT DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture.
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word.
1. The Holy Scriptures:
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God's acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.)
2. The Trinity:
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.)
3. The Father:
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.)
4. The Son:
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
5. The Holy Spirit:
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ's life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)
6. Creation:
God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In six days the Lord made "the heaven and the earth" and all living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day of that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His completed creative work. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was finished it was ``very good,'' declaring the glory of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)
7. The Nature of Man:
Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)
8. The Great Controversy:
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)
9. The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)
10. The Experience of Salvation:
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)
11. The Church:
The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.)
12. The Remnant and Its Mission:
The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)
13. Unity in the Body of Christ:
The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children. (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.)
14. Baptism:
By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)
15. The Lord's Supper:
The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all believing Christians. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)
16. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries:
God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement of people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God's varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)
17. The Gift of Prophecy:
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)
18. The Law of God:
The great principles of God's law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God's love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God's covenant with His people and the standard in God's judgment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is an evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow men. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. (Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.)
19. The Sabbath:
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God's creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)
20. Stewardship:
We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for their proper use. We acknowledge God's ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow men, and by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The steward rejoices in the blessings that come to others as a result of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.)
21. Christian Behavior:
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things which will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)
22. Marriage and the Family
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between partners who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church. Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. Although some family relationships may fall short of the ideal, marriage partners who fully commit themselves to each other in Christ may achieve loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each other toward complete maturity. Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a loving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who wants them to become members of His body, the family of God. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. (Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.)
23. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary:
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)
24. The Second Coming of Christ:
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.)
25. Death and Resurrection:
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.)
26. The Millennium and the End of Sin
The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; Eze. 28:18, 19.)
27. The New Earth
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.)
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST WEBSITE: www.adventist.org
PROPHETIC SPIRIT - ELLEN G. WHITE
The doctrinal statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, while appearing to be very orthodox on the surface, covers a multitude of problems that a prospective adherent will not know until after becoming involved with the organization. This is especially true in relation to article 26, "The Millennium and the End of Sin," which is completely aberrant in its teaching. But the greatest error is in relation to the Bible and the visions of Ellen G. White.
If the Seventh-day Adventist Church is orthodox in its doctrine and believes that the "...Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested," the question must be asked, how do the prophecies and teachings of Ellen G. White compare to the Bible? In addition, what prophecy did she give that was necessary, as an addition to the Biblical revelation? There is great controversy in the Seventh-day Adventist Church regarding the claims of Ellen G. White and the belief that she was a prophet. The Bible is very specific in regards to individuals who claim to prophesy by authority from God, and the reference is in Deuteronomy 18:17- 22.
According to Deuteronomy 18, only one false prophecy disqualifies a person from claiming to be a prophet of God. If one prophesies a false message, one that is not supported by the Scripture, even if the message comes true (Deuteronomy 13), the person is a false prophet. In the days of Moses, a false prophet was put to death. How does Ellen G. White compare to the Biblical standard for a true prophet?- CREDENTIALS:
Ellen G. White presented no credentials confirming her claim to receive visions and prophecies from God. Jesus Christ and the apostles could work miracles. They could heal and raise the dead. Ellen G. White could not heal and she could not raise the dead. Her prophesies and visions were self-proclaimed, presented as being truthful by her word alone.
- BIBLICAL STANDARDS APPLIED
One of the hallmarks of all false religious systems is the introduction of an additional set of writings by which the Bible is to be judged or interpreted.
In the Mormon church, they have the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, other writings and the accounts of the visions of Joseph Smith. The Bible is judged by these writings and is subject to interpretation and authenticity by these writings. Joseph Smith also produced his own version of the Bible which does not adhere to the original text.
The Christian Science church has the Science and Health With the Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and her various revelations. These writings also subvert the Bible and relegate it to a subservient position. The Bible is judged by the writings of Mary Baker Eddy.
The Jehovah's Witnesses have the writings and revelations of Charles Taze Russell, Judge Rutherford and every leader since that time who claim to continually have new revelation delivered to them by angels from God. They also have their own "translation" of the Bible which does not adhere to the original text.
Ellen G. White also claimed to have had revelations and visions that came directly from God and these have been compiled into volumes and are called her "Testimonies." They are a body of doctrine which are not designed to be investigated by the Bible, but are to be used as an interpretive tool in order to understand the Bible. She claimed that all of her visions and revelations were the words of God and could not be rejected or questioned."In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days he speaks to them by the Testimonies [her self-proclaimed testimonies] of his spirit."
