Adventist Alternative
A Special Production of Good Hope Institute
P.O. Box 546, Apple Valley, CA 92307, E-mail: radiogoodhope@yahoo.com
Distribution goal: 1 million copies
General use of Bible verses from the Kings James Version
Adventist Alternative
A Special Production of Good Hope Institute
P.O. Box 546, Apple Valley, CA 92307, E-mail: radiogoodhope@yahoo.
General use of Bible verses from the Kings James Version
Pieter Erens Barkhuizen, Th.D
Table of Contents
Foreword 3
Chapter
1. The Gospel and Judgment of God 7
2. The Mystery of the Family of God 36
3. God's Blueprint for Salvation 57
4. Time of the Great Harvest 63
5. Equal Opportunity For All! 73
6. No one goes to Heaven …… 77
7. “The Testimony of Jesus” 85
8. Adventist Alternative 88
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FOREWORD
(And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32)
In an effort to restrain the current membership-loss from the Seventh-dayAdventist Alternative
A Special Production of Good Hope Institute
P.O. Box 546, Apple Valley, CA 92307, E-mail: radiogoodhope@yahoo.
General use of Bible verses from the Kings James Version
Pieter Erens Barkhuizen, Th.D
Table of Contents
Foreword 3
Chapter
1. The Gospel and Judgment of God 7
2. The Mystery of the Family of God 36
3. God's Blueprint for Salvation 57
4. Time of the Great Harvest 63
5. Equal Opportunity For All! 73
6. No one goes to Heaven …… 77
7. “The Testimony of Jesus” 85
8. Adventist Alternative 88
2
FOREWORD
(And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32)
In an effort to restrain the current membership-loss from the Seventh-day
Adventist church, I have spent two years researching THE REASONS WHY
people are transitioning out of the church we love so much.
As part of this process, I have consulted thousands of resources that
included personal interviews with former, as well as disgruntled and "regular"
Adventists, Web-sites, Forums, Books, Articles, etc. I engaged this research only
after I followed denominational protocol and sent requests to the NAD and
General Conference…which were completely ignored.
In Adventist World-NAD, June 2007, on page 6, vice presidents Cooper and
Finley reported that “from 2000 to 2005, nearly 1.4 million members walked out
the back door and left the church.”
And the following quote is from an article by GC Ministerial Director, the
late Dr. James Cress, in Ministry, February 2009, page 28: “In North America
alone, nearly 300,000 members officially have been removed (and not because of
death) from our membership in the past 20 years. That total equals 40 percent
of our total membership at the beginning of these two decades – a tragedy of
greatest proportions, especially when we have not maintained even basic
information like a mail or telephone contact. This equals a total loss similar to
that of the ten largest conferences in the division simply disappearing”. Most
SDA’s live outside the USA.
Of the approximately 15 million Adventists, according to the Cress-model, less
than half million are in North America (“on the books”). Of these members, only
50% or about 200-250k actively attend church services on any given Sabbath in
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North America. The major member-losses occur in Africa, Europe, South America
and other Third World Countries.
It is a known fact, that members are leaving the Adventist church at the
rate of thousands per month, worldwide! Many of those are gravitating to other
Sabbatarian denominations, Home churches, previous churches and support
protest-organizations such as Good Hope Institute.
My limited, raw-statistical-findings, indicate that adult members leave the
Adventist church for apparently two major reasons: Sociological and Theological.
In churches such as Trinity Community Church in Redlands, California, I have
discovered that of the many former Adventists who joined that (Sunday-keeping)
church, probably 95% left the SDA ranks because of Theological issues,
particularly, the pre-Advent, Investigative Judgment.
One of the main factors for this phenomenon seems to be the unrestricted
access members have to the Internet. Search engines will offer more than 3
million Web-sites if you Google "Sabbath". For "Millennium" and "Investigative
Judgment", the number of links is even greater!
Other researchers may want to explore the Sociological factors; I have
decided to address the Theological issues.
The most identified "problem doctrines" are the Investigative Judgment,
Trinity, Heavenly Millennium, and also "The Testimony of Jesus", or the
position Adventists hold regarding Ellen G. White.
This document is not written in a scholarly language, but rather for the
casual reader to easily understand. I have chosen to employ the method of
grammatico-historical exegesis, the most basic method of Bible Study since the
time of the Protestant Reformation.
My approach was to study these doctrines from a Biblical perspective alone,
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without any reference to outside resources, unless to clarify the origin of some
clearly defined theological concepts or in support of selected archaeological
discoveries.
Before I released the original Manuscript, I submitted copies to a number of
theologians, scholars, ministers, and a cross-section of selected members in
different countries of the world. They were invited to respond with their
confidential comments and criticism. My biggest personal surprise was that I
have not received ONE effort to disprove any of my positions with
counter-Biblical evidences, during the time of about 6 months I allowed for
perusal and comments.
Many actually AFFIRMED my positions, while expressing personal concern
and fear to “come out of the closet” with their own convictions.
Releasing this (edited) Manuscript to the general membership of the SDA
church, is without question, one of the most difficult and painful experiences of
my life. I fully realize that I am putting my name and reputation "on the line" and
that I will be severely criticized, with the stark possibility of having to sacrifice
my ministerial credentials and church membership.
If I were not absolutely convinced of the prompting of God's Holy Spirit,
this would have been impossible to execute. During this process, I discovered how
I have personally taught "truth mixed with error", even though it was not
deliberate or pre-meditated.
As Conference Evangelist, over a period of about 20 years, I have conducted
more than 150 Public Crusades in South Africa, England, Eastern Europe, all over
the United States, and seen around 4000 souls baptized. This Manuscript is
therefore also a confession of my own misunderstandings, and sincere effort to
“set the record straight”.
Here are two secrets for consideration as you formulate and
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confirm your personal belief system:
A. be absolutely HONEST and make your OWN, personal decisions,
based on Scripture ALONE.
B. do not be afraid of what your family or church friends might say if
you believe differently than they do.
May God bless you as you journey with me with an open heart and
mind.
Pieter Erens Barkhuizen, Th.D
CHAPTER 1
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The Gospel and Judgment of God
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have
received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in
vain.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians
1 5:1-4
God created us so that we could have
continual fellowship with Him. However, when sin entered, this intimate
relationship between man and God changed.
The Gospel is the Good News of the death,
burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that provides full and free deliverance
from the power and penalty of sin. Eternal life is promised to those who accept
this provision!
The sinful nature Adam acquired through
his disobedience was generically passed down to all humans, including you! Because
of this inherited sin-nature, we all sin. This is what separates us from God.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all
men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12
We are all sinners and we cannot save
ourselves; even our best works and offerings have no saving merit… But there is
hope: The Gospel!
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
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God the Father did not give up on us, but
demonstrated His great love for us by offering His very own Son, Jesus, as a
sacrifice – to be crucified in our place.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans
5:8
Jesus bridged the gap by His atoning,
sacrificial death on the cross.
In the Old Testament, the lamb-offerings
pointed forward to the time when Jesus as the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God,
would take upon Himself the just punishment of every sinner who ever lived on the
earth.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
The apostles taught that salvation is by
the grace of God alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Eph. 2:8-10, Titus
3:4-7, Romans 4:3-5; 10:5-13). They were uncompromising in this message, and
condemned all attempts by others to add anything to or subtract anything from it.
There are some religious groups who
indeed teach that Jesus’ death on the cross was not enough to pay for all our sins
and we have to perform certain good works in order to be saved – or at least to
“maintain” or “supplement” our salvation.
This is contrary to what the Bible teaches.
Jesus announced from the cross, “It is finished”. (John 19:30) The Battle is
OVER!
The Greek word is tetelestai, which implies PAID IN FULL!
Our sins were paid for completely, rather than just a down payment being
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made. Jesus secured our full salvation without any help from our side. He paid
for all sins – past, present, and future! This includes YOURS!
Atonement was executed once for all on
the cross, and the full price was paid at that time. It was a complete gift with no
part left for sinners to work off or pay for. This is a vital point for Adventists to
understand.
Jesus is not a potential Savior, but a very present Savior!
Ephesians 2:8, 9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Does this mean that we should not be concerned about ANY works?
Please read with me Revelation 22:12
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall
be."
Have you noticed that this verse speaks of "work" singular, and not "works"
plural? John wrote this verse about four years before he wrote his Gospel of
John. I believe he would be the best person to ask the meaning of the word
"work". For that definition, let's read John 6:28, 29
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
Therefore, the best WORK for the Christian to be engaged in, is more clearly
defined in John 3:36
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life ;
but the wrath of God abideth on him"
When you confess your sins to God, He
forgives you instantly, and completely, 1 John 1:9. No sin-records will ever be
stored up in heaven!
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God does not keep a record of your sins;
He removes them far away from you; God does not remember your sins anymore;
your sins are blotted out like a thick cloud; and your sins are thrown into the
depths of the sea; never to be held against you anymore. (Psalm 103:12; 130:3-4;
Ezek. 33:16; Isaiah 44:22; Micah 7:19) Please read and mark these verses in your
Bible.
The Bible teaches that the blood of Jesus
cleanses us from ALL sin (1 John 1:7). When you truly accept the forgiveness so
freely offered by God, you will simply not be able to prevent yourself from loving
Him in return. Empowered by God's Spirit, your love response will agree with John
14:15.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments”
You will begin to bear good fruit – and if
ever you should slip or fall, or yes, even sin again, He will be right there to help
you up – He will never abandon or cast you away from Him. My favorite Bibleverse
is John 6:37b,
“ …….. and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
We are reminded in Hebrews 13:5 – “ I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Isn’t the love of Jesus something wonderful!
What is the base-requirement for sinners
to participate in the Plan of Redemption?
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
When you have accepted this gift of
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eternal life through His indwelling Spirit, your life will automatically begin to
focus on the goodness and glory of God - you will love to grow into the likeness of
Jesus, and naturally desire to do what is pleasing to Him. Your "good works" are
the RESULT OF salvation; not a pre-requisite FOR salvation! ONLY the blood of
Jesus Christ has any SAVING MERIT! A free gift never REQUIRES a returnfavor!
You should never feel that you have lost
your salvation because you have committed any sin out of weakness. Simply
repent, confess your sin, accept the Lord’s promise of forgiveness, and you’re
back on your feet! Your salvation is guaranteed and assured. Once saved, YOU are
the only one who can ever make the fateful decision to turn your back on God.
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that
ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:11-13
If you have not yet accepted Jesus as
your personal Savior and Lord, please accept His free gift of salvation RIGHT
NOW! There may never be a more convenient time. Simply pray this little prayer
with me: Dear Father-God in Heaven, I confess that I am a sinner and that I
cannot help myself. I accept Your gift of Your Son Jesus, who died in my place.
Because You have forgiven all my sins, I am right now giving the rest of my life to
You. Do with me as You know best, and guide me with Your Spirit. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer,
CONGRATULATIONS! A new name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Your
sins are covered with the blood, on the cross of Calvary - as far removed as night
is from day …… The promise of God’s forgetfulness is given just for you. Praise
Him! Your sins are gone!
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Psalm 103:12 - “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from
us.”
The Bible says our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west, not
as far as the south is from the north! If you really want to, you CAN reach the
South or North poles, BUT when you travel west, you will never reach “west” – you
will be traveling forever. Likewise your sins will always be behind you. It is gone!
Do you accept this proposition?
When sinners hear, understand, and
accept the Gospel, they immediately receive the verdict of “not guilty” through
imputation of the merits of Jesus. Refusing the gift of the gospel, will mean that
they simply judged themselves unworthy of eternal life (Acts 13:46). Please read
this!
The righteous has a High Priest who is also
their Advocate and Judge, and who is right now in the process of ministering the
efficaciousness of His blood. When the saints are resurrected at the second
coming, there will be no judgment. The “books of record” is simply the memory of
God, and He has allowed the “sins of His people” to be blotted out from His mind
instantaneously by the blood of His Son. He will “remember them no more”.
Personally, I have not reached the state that I sin no longer, but I have reached
the stage that I no longer enjoy the sin I commit!
Adventists do not believe in an “Exclusive
Forensic Justification”, but in an “Effective Forensic Justification”. This explains
why many Adventist ministers teach a Christ- PLUS -Works Gospel. Not all
Adventists accept the official teaching of a pending evaluation called
“Investigative Judgment”.
An Exclusive Forensic Justification means
that the believer depends entirely upon the righteousness of Christ for holiness
and perfection with God, and Christ’s death on the Cross for his reconciliation or
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at-one-ment with the Father, EXCLUSIVELY! Christ PLUS NOTHING! Romans
5:9-11, 18, 19. This is the platform on which I personally stand – (like Melanchton,
Luther, et al).
Effective Forensic Justification was
made a church doctrine at the Council of Trent, and is still standard Roman
Catholic Church doctrine today!
The notion is promulgated that we can
participate in the very “life of God”, and we are introduced into the “intimacy of
Trinitarian life”. Christians, in whom the Spirit dwells, are regarded as being
“DIVINIZED”! (St. Athanasius, Ep. Serap. 1,24, pp 481-483k see 2000 edition of
the Catholic Catechism). This Christ PLUS Justification amounts to a process
called self-transcendence or DEIFICATION – becoming LIKE God! Herein lies
the ultimate danger of the Trinity-belief….. discussed in next chapter.
Here is a quotation from Mrs. E.G. White,
R&H, June 18, 1904 – “Christ became one with us in order that we might become
one with Him in DIVINITY!”
Now for the statement of St. Athanasius:
“For the Son of God became man so that we might become God”. Also a word from
St. Thomas Aquinas: “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us share in
His DIVINITY, assumed our nature, so that He, made man, might make men Gods.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, 2000, p. 116.
According to Sister White, “humanity,
combined with DIVINITY, DOES NOT COMMIT SIN!” The Ministry of Healing,
p. 180
“Everyone must be TESTED and found
WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE or any such thing!” Great Controversy, p. 490
Note the implication: Mankind accordingly achieves the supernatural through the
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interior working of the “Triune Godhead”, whereby mankind is adopted to become
PART OF DEITY. That can NEVER happen! Are we in agreement?
Many Adventists live in terror of the secret tribunal of the “Investigative
Judgment” when at any time their case may come up for eternal life or eternal
death! Here is the OFFICIAL SDA statement/belief:
“As the books of record are opened in the Judgment, the lives of all who
have believed in Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first
lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive
generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned,
every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected.” The
Great Controversy (1888 edition) p.483 How do you respond to this?
Accordingly, Adventists may “feel” saved, but the “judgment” is not over yet!
Did you know that this is what Seventh- day Adventists believe? No SDA can
ever have the full assurance of salvation, because no one knows “if your name has
come up yet” and what the final verdict was!
In 2 Tim. 2:19, we read “The Lord knoweth them that are His”. Do you
believe God needs 156 years to figure out and decide who is saved and who is lost?
Please read John 5:24. Accept this BIBLE -TRUTH, and be set FREE!
Ellen White further writes: “Those only who through faith in Christ obey all
of God’s commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam
lived before his transgression.” MS 122, 1901 - also quoted in SDA BC Vol. 6, p.
111 (see 1 John 1:8,10) Have YOU achieved this? Neither have I! My hope is
built on nothing less – than Jesus Christ and HIS righteousness. Imputed and
freely given to you and me!
No wonder that so many Adventists, young and old, when they discover what
Mrs. White REALLY taught, leave the church, never to return.
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Here is another absurdity: “God requires PERFECTION in His children.
Humanity and DIVINITY COMBINED can obey every one of God’s precepts.”
Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 314-315. “What Christ was in His PERFECT humanity,
WE MUST BE!” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 173. I don’t
know about you, but I cannot make it! What about the free gift! God does NOT
require us to pre-qualify for His FREE GIFT!
Isaiah 64:6 – “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags …..” Only in Christ is found our sinless perfection! NOWHERE
ELSE! The question is, do YOU believe this?
These statements by Sister White, with a strong bias toward
Perfectionism, are all built on the foundation of Trinitarianism. Trinitarianism and
Perfectionism are inseparable, like co-joined twins. Here is the reasoning: If
Christ, as the Divine Son of God, came from heaven, blending His Divinity with our
humanity, then, in order to follow his example, we need to allow our humanity to be
clothed with His Divinity in order to live without sinning. Christians are thusly
locked into what theologians call, THEOSIS, where men become partakers in the
life of the Godhead. However, humanity can NEVER be elevated to the level of
DEITY, at most only higher than the angels! Jesus died to SAVE sinners, not to
make them part of DEITY! Adam and Eve were not created as DIVINE human
beings!
Hosea 11:9 – “I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not
return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man ….. “
God is not a man, and never will be! Neither is any man God, and never will
be! The idea of “man becoming as God is”, is the hallmark of Mormonism!
It dawned on me that God the Father
hurts with us, knowing that we had no choice to be born on the wrong planet and
for that matter born at all! God also knows that we have inherited our sinful
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natures without ever having had opportunity to choose for ourselves. The GIFT
OF GOD is full and complete, and provides immediate FORGIVENESS of ALL our
sins, including the gift of ETERNAL LIFE! How does God do that?
Colossians 2:13, 14 - “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he
quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of
ordinances that was against us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”
Contrary to the popular belief that the law
was nailed to the cross in Colossians 2:14, this view has no theological foundation.
In fact, in the entire epistle to the Colossians, the word Law (Gr. Nomos), is not
used at all! The context for verse 14 is found in verse 13, which speaks of the
completeness of God’s forgiveness. The negating of any law would make no
contribution to this great truth. What was nailed to the cross were ‘the charges
that were against us’ (Contemporary English Version). The Afrikaans
Multivertaling Bybel, uses the word skuldbrief (letter of debt). The Greek,
cheirographon, seems to confirm this view, implying the record book of sin. Not
the moral or ceremonial law, but a list of all your sins and mine, was FOREVER
wiped out! This is the glory of the Gospel! “Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe.”
Yes, it happened right there and then AT THE CROSS! No further atonement is
ever needed.. it is FINISHED!
I realized that God WANTS to do
everything possible to SAVE me. That is why God had GIVEN His only begotten
Son to us. Many argue about WHO KILLED JESUS. Was it the Romans or the
Jews? The answer is, NEITHER. God OFFERED Jesus as a sacrifice – to
purchase our redemption. Do you remember the story of Abraham and Isaac?
Abraham was just about ready to take the life of his son when God provided a
substitute. God the Father had a different experience. When the time came for
Him to sacrifice Jesus, there was NO SUBSTITUTE! What Abraham did not have
to do, God HAD DONE !
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I believe that, if God GAVE HIS VERY
BEST in order to save me – He most certainly is not going to try to keep me out of
Heaven. Listen my friend: it is much easier to be saved than some legalists want
you to believe. When we come to Christ, He is aware of our background of more
than 6,000 years of sin – and He knows the devil is not retired – and will keep on
tempting us, and tempting us, and tempting us, and …… However, Jesus allows us a
lot of space to grow and develop. The truth of the matter and the glory of the
gospel is this: I am not lost every time I sin. Why not? Because HIS perfect
lifetime record of sinless perfection stands in place of my imperfect lifetime
record, and God sees me as if I had never ever sinned! You are declared to be
INNOCENT and receive a STANDING of PERFECTION on the spot! You are
REGARDED to be perfect. Praise God!
John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment*); but is passed from death unto
life.”
*The word “condemnation”, properly translated from the Greek Krisin, is the word
“judgment”. YOUR judgment is OVER! Are we in agreement?
The Basis for God’s Judgment:
I grew up believing that if you were
“good”, you go to heaven right away when you die. On the other hand if you were
“bad”, you go directly to hell to begin your forever burning. By the way, I have
never been to a funeral where the preacher said: “Sorry to say but we all know
how brother Jack lived, he is in hell right now!” Everyone is always “safely resting
in the arms of Jesus”, or “became an angel.”
There are many opinions regarding the
judgment of God. Christians have many different views on this because of selfinterpretation
of the Scriptures and an unwillingness to accept the plain teaching
of the Bible on this doctrine. Traditionally, like I have mentioned before,
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Seventh-day Adventists believe in an “Investigative Judgment” which started
some time in Heaven in 1844. It is described as “the center pillar of the advent
faith” (GC p409). According to this belief, lifetime-records of all confessing
Christians (including Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Dutch
Reformers, Anglicans, etc.) will be examined to determine if their good works
match their Christian confession. ONLY AT THAT TIME some Christians will be
accepted, others rejected. Accordingly, no one can NOW be sure of salvation!
Other extra-celestial beings will apparently be keen observers of this unique
process of judgment. Adventist understanding is that ultimately the “on watching
universe” and “angels” will be the judge of the fairness of God, as well as the
salvation of anyone who ever claimed the gift of God! We are WRONG when we
teach the destructive view that our good works have any saving merit! It is all BY
GRACE! Do you agree?
Before we look at what the Bible teaches,
we may want to make a theological evaluation of this unbiblical teaching which has
robbed millions of the assurance of salvation, and has become the main reason why
so many are leaving the SDA church today. It all centers on an incorrect
interpretation of Daniel 8:14:
“And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
This verse is used as “proof text” for the
Investigative Judgment of Christians – that presumably began on October 22,
1844. However, the references in Daniel 7 and 8 refer to a punitive judgment to
befall the pagan power, symbolized by the blasphemous “horn” from which true
Christians are delivered, and has absolutely no reference to a coming
“Investigative Judgment”. Please read Daniel 7 and 8.
Daniel 7 and “the Ancient of Days”
During Daniel’s vision, we notice a “cosmic
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interchange” when the scene moves from earth to God’s Heavenly Throne Room
and Angelic Council.
Many Adventists believe that the
judgment of “the Ancient of Days” refers to an Investigative Judgment that
commenced in 1844. That notion is totally unfounded and out of context. Those
passages refer to God’s dealing with the Antichrist Beast in the last days, as well
as the Earthly Millennial period when the saints will rule (judge) with Christ….
(more details later on).
It also refers to the time when Jesus was
“brought before” His Father after his ascension, and His rightful position next to
His Father on the throne was restored. From then on, Jesus is also seen as “the
Ancient of Days”. (Philippians 2:6-9)
The term, “the Ancient of Days”, is applied
to God the Father AS WELL AS His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Please read the
following three references: Daniel 7:9,10 (compare with the Revelation 20:4,12
millennial judgments); Daniel 7: 13,14 (this is a clear reference to the ascension
of Christ, directly into the presence of the Father); Daniel 7:21,22 (please
compare these verses to Revelation 17:14 and 19:11-15 – the interlude to Christ’s
Millennial reign). More detailed discussion a little later…
Protestant scholars are in consensual
agreement that the theme of the book of Daniel is captivity and restoration…
occurring ON EARTH! God is in FULL CONTROL of the up-rise and downfall of
the nations.
Daniel 8:14
Before we exegete Daniel 8:14, we need
to look at the CONTEXT which we find in the preceding verses. In Daniel 8:9, we
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read about the real “trouble-maker”, the little horn. Up to v. 14 the record
expands on his path of destruction, including trotting down the sanctuary (v.13).
We will have to research history and find who “fits the bill”. Who is the “little
horn” who causes all the trouble – even defiling the very earthly sanctuary of
God? (Please note: it was the transgressions of the LITTLE HORN that defiled
the sanctuary – not the sins of the people. And the sanctuary is, contextually, an
earthly one). There is absolutely no connection to the Leviticus 16 ritual cleansing.
Please think this through for a moment.
Let’s look at the context after Daniel
8:14. Daniel receives a revelation or interpretation from Gabriel as to the true
meaning of this vision. Gabriel identifies the participating countries or kingdoms.
But notice in v. 23 the little horn is a King, not a Kingdom! Verses 24 and 25
explain the power and deeds of this little horn.
History confirms that Antiochus
Epiphanes was the ruler of the down-sized Greco-Macedonian Empire. He
conquered Jerusalem in a peaceful-diplomatic manner, without taking up any arms.
Once in power, he killed his opposing political party. Then he plundered the city
and the temple, and placed an idol (Zeus) upon the altar after he sacrificed a pig
on it, thusly defiling the temple. This occurred in 168 BC. Incidentally, he changed
the idol’s face to look like his own. He then forced the Jews to build idol altars,
and outlawed circumcision, and the Sabbath. Many mothers, who allowed their
sons to be circumcised, were crucified. In fact, mothers and sons were both
killed. Those found with any Scripture manuscripts in their possession, were also
killed.
On one occasion, Antiochus wanted to get
a prominent citizen to be first to sacrifice a pig on the temple-altar. Mattathias
was chosen, but he refused to perform the ritual. Another Jew took his place,
and the sacrifice was made. When Mattathias saw this, he and his sons killed the
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man and some other followers of Antiochus. Then they fled into the desert.
Others fled with them, and a number were later killed by the military. Some
however, escaped and became scattered.
