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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
three that bear record in heaven
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1 John 5:7
1 John 5:7
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
why do bad things happen to good people?
When confronted with this question, Jesus turned it around ...
Luke 13:1-5
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
... in essence, the question is not about why bad things happen to good people, instead it is why should good things happen to bad people? The thing is, we have all sinned and we are all deserving of worse happenening to us. Our only hope is to repent of our sin and turn to Jesus for salvation.
Luke 13:1-5
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
... in essence, the question is not about why bad things happen to good people, instead it is why should good things happen to bad people? The thing is, we have all sinned and we are all deserving of worse happenening to us. Our only hope is to repent of our sin and turn to Jesus for salvation.
Monday, November 12, 2012
falling away
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away,[b] to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Heb 6:4-6
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
consequences
Maybe God is telling our nation something... if only we would listen.
To those who may have doubted whether or not our nation is under judgement, consider the following...
When I read the Bible, I see a pattern in how God treats nations.
When the both the northern kingdom of Israel and then the southern kingdom of Judah turned their back on God, the same pattern revealed itself each time:
1) first the people turn their back on God and seek after other "gods"
2) God then abandons the nation to sin, allowing them to engage in their wickedness to the fullest extent, so that it is obvious to all they deserve judgement
3) then the people fall under the rule of wicked leaders
4) then they are attacked by a foreign invader
5) then they are overthrown and their wealth and property go to foreigners
6) those that survive are forced to live in a pagan nation, under a pagan government
We are only now waking up to the realize just how far along we are in the process.
Our nation has been in the process of turning its back on God for the last 100 years. The rejection of God was popularized and formalized back in the 1960s and has continued growing. What we are seeing now are just "tip of the iceberg" symptoms of a larger problem of the heart.
The fact of the matter is that we are already well into steps 5 through 6 in the process. Our wealth and property is being stolen by international opportunists. Our children are being sold into debt slavery to foreign nations.
Those who live in a pagan nation should only expect to have pagan leadership.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel never repented of their idolatry and they never were again a nation. The remnant of the Kingdom of Judah repented and cried out to God in their captivity and were again returned to their nation. Which will we be?
That is, unless we are truly on the brink of the rise of the antichrist and beast world religious and government system. This global new world order system could not come to power with the United States as a superpower and center of Christian influence. The agenda has always been to collapse our economy and reduce our influence in the world.
If that is the case, then it is time to look up, for our redemption is drawing nigh!
Friday, November 02, 2012
remnant
Unless the Lord of hosts
Had left to us a very small remnant,
We would have become like Sodom,
We would have been made like Gomorrah.
Isaiah 1:9
Had left to us a very small remnant,
We would have become like Sodom,
We would have been made like Gomorrah.
Isaiah 1:9
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
wall of separation is a good thing
The proverbial "wall of separation" is a good thing... at least as it was described by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists.
While most of the "christian" religions (Catholics, Reformed, etc) wanted a formal state enforced religion, the Baptists (and a handful of others) were well familiar with what being on the wrong side of a state enforced religion was like...
When we look through the un-doctored history of the church we see a pattern of true believers being persecuted and martyred by state enforced religions. Christians were persecuted by the pagan Roman Empire, then by the Catholic Roman Empire, then by the monarchy and oligarchy governments that enforced Roman Catholic, Orthodox Catholic, and/or Reformed Catholic (Protestant) traditions by burning or beheading anyone that dared question them.
The persecution of the Anabaptists was still in recent memory of the Baptists, and was one of the driving forces behind them coming to America, not to establish a new state religion, but to have an assurance of being free to practice their beliefs without interference by the government.
The wall of separation was to be a "one way" wall, to keep the government from interfering with the practice of religion. They felt that government was a bad influence on the practice of religion. However, it was clear that the founders felt that religion could be a good influence on the practice of government.
Religious beliefs are yet another set of checks and balances to keep the government contained and in line. Religion works best when it is at odds with the government, not in cahoots with it.
The role of government was to protect religious freedom (thought, belief, and practice), but should never be used to enforce a religious system or otherwise interfere with any other religions.