"It is hardly possible for men to offer a greater insult to God than to despise and reject the instrumentalities [her self-proclaimed testimonies] that he has appointed to lead these [Adventists]."
"If you lessen the confidence of God's people in the testimonies [her self-proclaimed testimonies] he has sent them, you are rebelling against God as certainly as were Kora, Dathan and Abiram."
She claims of her "testimonies" that they are "...the precious rays of light shining from the throne..."
"It is God, and not an erring mortal, that has spoken [her self-proclaimed testimonies]."
She also claimed that those who opposed her, and her authority, were "...fighting the Spirit of God. Those...who would break down our testimony [her self-proclaimed testimonies], I saw, are not fighting against us, but against God." Since Ellen G. White claimed that her "testimonies" were the result of the direct words of God that she heard in her visions and trances, then they have the same authority as the Bible. She claimed that she wrote those revelations in two ways, (1) Describing in her own words the revelations that she received, which is the manner in which most of her testimonies are presented, and (2) Directly quoting the words of God that she claimed to have heard. Since her "testimonies" were the result of a revelation and the Bible is a revelation, there can be no other conclusion than that they are the same and must be believed in the same manner. At some point, the person who claims to receive revelation from God, always begins to assume that they have authority that they do not have and an ability to determine what is Scripture and what is not. This assumption is self-proclaimed and is abundantly true with Ellen G. White, when she stated the following:"I took the precious Bible and surrounded it with several testimonies to the church." The Bible is considered to be encased or surrounded by her testimonies. They are the greater authority and are the standard by which the Bible is to be interpreted. This is the position taken by the majority of Adventist adherents, in that the "testimonies" of Ellen G. White are authoritative and settle the issue, even when they conflict with the Biblical record. Like the other religious groups previously mentioned, the Bible is authoritative when it agrees with the statements of the leadership, but when it disagrees, the fault lies with the Bible or with the "interpretation" of it, which must be brought into agreement with the leadership rather than the leadership being brought into agreement with the Bible. The arrogance of power expresses itself well in false religious systems, because there is no immediate judgment by God of their heretical activities. As a result, leadership exalts itself even higher as they delude themselves into believing their own self-created doctrines.
The Seventh-day Adventist church today might deny that they place Ellen G. White's visions and revelations on the same level as the Bible. However, to do that denies the words of Ellen G. White herself, who claimed that her "testimonies" were on the same level as those revelations given to the prophets of old:"In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days he speaks to them by the Testimonies [her Testimonies] of his spirit." To hold that belief makes them heretical in relation Ellen G. White and also in relation to what they claim about God. Were not the visions and revelations of Ellen G. White from the same God that revealed the Bible to the prophets and apostles of old? If they were from the same God, then to say that Ellen G. White's visions and revelations were not as important as those recorded in the Bible is to say that they have the ability and authority to determine the importance of what God wishes to reveal. They know better than God what is important and what is not. Will they admit to believing that when God speaks, some of His words are less important than others and can be ignored or degraded in value? The duplicity in claiming to hold that position is apparent.
Ellen G. White subjects the Bible to the scrutiny of her "Testimonies" through the agent of her own self-proclaimed authority, supposedly given by God. By what reason should a person accept the self-proclaimed words of Ellen G. White over those of theMormon, Joseph Smith, or the Jehovah's Witness, Charles Taze Russell, or the Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy? All of them claimed to have received revelations from God, were self-proclaimed prophets, and all of them presented no credentials to verify their claims and all contradicted one another. Someone had to be wrong, and based on their track record of prophecies, it appears they were all wrong.
- PROPHECIES EXAMINED:
THE SHUT DOOR, 1844
She says: "After the passing of the time of expectation, in 1844, Adventists still believed the Saviour's coming to be very near; they held that...the work of Christ as man's intercessor before God had ceased. Having given the warning of the judgment near, they felt that their work for the world was done, and they lost their burden of soul for the salvation of sinners.... All this confirmed them in the belief that probation had ended, or, as they then expressed it, 'the door of mercy was shut.'" Great Controversy, page 268.
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter VIII - "Mrs. White and her Revelations," by D.M. Canright, 1914
Elder G.I. Butler, in the Review and Herald, March 3, 1885, says: "As the time passed there was a general feeling among all the earnest believers that their work for the world was done." "There can be no question that for months after the time passed it was the general sentiment that their work of warning the world was over." "Their burden was gone, and they thought their work was done."
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter VIII - "Mrs. White and her Revelations," by D.M. Canright, 1914
John Megquier, Saco, Me., a man noted for his integrity, writes: "We well know the course of Ellen G. White, the visionist, while in the state of Maine. About the first visions she had were at my house in Poland. She said that God had told her in vision that the door of mercy had closed, and there was no more chance for the world." The True Sabbath, by Miles Grant, page 70.