The temple of God had eventually been
deserted for more than three years, but a new day was dawning. Judas, the son
of Mattathias, took over the temple and purified it (restored it to its original
condition) and as a perpetual memorial instituted the Feast of Dedication (John
10:22,23). Antiochus died in 164 BC (he became insane), 3 ½ years after he set up
the abominable idol and defiled the temple. His grave is at Mount Nimrod
(Hemrut Dagi ) in Southeast Turkey.
The Daniel 8:25 passage shows that the
judgment is a destruction of God’s enemies, rather than a person-to-person
judicial process of the Redeemed, as some assume.
“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in
his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he
shall be broken without hand.”
Antiochus Epiphanes indeed died a nonviolent
death of insanity. Many stories are told about his horrible physical
condition when no one wanted to come near him because of the intolerable stench
of his rotten flesh. Worms literally crawled out of his body. Now something
MOST IMPORTANT:
Jesus confirms the correct interpretation of Daniel 8:14, and nullifies any idea of
a Heavenly Investigative Judgment that commenced in 1844:
John 10:22, 23 – “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus
walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.”
Here we read that Jesus celebrated the Feast of Dedication, also known as
the Feast of Lights, or the Jewish Feast Day, called Hanukkah. When you try to
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research these verses, you will find no further reference to the Feast of
Dedication (Hanukkah) in the Bible. Even when you consult the writings of Ellen G.
White, there is no commentary! We are thusly forced to look at extra-Biblical
resources for the answer. Do you agree?
I recommend to the reader to do your own research: Simply Google on your
computer the words – “Wikipedia on Hanukkah, John 10:22,23.” Apart from
sparring with different dates and the numbers-game, the Feast of Dedication
confirms to me personally, that the role of Antiochus Epiphanus, culminating in
the restoration performed by Judas Maccabeus, could be the most probable
explanation for what we read in Daniel 8:14.
The record is clear that Jesus
participated in a feast instituted by Judas Maccabeus, to celebrate the time when
the Sanctuary was “properly restored”. (Daniel 8:14 NASB) Wikipedia offers an
excellent historical record, referring to the book of Maccabees, explaining in
detail why this Feast was also known as the Feast of Lights, and is still celebrated
today by the Jews, as the Feast of Hanukkah… Simply consult any JEWISH
RABBI!
In the earthly sanctuary, there were two
types of services, and both typified the same atoning sacrifice of Jesus. These
two services (daily and yearly) did not point to two different ministries in heaven,
but they were simply two “teaching mechanisms” teaching the SAME thing! During
the daily service the participants came as individuals. In the yearly service, the
congregation came as a corporate body to witness the atonement –experience.
The blood was the same; in both instances it symbolized the cleansing blood of
Christ. That blood can still today, make the vilest sinner clean!
Hebrews 9:26 - “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once
in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
The truth of the matter is that the final
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ATONEMENT has been COMPLETED at the cross! There is not, and cannot be
another atonement where sins can be forgiven or wiped out more completely than
what happened at the cross. To teach anything to the contrary, would rob
Christians of the assurance of their salvation. No sins were ever "piled up" in
God's holy abode to be "cleansed" in 1844. That is NOT what the Bible teaches!
Full forgiveness is granted to helpless
sinners like me IMMEDIATELY when confession and repentance are made. You
may have the immediate assurance that you are NOT under any condemnation or
judgment.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
Also read Hebrews 9:26, 10:14; 1 John 1:9;
John 5:24. The imputed righteousness of Jesus in your life is the only
requirement you need for everlasting life. John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on
the Son hath (present tense) everlasting life:” YOU may be SURE of your
salvation!
Jesus, our Substitute, was judged for us.
We do not need to be further investigated. We plead guilty, and have accepted
our Substitute Who stands in our place. If anyone wants to question God’s
judgment, let them investigate …… Jesus! Do not allow ANYONE to confuse you
on this!
There are a number of theological reasons
why we cannot accept the incorrect teaching of a pre-advent Investigative
Judgment:
In the New Testament is no
reference to any other future heavenly ministry of Jesus other than what He
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commenced with at His ascension.
Scripture does not teach or imply a two-phase ministry in heaven. The
heavenly, once-for-all High Priestly ministry of Jesus is in direct contrast with
the regular, earthly High Priest sanctuary services. Not the same but
DIFFERENT and BETTER and CONTINUALLY!
At Jesus’ ascension no heavenly two-apartment sanctuary separated by a veil,
existed. He went DIRECTLY into the presence of God the Father. Hebrews 9:24,
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into
heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Jesus was already in the presence of the
Father when these words were penned around AD 95.
Hebrews 9:12,
“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy
place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
Also read Hebrews 10:19.
The rending of the veil at Jesus’ death
terminated the earthly sanctuary service and assured us direct access to the
Father.
The very body of Christ replaced the veil.
In salvation history, the Cross of Calvary is of paramount importance! A complete
atonement!
Hebrews 10:20 - “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to
say, his flesh;”
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Many Seventh-day Adventists do not
understand that when the earthly tabernacle-veil was torn from top to bottom
at the crucifixion of Jesus, it symbolized the fact that there is now no
restriction to the very throne and presence of God the Father. Jesus removed
the veil, and it is wrong to teach that we need to present our good works and
offerings to be "mixed" with the blood of Jesus to pay a "toll-gate-fee" in order
to enter through the veil. The FACT is, there is no veil in Heaven! Read in Early
Writings, P.54-56 how E. G. White puts Satan next to Jesus' throne, breathing
"light and much power" on God's children! Do YOU believe that? In fact, in the
same book, on p.261, she says that, unless the “nominal churches” offer their
prayers to the right “apartment”, their prayers are in vain and SATAN directs
their minds to HIMSELF!
The writer of the book of Hebrews points
out differences rather than similarities between the earthly and heavenly
mediations. For instance, Jesus did not go in and out and in and out of Heaven, but
entered once. The earthly sanctuary was simply a teaching mechanism of what
Jesus would do in His role as Heavenly High Priest. Instead of bringing animal
sacrifices on a daily basis to church, we can now pray directly to God the Father
through the Mediatorship of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There is
no veil in Heaven, neither is there any record of any sins in Heaven. As we bring
our confessions of sin through prayer to our Heavenly High Priest, those sins are
immediately blotted out – paid in full by the blood of the Lamb! Your sins are
under the Blood of the Lamb.. You ARE Saved! Jesus’ blood did NOT
carry our sins into heaven! it CLEANSES us NOW!
The main function of the earthly veil was
to protect the Priests in their daily services from being consumed by the
Shechinah glory or Holy Spirit-presence of YAHWEH in the Most Holy Place. The
simple teaching was that sinners could not approach God the Father except
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through Jesus Christ.
There is no established theological basis
or authority for changing the 2,300 days of Daniel 8:14 into 2300 years. There
simply is no “year for a day” principle established in Scripture! In Numbers 14:34,
God pronounced a judgment of 40 years upon Israel’s unbelief to correspond with
the 40 days in Canaan. This was clearly stated. There is no possible association
of the 40- year judgment of Numbers with the prophecy of Daniel 8. It cannot
be done! Same with the Ezekiel 4:5, 6 pericope. No ESTABLISHED rule!
Some want to apply a “year-day” principle to Daniel 8 because it seems to
work in Daniel 9, where a 70-week prophecy to the time of Messiah, is stated. No
“year-day” principle exists in Daniel 9 because there is no need for it. The Hebrew
for the number “seven” is SHABUA, or a unit of seven. The context will
determine whether the unit is of days, months, or years. Most linguists see in
Daniel 9 “weeks of years” or “seventy sevens”. Nothing in prophecy states that a
year represents a day, and historically the time to Messiah was indeed approx. 70
weeks of years or 490 years.
Nothing in Daniel 9 confirms that the
490 years marked the beginning of the 2300 days, or that it was the first section
or part of the 2300 days. Careful analysis points out that the 490 years began
with a work of restoration while the 2300 days is a time of desolation (Daniel
9:25).
Let’s sink a little deeper into the Daniel
8:14 “problem” and see if we can get right to the bone. I trust you have your
Thinking Cap on! The word “day” does not appear at all in the Manuscripts. The
Hebrew word for day is the word “yom”. The word for days is the Hebrew word
“yamin”. Neither of these words appears in Daniel 8:14. The word “days” is not a
direct translation but an INTERPRETATION of the two Hebrew words “ereb”
(evening) and “boqer” (morning). The angels speaking in v. 13 answered a question
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by giving the number of sacrifices. There were TWO sacrifices every day,
morning and evening…both on the SAME DAY. (The translators were correct by
using the word “sacrifices” in v.11, 12 and 13….unfortunately they did not follow
through with the same word in v. 14) Here is the translation from the New
American Standard Bible, regarded by many scholars as the best direct
translation in the English language:
"For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored."
I want to make sure we have no misunderstanding about this vital point:
William Miller was a Baptist LAY-preacher and it is doubtful if he had a solid
working knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. He used the King James' Version
and simply assumed that the translation was correct. However, the King James is
INCORRECT in saying "after 2300 DAYS." Miller built his entire hypothesis on
an erroneous translation! Daniel 8:14 refers to a total of 2300 SACRIFICES
(Hebr. TAMID) executed as "the daily", every morning and every evening all
through the year…these were not sin-offerings, but rather offerings of
appeasement to Jahweh. They PRECEEDED and concluded all the sin offerings. At
two ritual-offerings per day, 10 evening-morning offerings = 5 days; 100 eveningmorning
offerings= 50 days; 2300 evening-morning offerings = 1150 days.
Here is a simple illustration: We attended Camp-meeting this spring and each
day we had a morning and evening service. We attended a total of 10 such
services. How long was the Camp-meeting? We have to divide the 10 services we
attended by 2 because there were TWO services (sacrifices) on each day.
Answer? 5 days! Do you agree?
Seventh-day Adventists need to correct this error of William Miller, because
when our brothers and sisters discover this false teaching, many of them become
discouraged and leave the church.
The number 2300 is viewed by some
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scholars as a numerical ERROR according to the earliest manuscripts, which give
the number to be 2200, as referred to by Jerome who translated the Vulgate.
The Septuagint gives the number to be 2400. The Vulgate seems to be the more
acceptable version for some. Let’s see what happens when we divide 2200 by two =
1100 actual DAYS.
The question is, HOW DID ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES FULFILL THIS
PROPHECY? Follow carefully! For more detailed, historic information, we have to
consult one of the Apocryphal books, 1 Maccabees.
1. In 1 Maccabees 1:54 it is stated that on the 15th day of the month of
Chislev, in the 145th year, Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation
“upon the altar of burnt offering”. He thusly made an END to the Jewish
evening and morning sacrifices.
2. In 1 Maccabees 4:52, 53 we read what Judas and his followers did: "Early in
the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month
of Chislev, in the one hundred forty- eighth year, they rose and offered
sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering that they
had built."
3. The Jewish year contained 12 months of 354 days, and every 3rd year they
added an extra month of 29 days to equalize it with the solar year. We have
to look at 15 Chislev, 145th to 25 Chislev, 148th year.
So, let’s get out our high-speed
calculators: 3 Jewish years x 354 days =1062 days, PLUS 1 extra month of 29
days = 1091 days, PLUS 9 days from 15th to 24th of Chislev = (hold on to your
seat) 1100 days! A total of 2200 evening and morning sacrifices! Referring to this
prophecy, the greatest Jewish historian of all time, Josephus, purportedly said,
“No prophecy was ever more accurately fulfilled than this”.
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Frankly, I am not hung up on either 2300, 2400 or the Catholic Vulgate’s
2200 days. The fact is that Dan. 8:14 was fulfilled by Antiochus and Judah
Maccabeus. Jesus CONFIRMED this for us in John 10:22, 23.
Differences between two horns of Daniel 7 and 8
Daniel 8:9 – says the Little Horn would originate from one of the divisions
of Alexander’s empire when these were in their “latter time” (v23). This points to
a power originating from the Grecian world sometime after 300 BC. Rome was
never part of the Alexandria empire, nor did it originate from one of the divisions
of the Grecian Empire. Rome came from Italy, and was founded in 750 BC, and
became a republic in 509 BC. Rome did conquer the 4 divisions of the Grecian
Empire, but this is further proof that Rome did not arise FROM any of the 4
divisions of Alexander’s Empire!
The “Little Horn” of Daniel 7 did not have its beginning until the 4th beast
was divided into 10 Kingdoms, which happened in 476 AD. The “Little Horn” of
Dan. 8 was to come up in the latter time of their Kingdom” (v. 23). “Their
kingdom” refers to the 4 divisions of the Alexandria Empire. The “latter time” or
last days of the 4 kingdoms was 200 BC-100BC. Therefore, the little horn of Dan.
8 was to arise 6 centuries before the little horn of Dan. 7 existed! This
difference in timing is prima facie evidence that the two “little horn” powers are
NOT THE SAME. They arise at vastly different points in human history!
According to SDA, the 2300 days (years) began in 457 BC and ended in
1844 AD. During this time the little horn is supposed to be “treading underfoot”
the sanctuary, beginning with pagan Rome, later to be followed by papal Rome.
This notion presents many dilemmas:
1 - Rome did not have any contact with the Jewish nation until 161 BC.
How could the Little Horn have begun its desecrating work in 457 BC,
296 years before it even came into contact with the Jewish state? Rome
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had no part whatsoever in the activities of 457 BC, and thus could not be
the “Little Horn” described in Dan. 8!
2 - Rome existed peacefully with the Jewish nation and did not upset the
Jews until after Palestine became a part of the Roman Empire in 63 BC.
How could the Little Horn be “treading underfoot” the Sanctuary for
nearly 400 years, when it never interfered with the sanctuary service
during that time period?
3 – If Papal Rome is the Little Horn of Dan. 8 during the latter part of the
2300 days, then what happened to Papal Rome on Oct. 22, 1844? Why is
there no event in papal history to coincide with the end of the 2300 days.
4 – NB – If pagan Rome neither persecuted the Jews, nor stopped the
sacrifices in 457 BC, and if there is no event in papal history to coincide
with the close of the 2300 days in 1844, then how can we possibly
attach Rome to this prophecy? It simply cannot be done!
Daniel 8 does NOT say that the 4 horns were absorbed by the Little Horn,
as the 4 divisions of Alexander’s Empire were by Rome.
1 Alexander died in 323 BC.
2 Alexander’s Kingdom was divided in 301 BC.
3 The Little Horn could not have come on the scene until after 301
BC!
4 How could the Little Horn be desecrating the Sanctuary in 457 BC
when the prophecy does not even show it arising until after 301 BC?
5 The Little Horn of Dan. 8 is a KING, not an EMPIRE! Dan. 8:23.
Hebr for “KING” = MELEK – meaning a king not a kingdom or empire.
However the most convincing evidence that Dan. 8 is talking about Antiochus
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Epiphanus, is the fact that Dan. 11 explains the prophecy of Dan. 8 in greater
detail, and the Little Horn (Antiochus) is interpreted from v. 21 onwards. (And, of
course, John 10:22, 23 – Feast of Dedication, attended by Jesus Himself)
PLEASE NOTE: the verse in Daniel 8:14 says that the sanctuary will “be
cleansed”. The action is COMPLETED. Right here is the clear evidence to prove that, at
the END of the 2300 days, the sanctuary WILL BE CLEANSED. It does NOT say “then
the sanctuary will begin to be cleansed in some future time". Please think this through for
a moment. Today it apparently is still not "cleansed"
Actually, not only is “days” missing
from Daniel 8:14, but also the word “cleansed” (Hebrew – nisdaq). The NASB uses
the words “properly restored”. Other versions, like the NIV, will bring out the
idea of the reconstruction/repair of the temple to its original physical condition.
This harmonizes perfectly with the restoration of the sanctuary by Judas
Maccabees on 25 Kislev, 165 BC.
There are obviously many scholars who have different opinions and
approaches to solve the “riddle” of Daniel 8:14 and some may indeed have
significant technical data to consider. However, the issue for many of us, is simply
to discover if Daniel 8:14 refers to an Earthly or Heavenly event. I believe the
evidence is irrefutable that the “adjusted” version of Daniel 8:14, in The Clear
Word Bible, is WRONG! Read this with me and then YOU decide. “He answered,
’After two thousand, three hundred prophetic days (or two thousand, three
hundred years), God will step in, proclaim the truth about Himself and restore the
ministry of the Sanctuary in heaven to its rightful place. This is when the
judgment will begin, of which the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary was a type.’”
Have you ever heard the expression:
“reading something into a verse, which is NOT THERE”? We refer to that as
EISEGESIS. There IS NO Investigative Judgment. Period! Let the TRUTH set
you FREE!
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THE MAIN PROBLEM: The Biblical message of Righteousness by Faith in the
Merits of Jesus Christ ALONE is incompatible with an "Investigative Judgment",
when your performance will be scrutinized as evidenced by YOUR personal works
and record! Is Jesus’ blood ALONE not enough?
I read an article by Roy Adams (Adventist
World, NAD/August 2007, P.3), in which is stated the reason for a so-called preadvent
Investigative Judgment: “There are intelligences beyond our own planet –
created beings who, if the universe is to be secure, must be satisfied with the
integrity of the divine process through which some people are saved and others
lost.” It continues to say, “Its wider concern is with vindication - vindication of
God, of God’s sanctuary, of God’s name, of God’s people …….. Upon its vindication
hangs the security of the universe …… The judgment now in session will settle the
question of God’s love and justice prior to the Second Advent.” One final
statement caught my eye: “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.”
I am convinced that any thinking
Christian, who understands that salvation is based on the shed blood of Jesus
ALONE, must reject all of the above as a sincere effort to explain a
“denominational” concept, founded and expounded on the incorrect notion of grace
PLUS works as the pre-requisite FOR salvation. The belief in an on watching
universe of “intelligences” is simply unbiblical. Nowhere in Scripture do we find
the slightest indication that the “security of the Universe” depends on the choice
human beings have made regarding the Plan of Salvation. The judgment of the
Creator must be judged by His creatures? Such thought borders on blasphemy!
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God is self-authenticating. Who would dare to question His judgment! Have the
“intelligences” not observed the effect of sin during the past 6000 years for
themselves? Why would they doubt the judgment of the Judge? God’s justice in
saving sinners is vindicated by Christ’s death on the cross. This is ESTABLISHED
TRUTH! (Romans 3:24-26) Salvation is God's GIFT to YOU!
The Investigative Judgment was simply
developed as counter-answer to the failed Oct. 22, 1844 Second Coming
expectation of the Millerites, and the wrong interpretation of Daniel 8:14. Let’s
examine the FACTS:
A Baptist lay preacher, William Miller,
thought that when the verse says, "After 2300 days shall the sanctuary be
cleansed", that the sanctuary-cleansing referred to the Second Coming. After
some figure-and-calendar juggling, he came to the conclusion that the Second
Coming would occur on October 22, 1844.
When this date passed without a Second
Coming, Miller and about fifty thousand Millerites decided to give up on prophetic
speculation and moved on … “preaching Jesus”. However, there was a group of
young people called The Little Flock, who tenaciously clung to the Daniel 8:14
prophecy and simply would not accept the fact that October 22, 1844, was a
NON-EVENT. Then it happened! They "discovered" the idea that “it was
something that happened in heaven…..the judgment of the dead began!” Of
course, nothing could be further from the truth!
Acts 3:19 - “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the
times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
There was no need for the beginning of the blotting out of any sin in 1844;
Jesus began His meditorial work as our Advocate at His ascension, not in 1844!
When sinners accept Christ as Lord and Savior, their sins are blotted out right
there and then.
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Hebrews 8:12 – “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will
I remember no more.” Any
sin we commit after our salvation is “propitiated for” by Jesus our Mediator, on
a daily basis. According to 1 John 2:1, the blood is still applied!
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”
No sins or any record of sins had EVER been transferred into the holy abode
of God the Father. This teaching of Ellen White is unbiblical, and it negates
Christ’s atoning work on Calvary. 2 Timothy 2:19 says, “The Lord KNOWETH them
that are his …….” God knows who are saved. Please read the NONCONDITIONAL
statement in 1 John 1:9 again, and then Praise the Lord!
Seventh-day Adventists are WRONG when we teach that those who will be
living just before the Second Coming will have to achieve perfection of character
in order to be able "to stand without a Mediator"! (nobody knows for how long!)
Most Protestants find this understanding repulsive, and when Adventist-members
discover that their church indeed believes this way, many leave the ranks. This is
an unbiblical, heretical teaching, period!
From a theological perspective, the fallacy of
the Judgment is that it overlooks our sinful NATURE. It is our sinful nature that
renders us imperfect – not the sins we commit! We are under condemnation, not
for what we DO, but for what we ARE! We are sinners not because we sin, but we
sin because we ARE sinners! Therefore, to judge our records in an Investigative
Judgment means nothing; because our permanent, sinful NATURE is the problem
we have to deal with! We need a PERFECT CHARACTER to stand IN PLACE OF
our imperfect characters. THAT is your free gift from Jesus! Hallelujah!
**May I suggest that you engage some personal research? Simply Google the
following: “Dr Raymond Cottrell on Investigative Judgment”. You will be shocked
to learn about a secret, Ad Hoc Committee of the General Conference…of which
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this distinguished SDA scholar was a member!
It seems that, since around 1888, just about every 16 years or so, some or
other prominent SDA Professor, Teacher, Public Evangelist, or Administrator
would rise to petition the General Conference to re-evaluate some of the
conflicting beliefs of our church. After their sincere requests were refused by
the Leadership, some were fired, others simply rescinded their church
membership and turned in their Ministerial Credentials. Some had served the
denomination for more than half a century and even served on the GC Executive
Committee!
Perhaps you could research some of these men yourself: D.M.Canwright,
Albion F. Ballenger, W.W.Fletcher, Louis R. Conradi, W.W.Prestcott, Dr.Desmond
Ford (his historic meeting with a GC delegation in 1980 in Glacier View, resulted in
about 140 SDA ministers leaving the SDA church.) In most cases the major bone
of contention centered around the teaching of the Ellen G. White approved, preadvent,
Investigative Judgment. This doctrine simply CANNOT be substantiated
and proven from Scripture.
The sad part is that MANY of our theologians, scholars, ministers, and
administrators, ALSO have silent “problems” with some of these doctrines. Many
wish that we COULD do away with doctrines like the Investigative Judgment,
however, that would mean going against the teachings of Ellen G. White. The
choice, therefore, is between Biblical truth ALONE, or the Bible PLUS the
writings of Ellen G. White!
Even though Ellen G. White NEVER said that she was a prophetess, she did admit
that she was a “special messenger”, which puts her in the category of
ANGELS…thusly of A HIGHER ORDER than the regular Bible Prophets. Therefore
(and the average member is not cognizant of this “deeper insight”), in formulating
any SDA doctrine, Ellen G. White’s comments are regarded by some as superior to
the Bible authors. The Clear Word Bible COMBINES the Bible AND the writings
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of Ellen G. White to prove this particular notion.
Chapter 2
The Mystery of the Family of God
I distinctly remember when, as a boy of
around 15 or 16, the time had come to take catechism classes as pre-requisite to
be confirmed in the Dutch Reformed Church.
One Sunday morning the elder-in-charge
of our catechism class was teaching about who God was. This is what he said:
“God is three persons in one.” At just about the same time, the minister came by
to visit the class, and the elder told him about the topic we were discussing. The
minister then made the following comment: “God is one person in three, but we can
never truly understand the trinity – for it will always be a mystery.”
Part of our discussion from now on, lies at
the heart of Roman Catholic belief – in fact, it scrutinizes the major pillar of
Papal dogma. According to the Bible, there will be another persecution of God’s
people in the last days of earth’s history. I believe the issue will again touch that
sensitive nerve of Catholicism, called TRINITARIANISM.
In the history of the Christian church
there was severe persecution by Trinitarians against non-Trinitarians. The
persecution started with the edict of the Roman emperor Theodosius, in 380 AD,
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which compelled everyone to accept the Catholic Trinity Doctrine. While
persecution has ceased during the last two hundred years or so, extreme
disagreement still continues to this very day over the Trinitarian vs.
non-Trinitarian perception of the Godhead.
Yes, the doctrine of the Trinity is
recognized as THE MAJOR DOCTRINE of the Catholic Church. It is my sincere
conviction that the final end-time issue in the moments before the Second Coming
will again be what it was about during the Dark Ages: a controversy, which involved
WORSHIP, Christ’s Deity, and a correct understanding of WHO GOD IS.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of Life of
the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8
The context of this verse deals with the
anti-Christ Beast power, operating during the final days of Earth’s history. You
will notice in v.4 and v. 8 of Revelation 13 that the issue has to do with WORSHIP.