While most of the "christian" religions (Catholics, Reformed, etc) wanted a formal state enforced religion, the Baptists (and a handful of others) were well familiar with what being on the wrong side of a state enforced religion was like...
When we look through the un-doctored history of the church we see a pattern of true believers being persecuted and martyred by state enforced religions. Christians were persecuted by the pagan Roman Empire, then by the Catholic Roman Empire, then by the monarchy and oligarchy governments that enforced Roman Catholic, Orthodox Catholic, and/or Reformed Catholic (Protestant) traditions by burning or beheading anyone that dared question them.
The persecution of the Anabaptists was still in recent memory of the Baptists, and was one of the driving forces behind them coming to America, not to establish a new state religion, but to have an assurance of being free to practice their beliefs without interference by the government.
The wall of separation was to be a "one way" wall, to keep the government from interfering with the practice of religion. They felt that government was a bad influence on the practice of religion. However, it was clear that the founders felt that religion could be a good influence on the practice of government.
Religious beliefs are yet another set of checks and balances to keep the government contained and in line. Religion works best when it is at odds with the government, not in cahoots with it.
The role of government was to protect religious freedom (thought, belief, and practice), but should never be used to enforce a religious system or otherwise interfere with any other religions.
Monday, October 29, 2012
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth
1 Corinthians 5
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!
And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.
For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Your glorying is not good.
Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside?
Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”
Note the following about the Corinthian Church:
1) They were tolerating sexual sin that not even an unsaved person would tolerate.
2) They took pride (puffed up and glorying) in how "tolerant" they were. Just like in the politically correct world that says "your arrogant if you do speak out", God says that we are arrogant if we don't speak out...
3) By tolerating this sin in their midst (even in the "name of love"), they were supporting and prolonging the continuation in that sin.
Making people feel more comfortable in their bondage to sin is NOT loving.
In this case, instead of toleration, the most loving thing to do was to put this person out of fellowship so that he would have a chance to realize the wrongness of what he was doing and repent.
Making people feel more comfortable in their bondage to sin is NOT loving.
In this case, instead of toleration, the most loving thing to do was to put this person out of fellowship so that he would have a chance to realize the wrongness of what he was doing and repent.
temptation
God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Cor 10:13
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Ps 119:37
Saturday, October 27, 2012
The Idol Shepherd
Zechariah 11:17
Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Worst Storm in 100 Years
Maybe God is trying to tell our Nation Something... I've heard people talk like electing Romney is our nation's way of "turning back to God".
Personally, I don't think so -- even though I would rather be wrong...
When I read the Bible, I see a pattern in how God treats nations.
When the both the northern kingdom of Israel and then the southern kingdom of Judah turned their back on God, the same pattern revealed itself each time:
1) first the people turned their back on God and sought after other "gods"
2) God abandons the nation to allow them to engage in their wickedness to the fullest extent, so that it is obvious they deserve judgement
2) God abandons the nation to allow them to engage in their wickedness to the fullest extent, so that it is obvious they deserve judgement
3) then the people came under the rule of wicked leaders
4) then they were attacked by a foreign invader
5) then they were overthrown and their wealth and property went to foreigners
6) those that survived were forced to live in a pagan nation under a pagan government
We only now waking up to the realize just how far along we are in the process.
Our nation has been in the process of turning its back on God for the last 100 years. The rejection of God was popularized and formalized back in the 1960s and has continued growing. What we are seeing now are just "tip of the iceberg" symptoms of a larger problem of the heart.
We chastise the democrats for removing God from their platform, and then putting it back under protest from the majority of their delegates. However, has anyone thought about how God views the republican party and the way that it overrode and rewrote its own rules in order to block true Christians such as Bachman and Paul in preference of a mormon and catholic?
The fact of the matter is that we are already well into steps 5 through 6 in the process. Our wealth and property is being stolen by international opportunists. Our children are being sold into debt slavery to foreign nations.
Those who live in a pagan nation should only expect to have pagan leadership.
So why should we be upset when the choice left to us is which pagan leader do we vote for?