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter VIII - "Mrs. White and her Revelations," by D.M. Canright, 1914
Mrs. L.S. Burdick, San Francisco, California, was well acquainted with Mrs. White. She writes: "I became acquainted with James White and Ellen Harmon (now Mrs. White) early in 1845. At the time of my first acquaintance with them they were in wild fanaticism, used to sit on the floor instead of chairs, and creep around the floor like little children. Such freaks were considered a mark of humility. They were not married, but traveling together. Ellen was having what was called visions; said God had shown her in vision that Jesus Christ arose on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844, and shut the door of mercy; had left forever the mediatorial throne; the whole world was doomed and lost and there never could be another sinner saved." L.S. Burdick, "True Sabbath," page 72.
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter VIII - "Mrs. White and her Revelations," by D.M. Canright, 1914
O.R.L. Crosier kept the Sabbath with them in 1848. He writes: "Ann Arbor, Mich., Dec. 1, 1887. Yes, I KNOW that Ellen G. Harmon, now Mrs. White, held the shut door theory at that date." Then he gives the proof. These persons knew the facts and have put their testimony on record.
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter VIII - "Mrs. White and her Revelations," by D.M. Canright, 1914
The Present Truth. James White, editor, Oswego, N.Y., May, 1850, has an article by the editor on the "Sanctuary, 2300 Days, and the Shut Door." Elder White says: "At that point of time [1844] the midnight cry was given, the work for the world was closed up, and Jesus passed into the Most Holy place.... When we came up to that point of time, all our sympathy, burden and prayers for sinners ceased, and the unanimous feeling and testimony was that our work for the world was finished forever.... He [Jesus] is still merciful to his saints, and ever will be; and Jesus is still THEIR advocate and priest; but the sinner, to whom Jesus had stretched out his arms all the day long, and who had rejected the offers of salvation, was LEFT WITHOUT AN ADVOCATE when Jesus passed from the holy place and shut that door in 1844." Any honest man can see that the shut door meant no salvation for sinners, and this is what Elder White taught in 1850.
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter VIII - "Mrs. White and her Revelations," by D.M. Canright, 1914
In a report of labor in the Advent Review, May 15, 1850, Elder White, in noticing the death of a sister Hastings, says: "She embraced the Sabbath in 1846, and has ever believed that the work of warning the world closed in 1844." Again: "Many will point us to one who is said to be converted, for positive proof that the door is not shut, thus yielding the word of God for the feelings of an individual." Present Truth, Dec. 1849. This shows that they held to the shut door idea for years after 1844. What a fanatical and abominable doctrine that was for Christians to teach! Mrs. White was right with them and in full harmony with them on this all these years. She had revelations almost daily. If they were of God, why did she not correct them in this fearful error? Even if she had said nothing confirming this delusion, yet the simple fact that she had no revelation contradicting it all during these years, is enough to destroy her claim to inspiration. But the fact is, she taught this error as strongly in her visions as the brethren did in their arguments.
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter VIII - "Mrs. White and her Revelations," by D.M. Canright, 1914
Here are her own words:
"March 24, 1849.... I was shown that the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, relating to the shut door, could not be separated.... I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders, and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapped about them a religious garb, which covered up the iniquity of a wicked heart. Some appeared to have been really converted, so as to deceive God's people, but if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. My accompanying angel bade me to look for the travail of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it, for the time for their salvation is past." Present Truth, pages 21-22, published August, 1849.
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter VIII - "Mrs. White and her Revelations," by D.M. Canright, 1914 The doctrine of the "Shut Door" is a false doctrine. It was developed in an attempt to save the prediction of the coming of Jesus Christ in 1844, that failed, and give the prophecy an invisible fulfillment in heaven. The idea that Jesus Christ presides in heaven in a temple like the earthly temple of the Jews is not found in the Bible.
The idea of the shut door and the fulfillment of the coming of Jesus Christ in 1844, was initially sanctioned by William Miller, but very soon he rejected the teaching and disassociated himself from the Adventist group, stating that he had made an error in the prediction. Since the prophecy, and the related doctrines, were of his creation, the new teaching about the "Shut Door" had no basis in Biblical fact and no basis in the doctrine and teaching of William Miller, who denounced it.
The doctrine of the "Shut Door" was rejected in the lifetime of Ellen G. White and is not part of Seventh-day Adventist doctrine today.