All humans are interested in who to worship, because we all have a built-in longing
for worship!
The central theme of both the Old and
New Testament is WORSHIP. So it is understandable when people ask the
question: “Who should we worship - One God in Three or Three Gods in one?”
Only since the 4th Century, the church
has taught the doctrine of the Trinity. The subject seems confusing, not only
because the word “trinity” cannot be found in the Bible, but also because there is
absolutely no Scriptural support for the theological concept it postulates. The
theory is that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are three persons in one, also
referred to by some as three hypostases (manifestations) of one being, which is
God. It is believed that these three “persons” are equal in rank, eternal existence
and of the same substance.
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Careful probing of Scripture and history
confirms the fact that the Trinity doctrine was not taught and believed by the
early, monotheistic, New Testament Christians. The idea of a Trinity is the result
of century long disagreements and disputes, and developed gradually. This
doctrine became a leading topic for discussion and dispute at the Council of
Nicaea in 325 CE, and became more established or practiced toward the end of
the 4th Century.
When Jesus prayed that His disciples
might be one as He was with His Father, the prayer did not contemplate one
disciple with twelve heads, but twelve disciples – made one in goal and effort in
the cause of the Gospel.
I do not believe that it was God the Father who hung on the cross and
prayed to Himself, neither do I believe that it was God the Father who died and
was resurrected again to ascend to Himself into heaven. The Father and the Son
are 2 separate Divine Beings or Entities. Some of the angels as well as some men
have been referred to as gods, but none were sanctioned by God to accept
worship, except His Son. By virtue of the inherited Divinity of Jesus, He is fully
God, not another God, but the divine son of the ONLY TRUE GOD and NOT
inferior to His Father.
With reference to the Unity between God,
the Father, and His son Jesus: instead of referring to them as “two Gods”, the
correct expression would be to speak of “two Divine Beings or Entities”, each
worthy of our worship. One of the two Divine Beings, is the Only True God = God,
the Father. The other Divine Being is the Son of God, Jesus the Christ.
Divinity is a mystery, and no earthling will
ever be able to define the exact natures of God the Father and His Son, Jesus
Christ.
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Jesus was a well-defined adherent to the belief that the Father was
the only true God, and that He himself, was sent by that only true God. (John
17:3) Jesus makes eternal life dependent on this lucid concept of God as one God,
and of Himself as a separate individual, the Messiah, Christ, whom God the Father
commissioned as Mediator. In the New Testament the Father is called “the (one)
God” (“o theos, the God”) 1300 times! Never does the word God refer to “three
Persons in one God”. One Lord God and one Lord Messiah. Two Lords but only one
true God. Since one of the two Lords is God the Father, “who is alone the true
God” (John 17:3), the other Lord cannot also be God the Father. This would add
up to two Gods – a Biblical impossibility. (Psalm 110:1) In 1 Tim. 2:5, Paul makes a
clear distinction between the Father and the Mediator. Please read these verses
yourself.
God the Father could not be born and God
the Father could not die. Jesus experienced both! God the Father is one Divine
Entity; Jesus is ANOTHER Divine Entity with a distinct PERSONHOOD, to be the
very expression and illustration and Representative OF HIS FATHER as His
uniquely begotten Son. The Messiah is coming back to this earth to take up His
royal position on the throne of David in Jerusalem! His FATHER David’s throne.
Is David the father of God the Father?
The simple truth is, God the Father is the Only ONE True God. Jesus
confirmed that in John 17:3, and Paul mentioned it in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. This is
what most of the Sabbatarian Pioneers believed, and what settles it for me!
Please take a moment and read John 17:3 yourself, then decide.
I actually have no problem with the
Chalcedone-definition that “Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, bone of our
bone, and flesh of our flesh”. This statement does NOT say that Jesus Christ is
the only true God. Personally, I would prefer to use the expression “fully Divine
Son of God”, rather than “God the Son”, simply to prevent the idea of two
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separate Gods.
The One who died on the cross was not
the “only true God” – but the Son of the “only true God”, who was fully God. Who
was it that ignored the Son’s cry to let the bitter cup pass from Him? To Whom
was this prayer directed? Answer: to YHWH God, the FATHER of Jesus! Do you
agree?
Neither are the Father and the Son part
of a “three-in-one God”. God the Father, and His Son Jesus, are ONE in goal, yet
TWO in function. God the Father and His only begotten Son, are two distinct
Entities or Beings. Of course, as Son of God the Father, Jesus may use the
Family Name: GOD. He is worthy of worship by all!
Jesus, the Son of God, is NOT God the
Father! And God the Father, is NOT Jesus, the Son of God! Could you AGREE
with this assessment?
During the ancient Jewish economy of the
Old Testament, and during the formative years of the early Christian Church,
prior to the 4th century, no one EVER prescribed to a Trinitarian view of the
Godhead. (Deut. 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”) The question might
be asked, “If the Trinity-teaching was such an important doctrine, why can it not
be substantiated by Scripture?" Could it be another “man-made” institution, such
as the Roman Catholic replacement of the original Seventh-day Sabbath with the
pagan Day of the Sun?
Historical background of the Triune Deity:
Few Christians are aware of the fact that
the concept of a trinitarian god can be traced back to ancient Babylon and
primitive paganism! The Indian Hindu belief embraced the idea of a trinitarian
group, consisting of Brahma, Siva, and Visnu. In Eqypt, worshipers bowed before
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the trinitarian gods Osiris, Isis, and Horus. Could it be that the Catholic Church
had adopted the Trinity doctrine from paganism?
I believe the KEY to a proper hermeneutic
or interpretation of Scripture is found in Mark 10:15,
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not
enter therein”
When we, with childlike faith, ONLY use
the BIBLE in our quest for the truth about God, the first observation is that
there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE for the Trinity doctrine! The Scriptures teach
that there is only one supreme God over all: God the Father, who has a Son,
Jesus. The Father and Son constitute the Family of God. That is what THE BIBLE
teaches!
ELOHIM: Plural or Singular?
The reference to ELOHIM, in Genesis 1:1,
had been the topic for debate and argumentation for a long time. Trinitarians and
Binitarians alike, often refer to Elohim as “evidence” that our World was created
by multiple gods.
Because Elohim ends with a masculine
plural suffix, some deduct that Elohim must be a NUMERICAL
PLURAL…suggesting MULTIPLICITY, and that Genesis 1:1 ought to read: “In the
beginning GODS (plural) created the heaven and the earth.”
However, we need to pose the question: Is
Elohim REALLY a numerical plural? In the HEBREW language, there are THREE
requirements for a numerically plural noun: it must receive a plural suffix, plural
verb, and plural adjective.
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We are familiar with ENGLISH suffixes,
where most plural nouns end with “s”. For example, bird is singular, while birds are
plural. We would say: the bird (singular) ate a lot; the birds (plural) ate a lot.
The HEBREW language utilizes another
dimension: the same sentences would be: the bird (HE) ate a lot; the birds (THEY)
ate a lot.
Before we can come to a final conclusion,
we must discover if ELOHIM gets a plural adjective and plural verb, because
THIS will confirm or deny if it is a NUMERICAL PLURAL…and thusly indicate
multiplicity.
The FACT is, in Genesis 1:1, we read
“…Elohim (HE) created…” and it does NOT read “…Elohim (THEY) created..” In the
more than 2500 times in the Tanach that Elohim appears, it has a SINGULAR
VERB!
We ALWAYS read “ Elohim(he) spake to
Moses..”, and never “ Elohim(they) spake to Moses..”
The obvious question is: why does Elohim
have a plural suffix if it is a NUMERICAL SINGULAR with a singular verb and
singular adjective? The reason is simple: In the Hebrew language there is a special
TYPE of plural that indeed has a plural suffix even though it is numerically
singular with a singular verb and singular adjective. These nouns are called
MAJESTIC PLURALS, with the intent of describing something great or majestic.
Elohim is a classic example of the majestic plural, and simply means “Great God”.
NOTE: Elohim is NOT ALWAYS a majestic plural. When referring to pagan
Elohim(gods) ,the noun is usually a numerical plural.
However, in Genesis 17:1, 2 YHWH says “I
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am”, not “we are”. He also speaks of “me” and not of “us”. Please follow directly in
your own Bible.
In the NT, in Hebrews 11:6, we observe
the expressions, “him” and “he” and not “they” and “them”.
Please engage some personal research and
read Nehemiah 9:6. See how many “gods” you can find.
In Isaiah 44:8 the word “God” is the
Hebrew ELOHA = ONE SINGLE GOD! Also read Psalm 18:32, where Eloha is
used…the SINGULAR form of Elohim.
Eloha is used 47 times in the OT (Tanach),
which PROVES that God is NOT a plurality or multiplicity. Therefore my
conclusion: the use of Eloha and the always present singular verbs and adjectives
used with Elohim, CONFIRMS, beyond ANY DOUBT, that YHWH Elohim is a
MAJESTIC PLURAL, indicating a SINGLE GOD…with the clear overtones of
GREATNESS! Elohim, in Genesis 1:1, does not mean “gods”, but GREAT GOD!
“WE”, “OUR” and “US”
Some Christians have been confused by
the three passages in Genesis where God speaks in the first person PLURAL, as
“we”, “our” and “us”. Please turn in your Bible to Genesis 1: 26, 27. It is obvious
that God the Father is not addressing Himself, but an AUDIENCE. He is advising
on something about to happen.
Observe that, when it comes to the
ACTUAL CREATION of man, v.27, the act is NOT performed by a multiple “we”,
but by the single Elohim, referred to as “HE”. And man is created in “HIS IMAGE”
and not in “THEIR IMAGE”. Therefore, God the Father is a singular God, THE
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ONLY TRUE GOD!
Please read with me Genesis 3:22. Note
that the verse opens with “and (he) YHWH Elohim said” and NOT “and (they)
YHWH Elohim said”. Despite His reference to “us”, it again is clear that God the
Father, is a SINGULAR DEITY. In v.23, when the actual action of man’s expulsion
from the Garden of Eden takes place, we find that “(he) YHWH Elohim sent him
from the Garden of Eden.”
Follow along as we read in Genesis 11:6-8.
Here is another example of “us”. Notice that the pericope opens in v.6 with “..And
(he) YHWH said..”, indicating that we are dealing with ONE SINGULAR
DEITY…,Who announces (to an unidentified audience) “let us go down, and there
confound their language”. However, when the ACTUAL TIME for the confounding
of language came, we read, “So (he) YHWH scattered them abroad… (v. 8)” and
“(he) YHWH did there confound the language… (v.9)”
The question may be asked: if YHWH Elohim is indeed a SINGLE God,
WHY does He speak about “we”, “our” and “us”? The answer is found in a linguistic
phenomenon we find in most cultures of the world. It occurs when a speaker
refers to himself in the plural. For example, “give us a break!”. The 19th Century,
Queen Victoria, provided the best-known example, when she said: “We are not
amused” rather than the expected, “I am not amused”.
A Biblical example can be found in Daniel
2:36, where Daniel refers to himself as “we”, because this was the formal mode of
addressing the Royal Court of the King. This phenomenon is referred to as the
Royal We.
Many opinions are being offered by
scholars regarding exactly WHO the “we”, “our” and “us” could be that we have
looked at. It could be that God the Father was addressing His Heavenly Council of
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Angels, or His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. For a more in-depth, academic study,
researchers may want to explore the Hebrew linguistic phenomenon called
ATTRACTION. Space will not allow me to expand on more intensive directives.
May I ask you to prayerfully read Isaiah 45: 5, 6 ?
A brave young man (Elder Joseph Bates) once said to his father, who tried to
convince him about the Trinitarian doctrine: “If you can convince me that we are
one in this sense that you are my father, and I your son; and also that I am your
father, and you my son, then I can believe in the Trinity.”
The teaching that the Godhead is a trinity was first formulated and
developed by a church father named Tertullian, between 196-212 CE. He was the
first theologian to use the Latin word Trinitas, meaning Trinity in English. It took
several centuries and several councils to establish the doctrine of the Trinity as
accepted orthodox dogma. Only at the Council of Constantinople in 381 Christian
Era, did the idea that God consists of three persons, become the official,
orthodox teaching of the Catholic Church.
OBSERVATION:
Most Adventists have a clear understanding about the existence of God the
Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. The real problem seems to surface when we
have to define the Holy Spirit. Only a small percentage visualizes the Holy Spirit
as an individual person dressed in a white robe with sandals. Many picture the
Holy Spirit as some kind of presence or power in their hearts and minds…and may
yet refer to themselves as "Trinitarians". Please follow very carefully in your
Bible as we engage a most vital part of our study regarding the Family of God.
The Holy Spirit:
The Catholic doctrine of the Trinity
states that the Holy Spirit is a separate being, and part of the “Holy Trinity”.
The phrase “Holy Spirit” is from the Hebrew, RUACH HA QODESH. The word
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spirit is derived from RUACH. In Greek, the word for spirit is PNEUMA, which
means essentially the same as the Hebrew word RUACH. Basically it can mean
both, “wind” or “breath” – and is never to be understood as ESSENCE. A better
definition would be the word Power or Presence.
The adjective “holy”, describes the nature
of God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power or presence emanating from the
Father, through His Son to us. God is omni-present and does not need “a third
person” to help Him with anything!
The Holy Spirit is not a separate being
with its own mind. It is simply what the Bible says: the Spirit of God! God’s
OMNI-PRESENCE!
We also have a spirit. Job 32:8 - “But there
is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”
This does not mean that there is a second
being for every human being. In similar fashion is there also not a separate being
called the Holy Spirit.
There is NO RECORD in the New
Testament that anyone had ever seen the “person” of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus
was on earth, He lived as a PERSON, and if anyone had a camera at that time,
they could have taken a PICTURE of Jesus. If the Holy Spirit is a PERSON,
where can this Person be seen and photographed? The truth is, a Power and
Presence cannot be photographed! Notice for instance how prophecy was authored
through the Prophets:
1 Peter 1:11 – “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,
when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”
It was clearly “The Spirit of Christ, which was IN THEM …… “
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The Bible does NOT teach that the Holy
Spirit is a separate being or person. In Isaiah 32:15, 44:3 and Acts 2:17 the Holy
Spirit is described as being POURED. A being or person cannot be poured into
another.
In Titus 3:5, 6 and Acts 2:33, we read
that the Holy Spirit is SHED. One person cannot shed himself onto another
person.
The Holy Spirit is also described as
something that can be STIRRED UP (2 Timothy 1:6), QUENCHED (1 Thess. 5:19),
and RENEWED (2 Cor. 4:16). These attributes are far more fitting for a power or
presence, than a person! Do you agree?
John 20:22 – “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, receive ye the Holy
Ghost:”
Does a person ever get “breathed on” someone?
Please consider the following: There is no evidence in either the Old or
New Testaments that the Father or Son ever communicated with the Holy Spirit.
Paul never addressed the Holy Spirit in
the salutations of any of his letters, as he did with the Father and Son. Of the
27 books in the NEW Testament, 15 of them begin with a greeting similar to
the record in Galatians 1:3,
“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Not one of these greetings mentions the
Holy Spirit as a separate person or God.
There is no record where anyone ever prayed to the Holy Spirit.
Nowhere in the Bible is the Holy Spirit
called the “third person”. If the Holy Spirit were a separate being, it would have
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had a personal name, as do YAHWEH the Father, and YAHSHUA the Son. It is
nameless, because it is not a person!
We know that Jesus was conceived by the
Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20), therefore if the Holy Spirit were a person, then Jesus
prayed to the wrong “father” in John 17 and other instances! Is this a reasonable
deduction?
Romans 8:27 - “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
We all know there is only ONE
MEDIATOR between us and God: JESUS CHRIST. Therefore, the
“Intercessor” of Rom 8:27, is Jesus! (Please read 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18)
The question might be asked: “If the Holy
Spirit is merely God, why is there a need for this term?” The reason is that it
emphasizes a particular ASPECT of God. It emphasizes that He who is a holy,
omnipresent, and invisible Spirit, works among all men everywhere and can fill the
hearts of men. This explains God’s ability to anoint, baptize, fill, and indwell
human lives. Since the Holy Spirit is God Himself, I personally have no problem to
use the pronouns He and Him to refer to the Spirit.
The DEITY resident in Jesus emanates
from none other than the Father. That is why the Spirit in the Son is the Father.
(Phil. 1:19, Gal. 4:6, 2 Cor. 3:17)
The truth is that the Holy Spirit is the
Spirit of God the Father, which flows through Christ, and can flow to humans if
they desire it to be so, Romans 8:9.
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Notice how the Spirit of God flows
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through Christ and to Christians as well. The same Spirit that is in God the Father
is also in Jesus the Son. That Spirit is “Holy”. God’s Spirit is no more a person
apart from His own Being, than our spirit is a being apart from us.
If someone should compliment you by
saying: “you have a compassionate spirit”, you know the person is not talking about
two persons!
Analysis of two “proof” Trinitarian Passages:
Most Trinitarians will refer to two New
Testament passages in order to “prove” their belief in the Catholic doctrine of
the Trinity.
1. Matthew 28:19 - “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;”
Some Bible translations question whether
the baptismal formula recorded here, is inspired or was a later liturgical addition
by the Catholic Church.
The Hebrew version of Matthew, OMITS
the entire verse. There are no original New Testament manuscripts in existence
to substantiate the accuracy of the present rendition of Matthew 28:19. The
context of this expression is not an explanation about what the Deity consists of,
it is rather about BAPTISM. Jesus is not here teaching them about the Godhead.
We could question the originality and validity of this passage, because it
CONFLICTS with other baptismal formulas given in the New Testament. In ALL
other instances, baptism is performed in the singular name of Jesus (see Acts
2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27). It seems that the original
text should simply read: “baptize them IN MY NAME”. Of course, there is no
need to feel “undone” if you were baptized in the 3-fold name. By allowing that,
you have expressed your belief in the existence of the one true God, the
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mediation of His Son, and the power of His Holy Spirit.
2. 1 John 5:7 – “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the
Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Most Biblical scholars will admit that 1
John 5:7 was a later (Catholic) addition to the New Testament. This passage is
not found in the oldest Greek New Testament manuscripts. It is interesting to
note that a number of Bible editions OMIT this interpolation. Among those are
the esteemed Afrikaans Multivertaling Bybel, the New International Version, the
New American Standard Version, and the Contemporary English Version. There
are dozens of other translations that offer footnotes indicating that 1 John 5:7 is
not present in earlier manuscripts. Verse 7 was ADDED along the way. Scholars
refer to this as the COMMA JOHANNEUM.
Perhaps we should look at John 1:1, 2.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in
the beginning with God”.
Some interpret this verse to mean that
God the Father and His Son, Jesus, is one and the same Person! However, the
text, "the Word was with God" clearly speaks of two separate entities or beings.
According to Revelation 19:11, 13, - Jesus is also known as “Word of God”. And
John 1:14 explains: “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”. This clearly
defines for us who “the Word” is, and that this "Word" is NOT God the Father.
By virtue of His relationship to His Father, Jesus may use the Family Name, God.
Thusly the Word that "was God" was none other than Jesus, the Son of God, Who
was "in the beginning" with God the Father!
One more verse I should mention is 2 Corinthians 13:14.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with
you all. Amen.”
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Once again, nothing in this text tells us
about the relation between Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. It
is rather speaking about their relation to us. This verse is a closing greeting, and
just because the three expressions are used in one verse, does not establish the
doctrine of the Trinity. The "Holy Spirit" should be viewed as the intimate and
holy presence of the Father and Son in the hearts and minds of believers. In
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 we find Paul’s clear teaching about the Godhead.
“As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know
that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that
are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many) But to us there
is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are
all things, and we by him.”
Who is the COMFORTER?
Most Christians are familiar with the
celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and the words of Jesus recorded in John 6:56.
“He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in Him"
Jesus said that HE will live IN US. Paul stated that Jesus wants to
dwell IN OUR HEARTS. He speaks of “CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory”,
(Colossians 1:27). Again, in Galatians 2:20, Paul says that “CHRIST liveth IN ME.”
Just take a moment and think this through.
If Christ lived in Paul’s heart and the Holy
Spirit also lived in Paul’s heart, then we have TWO living in Paul’s heart! Which is
it? Paul uses the heart (an organ that pumps blood) to explain a metaphysical
concept in understandable terms. He is simply saying that the Spirit of Jesus is
present in his life or mind.
Can you ever imagine how much God really loves you?
Galatians 4:6 – “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,
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crying, Abba, Father.”
Jesus is so intimate with us that He
adopts us into His very own family–relationship with God the Father, and He
“shares” His own Father with us! He cries with us and for us “Abba Father!”
Notice, it is Jesus IN US who cries out to the Father!
I think it is reasonable to assume that God
not only (John 3:16) sent His only begotten Son to die for us, but also for His Son
to live IN us.
John 14:16 – “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide
with you for ever;”
Observe how Jesus continues His
discourse, saying that He would send “the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot
receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he
dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” - John 14:17
It must have impacted the disciples when,
just after Jesus said, “the world” does not know the Spirit (Comforter), He then
said, “but ye know him”! The question is, HOW could the disciples KNOW the
promised “Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost”? - (v. 26)
Follow with me, as we dig deeper. Jesus
explains in John 14:17, “ ye know him; for (or because) he dwelleth with you, and
shall be in you”. Who was dwelling WITH the disciples? Jesus Christ Himself!
And Jesus said that soon this Person who was dwelling WITH them would be IN
them. Jesus would simply manifest Himself in another form or presence.
His essential presence would be in their
hearts and minds, even if His body-Person has ascended to heaven (John 16:7).
Jesus explained that the disciples would profit much if He went to His Father,
and sent the Comforter to dwell IN them. Do you agree with this concept?
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Jesus said in John 14:18 - “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to
you”. Here we notice why the Comforter could not come until after Christ went
away and was glorified; for Jesus HIMSELF would come back to His disciples to
comfort them! Could it be any clearer? We continue to read how Jesus Himself
reinforces this point in John 14:19, 20.
“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At
that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”
Just a few moments earlier Jesus had said to His disciples that the
Comforter “shall be in you”. Now, Jesus says that when the Comforter comes, “Ye
shall know that I am in you”.
In essence, Jesus assured the disciples
that He would NOT send anyone else, but Himself to be their Comforter. They
would recognize that the same "Person" who was dwelling WITH them, would now
be IN them through HIS SPIRIT. The Bible cannot be clearer! Do you agree?
Of course, we must not forget the role of
God, our Heavenly Father, Himself. Remember the Father and Son are so
intimately connected, that they are one Family. Read with me John 14:23. “If a man
love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him”.
Jesus made it very clear that after His
ascension, He would come back to live in the hearts of His people. Not only would
HE return, but His Father would come with Him, so that BOTH of them would live
in the hearts of his children, not physically, but by God’s Spirit. Do YOU believe
this truth?
Thusly we may enjoy fellowship with both
the Father and His Son! John understood this principle very well as recorded in 1
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John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship
with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ”. Please observe
that no reference is made to a “third” person.
John also confirms in several other verses,
that ONLY God the Father and His Son, live in us:
2 John 1:9 – “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son”.
1 John 2:22, 23 – “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that
denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he
that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit was
working upon the hearts of people long before the day of Pentecost, helping them
to overcome and combat sin. Remember our great grandfather David’s concern?
Psalms 51:11. “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit
from me.” This is clear evidence that the Holy Spirit was at work before Christ
came to earth. This is what the BIBLE teaches!
Scripture specifically confirms that the
Spirit of Christ worked in Old Testament times.
“Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner or time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did
signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.” 1 Peter
1:11,12
Thusly, long before the New Testament,
the Spirit of Christ was living in the prophets. A good example of the guidance of
the Holy Spirit was when it moved David to write concerning the death of Christ:
“I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.” Psalm 88:8
The Bible records in more than thirty
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instances the fact that God the Father raised Christ from the dead. Galatians 1:1
– “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the
Father, who raised him from the dead;)”
Christ did not raise Himself from the dead
– or else He would not have been dead in the first instance! (Please read the great
Christian-Confession in Romans 10:9).
On page eleven of Handbook for Today’s
Catholic, the Roman Catholic Church admits, “The mystery of the Trinity is the
central doctrine of the Catholic Faith. Upon it are based all the other teachings
of the Church.”
It is interesting to note how, with the passing
of time, different denominations made adjustments to some of their doctrines
and creeds in acceptance of the Roman Catholic Trinitarian doctrine.
For example, consider hymn number 73 in the Adventist Hymnal, “Holy,
Holy, Holy”. This song appears in both the 1941 and 1985 editions, but with a
major difference! Written in 1826 by Reginald Heber, it was originally a
Trinitarian song, ending with, “God in three persons blessed Trinity!” In the 1941
version of the Adventist Hymnal, it reads as follows: “God over all who rules
eternity!” Why the change-back in 1985?