They themselves will be enslaved by many nations and great kings; I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands - Jeremiah 25:14
Strangers devour your land in your presence; And it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. - Isaiah 1:7
Worst Storm in 100 Years Seen for Northeast U.S.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-25/u-s-east-from-washington-to-nyc-at-risk-from-hurricane-sandy.htmlObama fundraiser in Miami shut down after power knocked out by Hurricane Sandy
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2012/10/obama-fundraiser-in-miami-shut-down-after-power-knocked-out-by-hurricane-sandy.html
AccuWeather.com Election Coverage: Sandy May Pose Threat to East Coast Voters
Thursday, October 25, 2012
one world
Satan has been working to bring about a one world government since the beginning.
The world before the flood had been corrupted to the point that only Noah was perfect in his generations, and it (along with Sodom and Gomorrah) gives us a glimpse of what a satanically saturated culture would be like.
Nimrod and his city along with Babel's Tower was the first glimpse of what the anti-christ and a one world government would look like.
God purposefully confused the languages to prevent this from happening before the time set aside for it in the "last days".
Because of computer technology, mankind is once again uniting behind a single language as well as a single world economic, governmental, and religious system.
The world before the flood had been corrupted to the point that only Noah was perfect in his generations, and it (along with Sodom and Gomorrah) gives us a glimpse of what a satanically saturated culture would be like.
Nimrod and his city along with Babel's Tower was the first glimpse of what the anti-christ and a one world government would look like.
God purposefully confused the languages to prevent this from happening before the time set aside for it in the "last days".
Because of computer technology, mankind is once again uniting behind a single language as well as a single world economic, governmental, and religious system.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
attractional
Seeker sensitive is now being rebranded as "attractional"...
interesting, they must have read "The Secret" and are now using the "law of attraction" to draw donors, er, i mean church members...
interesting, they must have read "The Secret" and are now using the "law of attraction" to draw donors, er, i mean church members...
evidence
when you go to court, who do you present the evidence to?
the judge...
when you present evidence of God's existence to unbelievers you elevate them to the position of judge and put God on trial...
according to scripture, the unbeliever already knows in their heart that God exists, they are just suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. (Romans 1:18-20)
our job in defending the faith is to not to join them in their folly (by arguing evidence according to their rules), but instead to demonstrate the foolishness of their folly (Proverbs 26:4-5, 23:9, 29:9; Matthew 7:6 )
the judge...
when you present evidence of God's existence to unbelievers you elevate them to the position of judge and put God on trial...
according to scripture, the unbeliever already knows in their heart that God exists, they are just suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. (Romans 1:18-20)
our job in defending the faith is to not to join them in their folly (by arguing evidence according to their rules), but instead to demonstrate the foolishness of their folly (Proverbs 26:4-5, 23:9, 29:9; Matthew 7:6 )
the place for evidence is to give evidence to believers to help them build their trust of scripture
seeker sensitive?
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:10-12
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Psalm 14:1-3
heretics, apostates, and cultists
Error
Everyone falls in this category on some point. We see through a glass darkly and are in the constant process of learning and making course corrections as we mature spiritually. The key is that we remain teachable and ready to change our minds, beliefs and opinions to conform to scripture under the guidance and discernment of the Holy Spirit. We must be ready to correct or abandon the teaching of any tradition, personality, doctrine, or "revelation" that contradicts the full counsel of God's word.
Heresy
When error becomes doctrine. Have unscriptural views on issues that may not directly interfere with salvation. Considers those who don't agree with their beliefs as being heretics. While they may sow doubt about the inerrancy of scripture and take scripture out of context, they still refer to scripture as the source of their beliefs even though they bend it to conform to their pet doctrines and traditions.
Apostasy
Heresy gone to seed. Heresy to the point that they have departed from the faith to follow traditions of men and doctrines of demons. Their apostate view is the basis of their salvation. While they may refer to scriptures taken out of context, they look to other sources as being equal authority to or higher authority than the Bible. These sources may include "new revelation", "spiritual experiences", traditions, commentaries, ancient wisdom, additional books, authority of an individual (prophet or apostle) or council of elders. Apostates will also change the definitions of commonly used terms so that they sound "mainstream" in their public statements, documents and marketing materials, but then begin to incrementally introduce their true meanings to recruits over time.