The prophecy and doctrine regarding the "Shut Door" was false and therefore, by the Biblical standard found in Deuteronomy 18:17-22, Ellen G. White was a false prophet and none of her prophecies have any authority in relation to God or to spiritual matters.
There are those who would say that the Biblical injunction in Deuteronomy 18 does not apply to Ellen G. White because they say she never claimed to be a prophet. However the deception in that claim is apparent to any discerning individual. Ellen G. White claimed to receive visions in which messages and doctrines were given to her by God, which she was to make known to the church. That process is accomplished through a prophetic gift and office that Ellen G. White had, as is claimed by the Seventh-day Adventist church in Article 17 of their Doctrinal Statement. Therefore, the question is moot. If a prophet speaks prophecies, then a person who speaks prophecies is a prophet, whether real of false.
DOCTRINAL ERRORS
From: Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, Chapter 1, by D.M. Canright, 1914
A people who have made as many mistakes as Adventists have, ought to be very modest in their claims, and ought to see that they have been led by men and not by the Lord.
- They set the time for the end of the world in 1843, and failed.
- They set it again in 1844 and failed.
- Elder White, the leader of the Seventh-day Adventists, set 1845 for the end, and failed again.
- They held in 1844 that the earth was the sanctuary, another mistake, as they admit now.
- They all held for some time after 1844 that probation for sinners was ended - a fearful mistake.
- For ten years Seventh-day Adventists began the Sabbath at 6 P.M., instead of at sunset as now. Thus they broke the Sabbath every week!
- They kept their children out of school for years, because time was so short they would need no education. Those children now have grand-children!
- They gave away their goods in 1844, because they would not need them after that!
- They would not vote, for that was like the fallen churches. Now they vote freely.
- They held that it was wrong to take a church name, for that was Babylon. Now they have a name.
- Church organization was wrong, for that was like Babylon. Now they organize.
- For years they said it was denying their faith to set out trees, for they would never grow to bear fruit.
- Led by a revelation from Mrs. White, the sisters put on short dress with pants. None of them wear it now.
- For thirty years they would not take up any collection on the Sabbath. Now they do it every week.
- For fifty years they have been expecting the end of the world to come inside of five years, and it has not come yet.
- They said Jesus would come to the earth in 1844. Now they say that was a mistake; he came to judgment in the sanctuary above. Thus: "The Adventists of 1844...thought the bridegroom would come; and THEN HE DID COME - not to this earth, as they incorrectly supposed, but to the MARRIAGE." "They simply mistook the KIND of coming referred to." U. Smith, in Parable of the Ten Virgins, page 13,14. He owns that: (1) They got the time wrong in 1843. (2) The place wrong. (3) The event wrong. Now let him add, (4) The whole thing wrong, and he will be right!
- Then they said the door was shut, Matt. 25:10; now they say that this was wrong; it is open yet. Thus: "There can be no other place for the shut door but at the autumn of 1844." Elder White, in Present Truth, May 1850. "The door is still open, and other guests may come." U. Smith, in Parable of the Ten Virgins, page 17, February, 1889. These are the people who always KNOW they are just right!
- They once adopted a rigid vegetarian diet - not meat, no butter, only two meals per day, etc., but it was a failure. It killed many and ruined more, till they had to modify it and live like other people.
These are only samples out of numerous mistakes the Adventists have made; and this they have done with an inspired prophetess right at their head for forty-four years! These simple, undeniable facts alone should be enough to open the eyes of all to see that the Lord has not led them in their work.
CONCERNS
Many people in the apologetics area have struggled trying to define the position of the Seventh- day Adventist Church. Are they a denomination, a sect or a cult? There seems to be no agreement. Perhaps the problem is complicated by the fact that the Seventh-day Adventist Church itself is not sure exactly what it believes and also has changed its beliefs so many times over the years. In addition the attempt to remain identified with Ellen G. White, who was, without question, a false prophet, lowers the credibility of the claims by the leadership that they believe the same way as orthodox Christians.
The major question is, does the Seventh-day Adventist Church teach a true salvation message? The question is difficult to answer, because like many orthodox churches, the salvation message becomes garbled or is ignored by the inclusion of so many other elements. In addition, all pastors are not the same and do not preach or emphasize the same message. The best that can be said for the Seventh-day Adventist church is that the salvation message can be found amid all the other peripheral issues that clutter the clarity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The greatest question for the person who is a true believer in Jesus Christ is, why would you wish to stay in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in light of its aberrant and heretical history and continuing elevation of a false prophet to a position of authority? That is a serious difficulty that requires some serious thinking.
END OF ARTICLE
by: Rey Anthony Gatela
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