As time went on, Adventists have, like
many other Protestant Churches, also adopted the Roman Catholic Trinity
Doctrine (officially in 1980). Therefore, in 1985 the words in the Adventist
Hymnal were changed to the original, reflecting the church’s present position on
the Trinity. The Adventist Church was non-Trinitarian but has changed to become
a Trinitarian Church! You can very easily verify this yourself.
Notice the statement on p. 56 of the
Amazing Facts booklet, What About The Trinity? “It’s very important to have a
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proper understanding about all 3 Persons of the Godhead – they are not 3 God’s,
they are One God in 3 Persons – and the only way for us to be saved is to accept
Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and accept the Holy Trinity!” Please note,
“the only way” to be saved, is Jesus Christ PLUS the belief in the Catholic Trinity!
It is interesting to observe that in
Revelation 22:3, John gives us a glimpse of God’s throne:
“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it: and his
servants shall serve him:”
John says it is the throne of God and of
the Lamb. It is obvious that God’s throne has two SEATS, one for the Father and
one for the Lamb. And we will be ruled, on the new earth, by the Father and the
Son as two distinct, separate beings …… for eternity! The Holy Spirit as a person
is no where to be found on God’s throne, and plays no apparent pivotal role on the
New Earth! Yet, the Holy Spirit remains AS the Spirit of Father and Son!
I trust you will accept, with many fellow-
Adventists, the Biblical teaching, that “there is but one God the Father” and “one
Lord Jesus Christ”, who is “the only begotten Son of God”, who “proceedeth
forth” and “came out of God”, “before the hills”, who “died for our sins according
to the Scriptures”, and “the Father raised Him from the dead”. My sincere hope is
that you will also believe that the Holy Spirit is “the Holy Spirit of God”, which
“proceedeth from the Father” and is sent to us “through Jesus Christ”. Here are
the Scriptural references – be sure to mark them in your Bible: 1 Corinthians
8:6; John 3:18; John 8:42; 16:27; Proverbs 8:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:1;
Eph. 4:30; John 15:26; Titus 3:5, 6.
“When a person who is honestly mistaken discovers truth, that person will
either cease being mistaken or stop to be honest!”
I trust you will not perceive my analysis as an “attack” on the Seventh-
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day Adventist Church. My goal is to HELP you. Satan will do everything
possible to withhold these end-time truths from God’s people. But the time
has arrived for God's final-hour message to Laodicea.
You have just studied with me the section on the Trinity. What is your
honest reaction to this? If you are in agreement with the non-Trinitarian
perspective, then you do not conform to the Corporate Church's alignment
with the Catholic Trinitarian Doctrine! (Dallas, 1980)
Because of the Internet, it is now possible for ANYONE to research just
about ANYTHING! You are not under any cultic-obligation to "only do as the
Church does". You are a FREE individual with your own mind and freedom to
make choices.
"Truth that cannot be tested … is Truth that cannot be trusted!"
Chapter 3
God’s Blueprint for Salvation
During my high-school years I dated a girl
who had a different religious background than my own Dutch Reformed upbringing.
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She was a Seventh-day Adventist, and one day I asked her the following question:
“Tell me, what will happen to the millions
of people who are now alive, and the billions who have died and never heard the
gospel? Will God be fair to them also, or is it just too bad they were born in the
wrong country?”
She looked kind of bewildered but quickly
provided her answer: “Oh, in God’s foreknowledge He knows what they would have
decided if they had a chance. Many of them will simply be regarded as if they
never existed and will just not be resurrected.”
Question: Have you ever thought about
the billions of people living on the earth right NOW who have never heard the
name of Jesus, and probably will never hear the gospel in their lifetime? Have you
ever wondered about the billions who have died and went to their dusty graves –
without ever hearing the gospel message? Is it just “bad luck” that they were not
as fortunate as you and I or could it be, could it just be, that God has a special
plan for them also? We CANNOT ignore this question any longer!
The General Conference is home to the
Biblical Research Institute, the official department for “questions and queries”.
In the Adventist World – NAD Edition of
April, 2009, on P. 40, the Director of BRI, Dr. Angel Manuel Rodriques, wrote an
article “Christ and Salvation”, posing the question: “Is it possible for people who
never hear about Jesus to be saved?”
Referring to “non-Christians who live out
of contact with the people of God ….” he continues to tell us what would happen to
those …. “when touched by the Spirit, sincerely yearn for something better
…….Their knowledge may be extremely limited, but they have been transformed by
His grace and unknowingly became children of God through Jesus.”
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With due respect to Adventist
scholarship, this is an unscriptural Soteriological "invention".
In the Sabbath School Quarterly of May
7, 2009 (p.51) is the following quotation: “Some may never have had the privilege
of learning about their Savior. But that takes nothing away from the fact that if
they are saved it will be through the name of Christ, even if they have never
themselves heard that name.” This may "sound" good, but the Bible says in 2
Peter 3:9 " ……. all should come to repentance". Salvation implies that human
beings must make a choice. For the blood of Christ to be efficacious, sinners
must ACCEPT IT. This ought to be a very conscious act and cannot be executed
without cognitive understanding. Do you agree?
For a long time Adventists have put much emphasis on the importance of
"works", but now it is so easy that people can get saved "unknowingly"! I wonder
on what basis they will be judged during the Investigative Judgment! Is this what
is referred to as “New Adventist Theology”?
Perhaps we can study together the
BIBLICAL teaching about this simple question:
First of all, let’s look at the question of
God’s will. What is God’s will and desire for His creatures?
Psalm 8:4-6 - “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest
him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and
honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;thou hast put all things
under his feet:”
In this Psalm 8:4-6 pericope, we notice
that God has a special purpose for man. Humanity was given responsibility to rule
over the EARTH since the beginning. Of course, we all know how sin came into
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this world, and put a “delay” on God’s ultimate plan for our planet. We have
studied the Plan of Salvation and looked at the fairness of God’s Judgment.
However, now that we ARE SAVED, we want to ask the question: “What is God’s
ultimate destination for us, as well as all the other humans who are now living on
earth – and also for those who are already in their graves?” Would you like to
know the Bible answer?
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1
John 4:14
Here we notice that Jesus came to be,
“the Saviour of the world.” That means exactly what the Greek word COSMOS
implies: not just some parts of the world but ALL THE WORLD! Does that sound
reasonable and fair to you? It seems to me that it is God’s will and desire that
every one be offered an opportunity to come to repentance and accept Jesus as
Savior. The implication is that the gospel-message must be made available to all
humans who ever existed from Adam’s time.
By the way, you are going to be blessed as
seldom before with this latter section of our journey together. Come with me as
we discover the Shocking Truth about the Love of God, and His amazing end timeprogram
for YOU!
One more verse before we move on:
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Notice, God is “long-suffering”, which
means that He will take His time with the offering of His Plan of Redemption to
humans; not Satan or all of the evil angels of hell will hurry God. God may take a
day or a thousand years – all the same to Him!
So let’s get our thoughts together: God’s
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will is that every one should have ample opportunity to listen to and evaluate the
gospel presentation, and then exercise their God-given option of free choice.
Ephesians 1:4, 5 - “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the
good pleasure of his will,”
Yes! God loves everyone and has made
provision for every human ever born. Paul clarifies this fact again in 2 Timothy
1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to
his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
It is clear that the Plan of Salvation
originated from “before the foundation of the world”, which means in Heaven, the
abode of God the
Father. Every human being was taken into consideration. “ …. He hath chosen us
in Him”. Rejecting this gift means….. SELF-CONDEMNATION!
The Present Ruler of this World:
Most Christians understand that this
world has been under control and influence of Satan for the past 6,000 years. It
is against this backdrop that Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
In the book of Revelation, John confirms this view:
Revelation 12:9,
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth
the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
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We observe two points in these passages.
Paul says, “the god of this age has BLINDED” and thusly robbed many of the
privilege to hear the gospel. John says, “the whole world” is being DECEIVED by
the Devil, or Satan. Even Jesus Himself referred to the existence of this evil
entity in the world (John 14:30). Simply stated, Satan wants to keep the gospel as
far AWAY from sinners as possible! THAT IS HIS MAIN AIM AND CONCERN!
In 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4 – we find an
acceptable explanation of why so many billions of people have never heard the
Gospel. Satan blinded them, prevented them and deceived them. I think we could
very well include some of our own loved ones who perhaps only partly understood
the Gospel, or never had an opportunity to hear the Gospel clearly explained.
They were blinded and deceived and never really had a “fair chance”. Could you
agree?
The BAD NEWS for the Devil and his evil angels is this: we worship a loving
and impartial God, Who desires that EVERYONE be saved. Every individual who
was ever born on this Green Planet WILL hear the complete Gospel, and given
ample opportunity to make their own decision AFTER THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE
LIGHT and become “UN-DECEIVED”. Hallelujah! (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4)
Keep on reading, and you will discover what the Bible-guidelines are and WHEN
this will happen!
One of our biggest problems is that we
often think in terms of days and months and years. With God a thousand years is
like a day with us. GOD WILL TAKE HIS TIME!
Our Creator is not bound by our timerestrictions.
He never said WHEN the entire world would be saved! Salvation has
been going on for a long time, but not all are saved right now. Will you accept the
notion that God may choose WHEN He wants to bring His good-news-gospel to
people?
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Some received the gospel before the
cross, some received the gospel during the time when Jesus was on Earth, some
received the gospel during the past 2000 years since the Crucifixion, and still
others are receiving the gospel today. Would you be surprised to learn that God
has other time-periods to offer His Plan of Redemption?
Chapter 4
TIME of THE GREAT HARVEST
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In Revelation 19:11-21, we find the
dramatic description of the Second Coming of Christ, as King of Kings and Lord of
Lords. AT THAT TIME, the antichrist-beast and the false prophet are cast into
“a lake of fire burning with brimstone”, v.20. In v. 21, we find a description of the
remnant or associates of the beast, slain by the sword (words spoken by the
mouth of the Lord). This remnant is described in more detail in v. 19, as “the
Kings of the earth, and their armies. “
The general sweep or sequence of this
vision of John now continues in Revelation 20:1-3:
“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his
hand.
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand
years,
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive
the nations, no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a
little season.”
You will notice the reason for Satan’s
capture is that he may no longer “deceive the nations” v.3. The immediate
implication is that there will be many nations (people) on earth during the
Millennium – to whom Satan will be denied direct access. And then, in v. 4, we find
the beginning of the Millennial reign of Jesus, right here on Earth. You may be
wondering where you, personally, will be at that time. Notice the last sentence of
v. 4: ....” and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (also note v. 6)
Revelation 5:10 - “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
This will happen “on the Earth”. Do you agree?
The Bible does NOT say that Satan will be bound by “a chain of
circumstances”. I must confess that I taught this error to thousands…
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Adventists subscribe to the notion of a
thousand year Heavenly Millennium, when the redeemed will “inspect the sinrecords”
to find out why some of their loved ones and others will be lost, and also
determine (judge) with Christ, the degree or measure of punishment (burning)
they will receive, (GC, P661). This particular view of distrusting Jesus’ judgment
is unbiblical, and has no Scriptural basis. In the first instance, all the saints will
be priests. There will be no need for us to serve ourselves as “priests” in Heaven.
Secondly, it defies common sense to believe that a 1000 years will be needed to
“check the records”. How many sins does one have to commit in order to be lost?
It seems to me, the Book of Life of the Lamb is the one I would like to have my
name recorded in. There is no such thing as a “record of sin” in heaven or
anywhere else for that matter. “The old account was settled at the cross, paid in
full by the blood of the Lamb!”
In her book The Great Controversy, Ellen
G. White presents the cornerstone-support for the Heavenly Millennial belief.
Referring to Isaiah 24:6, some have made the stunning discovery that the last
words: “and few men left” are omitted! She left out key words with the obvious
intent to support the doctrine of a supposed Heavenly Millennium. To verify this
for yourself, simply see the chapter called: “Desolation of the Earth” (15th
paragraph), and compare the quotes on Isaiah 24:1, 3, 5, 6. She used the King
James Version of the Bible and quoted verses 1 and 3 word for word, but when we
get to verses 5 and 6, we observe that key words were left out in order to prove
the belief in an earth de-void of all people at Christ’s Second Coming …… denying
what the end of verse 6 clearly says – “and few men left”. Regardless the excuses
– there is absolutely no argument for deleting these words! This was not a typo,
but an obvious omission from Scripture in order to circumvent the Biblical
teaching of an Earthly Millennium! I trust you will not hold it against me for
bringing these FACTS to your attention. I was just as shocked when I discovered
this!
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Let’s come back to our original
sequence-study of the Earthly Millennium. It is an awesome thought that you and
I will be privileged to serve God as kings and priests during the coming reign of
Christ on Earth. 1 Corinthians 6:1-3:
“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the
saints?
do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye
unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
Here the Bible says that we will indeed
“judge (manage) the world”, and even angels. If this will not occur during the
Earthly Millennium, what other time or event could we fit this into? The only way
it makes any sense, is the Bible-way! Daniel 7:26, 27 refers to this incredible
time when you and I will encourage and teach the BILLIONS who were blinded by
Satan, deceived to the point where they were denied a fair and reasonable FIRST
opportunity to understand the Gospel. It will then be our privilege to teach them
and serve them as teachers and priests and administrators.
The Second Coming will usher in a
Millennium of peace and prosperity for the whole world. This will be a time of
peace among the nations as they come to the temple in Jerusalem to worship.
Nations will beat their swords into plowshares.
Isaiah 2:4 - “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat
their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” - A time of peace. The Devil will not be
around to continue to BLIND anyone, anymore!
According to Isaiah 11:1-9 it is obvious
that Jesus will rule this present earth, because in Heaven, or the New Earth
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there will be no wicked people to be judged. Jesus will change the wild nature of
animals and they will all become tame, during the Earthly Millennium, not during
any time in Heaven and BEFORE the New Earth.
When Jesus comes the second time there
will be a resurrection of those who died “in Christ” throughout the ages. The living
saints will undergo a change and will meet the Lord in the air with the resurrected
saints.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the
Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17
During this time there will also be billions
of other people ALIVE. The reason they will not be destroyed at the Second
Coming, is because they are not evil, but simply uninformed people who have never
heard the Gospel!
So, the saints meet the Lord in the air,
and then? Then we will accompany Him – and see Him touch down on the Mount of
Olives.
Zechariah 14:3-4 - “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before
Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and
toward the west,
and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall
remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”
He will be King over all the earth (v. 9).
The Kingdom of God will have come to this earth, and it will eventually become the
paradise described in the last two chapters of the Bible.
Armageddon:
To begin His Millennial reign on earth,
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Jesus will descend upon the Mount of Olives accompanied by His army of angels,
as well as the transformed and resurrected saints. However, before Christ can
establish His Millennial Kingdom, He will fight and defeat the wicked nations of
this world in what is called the Battle of Armageddon. Zechariah 14:12-15 and
Revelation 19:11-21 describe the horrible details of this last battle in which the
wicked will fight Jesus and His armies. Many millions of humans will perish in this
end time war…..the climax of the Great Tribulation!
Satan and his armies will be defeated and
he will be “sealed up” to prevent any direct access to “the nations” who obviously
will be on earth during the Millennium. This does NOT refer to a SECOND
CHANCE… "The nations” are the living billions who NEVER heard the Gospel, as
well as the billions who died during the past 6,000 years without EVER HEARING
the gospel-invitation. Other inhabitants will of course include the King of Kings,
His special Angelic and Patriarchal entourage, and all the saints including you and
me, who will serve as administrators, managers and priests.
The Earthly Millennium:
One of the first things Jesus will do,
according to Isaiah 11:11-14 and Isaiah 27:12, 13, will be to bring the remnant of
the twelve tribes of Israel back to the Promised Land. This same scenario is also
referred to in Jeremiah 3:17-20; 16:14-20; 31:7-9. Ezekiel also prophesied about
this incredible gathering in chapter 28:25-26; 36:24-38. Ezekiel 47:21-23 refers
to this time, as well as the hospitable attitude of Israel toward the (non-wicked)
surviving gentiles during the Millennium. So, all the remnant of Israel and billions
of gentiles will inhabit the earth as the Millennium begins. They will be ruled from
Jerusalem, and YOU will be part of this. Here are some verses you might want to
read about the Priestly responsibilities that await you: Rev. 1:6; 5:9, 10; 20:4-6.
This makes more sense than the idea of "checking records of sin" and questioning
the fair judgment of Jesus!
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In Isaiah 30:18-21, the Bible says that
people will see their teachers that will offer them instruction in the way they
should live. In Matthew 19:28, Jesus told His disciples that they will sit on
thrones judging (managing) the twelve tribes of Israel. And Jesus will sit on His
father David's throne. (Isaiah 9:7, Luke 1:32) This could ONLY happen during the
Earthly Millennium! The millennial events of Revelation 20 are in perfect
chronological order!
Micah 4:5:
“For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our
God for ever and ever.”
When Micah uses the expression, “his god”
lower case g, it could be that he is describing the relationship of people in
different cities and regions, to their particular Priest or Judge. They will walk in
“the way of God”, because of the instruction they receive.
In 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3, we read the
following: “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by
you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much
more things that pertain to this life?”
We (“the saints”), will someday judge angels. Moffat’s translation reads: “Do
you not know that the saints are to manage the world?” The word “judge” here
could possibly, in the Hebraic sense of the word, be understood as “REIGN” – a
function incorporating judgment. It makes sense to me that we will be “managers”
with Christ – over the entire world, as kings and priests. Revelation 20:6. This is
clearly referring to what we will be involved in during the 1000 year Earthly
Millennium.
“Revelation 20:7-10 - “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his
prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and
Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
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And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the
beloved city: and fire came down from God
out of heaven, and devoured them.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the
false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Please observe that the “beloved city and
the camp of the saints” mentioned in v. 9, refers to the earthly Jerusalem and the
saints living around the city, and the sea is still there, v.13. This DOES NOT
refer to the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem descends to earth only later in
Revelation 21, AFTER the New Heaven and the New Earth had been established
and there will be no more sea…and hell is OVER! Do you agree?
At the end of the Millennium, Satan again deceives “the nations” (the
living who rejected Jesus during the Millennium). The Greek word for "nations" in
v. 3 is exactly the same Greek word for "nations" in v. 8. Neither of these two
verses gives us the slightest indication that by "nations" we must understand the
resurrected wicked at the end of the Millennium.
Adventists are absolutely WRONG when
we promote our present, unscriptural position, of the warring….. DEAD! Satan
deceives the living wicked at the END of the Millennium into thinking that they
can launch a successful military coup. As they attack the beloved city, they are
“devoured” by fire from heaven (dying the first death), and Satan is cast into the
same “Lake of Fire” we were first introduced to in Revelation 19:20. He joins the
beast and false prophet, who were thrown into the Lake of Fire that will
apparently burn throughout the Millennium and beyond!
Revelation 20:8 – “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth,
Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.”
The Bible does not say any where that
Satan will command the resurrected DEAD to attack Jerusalem. Do you really
think God will give the wicked a “second chance” to attack His own Son? The
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wicked will be resurrected for only one purpose – to be destroyed by fire! Do you
agree?
Note that “the nations” Satan will
deceive, will be like “the sand of the sea”. This gives us an indication of the
billions who will live on the earth during the Millennium! And hopefully more will
be saved than lost; we can accept the idea that they will also be like “the sand of
the sea”.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and
then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:4
The Gospel “shall be preached in ALL the
world for a witness unto ALL nations; and THEN shall the END come” (that means
not only to SOME, but to ALL!) The Bible does not say then “the Second Coming
will take place”, but rather “then shall be the END”. Only AFTER the Gospel has
been preached to ALL the world …. unto ALL nations, ONLY THEN shall the end
come. Do you agree that this is what the BIBLE says?
What is meant by “the end”? By this
expression we must understand the culmination or final offering of the Gospel to
ALL- not before that time. We know for a FACT that this has not yet been
accomplished, neither will or can it be accomplished in our lifetime. It is simply a
logistical impossibility, and in any case – billions had already died without hearing
the Gospel. Were they also on Jesus' mind when He hung on the cross? I believe
we are in agreement that the blood of Jesus is sufficient for them also. What a
God!
It seems obvious that God offers a
THREE-PART opportunity to “ALL the world and ALL nations”. The first group
includes the ones who lived BEFORE the cross. The second group are the ones
who were exposed to the Gospel while living on the earth, after the cross. This
includes you and me. The third group will be the ones who will be living on Earth
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during the Millennial reign of Christ, including the billions of people who died
without EVER HEARING the gospel for the FIRST TIME! This group constitutes
the MAJORITY of humans who ever lived on earth, and will date back to Adam’s
time! I will explain this in more detail in the next chapter.
According to this three-part offering of
the Gospel, “the end” referred to in Matthew 24:14 will only come at the end of
the Millennial time, when hell and the last enemy, death, will be finally destroyed.
THEN God the Father will “make a new heaven and a new earth” and dwell with us
forever more. Chronologically, Revelation 21 clearly comes AFTER Rev 20.
Ultimately the question is, "What makes most sense, a Heavenly Millennium
or an Earthly Millennium?" I am totally convinced that there is not the slightest
evidence in the Bible for a Heavenly Millennium. Researched against the backdrop
of overwhelming evidence in the Old Testament prophetic record, and the
Revelation 20 confirmation that Satan will be locked away for the SPECIFIC
purpose of being denied access to "THE NATIONS" (who will obviously be on the
EARTH), I fail to see how any honest student of the Word can have any doubts
that the Scriptures undeniably confirm a coming EARTHLY Millennium. It gives me
hope and something to look forward to with great anticipation! What do YOU say?
When you read the “red letters” in the New Testament, you will discover the
GOSPEL Jesus preached was indeed about “the coming Kingdom of Heaven”.
OBSERVATION: The doctrine of a coming Earthly Millennium is the
perfect expression to an "on watching universe", and all others, of the
ultimate justice and fairness of God our Heavenly Father. Not an
Investigative Judgment of good works or sin-records, but an EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY to every human being who ever lived on this planet, to hear
the Good News Gospel! Hallelujah to an awesome God!
No one in the world is privy to the exact details of Earth’s final events.
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However, from a logical and common-sense perspective, and in order to allow God
to indeed reach “ALL”, this makes most sense. Not much detail about the post-
Second Coming events is available from Scripture, and at best we can only
speculate and conjecture and reason and wonder. And there is nothing wrong with
the submission of opinions, as long as we clearly indicate that we are not dogmatic
about our views. I am in agreement with that approach when it involves opinions
about end-time scenarios the Bible does not elaborate on. However, when it
involves the Pillars of Our Christian Faith, we ought to be dogmatic indeed. "If we
do not STAND for something, we will FALL for anything!"
The Bible is very clear about the truth regarding the non-Trinitarian view of
the God-Family, the non-existence of a pre-Advent Investigative Judgment of
1844, the correct teaching of a coming Earthly Millennium, and the Gift of
Prophecy or Witnessing. These are established truths which are a constant -
THEY CAN NOT BE MOVED!
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Chapter 5
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL!
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all
kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." Revelation 1:7
The Bible reference to "those who pierced Him" obviously implies Roman
soldiers, who under the yoke of the Roman government, were in adherence to the
Roman pagan system of worship, and would not be interested in the Jewish
Messiah. They were not necessarily "wicked" people, but were blindfolded by
circumstances that prevented them from hearing the gospel. Is this acceptable
to you?
So, here is a group of people who will be resurrected to witness the second
coming - the Bible does not say they would be harmed or destroyed after their
resurrection.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Please observe that the Bible says "the dead in Christ" will RISE FIRST. We
may assume that after that, "the dead who died NOT in Christ" will be the
SECOND group to RISE in the immediate parousia-context.
Here is the scenario: at the Second Coming, there will be 6 groups of
people in and on the earth. Group 1: The living wicked who will die in the Battle of
Armageddon at the end of The Tribulation. Group 2: The Christians who will be
alive and be changed "in a moment..." Group 3: The Christians who "died in
Christ", and will be resurrected with immortal bodies. This group, together with
the living saints, will "meet the Lord in the air". Group 4: These are the wicked
who will remain in their graves till the end of the millennium…for final annihilation.
Group 5: This group consists of billions of live people who were not "wicked", but
simply never had a gospel-opportunity. Group 6: This group includes the billions
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who died through all the ages without the opportunity to hear the full gospel
account. They will be among "those who pierced Him", and did not die "in Christ" -
and will be resurrected to live during the Earthly Millennium. They will join the
billions of living people, who also never heard the gospel explained. Together
these two groups will now, during the Earthly Millennium, be taught the Plan of
Salvation. NOT a second chance - but their FIRST GOSPEL OPPORTUNITY!