Cult
An apostate group that is typically exclusive (they alone know the secret and everyone else is wrong or corrupted), is typically centered around a particular personality who is the ultimate authority, and they typically do not introduce their more controversial doctrines until after a recruit is first initiated into the group. Often will seek to isolate members from those friends and family outside the group.
pastors
it is the job of pastors to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable...
the problem with attracting people with entertainment, you have to keep them with entertainment
if you get worldly people to sit in your audience using worldly methods, they will never stand for the offense of the Gospel
the Bible says that the Lord added to the church, not worldly entertainment and positive thinking
the problem with attracting people with entertainment, you have to keep them with entertainment
if you get worldly people to sit in your audience using worldly methods, they will never stand for the offense of the Gospel
the Bible says that the Lord added to the church, not worldly entertainment and positive thinking
soccer
How often our kids rip out our hearts, kick them around like a soccer ball, and don't give a thought to how it makes us feel.
We are expected to just stand by with the stoic face and keep it together long enough to deal with them -- and then, be there standing by to pick them up when they fall?
How often have we done that to our own parents?
How often have we done that to our Heavenly Father?
Friday, October 19, 2012
carried away into babylon
When Israel turned its back on God, He allowed them to be overthrown by Assyria.
When Judah turned its back on God, He allowed them to be carried away into Babylon.
Being that our nation has turned its back on God, has He allowed us to be carried away into Babylon?
Is that why we have the leaders we do?
Is that why foreign nations now own or control more of our resources and finances than at any other time since we became an independent country?
When Judah turned its back on God, He allowed them to be carried away into Babylon.
Being that our nation has turned its back on God, has He allowed us to be carried away into Babylon?
Is that why we have the leaders we do?
Is that why foreign nations now own or control more of our resources and finances than at any other time since we became an independent country?
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Seventh Day Adventist
Are Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) a Cult?
Most people recognize adventists as being very adamant about observing the Sabbath, from sundown Friday through sundown on Saturday. Many are also typically vegetarian, engage is foot washing, and other traits common to a "works based" view of salvation.
These things are neither forbidden nor supported by scripture as requirements for salvation. While these activities may seem strange to some, these activities by themselves do not necessarily make them a cult.
A quick synopsis from watchman.org:
Adventism: Widespread trans-denominational movement inspired by William Miller's prediction that Jesus' "advent" (return) would take place in 1844. Even after the Great Disappointment (the date's failure), many people in the movement continued to believe. Some suggested revised chronologies and new dates, eventually forming groups such as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Others, notably Hiram Edson and Ellen G. White, suggested that the 1844 date was accurate but that a heavenly (thus invisible) event had taken place. Their teachings became the basis of Seventh-day Adventism, which eventually spawned its own offshoots, including Armstrongism and the Branch Davidians.
Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), Washington, DC: The largest Adventist church. Ellen G. White, who claimed to have "the spirit of prophecy," was an important early leader of the movement and taught a number of distinctive SDA doctrines, including the Investigative Judgment and Sabbatarianism. While the church's official theology now appears to be generally in the tradition of evangelical Christianity, certain SDA claims and unique doctrines continue to raise questions. These doctrines include the SDA belief that Sunday worship will result in the "Mark of the Beast," imbalanced teachings on keeping the commandments (baptism, Sabbath observance) that often implies a kind of salvation by works, the "Remnant Church" doctrine that implies that the SDA is or will be God's only true church, and the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment.
To reiterate, our criteria for a cult:
Things that are critical to Biblical Christianity involve a right understanding of the nature of God, the nature of Jesus, and soteriology or salvation (we are sinners, wages of sin is death, Jesus died in our place, we need to repent and receive what Jesus did for us).
A cult is a perversion of any of those critical doctrines and are typically centered around the exclusivist teachings of a single man or organization. Another common trait goes back to Satan's lie that we can become a god or be like God (Genesis 3:5).