This will constitute the greatest evangelistic effort ever conducted
during earth’s history! God's ultimate showcase of His justice and fairness!
No one is left behind...Equal Opportunity for ALL!
Rev. 20:11,12 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and
the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them."
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book
was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written
in the books, according to their works."
It is clearly stated that the resurrected dead were judged or tested
according to what was written in “the books” (v.12). These books, according to
which their response would be judged, are not personal journals of their lives, but
the Bible, as implied by the Greek BIBLIA (Scripture scrolls). The “books” cannot
be the records of pre-Millennial Christian’s lives, because at the Second Coming,
the saved met the Lord in the air, and the wicked simply were not resurrected.
The “books” of Rev. 20:11, 12, MUST, contextually, only involve the Millennialists.
These verses refer to the resurrected wicked of all previous ages, including the
wicked millennialists, culminating in the final executive or punitive judgment
phase… (v.14, 15) There names were not found in the Book of Life! The saints are
NOT involved in this judgment. Please read John 5:24…they HAVE received
eternal life. No reason for them to be judged again! Do you agree with this
assessment?
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1 Timothy 2:3, 4 - “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
The word “knowledge” is the Greek
EPIGNOSIS, meaning “an overview” of the Gospel. That is what God desires:
that everyone should clearly understand what God is offering them. Only then will
sinners decide to accept or reject eternal life. Keep this in mind as we realize
that God’s provision includes the BILLIONS of humans now living and even more
who have died through the previous millennia …. but never had the same
opportunity you and I now enjoy – learning and understanding the Plan of
Redemption. God does not have a double standard. Every human being ever born
on this planet will get a fair chance! Oh, what a Savior!
Only those who have their names recorded
in the Lamb’s Book of Life, before, or during the Millennium, will inhabit the New
Jerusalem. Revelation 21:27,
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Those whose names are not found in the
Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire – this is the second death from
which there is no resurrection. In God’s infinite mercy, He will destroy them
(Malachi 4:1-3). We understand this as the concept of eternal punishMENT, not
eternal puniSHING! Revelation 20:13-15 refer to HELL'S permanent destruction.
Those who accepted the gospel and “Way
of the Lord”, will not die during the millennial period, but will apparently continue
living with the gift of everlasting life. They will be prevented from dying the
second death, and therefore will not be subject to the Resurrection of Damnation.
The truth is that there will be a
Millennial- salvation opportunity (NOT A SECOND CHANCE) for those billions who
sincerely, NEVER had a fair chance to accept Jesus Christ as personal Lord and
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Savior. Evaluate this from an honest, common-sense perspective…..it makes sense
logically and theologically! Do YOU believe everyone deserves an EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY?
So, what my high school girlfriend said
about “they will be like they never existed” is wrong. The problem is, they do
exist, and every soul must be dealt with individually. This group will include little
children who died in infancy, mentally handicapped individuals, and multitudes with
other physical impairments that prevented them from having a fair
gospel-opportunity….
I trust you will understand that the exact details about the Earthly
Millennium are not spelled out very clearly in Revelation. We cannot be overly
dogmatic on the finer points, however, the promise that there will be a post
Second Coming, Earthly Millennial period, CANNOT be disproved from Scripture.
One of the major flaws in Adventist eschatology is that it makes no provision for
the BILLIONS of people, dead or alive, who NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL! The
explanations offered, such as, "God knows what they would have done", and "They
were saved unknowingly" simply will not stand the test of Scripture.
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Chapter 6
NO ONE GOES TO HEAVEN ….
While preparing for confirmation in the
Dutch Reformed Church, someone asked my catechism teacher an apparently
difficult question: “If we go to heaven when we die, why must the Lord come back
to get us if we are already there?” The elder mumbled something about “our
bodies”, but did not elaborate on the real question ……
Contrary to what my catechism teacher
told us, the Bible does not say that anyone goes to heaven or hell when they die.
In Matthew 5:5, Jesus said: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
EARTH!” This verse tells us that our final residence will not be in heaven, but
rather on EARTH. I don’t think anyone will ever go to the abode of God the
Father. As far as we humans are concerned, it will all happen right here, on earth!
According to Jesus, no one has yet ascended to heaven, except Himself.
John 3:13 – “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son
of man ….”
Do you believe Jesus told the truth?
The Bible is very clear that people, who
are “deceased”, are actually, factually and truly DEAD! They are neither in heaven
or burning in hell. Yes, John 5:29 says that even those who have done “good” will
await “the resurrection of life”. Please read 1 Corinthians 15:21-23 for a very
clear description of the resurrection.
John 14:1-3 - “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place
for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
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Does this section of the Bible really say that one day we will be going to
heaven to inherit a mansion? Could this be mere assumption? If there are
ALREADY mansions, why would Jesus have to construct even more mansions?
Translations vary with regards to the word “mansions”. Other metaphorical
expressions of the same word are: rooms, abodes, and dwelling places. In the
Christian hymn, A Child of the King, songwriter, Hattie Buel, says, “They’re
building a palace for me over there!”
You will notice that there is no timeconnotation
to the statement of Jesus. If it were true that some of us indeed
would go to heaven, for how long would we live in the mansions and palaces? 7
years? 1000 years? This whole concept is in stark conflict with Jesus’ own
statement in Matthew 5:5. (Also read Psalm 37:11, 29, where the Psalmist is
clearly referring to an earthly abode during a time of “great peace”)
God the Father’s House:
Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we
are the children of God:”
When we say, “our children are part of our
house”, we simply mean they are part of our family ……..the same with God the
Father. Because of our acceptance of Christ, we were adopted into our Father’s
house, or family. And in the household of God there is ample SPACE for
EVERYONE! There is “room at the Cross for you”; in God’s heart is a dwelling
place for you.
John 2:16 – “And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house
an house of merchandise.”
Jesus was clearly drawing an analogy from
the temple being “my Father’s house”.
Hebrew 3:6 – “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence
and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
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This is simply saying that Jesus has
followers ……… “whose house WE ARE” - and of course, Christ’s house is His
Father’s house. It cannot be clearer: God the Father’s house is composed of
those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior.
Preparing a Place: When Jesus said that He was going back to His Father to
prepare a place for us, He was referring to His daily work as our INTERCESSOR.
It would only take a few moments for Jesus to "speak" the most beautiful
mansions into existence - like He did when He made the Earth in only 6 days! He
was not going to take 2000 years to build or prepare a physical palace for any one!
Do you agree?
Hebrews 4:14-16: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus
the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
in time of need.”
What is Jesus PREPARING? He is
continually offering His atoning blood for the sins we still commit every day. This
is the only way we can continue to stay in the household of the Father.
Romans 3:23-25 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness
for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God:”
Notice that when a sinner accepts Jesus
as Savior, ALL his or her sins are forgiven, wiped away and blotted out, never to
be remembered by God again.
However, no matter how good our
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intentions might be to never sin again, the FACT is, we still sin every day. Do you
agree with me?
1 John 1:8: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
It is for that reason we need a LIVING
SAVIOR who can take care of our “post-conversion” daily sins and shortcomings.
That is why it takes both the death and life of Christ to save us and KEEP US
SAVED!
1 Corinthians 15:17, 18 – “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain;
ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
How then are our present sins forgiven?
Please read 1 John 1:9; 2:1, 2 - and see if you can discover the answer yourself.
Jesus is not involved in any kind of
“investigation” to figure out if He should allow us eternal life or not, but He
continually intercedes in our behalf in order to KEEP and PRESERVE us as
members of the household of Him and His Father! Please read Hebrews 4:14-16.
So, when Jesus said that He was going to
prepare a place for us in the Father’s household or family, HE IS DOING JUST
THAT!
The New Testament writers were
unanimous in writing about the literal Second Coming of Jesus. In John 14, Jesus
said, “I will come again”. That does not mean, WE are going to Him, but simply
that Jesus is coming to US! Do you agree?
Acts 1:11 – “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus,
which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
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Jesus will return to where He departed
from. He will fulfill His promise to “receive you unto myself”. Jesus alluded to
that very event in Matthew
224:31,
“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they
shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Let’s get some more details about just
what the scenario will be at the Second Coming.
1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 - “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all
sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
We now want to find out just WHERE we
shall be when Jesus will receive us unto Himself:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 – “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Scripture is clear that Jesus will be in the
CLOUDS when we meet Him, “…. in the AIR.” That means just above the surface
of the earth. That is where Jesus will be when we meet Him. And for how long
will we be with Him? v. 17 “…..shall we EVER be with the Lord.” And Jesus
Himself said in John 14, “…… that WHERE I AM there you may be also.”
The question for us to consider is this:
do we stay in the clouds forever? Do we go to some or other planet – perhaps to
heaven itself? Because in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul does not tell us where we go
after we meet Jesus in the clouds. He did say that we will REMAIN with the
Lord. We need to search for other Scripture for our answer to WHERE Jesus
will go after this gathering of saints in the air.
We have already noticed where Jesus was
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when He ASCENDED to heaven. (Acts 1:11,12) Mt. Olivet, JERUSALEM.
Jerusalem – the beloved city:
Zechariah 14:1-4 - “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil
shall be divided in the midst of thee.
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses
rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the
city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east,
and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and
there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it
toward the south.”
Some scholars understand Revelation 1:10
to refer, not to the Seventh-day Sabbath (Lord’s day), but rather to the “Day of
the Lord”, as it is referred to more than 30 times in the Old Testament. It is
viewed as referring to a future prophetic time, rather than the day of the week
on which John had the vision. This “Day of the Lord” is seen as referring to the
Second Coming and Millennial reign of Christ.
I have noticed that in the Greek, the word en is used – which should be
translated “in” and not “on” the Lord’s Day. In the vision John was apparently
taken into that particular end-time scenario.
Speaking of “the day of the Lord”, and
referring to the Battle of Armageddon (read Revelation 16:12-16), Zachariah says
that, “His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before
Jerusalem.” In Revelation 19:11-21 is a detailed description of this end time
battle.
Notice in Zechariah 14:5, last sentence:
“and all the saints with thee”. At the second coming after we meet Christ in the
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air, we continue on with Him down to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, to fight
the armies of the warring nations.
Only God the Father knows when that day will occur.
Matthew 24:36:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Zechariah 14:9 says that Jesus will be
“King over all the EARTH”. That is exactly where you and I will be part of His
administration. (Revelation 5:10 – “……. and we shall reign on the earth”)
After the 1000 year Earthly Millennium,
Jesus will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father.
1 Corinthians 15:24-26 – “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even
the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
It is only after this time when the last
enemy, DEATH, is destroyed that the New Jerusalem comes down and God the
Father HIMSELF will come and live on the new earth. You may want to read
Revelation chapters 21 and 22.
The truth is that no one goes to heaven –
but that God the Father and Heaven are coming down TO US! What an awesome
God!
The New Heaven and New Earth will be inhabited by God the Father,
our Lord Jesus Christ, all the saints, and a host of angelic beings.
Unfortunately, the Bible does not give us much details of our future destiny,
except what we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9.
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"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
OBSERVATION: Because of many years of indoctrination, it is always very
difficult for Sunday-keepers to accept the Biblical teaching on the Sabbath. In
similar fashion, it is equally, if not more difficult, for Seventh-day Adventists to
part with the EGW-confirmation of a Heavenly Millennium.
I have noticed, however, that most Adventists are HONEST people, and when
they are directly confronted with Biblical truth, they will not hesitate to accept
the leading of God's Spirit and to follow Jesus ALL THE WAY!
Personally, I made my decision about the
Earthly Millennium, when I studied the many OT prophetic references to the
Earthly Millennium…The crux of Jesus' own teaching was to remind His followers
of A COMING KINGDOM…when the apostles will sit on 12 thrones, helping to
manage the EARTH…and Jesus Himself will sit on His father David's throne.
These events have NOT yet happened; it CANNOT refer to anything in Heaven
OR the New Earth…..…it MUST happen during the Earthly Millennium!
Also, in Rev 20:9, those who attack
Jerusalem with Satan are NOT the resurrected wicked, but are OF the
NATIONS, living at the end of the Millennium, who did not accept the Gospel. The
term "devoured"… simply refers to how they will die the FIRST DEATH. Notice,
Satan is thrown into the LAKE OF FIRE! The "devouring" of the unrepentant in
v.9, is NOT HELL. Those people will later take part in "the resurrection of
damnation", and be annihilated in v.13-15 when the last enemy, death, will also be
destroyed.
ONLY NOW do we come to Rev 21, and
CHRONOLOGICALLY the New Jerusalem AND God the Father come down. The
Jerusalem referred to in v. 9 is NOT the New Jerusalem…it simply CANNOT be!
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T hank you for allowing me, to share my
understanding with you. While I certainly respect the views and opinions of
others, I am convinced that your personal research will conclude that the Bibleway
is still…… the ONLY WAY!
Chapter 7
“The Testimony of Jesus”
Adventists have traditionally believed that
the SDA Church constitutes “the Remnant” of Revelation 12:17. In fact, the
official baptismal vow includes the words “I believe that the Seventh-day
Adventist Church is the Remnant Church of Bible prophecy”. This is viewed as an
exclusive title “for SDA’s only”.
In Revelation 12:17 we noticed that there
are two qualifications for being part of the Remnant: keeping God’s
commandments and have the testimony of Jesus. The implication is that the
members would exhibit TWO actions: OBEDIENCE to God, and WITNESSING
about the teachings of Jesus. However, we refer to Revelation 19:10 for a
definition of “the testimony of Jesus”. For some or other reason Adventists
would then come to the conclusion that “the Spirit of Prophecy” is the writings of
Ellen G. White. In some instances the wording would be something like “the Spirit
of Prophecy is ‘manifested’ in the writings of Ellen G. White”.
That is obviously an incorrect exegesis of
Revelation 19:10. Please observe the translation of The New Testament
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Contemporary English Version, which makes most sense:
Revelation 12:17
“They are the people who obey God and are faithful to what Jesus did and taught.”
Revelation 19:10
“Everyone who tells about Jesus does so by the power of the Spirit”.
These two verses make it very clear that
it is most assuredly not the writings of E.G. White, although she had every right
just like you have, to be part of those who indeed proclaim “what Jesus did and
taught”.
“Go thee therefore, and teach all nations, ……Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you …. “ Matthew 28:19, 20\
God’s Remnant will simply “observe all
things” that Jesus commanded and taught on the great issues such as Salvation,
the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath, Baptism, the Second Coming, the
Millennium, the Ordinances, etc.
The literal translation of Revelation 19:10, indeed refers to "spirit of prophecy".
However, the term has a much broader application than simply the office of a
prophet.
Prophecy is more than foretelling things to
come. It also includes the ability to speak according to Scripture in the power of
God's Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul expresses his desire that the church
members at Corinth would "prophesy". Does that mean every-member-a-prophet?
The Greek word for prophesy is PROPHETEIS, which could refer to foretelling
the future OR simply "preaching". The context would determine the meaning. In
the formative years of the Christian Church, like in Corinth, the immediate need
was clearly for more preachers to proclaim the Gospel.
The Testimony of Jesus can best be
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proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit through Preaching! For doing just that,
John was exiled to the island of Patmos. This Gift of Witnessing is clearly an
identifying feature of the Christian Church, and not just reserved for one person!
The existence of an extra or post-Biblical
prophetess cannot be substantiated by the verses Adventist preachers so often
quote. I believe it has been proven over and over again that Ellen G. White does
not qualify as a Biblical-level prophetess. Most readers are aware of the writings
of Elder Walter Rea (The White Lie), and others. I have no desire to attack the
character and integrity of Ellen White. Anyone with access to the Internet can
Google “the prophecies of Ellen G. White” and engage some personal research
regarding the plagiarism issues she is accused of. The ultimate decision
is…YOURS, and I respect that.
My personal conviction is that Ellen G. White was a sincere Christian, who
wrote many wonderful books, most of whom I have read myself. Her writings were
devotional and pastoral in nature, rather than reliable prophetic foretelling of
eschatological events.
Notice the “latest” explanation by Dr.
David Newman, in the Summer, 2011 Edition of Adventist Today, on p.17, “Ellen
White was a New Testament prophet”… yet, “not universal…just to the Adventist
Church”!
RESPONSES
After the passing of a couple of YEARS, I
still have not received ANY official response from the SDA Leadership! I then
sent out 2500 Manuscripts to most SDA ministers in the English-speaking
countries of the world – also, AGAIN, to most of the SDA theologians, scholars
and Administrative Leaders in the world-field. I extended the same original
invitation: to dialogue with me and to point out if and where I deviate from
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Scripture with my positions.
Many ministerial respondents agreed
with one or all of my positions. Some explained that, because of denominational
employment implications, they would not want me to share their comments.
Some openly stated that we get our doctrines from the Bible AND Ellen G.
White. Others mentioned that they do not agree with a number of the SDA
doctrines, but found it difficult to cut the “psychological umbilical cord” with
the church.
In return-correspondence, I urged every respondent to STAY IN THE
CHURCH and to study and pray and wait patiently for the Spirit to move at the
appointed time.
CHAPTER 8
Adventist Alternative
Today, after a struggle of almost 3 years,
with no invitation to dialogue or discuss my differences with the church I had
membership with, for almost 50 years, and which I served as Pastor, Conference
Evangelist, and Adjunct Professor, the struggle is still going on!
I would like to maintain a good relationship with all Adventists and hope
to die a loyal Sabbath-keeper when my time comes. Seventh-day Adventists are
some of the greatest and most loving people I know, and it is a joy to have been
associated with them for so many years.
If you are one of more than 2 million Adventists in the
US and Canada who have left the Adventist Church in recent years, but still
desires to keep the Seventh-day Sabbath, allow me to introduce you to my own,
small, protest-organization that exists for the single purpose to rid the SDA
church from the false doctrines we have studied together. But first come and
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review with me some of our heritage:
Between, 1831-1844, Baptist Lay Preacher, William Miller, promoted the
eminence of the Second Coming of Jesus. In fact, he so firmly believed in the
Second Coming, that he and an associate, S.S. Snow – after they have studied
Daniel 8:14 - set an actual date for the Second Coming = October 22, 1844.
Within a few years they had thousands of followers from different religious
backgrounds.
Those people were very sincere in their
belief. They emptied their banking accounts and many sold their farms and
homes. With the money that was generated they bought PRINTING PRESSES
and printed only one message, around the clock: “Jesus is Coming….Jesus is
Coming, October 22, 1844!” As the day came closer, people started gathering in
homes, in barns, and all over – even in the open! They met on the evening of
October 21, and stayed up all night, praying and singing hymns to welcome the
day they have longed for so long. The morning of October 22 arrived and Jesus
didn’t come! Noontime came and nothing happened! Someone said: “He’ll come at
evening”. Evening came and Jesus didn’t come, and THAT DAY is engraved in the
history of the Sabbatarian Movement, as the Day of Great Disappointment!
Even though the MILLERITES, as they were known, were Sunday-keepers – we
trace modern Sabbatarian history back to that particular event.
What happened next? Most of the Millerites went back to their original
churches – but a small group, known as The Little Flock, clustered together,
determined to continue their quest for ultimate truth. A lady-member of the
Seventh -day Baptist Church, RACHEL PRESTON, from New York, brought the
Seventh-day Sabbath message to the attention of some of the members of this
particular group. However, it was not long before some different points of view
developed, and dissention became evident.
What prompted the departure for many was the role of Ellen G. White as
90
prophetess. Many of the early believers were offended by her “shut-door”
teaching. She claimed to have seen in a vision that the day of salvation for
sinners was past. Since that time, the histories of a number of Sabbatarian
churches, denominations, off-shoots and splinter-groups can be traced. The
Mainline SDA Church consistently refused to subject their teachings to Biblical
scrutiny. What was the result? Many leading ministers,
administrators, professors, evangelists, left the ranks. I have previously
suggested some of the names you might want to personally investigate.
Your Special Invitation:
After I have followed protocol to a T, and
did everything humanly possible to get an audience with our Leadership, I have
decided to venture out, independently, on my own. The Lord is blessing in every
aspect.
From time to time I preach at
Camp-meetings and Sabbath events, I teach some courses for ministerial
continuing education, and, by invitation, preach at different churches.
Many are using my 16 Basic Bible Studies
on DVD and use the popular share-book, The Fourth Dilemma, for massdistribution
and to advertise their churches in their local community.
I will be happy to, by invitation, visit
YOUR church, to preach or participate in an Open Forum discussion.
We also would like to invite YOU to join
Good Hope Institute, and be on our Mailing List. Feel free to communicate via Email:
radiogoodhope@yahoo.com
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Most of our supporters regularly attend
the SDA church. We often visit the Loma Linda University church ourselves, and
strongly urge all members to STAY IN THE CHURCH! Reform INSIDE!
If you have any personal needs such as
baptism, anointing with oil, support during time of bereavement, wedding,
counseling, etc., we will do our utmost to facilitate your requests.
I would also like to invite you to download
the set of 16 Basic Bible Studies on video (also the Worksheets), that you could
use to establish your own Home Bible Study Fellowship.
We are trying to establish a strong
“grass-roots” protest- movement and are in need of volunteer Ministers, Lay
Pastors and Bible Instructors. Our goal is to establish a Good Hope Fellowship
CHAPTER in every State and Country overseas. We solicit your prayers, support,
suggestions and participation, in these events. All doors for communication with
the GC will remain open…
Again, for the record, we are NOT a new
denomination, church, or SDA Splinter-group, but exist for the exclusive purpose
of trying to convince the GC to “change course”.
PLEASE NOTE: We fully understand that it would be next to impossible for the
GC to simply “do away” with the doctrines we all know we have a problem with.
HERE IS THE REQUEST: we would ask the church to do away with the
controversial doctrines as TESTS FOR MEMBERSHIP. We ask the church to
ACCOMMODATE and TOLERATE those who, for instance, do not believe in Ellen
White as a Bible-level prophetess, do not believe in a pre-advent Investigative
Judgment when only THEN, “some are accepted and some are rejected”.
These members should be allowed to maintain their church membership and be
allowed to fellowship as regular Adventists in good standing. IF the church could
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make these simple adjustments, it will stop the present exodus from our churches
and thousands will come back home.. Will YOU help us to achieve this goal? Please
contact us on radiogoodhope@yahoo.com and we will be happy to introduce you to
others of similar conviction. Be an instrument of grace and help millions of our
brothers and sisters find their way back!
Our greatest need right now, is to draw attention to as many as possible to visit
our WEBSITE! - www.adventistalternative.org.
You may even want to sponsor an inexpensive ad in the PERSONAL COLUMN of
your local Newspaper: “Adventists and ex-SDA’s, please check out
www.adventistalternative.org”
This is simple, yet most effective!
Thank you very much for your help!
Good Hope Institute is a Federally Registered 501(C)(3) Church organization and
all donations are fully tax-deductible. Donations can be made to Good Hope
Institute, P O Box 546, Apple Valley, CA 92307, USA. Tax-receipts are mailed off
immediately. All of our literature and services are …FREE!
Be sure to read THE FOURTH DILEMMA on www.adventistalternative.org
and to communicate with me personally on radiogoodhope@yahoo.com.
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WALK WITH THE KING!
Pieter Erens Barkhuizen, Th.D
94y. Many stories are told about his horrible physical
condition when no one wanted to come near him because of the intolerable stench
of his rotten flesh. Worms literally crawled out of his body. Now something
MOST IMPORTANT:
Jesus confirms the correct interpretation of Daniel 8:14, and nullifies any idea of
a Heavenly Investigative Judgment that commenced in 1844:
John 10:22, 23 – “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus
walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.”
Here we read that Jesus celebrated the Feast of Dedication, also known as
the Feast of Lights, or the Jewish Feast Day, called Hanukkah. When you try to
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research these verses, you will find no further reference to the Feast of
Dedication (Hanukkah) in the Bible. Even when you consult the writings of Ellen G.
White, there is no commentary! We are thusly forced to look at extra-Biblical
resources for the answer. Do you agree?
I recommend to the reader to do your own research: Simply Google on your
computer the words – “Wikipedia on Hanukkah, John 10:22,23.” Apart from
sparring with different dates and the numbers-game, the Feast of Dedication
confirms to me personally, that the role of Antiochus Epiphanus, culminating in
the restoration performed by Judas Maccabeus, could be the most probable
explanation for what we read in Daniel 8:14.
The record is clear that Jesus
participated in a feast instituted by Judas Maccabeus, to celebrate the time when
the Sanctuary was “properly restored”. (Daniel 8:14 NASB) Wikipedia offers an
excellent historical record, referring to the book of Maccabees, explaining in
detail why this Feast was also known as the Feast of Lights, and is still celebrated
today by the Jews, as the Feast of Hanukkah… Simply consult any JEWISH
RABBI!
In the earthly sanctuary, there were two
types of services, and both typified the same atoning sacrifice of Jesus. These
two services (daily and yearly) did not point to two different ministries in heaven,
but they were simply two “teaching mechanisms” teaching the SAME thing! During
the daily service the participants came as individuals. In the yearly service, the
congregation came as a corporate body to witness the atonement –experience.
The blood was the same; in both instances it symbolized the cleansing blood of
Christ. That blood can still today, make the vilest sinner clean!
Hebrews 9:26 - “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once
in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
The truth of the matter is that the final
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ATONEMENT has been COMPLETED at the cross! There is not, and cannot be
another atonement where sins can be forgiven or wiped out more completely than
what happened at the cross. To teach anything to the contrary, would rob
Christians of the assurance of their salvation. No sins were ever "piled up" in
God's holy abode to be "cleansed" in 1844. That is NOT what the Bible teaches!
Full forgiveness is granted to helpless
sinners like me IMMEDIATELY when confession and repentance are made. You
may have the immediate assurance that you are NOT under any condemnation or
judgment.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
Also read Hebrews 9:26, 10:14; 1 John 1:9;
John 5:24. The imputed righteousness of Jesus in your life is the only
requirement you need for everlasting life. John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on
the Son hath (present tense) everlasting life:” YOU may be SURE of your
salvation!
Jesus, our Substitute, was judged for us.
We do not need to be further investigated. We plead guilty, and have accepted
our Substitute Who stands in our place. If anyone wants to question God’s
judgment, let them investigate …… Jesus! Do not allow ANYONE to confuse you
on this!
There are a number of theological reasons
why we cannot accept the incorrect teaching of a pre-advent Investigative
Judgment:
In the New Testament is no
reference to any other future heavenly ministry of Jesus other than what He
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commenced with at His ascension.
Scripture does not teach or imply a two-phase ministry in heaven. The
heavenly, once-for-all High Priestly ministry of Jesus is in direct contrast with
the regular, earthly High Priest sanctuary services. Not the same but
DIFFERENT and BETTER and CONTINUALLY!
At Jesus’ ascension no heavenly two-apartment sanctuary separated by a veil,
existed. He went DIRECTLY into the presence of God the Father. Hebrews 9:24,
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into
heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Jesus was already in the presence of the
Father when these words were penned around AD 95.
Hebrews 9:12,
“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy
place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
Also read Hebrews 10:19.
The rending of the veil at Jesus’ death
terminated the earthly sanctuary service and assured us direct access to the
Father.
The very body of Christ replaced the veil.
In salvation history, the Cross of Calvary is of paramount importance! A complete
atonement!
Hebrews 10:20 - “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to
say, his flesh;”
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Many Seventh-day Adventists do not
understand that when the earthly tabernacle-veil was torn from top to bottom
at the crucifixion of Jesus, it symbolized the fact that there is now no
restriction to the very throne and presence of God the Father. Jesus removed
the veil, and it is wrong to teach that we need to present our good works and
offerings to be "mixed" with the blood of Jesus to pay a "toll-gate-fee" in order
to enter through the veil. The FACT is, there is no veil in Heaven! Read in Early
Writings, P.54-56 how E. G. White puts Satan next to Jesus' throne, breathing
"light and much power" on God's children! Do YOU believe that? In fact, in the
same book, on p.261, she says that, unless the “nominal churches” offer their
prayers to the right “apartment”, their prayers are in vain and SATAN directs
their minds to HIMSELF!
The writer of the book of Hebrews points
out differences rather than similarities between the earthly and heavenly
mediations. For instance, Jesus did not go in and out and in and out of Heaven, but
entered once. The earthly sanctuary was simply a teaching mechanism of what
Jesus would do in His role as Heavenly High Priest. Instead of bringing animal
sacrifices on a daily basis to church, we can now pray directly to God the Father
through the Mediatorship of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There is
no veil in Heaven, neither is there any record of any sins in Heaven. As we bring
our confessions of sin through prayer to our Heavenly High Priest, those sins are
immediately blotted out – paid in full by the blood of the Lamb! Your sins are
under the Blood of the Lamb.. You ARE Saved! Jesus’ blood did NOT
carry our sins into heaven! it CLEANSES us NOW!
The main function of the earthly veil was
to protect the Priests in their daily services from being consumed by the
Shechinah glory or Holy Spirit-presence of YAHWEH in the Most Holy Place. The
simple teaching was that sinners could not approach God the Father except
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through Jesus Christ.
There is no established theological basis
or authority for changing the 2,300 days of Daniel 8:14 into 2300 years. There
simply is no “year for a day” principle established in Scripture! In Numbers 14:34,
God pronounced a judgment of 40 years upon Israel’s unbelief to correspond with
the 40 days in Canaan. This was clearly stated. There is no possible association
of the 40- year judgment of Numbers with the prophecy of Daniel 8. It cannot
be done! Same with the Ezekiel 4:5, 6 pericope. No ESTABLISHED rule!
Some want to apply a “year-day” principle to Daniel 8 because it seems to
work in Daniel 9, where a 70-week prophecy to the time of Messiah, is stated. No
“year-day” principle exists in Daniel 9 because there is no need for it. The Hebrew
for the number “seven” is SHABUA, or a unit of seven. The context will
determine whether the unit is of days, months, or years. Most linguists see in
Daniel 9 “weeks of years” or “seventy sevens”. Nothing in prophecy states that a
year represents a day, and historically the time to Messiah was indeed approx. 70
weeks of years or 490 years.
Nothing in Daniel 9 confirms that the
490 years marked the beginning of the 2300 days, or that it was the first section
or part of the 2300 days. Careful analysis points out that the 490 years began
with a work of restoration while the 2300 days is a time of desolation (Daniel
9:25).
Let’s sink a little deeper into the Daniel
8:14 “problem” and see if we can get right to the bone. I trust you have your
Thinking Cap on! The word “day” does not appear at all in the Manuscripts. The
Hebrew word for day is the word “yom”. The word for days is the Hebrew word
“yamin”. Neither of these words appears in Daniel 8:14. The word “days” is not a
direct translation but an INTERPRETATION of the two Hebrew words “ereb”
(evening) and “boqer” (morning). The angels speaking in v. 13 answered a question
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by giving the number of sacrifices. There were TWO sacrifices every day,
morning and evening…both on the SAME DAY. (The translators were correct by
using the word “sacrifices” in v.11, 12 and 13….unfortunately they did not follow
through with the same word in v. 14) Here is the translation from the New
American Standard Bible, regarded by many scholars as the best direct
translation in the English language:
"For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored."
I want to make sure we have no misunderstanding about this vital point:
William Miller was a Baptist LAY-preacher and it is doubtful if he had a solid
working knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. He used the King James' Version
and simply assumed that the translation was correct. However, the King James is
INCORRECT in saying "after 2300 DAYS." Miller built his entire hypothesis on
an erroneous translation! Daniel 8:14 refers to a total of 2300 SACRIFICES
(Hebr. TAMID) executed as "the daily", every morning and every evening all
through the year…these were not sin-offerings, but rather offerings of
appeasement to Jahweh. They PRECEEDED and concluded all the sin offerings. At
two ritual-offerings per day, 10 evening-morning offerings = 5 days; 100 eveningmorning
offerings= 50 days; 2300 evening-morning offerings = 1150 days.
Here is a simple illustration: We attended Camp-meeting this spring and each
day we had a morning and evening service. We attended a total of 10 such
services. How long was the Camp-meeting? We have to divide the 10 services we
attended by 2 because there were TWO services (sacrifices) on each day.
Answer? 5 days! Do you agree?
Seventh-day Adventists need to correct this error of William Miller, because
when our brothers and sisters discover this false teaching, many of them become
discouraged and leave the church.
The number 2300 is viewed by some
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scholars as a numerical ERROR according to the earliest manuscripts, which give
the number to be 2200, as referred to by Jerome who translated the Vulgate.
The Septuagint gives the number to be 2400. The Vulgate seems to be the more
acceptable version for some. Let’s see what happens when we divide 2200 by two =
1100 actual DAYS.
The question is, HOW DID ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES FULFILL THIS
PROPHECY? Follow carefully! For more detailed, historic information, we have to
consult one of the Apocryphal books, 1 Maccabees.
1. In 1 Maccabees 1:54 it is stated that on the 15th day of the month of
Chislev, in the 145th year, Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation
“upon the altar of burnt offering”. He thusly made an END to the Jewish
evening and morning sacrifices.
2. In 1 Maccabees 4:52, 53 we read what Judas and his followers did: "Early in
the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month
of Chislev, in the one hundred forty- eighth year, they rose and offered
sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering that they
had built."
3. The Jewish year contained 12 months of 354 days, and every 3rd year they
added an extra month of 29 days to equalize it with the solar year. We have
to look at 15 Chislev, 145th to 25 Chislev, 148th year.
So, let’s get out our high-speed
calculators: 3 Jewish years x 354 days =1062 days, PLUS 1 extra month of 29
days = 1091 days, PLUS 9 days from 15th to 24th of Chislev = (hold on to your
seat) 1100 days! A total of 2200 evening and morning sacrifices! Referring to this
prophecy, the greatest Jewish historian of all time, Josephus, purportedly said,
“No prophecy was ever more accurately fulfilled than this”.
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Frankly, I am not hung up on either 2300, 2400 or the Catholic Vulgate’s
2200 days. The fact is that Dan. 8:14 was fulfilled by Antiochus and Judah
Maccabeus. Jesus CONFIRMED this for us in John 10:22, 23.
Differences between two horns of Daniel 7 and 8
Daniel 8:9 – says the Little Horn would originate from one of the divisions
of Alexander’s empire when these were in their “latter time” (v23). This points to
a power originating from the Grecian world sometime after 300 BC. Rome was
never part of the Alexandria empire, nor did it originate from one of the divisions
of the Grecian Empire. Rome came from Italy, and was founded in 750 BC, and
became a republic in 509 BC. Rome did conquer the 4 divisions of the Grecian
Empire, but this is further proof that Rome did not arise FROM any of the 4
divisions of Alexander’s Empire!
The “Little Horn” of Daniel 7 did not have its beginning until the 4th beast
was divided into 10 Kingdoms, which happened in 476 AD. The “Little Horn” of
Dan. 8 was to come up in the latter time of their Kingdom” (v. 23). “Their
kingdom” refers to the 4 divisions of the Alexandria Empire. The “latter time” or
last days of the 4 kingdoms was 200 BC-100BC. Therefore, the little horn of Dan.
8 was to arise 6 centuries before the little horn of Dan. 7 existed! This
difference in timing is prima facie evidence that the two “little horn” powers are
NOT THE SAME. They arise at vastly different points in human history!
According to SDA, the 2300 days (years) began in 457 BC and ended in
1844 AD. During this time the little horn is supposed to be “treading underfoot”
the sanctuary, beginning with pagan Rome, later to be followed by papal Rome.
This notion presents many dilemmas:
1 - Rome did not have any contact with the Jewish nation until 161 BC.
How could the Little Horn have begun its desecrating work in 457 BC,
296 years before it even came into contact with the Jewish state? Rome
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had no part whatsoever in the activities of 457 BC, and thus could not be
the “Little Horn” described in Dan. 8!
2 - Rome existed peacefully with the Jewish nation and did not upset the
Jews until after Palestine became a part of the Roman Empire in 63 BC.
How could the Little Horn be “treading underfoot” the Sanctuary for
nearly 400 years, when it never interfered with the sanctuary service
during that time period?
3 – If Papal Rome is the Little Horn of Dan. 8 during the latter part of the
2300 days, then what happened to Papal Rome on Oct. 22, 1844? Why is
there no event in papal history to coincide with the end of the 2300 days.
4 – NB – If pagan Rome neither persecuted the Jews, nor stopped the
sacrifices in 457 BC, and if there is no event in papal history to coincide
with the close of the 2300 days in 1844, then how can we possibly
attach Rome to this prophecy? It simply cannot be done!
Daniel 8 does NOT say that the 4 horns were absorbed by the Little Horn,
as the 4 divisions of Alexander’s Empire were by Rome.
1 Alexander died in 323 BC.
2 Alexander’s Kingdom was divided in 301 BC.
3 The Little Horn could not have come on the scene until after 301
BC!
4 How could the Little Horn be desecrating the Sanctuary in 457 BC
when the prophecy does not even show it arising until after 301 BC?
5 The Little Horn of Dan. 8 is a KING, not an EMPIRE! Dan. 8:23.
Hebr for “KING” = MELEK – meaning a king not a kingdom or empire.
However the most convincing evidence that Dan. 8 is talking about Antiochus
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Epiphanus, is the fact that Dan. 11 explains the prophecy of Dan. 8 in greater
detail, and the Little Horn (Antiochus) is interpreted from v. 21 onwards. (And, of
course, John 10:22, 23 – Feast of Dedication, attended by Jesus Himself)
PLEASE NOTE: the verse in Daniel 8:14 says that the sanctuary will “be
cleansed”. The action is COMPLETED. Right here is the clear evidence to prove that, at
the END of the 2300 days, the sanctuary WILL BE CLEANSED. It does NOT say “then
the sanctuary will begin to be cleansed in some future time". Please think this through for
a moment. Today it apparently is still not "cleansed"
Actually, not only is “days” missing
from Daniel 8:14, but also the word “cleansed” (Hebrew – nisdaq). The NASB uses
the words “properly restored”. Other versions, like the NIV, will bring out the
idea of the reconstruction/repair of the temple to its original physical condition.
This harmonizes perfectly with the restoration of the sanctuary by Judas
Maccabees on 25 Kislev, 165 BC.
There are obviously many scholars who have different opinions and
approaches to solve the “riddle” of Daniel 8:14 and some may indeed have
significant technical data to consider. However, the issue for many of us, is simply
to discover if Daniel 8:14 refers to an Earthly or Heavenly event. I believe the
evidence is irrefutable that the “adjusted” version of Daniel 8:14, in The Clear
Word Bible, is WRONG! Read this with me and then YOU decide. “He answered,
’After two thousand, three hundred prophetic days (or two thousand, three
hundred years), God will step in, proclaim the truth about Himself and restore the
ministry of the Sanctuary in heaven to its rightful place. This is when the
judgment will begin, of which the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary was a type.’”
Have you ever heard the expression:
“reading something into a verse, which is NOT THERE”? We refer to that as
EISEGESIS. There IS NO Investigative Judgment. Period! Let the TRUTH set
you FREE!
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THE MAIN PROBLEM: The Biblical message of Righteousness by Faith in the
Merits of Jesus Christ ALONE is incompatible with an "Investigative Judgment",
when your performance will be scrutinized as evidenced by YOUR personal works
and record! Is Jesus’ blood ALONE not enough?
I read an article by Roy Adams (Adventist
World, NAD/August 2007, P.3), in which is stated the reason for a so-called preadvent
Investigative Judgment: “There are intelligences beyond our own planet –
created beings who, if the universe is to be secure, must be satisfied with the
integrity of the divine process through which some people are saved and others
lost.” It continues to say, “Its wider concern is with vindication - vindication of
God, of God’s sanctuary, of God’s name, of God’s people …….. Upon its vindication
hangs the security of the universe …… The judgment now in session will settle the
question of God’s love and justice prior to the Second Advent.” One final
statement caught my eye: “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.”
I am convinced that any thinking
Christian, who understands that salvation is based on the shed blood of Jesus
ALONE, must reject all of the above as a sincere effort to explain a
“denominational” concept, founded and expounded on the incorrect notion of grace
PLUS works as the pre-requisite FOR salvation. The belief in an on watching
universe of “intelligences” is simply unbiblical. Nowhere in Scripture do we find
the slightest indication that the “security of the Universe” depends on the choice
human beings have made regarding the Plan of Salvation. The judgment of the
Creator must be judged by His creatures? Such thought borders on blasphemy!
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God is self-authenticating. Who would dare to question His judgment! Have the
“intelligences” not observed the effect of sin during the past 6000 years for
themselves? Why would they doubt the judgment of the Judge? God’s justice in
saving sinners is vindicated by Christ’s death on the cross. This is ESTABLISHED
TRUTH! (Romans 3:24-26) Salvation is God's GIFT to YOU!
The Investigative Judgment was simply
developed as counter-answer to the failed Oct. 22, 1844 Second Coming
expectation of the Millerites, and the wrong interpretation of Daniel 8:14. Let’s
examine the FACTS:
A Baptist lay preacher, William Miller,
thought that when the verse says, "After 2300 days shall the sanctuary be
cleansed", that the sanctuary-cleansing referred to the Second Coming. After
some figure-and-calendar juggling, he came to the conclusion that the Second
Coming would occur on October 22, 1844.
When this date passed without a Second
Coming, Miller and about fifty thousand Millerites decided to give up on prophetic
speculation and moved on … “preaching Jesus”. However, there was a group of
young people called The Little Flock, who tenaciously clung to the Daniel 8:14
prophecy and simply would not accept the fact that October 22, 1844, was a
NON-EVENT. Then it happened! They "discovered" the idea that “it was
something that happened in heaven…..the judgment of the dead began!” Of
course, nothing could be further from the truth!
Acts 3:19 - “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the
times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
There was no need for the beginning of the blotting out of any sin in 1844;
Jesus began His meditorial work as our Advocate at His ascension, not in 1844!
When sinners accept Christ as Lord and Savior, their sins are blotted out right
there and then.
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Hebrews 8:12 – “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will
I remember no more.” Any
sin we commit after our salvation is “propitiated for” by Jesus our Mediator, on
a daily basis. According to 1 John 2:1, the blood is still applied!
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”
No sins or any record of sins had EVER been transferred into the holy abode
of God the Father. This teaching of Ellen White is unbiblical, and it negates
Christ’s atoning work on Calvary. 2 Timothy 2:19 says, “The Lord KNOWETH them
that are his …….” God knows who are saved. Please read the NONCONDITIONAL
statement in 1 John 1:9 again, and then Praise the Lord!
Seventh-day Adventists are WRONG when we teach that those who will be
living just before the Second Coming will have to achieve perfection of character
in order to be able "to stand without a Mediator"! (nobody knows for how long!)
Most Protestants find this understanding repulsive, and when Adventist-members
discover that their church indeed believes this way, many leave the ranks. This is
an unbiblical, heretical teaching, period!
From a theological perspective, the fallacy of
the Judgment is that it overlooks our sinful NATURE. It is our sinful nature that
renders us imperfect – not the sins we commit! We are under condemnation, not
for what we DO, but for what we ARE! We are sinners not because we sin, but we
sin because we ARE sinners! Therefore, to judge our records in an Investigative
Judgment means nothing; because our permanent, sinful NATURE is the problem
we have to deal with! We need a PERFECT CHARACTER to stand IN PLACE OF
our imperfect characters. THAT is your free gift from Jesus! Hallelujah!
**May I suggest that you engage some personal research? Simply Google the
following: “Dr Raymond Cottrell on Investigative Judgment”. You will be shocked
to learn about a secret, Ad Hoc Committee of the General Conference…of which
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this distinguished SDA scholar was a member!
It seems that, since around 1888, just about every 16 years or so, some or
other prominent SDA Professor, Teacher, Public Evangelist, or Administrator
would rise to petition the General Conference to re-evaluate some of the
conflicting beliefs of our church. After their sincere requests were refused by
the Leadership, some were fired, others simply rescinded their church
membership and turned in their Ministerial Credentials. Some had served the
denomination for more than half a century and even served on the GC Executive
Committee!
Perhaps you could research some of these men yourself: D.M.Canwright,
Albion F. Ballenger, W.W.Fletcher, Louis R. Conradi, W.W.Prestcott, Dr.Desmond
Ford (his historic meeting with a GC delegation in 1980 in Glacier View, resulted in
about 140 SDA ministers leaving the SDA church.) In most cases the major bone
of contention centered around the teaching of the Ellen G. White approved, preadvent,
Investigative Judgment. This doctrine simply CANNOT be substantiated
and proven from Scripture.
The sad part is that MANY of our theologians, scholars, ministers, and
administrators, ALSO have silent “problems” with some of these doctrines. Many
wish that we COULD do away with doctrines like the Investigative Judgment,
however, that would mean going against the teachings of Ellen G. White. The
choice, therefore, is between Biblical truth ALONE, or the Bible PLUS the
writings of Ellen G. White!
Even though Ellen G. White NEVER said that she was a prophetess, she did admit
that she was a “special messenger”, which puts her in the category of
ANGELS…thusly of A HIGHER ORDER than the regular Bible Prophets. Therefore
(and the average member is not cognizant of this “deeper insight”), in formulating
any SDA doctrine, Ellen G. White’s comments are regarded by some as superior to
the Bible authors. The Clear Word Bible COMBINES the Bible AND the writings
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of Ellen G. White to prove this particular notion.
Chapter 2
The Mystery of the Family of God
I distinctly remember when, as a boy of
around 15 or 16, the time had come to take catechism classes as pre-requisite to
be confirmed in the Dutch Reformed Church.
One Sunday morning the elder-in-charge
of our catechism class was teaching about who God was. This is what he said:
“God is three persons in one.” At just about the same time, the minister came by
to visit the class, and the elder told him about the topic we were discussing. The
minister then made the following comment: “God is one person in three, but we can
never truly understand the trinity – for it will always be a mystery.”
Part of our discussion from now on, lies at
the heart of Roman Catholic belief – in fact, it scrutinizes the major pillar of
Papal dogma. According to the Bible, there will be another persecution of God’s
people in the last days of earth’s history. I believe the issue will again touch that
sensitive nerve of Catholicism, called TRINITARIANISM.
In the history of the Christian church
there was severe persecution by Trinitarians against non-Trinitarians. The
persecution started with the edict of the Roman emperor Theodosius, in 380 AD,
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which compelled everyone to accept the Catholic Trinity Doctrine. While
persecution has ceased during the last two hundred years or so, extreme
disagreement still continues to this very day over the Trinitarian vs.
non-Trinitarian perception of the Godhead.
Yes, the doctrine of the Trinity is
recognized as THE MAJOR DOCTRINE of the Catholic Church. It is my sincere
conviction that the final end-time issue in the moments before the Second Coming
will again be what it was about during the Dark Ages: a controversy, which involved
WORSHIP, Christ’s Deity, and a correct understanding of WHO GOD IS.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of Life of
the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8
The context of this verse deals with the
anti-Christ Beast power, operating during the final days of Earth’s history. You
will notice in v.4 and v. 8 of Revelation 13 that the issue has to do with WORSHIP.
All humans are interested in who to worship, because we all have a built-in longing
for worship!
The central theme of both the Old and
New Testament is WORSHIP. So it is understandable when people ask the
question: “Who should we worship - One God in Three or Three Gods in one?”
Only since the 4th Century, the church
has taught the doctrine of the Trinity. The subject seems confusing, not only
because the word “trinity” cannot be found in the Bible, but also because there is
absolutely no Scriptural support for the theological concept it postulates. The
theory is that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are three persons in one, also
referred to by some as three hypostases (manifestations) of one being, which is
God. It is believed that these three “persons” are equal in rank, eternal existence
and of the same substance.
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Careful probing of Scripture and history
confirms the fact that the Trinity doctrine was not taught and believed by the
early, monotheistic, New Testament Christians. The idea of a Trinity is the result
of century long disagreements and disputes, and developed gradually. This
doctrine became a leading topic for discussion and dispute at the Council of
Nicaea in 325 CE, and became more established or practiced toward the end of
the 4th Century.
When Jesus prayed that His disciples
might be one as He was with His Father, the prayer did not contemplate one
disciple with twelve heads, but twelve disciples – made one in goal and effort in
the cause of the Gospel.
I do not believe that it was God the Father who hung on the cross and
prayed to Himself, neither do I believe that it was God the Father who died and
was resurrected again to ascend to Himself into heaven. The Father and the Son
are 2 separate Divine Beings or Entities. Some of the angels as well as some men
have been referred to as gods, but none were sanctioned by God to accept
worship, except His Son. By virtue of the inherited Divinity of Jesus, He is fully
God, not another God, but the divine son of the ONLY TRUE GOD and NOT
inferior to His Father.
With reference to the Unity between God,
the Father, and His son Jesus: instead of referring to them as “two Gods”, the
correct expression would be to speak of “two Divine Beings or Entities”, each
worthy of our worship. One of the two Divine Beings, is the Only True God = God,
the Father. The other Divine Being is the Son of God, Jesus the Christ.
Divinity is a mystery, and no earthling will
ever be able to define the exact natures of God the Father and His Son, Jesus
Christ.