So, to summarize, an examination of a group's beliefs along these points should lead to a conclusion. The more a group strays from scripture on these points (especially points 3 & 4), the more likely it is to be a cult.
1) Authority of Scripture
2) Understanding of God's nature
3) Understanding of who Jesus is
4) Understanding of Salvation
5) Position and destiny of man
So, how does SDA rate based on these critieria?
1) Exclusive Authority of Man (or woman) over scripture
They revere their founding prophetess, Ellen G. White. They believe that her writings are equal with scripture. SDA made this statement in their "Ministry" Magazine of Oct. 1981 and have never retracted it:
"We believe the revelation and inspiration of both the Bible and Ellen White's writings to be of equal quality. The superintendence of the Holy Spirit was just as careful and thorough in one case as in the other".
They not only revere the writings of Ellen G. White as equal to the Bible, but have also published their own version of the Bible, the "Clear Word Bible" that has her doctrines interspersed throughout the scripture as commentary.
They also practice exclusivity in their belief that all other churches are ruled by satan, and that Sunday keeping is the "mark of the beast".
2) Nature of God
At the early onset, they denied the Trinity. They have since changed their official public position on this and now affirm the Triune nature of God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), though it can vary from one fellowship to another.
3) Nature of Jesus
Ellen G. White wrote in Patriarchs and Prophets, page 761, "...He (Jesus) was revealed to them as the Angel of Jehovah, the Captain of the Lord's Host, Michael the Archangel".
While they claim to have changed position on the Trinity, they still have yet to deny Ellen White's belief that Jesus was the angel Michael, a creation of God, rather than God Himself (as one of three members of the Godhead).
4) Salvation
- Jesus on the cross was insufficient, so we have to earn salvation
According to SDA, receiving Christ as your Saviour only forgives your past sins, up to that moment are forgiven. From that point forward you must get to work to earn your salvation. Since Ellen G. White saw the fourth commandment glowing in a vision, sabbath keeping became the litmus test for salvation.
They also believe that Jesus is currently conducting "Investigative Judgement" and has angels recording our every thought and deed for the purpose of determining if we have been good enough to earn salvation.
- Satan pays for our sins
According to the SDA, it will be Satan who will eventually bear your sins! Ellen G. White wrote,
"When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place them upon satan, who, in the execution of the judgment, must bear the final penalty." (The Great Controversy pg 422)
"...so Christ will place all these sins upon Satan, the originator and instigator of sin...so Satan, bearing the guilt of all the sins which he has caused God's people to commit, will be for a thousand years confined to the earth, which will then be desolate...".(The Great Controversy pg 485)
According to the Bible, Christ bore our sins
1 Peter 2:24 says, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree...".
5) Man earns his own salvation
Like any works based religeon, SDA exhalts the works of man above the completed work of Jesus on the Cross.
Other items of note:
Sabbatarianism
Worship on the Sabbath is not a bad thing, but thinking it is something that helps you earn righteousness is. The Bible just says not to forsake gathering ourselves together, it doesn't say when, how, or how often.
Col 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ
Jesus fulfilled the Law and He is our Sabbath rest.
Vegetarianism
Ellen indicated that your very salvation could be dependent on giving up meat . She clearly said that no meat-eaters will be "translated" at Christ's coming (Counsels on Diet and Foods p. 380)
They seem to overlook this verse...
Romans 14:2 "... he who is weak in faith eats vegetables only ..."
Soul Sleep
They say that believers go to soul sleep in the grave until Christ's return.
Philippians 1:23 "I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ".
2 Cor. 5:8 "To be absent from the body (death), and to be present with the Lord." (in heaven).
Ellen G. White was a false Prophetess
-- Recognized by SDA as Prophet
-- Made over 2000 prophecies, the majority of which have been proven false
-- Documented plagiarism of Joseph Smith's LDS writings (The White Lie by Walter Rea)
-- Consulting the Dead (Necromancy): claimed to be in regular communication with dead husband
Conclusion
Seventh Day Adventism is a conflated mishmash of plagarized LDS, Jehovah's witness, and Puritan doctrines. There are a lot of very nice and well meaning people associated with this group, and the leadership and marketing works very hard to appear as just another Christian denomination. However, if they refuse to deny the writings of Ellen G. White they are complicit in a false religeon.