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Jesus was a well-defined adherent to the belief that the Father was
the only true God, and that He himself, was sent by that only true God. (John
17:3) Jesus makes eternal life dependent on this lucid concept of God as one God,
and of Himself as a separate individual, the Messiah, Christ, whom God the Father
commissioned as Mediator. In the New Testament the Father is called “the (one)
God” (“o theos, the God”) 1300 times! Never does the word God refer to “three
Persons in one God”. One Lord God and one Lord Messiah. Two Lords but only one
true God. Since one of the two Lords is God the Father, “who is alone the true
God” (John 17:3), the other Lord cannot also be God the Father. This would add
up to two Gods – a Biblical impossibility. (Psalm 110:1) In 1 Tim. 2:5, Paul makes a
clear distinction between the Father and the Mediator. Please read these verses
yourself.
God the Father could not be born and God
the Father could not die. Jesus experienced both! God the Father is one Divine
Entity; Jesus is ANOTHER Divine Entity with a distinct PERSONHOOD, to be the
very expression and illustration and Representative OF HIS FATHER as His
uniquely begotten Son. The Messiah is coming back to this earth to take up His
royal position on the throne of David in Jerusalem! His FATHER David’s throne.
Is David the father of God the Father?
The simple truth is, God the Father is the Only ONE True God. Jesus
confirmed that in John 17:3, and Paul mentioned it in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. This is
what most of the Sabbatarian Pioneers believed, and what settles it for me!
Please take a moment and read John 17:3 yourself, then decide.
I actually have no problem with the
Chalcedone-definition that “Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, bone of our
bone, and flesh of our flesh”. This statement does NOT say that Jesus Christ is
the only true God. Personally, I would prefer to use the expression “fully Divine
Son of God”, rather than “God the Son”, simply to prevent the idea of two
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separate Gods.
The One who died on the cross was not
the “only true God” – but the Son of the “only true God”, who was fully God. Who
was it that ignored the Son’s cry to let the bitter cup pass from Him? To Whom
was this prayer directed? Answer: to YHWH God, the FATHER of Jesus! Do you
agree?
Neither are the Father and the Son part
of a “three-in-one God”. God the Father, and His Son Jesus, are ONE in goal, yet
TWO in function. God the Father and His only begotten Son, are two distinct
Entities or Beings. Of course, as Son of God the Father, Jesus may use the
Family Name: GOD. He is worthy of worship by all!
Jesus, the Son of God, is NOT God the
Father! And God the Father, is NOT Jesus, the Son of God! Could you AGREE
with this assessment?
During the ancient Jewish economy of the
Old Testament, and during the formative years of the early Christian Church,
prior to the 4th century, no one EVER prescribed to a Trinitarian view of the
Godhead. (Deut. 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”) The question might
be asked, “If the Trinity-teaching was such an important doctrine, why can it not
be substantiated by Scripture?" Could it be another “man-made” institution, such
as the Roman Catholic replacement of the original Seventh-day Sabbath with the
pagan Day of the Sun?
Historical background of the Triune Deity:
Few Christians are aware of the fact that
the concept of a trinitarian god can be traced back to ancient Babylon and
primitive paganism! The Indian Hindu belief embraced the idea of a trinitarian
group, consisting of Brahma, Siva, and Visnu. In Eqypt, worshipers bowed before
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the trinitarian gods Osiris, Isis, and Horus. Could it be that the Catholic Church
had adopted the Trinity doctrine from paganism?
I believe the KEY to a proper hermeneutic
or interpretation of Scripture is found in Mark 10:15,
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not
enter therein”
When we, with childlike faith, ONLY use
the BIBLE in our quest for the truth about God, the first observation is that
there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE for the Trinity doctrine! The Scriptures teach
that there is only one supreme God over all: God the Father, who has a Son,
Jesus. The Father and Son constitute the Family of God. That is what THE BIBLE
teaches!
ELOHIM: Plural or Singular?
The reference to ELOHIM, in Genesis 1:1,
had been the topic for debate and argumentation for a long time. Trinitarians and
Binitarians alike, often refer to Elohim as “evidence” that our World was created
by multiple gods.
Because Elohim ends with a masculine
plural suffix, some deduct that Elohim must be a NUMERICAL
PLURAL…suggesting MULTIPLICITY, and that Genesis 1:1 ought to read: “In the
beginning GODS (plural) created the heaven and the earth.”
However, we need to pose the question: Is
Elohim REALLY a numerical plural? In the HEBREW language, there are THREE
requirements for a numerically plural noun: it must receive a plural suffix, plural
verb, and plural adjective.
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We are familiar with ENGLISH suffixes,
where most plural nouns end with “s”. For example, bird is singular, while birds are
plural. We would say: the bird (singular) ate a lot; the birds (plural) ate a lot.
The HEBREW language utilizes another
dimension: the same sentences would be: the bird (HE) ate a lot; the birds (THEY)
ate a lot.
Before we can come to a final conclusion,
we must discover if ELOHIM gets a plural adjective and plural verb, because
THIS will confirm or deny if it is a NUMERICAL PLURAL…and thusly indicate
multiplicity.
The FACT is, in Genesis 1:1, we read
“…Elohim (HE) created…” and it does NOT read “…Elohim (THEY) created..” In the
more than 2500 times in the Tanach that Elohim appears, it has a SINGULAR
VERB!
We ALWAYS read “ Elohim(he) spake to
Moses..”, and never “ Elohim(they) spake to Moses..”
The obvious question is: why does Elohim
have a plural suffix if it is a NUMERICAL SINGULAR with a singular verb and
singular adjective? The reason is simple: In the Hebrew language there is a special
TYPE of plural that indeed has a plural suffix even though it is numerically
singular with a singular verb and singular adjective. These nouns are called
MAJESTIC PLURALS, with the intent of describing something great or majestic.
Elohim is a classic example of the majestic plural, and simply means “Great God”.
NOTE: Elohim is NOT ALWAYS a majestic plural. When referring to pagan
Elohim(gods) ,the noun is usually a numerical plural.
However, in Genesis 17:1, 2 YHWH says “I
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am”, not “we are”. He also speaks of “me” and not of “us”. Please follow directly in
your own Bible.
In the NT, in Hebrews 11:6, we observe
the expressions, “him” and “he” and not “they” and “them”.
Please engage some personal research and
read Nehemiah 9:6. See how many “gods” you can find.
In Isaiah 44:8 the word “God” is the
Hebrew ELOHA = ONE SINGLE GOD! Also read Psalm 18:32, where Eloha is
used…the SINGULAR form of Elohim.
Eloha is used 47 times in the OT (Tanach),
which PROVES that God is NOT a plurality or multiplicity. Therefore my
conclusion: the use of Eloha and the always present singular verbs and adjectives
used with Elohim, CONFIRMS, beyond ANY DOUBT, that YHWH Elohim is a
MAJESTIC PLURAL, indicating a SINGLE GOD…with the clear overtones of
GREATNESS! Elohim, in Genesis 1:1, does not mean “gods”, but GREAT GOD!
“WE”, “OUR” and “US”
Some Christians have been confused by
the three passages in Genesis where God speaks in the first person PLURAL, as
“we”, “our” and “us”. Please turn in your Bible to Genesis 1: 26, 27. It is obvious
that God the Father is not addressing Himself, but an AUDIENCE. He is advising
on something about to happen.
Observe that, when it comes to the
ACTUAL CREATION of man, v.27, the act is NOT performed by a multiple “we”,
but by the single Elohim, referred to as “HE”. And man is created in “HIS IMAGE”
and not in “THEIR IMAGE”. Therefore, God the Father is a singular God, THE
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ONLY TRUE GOD!
Please read with me Genesis 3:22. Note
that the verse opens with “and (he) YHWH Elohim said” and NOT “and (they)
YHWH Elohim said”. Despite His reference to “us”, it again is clear that God the
Father, is a SINGULAR DEITY. In v.23, when the actual action of man’s expulsion
from the Garden of Eden takes place, we find that “(he) YHWH Elohim sent him
from the Garden of Eden.”
Follow along as we read in Genesis 11:6-8.
Here is another example of “us”. Notice that the pericope opens in v.6 with “..And
(he) YHWH said..”, indicating that we are dealing with ONE SINGULAR
DEITY…,Who announces (to an unidentified audience) “let us go down, and there
confound their language”. However, when the ACTUAL TIME for the confounding
of language came, we read, “So (he) YHWH scattered them abroad… (v. 8)” and
“(he) YHWH did there confound the language… (v.9)”
The question may be asked: if YHWH Elohim is indeed a SINGLE God,
WHY does He speak about “we”, “our” and “us”? The answer is found in a linguistic
phenomenon we find in most cultures of the world. It occurs when a speaker
refers to himself in the plural. For example, “give us a break!”. The 19th Century,
Queen Victoria, provided the best-known example, when she said: “We are not
amused” rather than the expected, “I am not amused”.
A Biblical example can be found in Daniel
2:36, where Daniel refers to himself as “we”, because this was the formal mode of
addressing the Royal Court of the King. This phenomenon is referred to as the
Royal We.
Many opinions are being offered by
scholars regarding exactly WHO the “we”, “our” and “us” could be that we have
looked at. It could be that God the Father was addressing His Heavenly Council of
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Angels, or His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. For a more in-depth, academic study,
researchers may want to explore the Hebrew linguistic phenomenon called
ATTRACTION. Space will not allow me to expand on more intensive directives.
May I ask you to prayerfully read Isaiah 45: 5, 6 ?
A brave young man (Elder Joseph Bates) once said to his father, who tried to
convince him about the Trinitarian doctrine: “If you can convince me that we are
one in this sense that you are my father, and I your son; and also that I am your
father, and you my son, then I can believe in the Trinity.”
The teaching that the Godhead is a trinity was first formulated and
developed by a church father named Tertullian, between 196-212 CE. He was the
first theologian to use the Latin word Trinitas, meaning Trinity in English. It took
several centuries and several councils to establish the doctrine of the Trinity as
accepted orthodox dogma. Only at the Council of Constantinople in 381 Christian
Era, did the idea that God consists of three persons, become the official,
orthodox teaching of the Catholic Church.
OBSERVATION:
Most Adventists have a clear understanding about the existence of God the
Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. The real problem seems to surface when we
have to define the Holy Spirit. Only a small percentage visualizes the Holy Spirit
as an individual person dressed in a white robe with sandals. Many picture the
Holy Spirit as some kind of presence or power in their hearts and minds…and may
yet refer to themselves as "Trinitarians". Please follow very carefully in your
Bible as we engage a most vital part of our study regarding the Family of God.
The Holy Spirit:
The Catholic doctrine of the Trinity
states that the Holy Spirit is a separate being, and part of the “Holy Trinity”.
The phrase “Holy Spirit” is from the Hebrew, RUACH HA QODESH. The word
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spirit is derived from RUACH. In Greek, the word for spirit is PNEUMA, which
means essentially the same as the Hebrew word RUACH. Basically it can mean
both, “wind” or “breath” – and is never to be understood as ESSENCE. A better
definition would be the word Power or Presence.
The adjective “holy”, describes the nature
of God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power or presence emanating from the
Father, through His Son to us. God is omni-present and does not need “a third
person” to help Him with anything!
The Holy Spirit is not a separate being
with its own mind. It is simply what the Bible says: the Spirit of God! God’s
OMNI-PRESENCE!
We also have a spirit. Job 32:8 - “But there
is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”
This does not mean that there is a second
being for every human being. In similar fashion is there also not a separate being
called the Holy Spirit.
There is NO RECORD in the New
Testament that anyone had ever seen the “person” of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus
was on earth, He lived as a PERSON, and if anyone had a camera at that time,
they could have taken a PICTURE of Jesus. If the Holy Spirit is a PERSON,
where can this Person be seen and photographed? The truth is, a Power and
Presence cannot be photographed! Notice for instance how prophecy was authored
through the Prophets:
1 Peter 1:11 – “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,
when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”
It was clearly “The Spirit of Christ, which was IN THEM …… “
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The Bible does NOT teach that the Holy
Spirit is a separate being or person. In Isaiah 32:15, 44:3 and Acts 2:17 the Holy
Spirit is described as being POURED. A being or person cannot be poured into
another.
In Titus 3:5, 6 and Acts 2:33, we read
that the Holy Spirit is SHED. One person cannot shed himself onto another
person.
The Holy Spirit is also described as
something that can be STIRRED UP (2 Timothy 1:6), QUENCHED (1 Thess. 5:19),
and RENEWED (2 Cor. 4:16). These attributes are far more fitting for a power or
presence, than a person! Do you agree?
John 20:22 – “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, receive ye the Holy
Ghost:”
Does a person ever get “breathed on” someone?
Please consider the following: There is no evidence in either the Old or
New Testaments that the Father or Son ever communicated with the Holy Spirit.
Paul never addressed the Holy Spirit in
the salutations of any of his letters, as he did with the Father and Son. Of the
27 books in the NEW Testament, 15 of them begin with a greeting similar to
the record in Galatians 1:3,
“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Not one of these greetings mentions the
Holy Spirit as a separate person or God.
There is no record where anyone ever prayed to the Holy Spirit.
Nowhere in the Bible is the Holy Spirit
called the “third person”. If the Holy Spirit were a separate being, it would have
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had a personal name, as do YAHWEH the Father, and YAHSHUA the Son. It is
nameless, because it is not a person!
We know that Jesus was conceived by the
Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20), therefore if the Holy Spirit were a person, then Jesus
prayed to the wrong “father” in John 17 and other instances! Is this a reasonable
deduction?
Romans 8:27 - “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
We all know there is only ONE
MEDIATOR between us and God: JESUS CHRIST. Therefore, the
“Intercessor” of Rom 8:27, is Jesus! (Please read 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18)
The question might be asked: “If the Holy
Spirit is merely God, why is there a need for this term?” The reason is that it
emphasizes a particular ASPECT of God. It emphasizes that He who is a holy,
omnipresent, and invisible Spirit, works among all men everywhere and can fill the
hearts of men. This explains God’s ability to anoint, baptize, fill, and indwell
human lives. Since the Holy Spirit is God Himself, I personally have no problem to
use the pronouns He and Him to refer to the Spirit.
The DEITY resident in Jesus emanates
from none other than the Father. That is why the Spirit in the Son is the Father.
(Phil. 1:19, Gal. 4:6, 2 Cor. 3:17)
The truth is that the Holy Spirit is the
Spirit of God the Father, which flows through Christ, and can flow to humans if
they desire it to be so, Romans 8:9.
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Notice how the Spirit of God flows
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through Christ and to Christians as well. The same Spirit that is in God the Father
is also in Jesus the Son. That Spirit is “Holy”. God’s Spirit is no more a person
apart from His own Being, than our spirit is a being apart from us.
If someone should compliment you by
saying: “you have a compassionate spirit”, you know the person is not talking about
two persons!
Analysis of two “proof” Trinitarian Passages:
Most Trinitarians will refer to two New
Testament passages in order to “prove” their belief in the Catholic doctrine of
the Trinity.
1. Matthew 28:19 - “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;”
Some Bible translations question whether
the baptismal formula recorded here, is inspired or was a later liturgical addition
by the Catholic Church.
The Hebrew version of Matthew, OMITS
the entire verse. There are no original New Testament manuscripts in existence
to substantiate the accuracy of the present rendition of Matthew 28:19. The
context of this expression is not an explanation about what the Deity consists of,
it is rather about BAPTISM. Jesus is not here teaching them about the Godhead.
We could question the originality and validity of this passage, because it
CONFLICTS with other baptismal formulas given in the New Testament. In ALL
other instances, baptism is performed in the singular name of Jesus (see Acts
2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27). It seems that the original
text should simply read: “baptize them IN MY NAME”. Of course, there is no
need to feel “undone” if you were baptized in the 3-fold name. By allowing that,
you have expressed your belief in the existence of the one true God, the
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mediation of His Son, and the power of His Holy Spirit.
2. 1 John 5:7 – “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the
Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Most Biblical scholars will admit that 1
John 5:7 was a later (Catholic) addition to the New Testament. This passage is
not found in the oldest Greek New Testament manuscripts. It is interesting to
note that a number of Bible editions OMIT this interpolation. Among those are
the esteemed Afrikaans Multivertaling Bybel, the New International Version, the
New American Standard Version, and the Contemporary English Version. There
are dozens of other translations that offer footnotes indicating that 1 John 5:7 is
not present in earlier manuscripts. Verse 7 was ADDED along the way. Scholars
refer to this as the COMMA JOHANNEUM.
Perhaps we should look at John 1:1, 2.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in
the beginning with God”.
Some interpret this verse to mean that
God the Father and His Son, Jesus, is one and the same Person! However, the
text, "the Word was with God" clearly speaks of two separate entities or beings.
According to Revelation 19:11, 13, - Jesus is also known as “Word of God”. And
John 1:14 explains: “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”. This clearly
defines for us who “the Word” is, and that this "Word" is NOT God the Father.
By virtue of His relationship to His Father, Jesus may use the Family Name, God.
Thusly the Word that "was God" was none other than Jesus, the Son of God, Who
was "in the beginning" with God the Father!
One more verse I should mention is 2 Corinthians 13:14.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with
you all. Amen.”
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Once again, nothing in this text tells us
about the relation between Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. It
is rather speaking about their relation to us. This verse is a closing greeting, and
just because the three expressions are used in one verse, does not establish the
doctrine of the Trinity. The "Holy Spirit" should be viewed as the intimate and
holy presence of the Father and Son in the hearts and minds of believers. In
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 we find Paul’s clear teaching about the Godhead.
“As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know
that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that
are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many) But to us there
is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are
all things, and we by him.”
Who is the COMFORTER?
Most Christians are familiar with the
celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and the words of Jesus recorded in John 6:56.
“He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in Him"
Jesus said that HE will live IN US. Paul stated that Jesus wants to
dwell IN OUR HEARTS. He speaks of “CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory”,
(Colossians 1:27). Again, in Galatians 2:20, Paul says that “CHRIST liveth IN ME.”
Just take a moment and think this through.
If Christ lived in Paul’s heart and the Holy
Spirit also lived in Paul’s heart, then we have TWO living in Paul’s heart! Which is
it? Paul uses the heart (an organ that pumps blood) to explain a metaphysical
concept in understandable terms. He is simply saying that the Spirit of Jesus is
present in his life or mind.
Can you ever imagine how much God really loves you?
Galatians 4:6 – “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,
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crying, Abba, Father.”
Jesus is so intimate with us that He
adopts us into His very own family–relationship with God the Father, and He
“shares” His own Father with us! He cries with us and for us “Abba Father!”
Notice, it is Jesus IN US who cries out to the Father!
I think it is reasonable to assume that God
not only (John 3:16) sent His only begotten Son to die for us, but also for His Son
to live IN us.
John 14:16 – “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide
with you for ever;”
Observe how Jesus continues His
discourse, saying that He would send “the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot
receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he
dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” - John 14:17
It must have impacted the disciples when,
just after Jesus said, “the world” does not know the Spirit (Comforter), He then
said, “but ye know him”! The question is, HOW could the disciples KNOW the
promised “Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost”? - (v. 26)
Follow with me, as we dig deeper. Jesus
explains in John 14:17, “ ye know him; for (or because) he dwelleth with you, and
shall be in you”. Who was dwelling WITH the disciples? Jesus Christ Himself!
And Jesus said that soon this Person who was dwelling WITH them would be IN
them. Jesus would simply manifest Himself in another form or presence.
His essential presence would be in their
hearts and minds, even if His body-Person has ascended to heaven (John 16:7).
Jesus explained that the disciples would profit much if He went to His Father,
and sent the Comforter to dwell IN them. Do you agree with this concept?
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Jesus said in John 14:18 - “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to
you”. Here we notice why the Comforter could not come until after Christ went
away and was glorified; for Jesus HIMSELF would come back to His disciples to
comfort them! Could it be any clearer? We continue to read how Jesus Himself
reinforces this point in John 14:19, 20.
“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At
that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”
Just a few moments earlier Jesus had said to His disciples that the
Comforter “shall be in you”. Now, Jesus says that when the Comforter comes, “Ye
shall know that I am in you”.
In essence, Jesus assured the disciples
that He would NOT send anyone else, but Himself to be their Comforter. They
would recognize that the same "Person" who was dwelling WITH them, would now
be IN them through HIS SPIRIT. The Bible cannot be clearer! Do you agree?
Of course, we must not forget the role of
God, our Heavenly Father, Himself. Remember the Father and Son are so
intimately connected, that they are one Family. Read with me John 14:23. “If a man
love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him”.
Jesus made it very clear that after His
ascension, He would come back to live in the hearts of His people. Not only would
HE return, but His Father would come with Him, so that BOTH of them would live
in the hearts of his children, not physically, but by God’s Spirit. Do YOU believe
this truth?
Thusly we may enjoy fellowship with both
the Father and His Son! John understood this principle very well as recorded in 1
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John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship
with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ”. Please observe
that no reference is made to a “third” person.
John also confirms in several other verses,
that ONLY God the Father and His Son, live in us:
2 John 1:9 – “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son”.
1 John 2:22, 23 – “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that
denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he
that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit was
working upon the hearts of people long before the day of Pentecost, helping them
to overcome and combat sin. Remember our great grandfather David’s concern?
Psalms 51:11. “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit
from me.” This is clear evidence that the Holy Spirit was at work before Christ
came to earth. This is what the BIBLE teaches!
Scripture specifically confirms that the
Spirit of Christ worked in Old Testament times.
“Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner or time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did
signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.” 1 Peter
1:11,12
Thusly, long before the New Testament,
the Spirit of Christ was living in the prophets. A good example of the guidance of
the Holy Spirit was when it moved David to write concerning the death of Christ:
“I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.” Psalm 88:8
The Bible records in more than thirty
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instances the fact that God the Father raised Christ from the dead. Galatians 1:1
– “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the
Father, who raised him from the dead;)”
Christ did not raise Himself from the dead
– or else He would not have been dead in the first instance! (Please read the great
Christian-Confession in Romans 10:9).
On page eleven of Handbook for Today’s
Catholic, the Roman Catholic Church admits, “The mystery of the Trinity is the
central doctrine of the Catholic Faith. Upon it are based all the other teachings
of the Church.”
It is interesting to note how, with the passing
of time, different denominations made adjustments to some of their doctrines
and creeds in acceptance of the Roman Catholic Trinitarian doctrine.
For example, consider hymn number 73 in the Adventist Hymnal, “Holy,
Holy, Holy”. This song appears in both the 1941 and 1985 editions, but with a
major difference! Written in 1826 by Reginald Heber, it was originally a
Trinitarian song, ending with, “God in three persons blessed Trinity!” In the 1941
version of the Adventist Hymnal, it reads as follows: “God over all who rules
eternity!” Why the change-back in 1985?
As time went on, Adventists have, like
many other Protestant Churches, also adopted the Roman Catholic Trinity
Doctrine (officially in 1980). Therefore, in 1985 the words in the Adventist
Hymnal were changed to the original, reflecting the church’s present position on
the Trinity. The Adventist Church was non-Trinitarian but has changed to become
a Trinitarian Church! You can very easily verify this yourself.
Notice the statement on p. 56 of the
Amazing Facts booklet, What About The Trinity? “It’s very important to have a
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proper understanding about all 3 Persons of the Godhead – they are not 3 God’s,
they are One God in 3 Persons – and the only way for us to be saved is to accept
Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and accept the Holy Trinity!” Please note,
“the only way” to be saved, is Jesus Christ PLUS the belief in the Catholic Trinity!
It is interesting to observe that in
Revelation 22:3, John gives us a glimpse of God’s throne:
“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it: and his
servants shall serve him:”
John says it is the throne of God and of
the Lamb. It is obvious that God’s throne has two SEATS, one for the Father and
one for the Lamb. And we will be ruled, on the new earth, by the Father and the
Son as two distinct, separate beings …… for eternity! The Holy Spirit as a person
is no where to be found on God’s throne, and plays no apparent pivotal role on the
New Earth! Yet, the Holy Spirit remains AS the Spirit of Father and Son!
I trust you will accept, with many fellow-
Adventists, the Biblical teaching, that “there is but one God the Father” and “one
Lord Jesus Christ”, who is “the only begotten Son of God”, who “proceedeth
forth” and “came out of God”, “before the hills”, who “died for our sins according
to the Scriptures”, and “the Father raised Him from the dead”. My sincere hope is
that you will also believe that the Holy Spirit is “the Holy Spirit of God”, which
“proceedeth from the Father” and is sent to us “through Jesus Christ”. Here are
the Scriptural references – be sure to mark them in your Bible: 1 Corinthians
8:6; John 3:18; John 8:42; 16:27; Proverbs 8:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:1;
Eph. 4:30; John 15:26; Titus 3:5, 6.
“When a person who is honestly mistaken discovers truth, that person will
either cease being mistaken or stop to be honest!”
I trust you will not perceive my analysis as an “attack” on the Seventh-
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day Adventist Church. My goal is to HELP you. Satan will do everything
possible to withhold these end-time truths from God’s people. But the time
has arrived for God's final-hour message to Laodicea.