References and resources:
http://www.watchman.org/profile/sdapro.htm
http://mmoutreachinc.com/seventh_day_adventists/sda_facts.html
Most people recognize adventists as being very adamant about observing the Sabbath, from sundown Friday through sundown on Saturday. Many are also typically vegetarian, engage is foot washing, and other traits common to a "works based" view of salvation.
These things are neither forbidden nor supported by scripture as requirements for salvation. While these activities may seem strange to some, these activities by themselves do not necessarily make them a cult.
A quick synopsis from watchman.org:
Adventism: Widespread trans-denominational movement inspired by William Miller's prediction that Jesus' "advent" (return) would take place in 1844. Even after the Great Disappointment (the date's failure), many people in the movement continued to believe. Some suggested revised chronologies and new dates, eventually forming groups such as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Others, notably Hiram Edson and Ellen G. White, suggested that the 1844 date was accurate but that a heavenly (thus invisible) event had taken place. Their teachings became the basis of Seventh-day Adventism, which eventually spawned its own offshoots, including Armstrongism and the Branch Davidians.
Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), Washington, DC: The largest Adventist church. Ellen G. White, who claimed to have "the spirit of prophecy," was an important early leader of the movement and taught a number of distinctive SDA doctrines, including the Investigative Judgment and Sabbatarianism. While the church's official theology now appears to be generally in the tradition of evangelical Christianity, certain SDA claims and unique doctrines continue to raise questions. These doctrines include the SDA belief that Sunday worship will result in the "Mark of the Beast," imbalanced teachings on keeping the commandments (baptism, Sabbath observance) that often implies a kind of salvation by works, the "Remnant Church" doctrine that implies that the SDA is or will be God's only true church, and the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment.
To reiterate, our criteria for a cult:
Things that are critical to Biblical Christianity involve a right understanding of the nature of God, the nature of Jesus, and soteriology or salvation (we are sinners, wages of sin is death, Jesus died in our place, we need to repent and receive what Jesus did for us).
A cult is a perversion of any of those critical doctrines and are typically centered around the exclusivist teachings of a single man or organization. Another common trait goes back to Satan's lie that we can become a god or be like God (Genesis 3:5).
So, to summarize, an examination of a group's beliefs along these points should lead to a conclusion. The more a group strays from scripture on these points (especially points 3 & 4), the more likely it is to be a cult.
1) Authority of Scripture
2) Understanding of God's nature
3) Understanding of who Jesus is
4) Understanding of Salvation
5) Position and destiny of man
So, how does SDA rate based on these critieria?
1) Exclusive Authority of Man (or woman) over scripture
They revere their founding prophetess, Ellen G. White. They believe that her writings are equal with scripture. SDA made this statement in their "Ministry" Magazine of Oct. 1981 and have never retracted it:
"We believe the revelation and inspiration of both the Bible and Ellen White's writings to be of equal quality. The superintendence of the Holy Spirit was just as careful and thorough in one case as in the other".
They not only revere the writings of Ellen G. White as equal to the Bible, but have also published their own version of the Bible, the "Clear Word Bible" that has her doctrines interspersed throughout the scripture as commentary.
They also practice exclusivity in their belief that all other churches are ruled by satan, and that Sunday keeping is the "mark of the beast".
2) Nature of God
At the early onset, they denied the Trinity. They have since changed their official public position on this and now affirm the Triune nature of God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), though it can vary from one fellowship to another.
3) Nature of Jesus
Ellen G. White wrote in Patriarchs and Prophets, page 761, "...He (Jesus) was revealed to them as the Angel of Jehovah, the Captain of the Lord's Host, Michael the Archangel".
While they claim to have changed position on the Trinity, they still have yet to deny Ellen White's belief that Jesus was the angel Michael, a creation of God, rather than God Himself (as one of three members of the Godhead).
4) Salvation
- Jesus on the cross was insufficient, so we have to earn salvation
According to SDA, receiving Christ as your Saviour only forgives your past sins, up to that moment are forgiven. From that point forward you must get to work to earn your salvation. Since Ellen G. White saw the fourth commandment glowing in a vision, sabbath keeping became the litmus test for salvation.
They also believe that Jesus is currently conducting "Investigative Judgement" and has angels recording our every thought and deed for the purpose of determining if we have been good enough to earn salvation.
- Satan pays for our sins
According to the SDA, it will be Satan who will eventually bear your sins! Ellen G. White wrote,
"When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place them upon satan, who, in the execution of the judgment, must bear the final penalty." (The Great Controversy pg 422)
"...so Christ will place all these sins upon Satan, the originator and instigator of sin...so Satan, bearing the guilt of all the sins which he has caused God's people to commit, will be for a thousand years confined to the earth, which will then be desolate...".(The Great Controversy pg 485)
According to the Bible, Christ bore our sins
1 Peter 2:24 says, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree...".
5) Man earns his own salvation
Like any works based religeon, SDA exhalts the works of man above the completed work of Jesus on the Cross.
Other items of note:
Sabbatarianism
Worship on the Sabbath is not a bad thing, but thinking it is something that helps you earn righteousness is. The Bible just says not to forsake gathering ourselves together, it doesn't say when, how, or how often.
Col 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ
Jesus fulfilled the Law and He is our Sabbath rest.
Vegetarianism
Ellen indicated that your very salvation could be dependent on giving up meat . She clearly said that no meat-eaters will be "translated" at Christ's coming (Counsels on Diet and Foods p. 380)
They seem to overlook this verse...
Romans 14:2 "... he who is weak in faith eats vegetables only ..."
Soul Sleep
They say that believers go to soul sleep in the grave until Christ's return.
Philippians 1:23 "I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ".
2 Cor. 5:8 "To be absent from the body (death), and to be present with the Lord." (in heaven).
Ellen G. White was a false Prophetess
-- Recognized by SDA as Prophet
-- Made over 2000 prophecies, the majority of which have been proven false
-- Documented plagiarism of Joseph Smith's LDS writings (The White Lie by Walter Rea)
-- Consulting the Dead (Necromancy): claimed to be in regular communication with dead husband
Conclusion
Seventh Day Adventism is a conflated mishmash of plagarized LDS, Jehovah's witness, and Puritan doctrines. There are a lot of very nice and well meaning people associated with this group, and the leadership and marketing works very hard to appear as just another Christian denomination. However, if they refuse to deny the writings of Ellen G. White they are complicit in a false religeon.
References and resources:
http://www.watchman.org/profile/sdapro.htm
http://mmoutreachinc.com/seventh_day_adventists/sda_facts.html
no private interpretation
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Beware when any say they have an exclusive on God's "truth". Gnostics are famous for luring people in with promises of "hidden" knowledge and access secrets.
The wisdom of God is a gift that is free for the asking.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Also, God's word is open to all who seek after it...
Luke 11:9 And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.
Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Beware when any say they have an exclusive on God's "truth". Gnostics are famous for luring people in with promises of "hidden" knowledge and access secrets.
The wisdom of God is a gift that is free for the asking.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Also, God's word is open to all who seek after it...
Luke 11:9 And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.
Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Monday, October 15, 2012
The Lord your God proves you
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke to you, saying, "Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them;"
You shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proves you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deut 13:1-3
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Cor 11:14
But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
Gal 1:8
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Cor 11:14
But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
Gal 1:8
contrary doctrine
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” – Romans 16:17-18
Whenever I speak the truth in love and identify false doctrine, I'm often accused of being divisive and part of this verse is quoted out of context: "Mark them which cause divisions".
Note however, the divisive ones are those who are touting the contrary doctrine and using flattery to tickle ears and win hearts away from the truth.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
Whenever I speak the truth in love and identify false doctrine, I'm often accused of being divisive and part of this verse is quoted out of context: "Mark them which cause divisions".
Note however, the divisive ones are those who are touting the contrary doctrine and using flattery to tickle ears and win hearts away from the truth.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
the bride
Genesis 2:20-24
And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
And Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Notice how this is a foreshadow of Messiah, the second Adam (1Cor 15:45-47) and the "Bride of Christ" (Eph 5:22-33):
1) The "deep sleep" foreshadows Jesus's death
2) There is a wound in the side
3) Out of that wound a Bride is made (rib -> Eve; blood -> the congregation of believers)
4) The Bride is brought to Adam
Friday, October 12, 2012
same color
We are all the same color, brown. We just all have different levels of melanin in our skin.
There is only one race, the human race. Race is a concept born out of a mistaken and unfounded belief in evolution.
We are all of one blood, one family. We are all descendants Noah, and further back, all descendants of Adam.
Through one man (Adam) sin and death entered the world and in this way death came to all people.
Through one man (Jesus) we are justified and we can be born again into life; and, for those who receive this free gift, we are all of one "body" in Messiah. (Rom 5:12-20; 1Cor 12:12-20)
There is only one race, the human race. Race is a concept born out of a mistaken and unfounded belief in evolution.
We are all of one blood, one family. We are all descendants Noah, and further back, all descendants of Adam.
Through one man (Adam) sin and death entered the world and in this way death came to all people.
Through one man (Jesus) we are justified and we can be born again into life; and, for those who receive this free gift, we are all of one "body" in Messiah. (Rom 5:12-20; 1Cor 12:12-20)
Armstrongism
I recently had some conversations concerning Armstrongism and the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) and here is some of the background concerning it.
The WCG was basically a cult up until the years following 1986 (after H.W. Armstrong died) when they began changing their doctrines to conform to more biblical doctrines and practices.
The modern WCG (now known as Grace Communion International) can no longer be considered a cult -- at least according to their public doctrinal statements.
Things that are critical to Biblical Christianity involve a right understanding of the nature of God, the nature of Jesus, and soteriology (we are sinners, wages of sin is death, Jesus died in our place, we need to repent and receive what Jesus did for us).
A cult is a perversion of any of those critical doctrines and are typically centered around the exclusive teachings of a single man or organization. Another common trait goes back to Satan's lie that we can become a god or be like God (Genesis 3:5).
Other issues are good topics for study and discussion, but disagreement on those issues does not make for a cult or a reason to break fellowship.
What made Armstrong's WCG a cult was their unbiblical understanding of 1) the nature of God, 2) that man can become God, and 3) exalting the authority of a single man above scripture.
They believed that Armstrong was "The Apostle", the second coming of Elijah and that the Bible and all other churches had been perverted over time and that ONLY Armstrong and ONLY the WCG knew the truth. Armstrong had the ultimate authority in the same way that the Pope is considered to have the ultimate authority over Catholicism.
They believed that man was completely mortal (do not possess an immortal soul).
They believed in the "Family of God", that the Godhead started out as God the Father and God the Son and that men can be "born again" into this family after the resurrection and become part of God.
Some family members (including myself) were reading WCG materials back in the 80's and we recently had some discussions about it.
One of the possible holdovers from the WCG that I did have a conversation about, was annihilation.
Annihilation is the belief that when unbelievers are thrown in the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:14-15) they cease to exist. It is something I believed for years, but repented of it when confronted with the truth in the Bible.
Annihilation, while not necessarily what I would call "heresy" or a "salvation issue", it is not supported by the Bible.
Folks usually justify the belief by saying "God is so loving, He wouldn't punish someone forever...". There are many answers to this, here are two quickies: 1) God created hell for Satan and his angels (Matt 25:41); 2) Our offense is against and Eternal God
There are also many scriptures (including Jesus' own words) that talk about an eternal hell (Matt 18:8; 2 Thess. 1:9; Jude 1:7, 12-13; Rev 19:3; Rev 20:10)
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (Matt. 25:46)
(More info here: http://carm.org/hell-eternal)
In any case, my intention is to inform and motivate folks to do their own research. Don't believe me, read the Bible and trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide to truth.
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