You have just studied with me the section on the Trinity. What is your
honest reaction to this? If you are in agreement with the non-Trinitarian
perspective, then you do not conform to the Corporate Church's alignment
with the Catholic Trinitarian Doctrine! (Dallas, 1980)
Because of the Internet, it is now possible for ANYONE to research just
about ANYTHING! You are not under any cultic-obligation to "only do as the
Church does". You are a FREE individual with your own mind and freedom to
make choices.
"Truth that cannot be tested … is Truth that cannot be trusted!"
Chapter 3
God’s Blueprint for Salvation
During my high-school years I dated a girl
who had a different religious background than my own Dutch Reformed upbringing.
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She was a Seventh-day Adventist, and one day I asked her the following question:
“Tell me, what will happen to the millions
of people who are now alive, and the billions who have died and never heard the
gospel? Will God be fair to them also, or is it just too bad they were born in the
wrong country?”
She looked kind of bewildered but quickly
provided her answer: “Oh, in God’s foreknowledge He knows what they would have
decided if they had a chance. Many of them will simply be regarded as if they
never existed and will just not be resurrected.”
Question: Have you ever thought about
the billions of people living on the earth right NOW who have never heard the
name of Jesus, and probably will never hear the gospel in their lifetime? Have you
ever wondered about the billions who have died and went to their dusty graves –
without ever hearing the gospel message? Is it just “bad luck” that they were not
as fortunate as you and I or could it be, could it just be, that God has a special
plan for them also? We CANNOT ignore this question any longer!
The General Conference is home to the
Biblical Research Institute, the official department for “questions and queries”.
In the Adventist World – NAD Edition of
April, 2009, on P. 40, the Director of BRI, Dr. Angel Manuel Rodriques, wrote an
article “Christ and Salvation”, posing the question: “Is it possible for people who
never hear about Jesus to be saved?”
Referring to “non-Christians who live out
of contact with the people of God ….” he continues to tell us what would happen to
those …. “when touched by the Spirit, sincerely yearn for something better
…….Their knowledge may be extremely limited, but they have been transformed by
His grace and unknowingly became children of God through Jesus.”
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With due respect to Adventist
scholarship, this is an unscriptural Soteriological "invention".
In the Sabbath School Quarterly of May
7, 2009 (p.51) is the following quotation: “Some may never have had the privilege
of learning about their Savior. But that takes nothing away from the fact that if
they are saved it will be through the name of Christ, even if they have never
themselves heard that name.” This may "sound" good, but the Bible says in 2
Peter 3:9 " ……. all should come to repentance". Salvation implies that human
beings must make a choice. For the blood of Christ to be efficacious, sinners
must ACCEPT IT. This ought to be a very conscious act and cannot be executed
without cognitive understanding. Do you agree?
For a long time Adventists have put much emphasis on the importance of
"works", but now it is so easy that people can get saved "unknowingly"! I wonder
on what basis they will be judged during the Investigative Judgment! Is this what
is referred to as “New Adventist Theology”?
Perhaps we can study together the
BIBLICAL teaching about this simple question:
First of all, let’s look at the question of
God’s will. What is God’s will and desire for His creatures?
Psalm 8:4-6 - “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest
him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and
honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;thou hast put all things
under his feet:”
In this Psalm 8:4-6 pericope, we notice
that God has a special purpose for man. Humanity was given responsibility to rule
over the EARTH since the beginning. Of course, we all know how sin came into
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this world, and put a “delay” on God’s ultimate plan for our planet. We have
studied the Plan of Salvation and looked at the fairness of God’s Judgment.
However, now that we ARE SAVED, we want to ask the question: “What is God’s
ultimate destination for us, as well as all the other humans who are now living on
earth – and also for those who are already in their graves?” Would you like to
know the Bible answer?
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1
John 4:14
Here we notice that Jesus came to be,
“the Saviour of the world.” That means exactly what the Greek word COSMOS
implies: not just some parts of the world but ALL THE WORLD! Does that sound
reasonable and fair to you? It seems to me that it is God’s will and desire that
every one be offered an opportunity to come to repentance and accept Jesus as
Savior. The implication is that the gospel-message must be made available to all
humans who ever existed from Adam’s time.
By the way, you are going to be blessed as
seldom before with this latter section of our journey together. Come with me as
we discover the Shocking Truth about the Love of God, and His amazing end timeprogram
for YOU!
One more verse before we move on:
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Notice, God is “long-suffering”, which
means that He will take His time with the offering of His Plan of Redemption to
humans; not Satan or all of the evil angels of hell will hurry God. God may take a
day or a thousand years – all the same to Him!
So let’s get our thoughts together: God’s
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will is that every one should have ample opportunity to listen to and evaluate the
gospel presentation, and then exercise their God-given option of free choice.
Ephesians 1:4, 5 - “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the
good pleasure of his will,”
Yes! God loves everyone and has made
provision for every human ever born. Paul clarifies this fact again in 2 Timothy
1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to
his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
It is clear that the Plan of Salvation
originated from “before the foundation of the world”, which means in Heaven, the
abode of God the
Father. Every human being was taken into consideration. “ …. He hath chosen us
in Him”. Rejecting this gift means….. SELF-CONDEMNATION!
The Present Ruler of this World:
Most Christians understand that this
world has been under control and influence of Satan for the past 6,000 years. It
is against this backdrop that Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
In the book of Revelation, John confirms this view:
Revelation 12:9,
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth
the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
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We observe two points in these passages.
Paul says, “the god of this age has BLINDED” and thusly robbed many of the
privilege to hear the gospel. John says, “the whole world” is being DECEIVED by
the Devil, or Satan. Even Jesus Himself referred to the existence of this evil
entity in the world (John 14:30). Simply stated, Satan wants to keep the gospel as
far AWAY from sinners as possible! THAT IS HIS MAIN AIM AND CONCERN!
In 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4 – we find an
acceptable explanation of why so many billions of people have never heard the
Gospel. Satan blinded them, prevented them and deceived them. I think we could
very well include some of our own loved ones who perhaps only partly understood
the Gospel, or never had an opportunity to hear the Gospel clearly explained.
They were blinded and deceived and never really had a “fair chance”. Could you
agree?
The BAD NEWS for the Devil and his evil angels is this: we worship a loving
and impartial God, Who desires that EVERYONE be saved. Every individual who
was ever born on this Green Planet WILL hear the complete Gospel, and given
ample opportunity to make their own decision AFTER THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE
LIGHT and become “UN-DECEIVED”. Hallelujah! (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4)
Keep on reading, and you will discover what the Bible-guidelines are and WHEN
this will happen!
One of our biggest problems is that we
often think in terms of days and months and years. With God a thousand years is
like a day with us. GOD WILL TAKE HIS TIME!
Our Creator is not bound by our timerestrictions.
He never said WHEN the entire world would be saved! Salvation has
been going on for a long time, but not all are saved right now. Will you accept the
notion that God may choose WHEN He wants to bring His good-news-gospel to
people?
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Some received the gospel before the
cross, some received the gospel during the time when Jesus was on Earth, some
received the gospel during the past 2000 years since the Crucifixion, and still
others are receiving the gospel today. Would you be surprised to learn that God
has other time-periods to offer His Plan of Redemption?
Chapter 4
TIME of THE GREAT HARVEST
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In Revelation 19:11-21, we find the
dramatic description of the Second Coming of Christ, as King of Kings and Lord of
Lords. AT THAT TIME, the antichrist-beast and the false prophet are cast into
“a lake of fire burning with brimstone”, v.20. In v. 21, we find a description of the
remnant or associates of the beast, slain by the sword (words spoken by the
mouth of the Lord). This remnant is described in more detail in v. 19, as “the
Kings of the earth, and their armies. “
The general sweep or sequence of this
vision of John now continues in Revelation 20:1-3:
“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his
hand.
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand
years,
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive
the nations, no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a
little season.”
You will notice the reason for Satan’s
capture is that he may no longer “deceive the nations” v.3. The immediate
implication is that there will be many nations (people) on earth during the
Millennium – to whom Satan will be denied direct access. And then, in v. 4, we find
the beginning of the Millennial reign of Jesus, right here on Earth. You may be
wondering where you, personally, will be at that time. Notice the last sentence of
v. 4: ....” and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (also note v. 6)
Revelation 5:10 - “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
This will happen “on the Earth”. Do you agree?
The Bible does NOT say that Satan will be bound by “a chain of
circumstances”. I must confess that I taught this error to thousands…
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Adventists subscribe to the notion of a
thousand year Heavenly Millennium, when the redeemed will “inspect the sinrecords”
to find out why some of their loved ones and others will be lost, and also
determine (judge) with Christ, the degree or measure of punishment (burning)
they will receive, (GC, P661). This particular view of distrusting Jesus’ judgment
is unbiblical, and has no Scriptural basis. In the first instance, all the saints will
be priests. There will be no need for us to serve ourselves as “priests” in Heaven.
Secondly, it defies common sense to believe that a 1000 years will be needed to
“check the records”. How many sins does one have to commit in order to be lost?
It seems to me, the Book of Life of the Lamb is the one I would like to have my
name recorded in. There is no such thing as a “record of sin” in heaven or
anywhere else for that matter. “The old account was settled at the cross, paid in
full by the blood of the Lamb!”
In her book The Great Controversy, Ellen
G. White presents the cornerstone-support for the Heavenly Millennial belief.
Referring to Isaiah 24:6, some have made the stunning discovery that the last
words: “and few men left” are omitted! She left out key words with the obvious
intent to support the doctrine of a supposed Heavenly Millennium. To verify this
for yourself, simply see the chapter called: “Desolation of the Earth” (15th
paragraph), and compare the quotes on Isaiah 24:1, 3, 5, 6. She used the King
James Version of the Bible and quoted verses 1 and 3 word for word, but when we
get to verses 5 and 6, we observe that key words were left out in order to prove
the belief in an earth de-void of all people at Christ’s Second Coming …… denying
what the end of verse 6 clearly says – “and few men left”. Regardless the excuses
– there is absolutely no argument for deleting these words! This was not a typo,
but an obvious omission from Scripture in order to circumvent the Biblical
teaching of an Earthly Millennium! I trust you will not hold it against me for
bringing these FACTS to your attention. I was just as shocked when I discovered
this!
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Let’s come back to our original
sequence-study of the Earthly Millennium. It is an awesome thought that you and
I will be privileged to serve God as kings and priests during the coming reign of
Christ on Earth. 1 Corinthians 6:1-3:
“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the
saints?
do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye
unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
Here the Bible says that we will indeed
“judge (manage) the world”, and even angels. If this will not occur during the
Earthly Millennium, what other time or event could we fit this into? The only way
it makes any sense, is the Bible-way! Daniel 7:26, 27 refers to this incredible
time when you and I will encourage and teach the BILLIONS who were blinded by
Satan, deceived to the point where they were denied a fair and reasonable FIRST
opportunity to understand the Gospel. It will then be our privilege to teach them
and serve them as teachers and priests and administrators.
The Second Coming will usher in a
Millennium of peace and prosperity for the whole world. This will be a time of
peace among the nations as they come to the temple in Jerusalem to worship.
Nations will beat their swords into plowshares.
Isaiah 2:4 - “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat
their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” - A time of peace. The Devil will not be
around to continue to BLIND anyone, anymore!
According to Isaiah 11:1-9 it is obvious
that Jesus will rule this present earth, because in Heaven, or the New Earth
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there will be no wicked people to be judged. Jesus will change the wild nature of
animals and they will all become tame, during the Earthly Millennium, not during
any time in Heaven and BEFORE the New Earth.
When Jesus comes the second time there
will be a resurrection of those who died “in Christ” throughout the ages. The living
saints will undergo a change and will meet the Lord in the air with the resurrected
saints.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the
Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17
During this time there will also be billions
of other people ALIVE. The reason they will not be destroyed at the Second
Coming, is because they are not evil, but simply uninformed people who have never
heard the Gospel!
So, the saints meet the Lord in the air,
and then? Then we will accompany Him – and see Him touch down on the Mount of
Olives.
Zechariah 14:3-4 - “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before
Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and
toward the west,
and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall
remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”
He will be King over all the earth (v. 9).
The Kingdom of God will have come to this earth, and it will eventually become the
paradise described in the last two chapters of the Bible.
Armageddon:
To begin His Millennial reign on earth,
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Jesus will descend upon the Mount of Olives accompanied by His army of angels,
as well as the transformed and resurrected saints. However, before Christ can
establish His Millennial Kingdom, He will fight and defeat the wicked nations of
this world in what is called the Battle of Armageddon. Zechariah 14:12-15 and
Revelation 19:11-21 describe the horrible details of this last battle in which the
wicked will fight Jesus and His armies. Many millions of humans will perish in this
end time war…..the climax of the Great Tribulation!
Satan and his armies will be defeated and
he will be “sealed up” to prevent any direct access to “the nations” who obviously
will be on earth during the Millennium. This does NOT refer to a SECOND
CHANCE… "The nations” are the living billions who NEVER heard the Gospel, as
well as the billions who died during the past 6,000 years without EVER HEARING
the gospel-invitation. Other inhabitants will of course include the King of Kings,
His special Angelic and Patriarchal entourage, and all the saints including you and
me, who will serve as administrators, managers and priests.
The Earthly Millennium:
One of the first things Jesus will do,
according to Isaiah 11:11-14 and Isaiah 27:12, 13, will be to bring the remnant of
the twelve tribes of Israel back to the Promised Land. This same scenario is also
referred to in Jeremiah 3:17-20; 16:14-20; 31:7-9. Ezekiel also prophesied about
this incredible gathering in chapter 28:25-26; 36:24-38. Ezekiel 47:21-23 refers
to this time, as well as the hospitable attitude of Israel toward the (non-wicked)
surviving gentiles during the Millennium. So, all the remnant of Israel and billions
of gentiles will inhabit the earth as the Millennium begins. They will be ruled from
Jerusalem, and YOU will be part of this. Here are some verses you might want to
read about the Priestly responsibilities that await you: Rev. 1:6; 5:9, 10; 20:4-6.
This makes more sense than the idea of "checking records of sin" and questioning
the fair judgment of Jesus!
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In Isaiah 30:18-21, the Bible says that
people will see their teachers that will offer them instruction in the way they
should live. In Matthew 19:28, Jesus told His disciples that they will sit on
thrones judging (managing) the twelve tribes of Israel. And Jesus will sit on His
father David's throne. (Isaiah 9:7, Luke 1:32) This could ONLY happen during the
Earthly Millennium! The millennial events of Revelation 20 are in perfect
chronological order!
Micah 4:5:
“For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our
God for ever and ever.”
When Micah uses the expression, “his god”
lower case g, it could be that he is describing the relationship of people in
different cities and regions, to their particular Priest or Judge. They will walk in
“the way of God”, because of the instruction they receive.
In 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3, we read the
following: “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by
you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much
more things that pertain to this life?”
We (“the saints”), will someday judge angels. Moffat’s translation reads: “Do
you not know that the saints are to manage the world?” The word “judge” here
could possibly, in the Hebraic sense of the word, be understood as “REIGN” – a
function incorporating judgment. It makes sense to me that we will be “managers”
with Christ – over the entire world, as kings and priests. Revelation 20:6. This is
clearly referring to what we will be involved in during the 1000 year Earthly
Millennium.
“Revelation 20:7-10 - “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his
prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and
Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
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And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the
beloved city: and fire came down from God
out of heaven, and devoured them.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the
false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Please observe that the “beloved city and
the camp of the saints” mentioned in v. 9, refers to the earthly Jerusalem and the
saints living around the city, and the sea is still there, v.13. This DOES NOT
refer to the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem descends to earth only later in
Revelation 21, AFTER the New Heaven and the New Earth had been established
and there will be no more sea…and hell is OVER! Do you agree?
At the end of the Millennium, Satan again deceives “the nations” (the
living who rejected Jesus during the Millennium). The Greek word for "nations" in
v. 3 is exactly the same Greek word for "nations" in v. 8. Neither of these two
verses gives us the slightest indication that by "nations" we must understand the
resurrected wicked at the end of the Millennium.
Adventists are absolutely WRONG when
we promote our present, unscriptural position, of the warring….. DEAD! Satan
deceives the living wicked at the END of the Millennium into thinking that they
can launch a successful military coup. As they attack the beloved city, they are
“devoured” by fire from heaven (dying the first death), and Satan is cast into the
same “Lake of Fire” we were first introduced to in Revelation 19:20. He joins the
beast and false prophet, who were thrown into the Lake of Fire that will
apparently burn throughout the Millennium and beyond!
Revelation 20:8 – “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth,
Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.”
The Bible does not say any where that
Satan will command the resurrected DEAD to attack Jerusalem. Do you really
think God will give the wicked a “second chance” to attack His own Son? The
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wicked will be resurrected for only one purpose – to be destroyed by fire! Do you
agree?
Note that “the nations” Satan will
deceive, will be like “the sand of the sea”. This gives us an indication of the
billions who will live on the earth during the Millennium! And hopefully more will
be saved than lost; we can accept the idea that they will also be like “the sand of
the sea”.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and
then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:4
The Gospel “shall be preached in ALL the
world for a witness unto ALL nations; and THEN shall the END come” (that means
not only to SOME, but to ALL!) The Bible does not say then “the Second Coming
will take place”, but rather “then shall be the END”. Only AFTER the Gospel has
been preached to ALL the world …. unto ALL nations, ONLY THEN shall the end
come. Do you agree that this is what the BIBLE says?
What is meant by “the end”? By this
expression we must understand the culmination or final offering of the Gospel to
ALL- not before that time. We know for a FACT that this has not yet been
accomplished, neither will or can it be accomplished in our lifetime. It is simply a
logistical impossibility, and in any case – billions had already died without hearing
the Gospel. Were they also on Jesus' mind when He hung on the cross? I believe
we are in agreement that the blood of Jesus is sufficient for them also. What a
God!
It seems obvious that God offers a
THREE-PART opportunity to “ALL the world and ALL nations”. The first group
includes the ones who lived BEFORE the cross. The second group are the ones
who were exposed to the Gospel while living on the earth, after the cross. This
includes you and me. The third group will be the ones who will be living on Earth
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during the Millennial reign of Christ, including the billions of people who died
without EVER HEARING the gospel for the FIRST TIME! This group constitutes
the MAJORITY of humans who ever lived on earth, and will date back to Adam’s
time! I will explain this in more detail in the next chapter.
According to this three-part offering of
the Gospel, “the end” referred to in Matthew 24:14 will only come at the end of
the Millennial time, when hell and the last enemy, death, will be finally destroyed.
THEN God the Father will “make a new heaven and a new earth” and dwell with us
forever more. Chronologically, Revelation 21 clearly comes AFTER Rev 20.
Ultimately the question is, "What makes most sense, a Heavenly Millennium
or an Earthly Millennium?" I am totally convinced that there is not the slightest
evidence in the Bible for a Heavenly Millennium. Researched against the backdrop
of overwhelming evidence in the Old Testament prophetic record, and the
Revelation 20 confirmation that Satan will be locked away for the SPECIFIC
purpose of being denied access to "THE NATIONS" (who will obviously be on the
EARTH), I fail to see how any honest student of the Word can have any doubts
that the Scriptures undeniably confirm a coming EARTHLY Millennium. It gives me
hope and something to look forward to with great anticipation! What do YOU say?
When you read the “red letters” in the New Testament, you will discover the
GOSPEL Jesus preached was indeed about “the coming Kingdom of Heaven”.
OBSERVATION: The doctrine of a coming Earthly Millennium is the
perfect expression to an "on watching universe", and all others, of the
ultimate justice and fairness of God our Heavenly Father. Not an
Investigative Judgment of good works or sin-records, but an EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY to every human being who ever lived on this planet, to hear
the Good News Gospel! Hallelujah to an awesome God!
No one in the world is privy to the exact details of Earth’s final events.
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However, from a logical and common-sense perspective, and in order to allow God
to indeed reach “ALL”, this makes most sense. Not much detail about the post-
Second Coming events is available from Scripture, and at best we can only
speculate and conjecture and reason and wonder. And there is nothing wrong with
the submission of opinions, as long as we clearly indicate that we are not dogmatic
about our views. I am in agreement with that approach when it involves opinions
about end-time scenarios the Bible does not elaborate on. However, when it
involves the Pillars of Our Christian Faith, we ought to be dogmatic indeed. "If we
do not STAND for something, we will FALL for anything!"
The Bible is very clear about the truth regarding the non-Trinitarian view of
the God-Family, the non-existence of a pre-Advent Investigative Judgment of
1844, the correct teaching of a coming Earthly Millennium, and the Gift of
Prophecy or Witnessing. These are established truths which are a constant -
THEY CAN NOT BE MOVED!
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Chapter 5
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL!
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all
kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." Revelation 1:7
The Bible reference to "those who pierced Him" obviously implies Roman
soldiers, who under the yoke of the Roman government, were in adherence to the
Roman pagan system of worship, and would not be interested in the Jewish
Messiah. They were not necessarily "wicked" people, but were blindfolded by
circumstances that prevented them from hearing the gospel. Is this acceptable
to you?
So, here is a group of people who will be resurrected to witness the second
coming - the Bible does not say they would be harmed or destroyed after their
resurrection.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Please observe that the Bible says "the dead in Christ" will RISE FIRST. We
may assume that after that, "the dead who died NOT in Christ" will be the
SECOND group to RISE in the immediate parousia-context.
Here is the scenario: at the Second Coming, there will be 6 groups of
people in and on the earth. Group 1: The living wicked who will die in the Battle of
Armageddon at the end of The Tribulation. Group 2: The Christians who will be
alive and be changed "in a moment..." Group 3: The Christians who "died in
Christ", and will be resurrected with immortal bodies. This group, together with
the living saints, will "meet the Lord in the air". Group 4: These are the wicked
who will remain in their graves till the end of the millennium…for final annihilation.
Group 5: This group consists of billions of live people who were not "wicked", but
simply never had a gospel-opportunity. Group 6: This group includes the billions
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who died through all the ages without the opportunity to hear the full gospel
account. They will be among "those who pierced Him", and did not die "in Christ" -
and will be resurrected to live during the Earthly Millennium. They will join the
billions of living people, who also never heard the gospel explained. Together
these two groups will now, during the Earthly Millennium, be taught the Plan of
Salvation. NOT a second chance - but their FIRST GOSPEL OPPORTUNITY!
This will constitute the greatest evangelistic effort ever conducted
during earth’s history! God's ultimate showcase of His justice and fairness!
No one is left behind...Equal Opportunity for ALL!
Rev. 20:11,12 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and
the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them."
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book
was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written
in the books, according to their works."
It is clearly stated that the resurrected dead were judged or tested
according to what was written in “the books” (v.12). These books, according to
which their response would be judged, are not personal journals of their lives, but
the Bible, as implied by the Greek BIBLIA (Scripture scrolls). The “books” cannot
be the records of pre-Millennial Christian’s lives, because at the Second Coming,
the saved met the Lord in the air, and the wicked simply were not resurrected.
The “books” of Rev. 20:11, 12, MUST, contextually, only involve the Millennialists.
These verses refer to the resurrected wicked of all previous ages, including the
wicked millennialists, culminating in the final executive or punitive judgment
phase… (v.14, 15) There names were not found in the Book of Life! The saints are
NOT involved in this judgment. Please read John 5:24…they HAVE received
eternal life. No reason for them to be judged again! Do you agree with this
assessment?
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1 Timothy 2:3, 4 - “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
The word “knowledge” is the Greek
EPIGNOSIS, meaning “an overview” of the Gospel. That is what God desires:
that everyone should clearly understand what God is offering them. Only then will
sinners decide to accept or reject eternal life. Keep this in mind as we realize
that God’s provision includes the BILLIONS of humans now living and even more
who have died through the previous millennia …. but never had the same
opportunity you and I now enjoy – learning and understanding the Plan of
Redemption. God does not have a double standard. Every human being ever born
on this planet will get a fair chance! Oh, what a Savior!
Only those who have their names recorded
in the Lamb’s Book of Life, before, or during the Millennium, will inhabit the New
Jerusalem. Revelation 21:27,
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Those whose names are not found in the
Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire – this is the second death from
which there is no resurrection. In God’s infinite mercy, He will destroy them
(Malachi 4:1-3). We understand this as the concept of eternal punishMENT, not
eternal puniSHING! Revelation 20:13-15 refer to HELL'S permanent destruction.
Those who accepted the gospel and “Way
of the Lord”, will not die during the millennial period, but will apparently continue
living with the gift of everlasting life. They will be prevented from dying the
second death, and therefore will not be subject to the Resurrection of Damnation.
The truth is that there will be a
Millennial- salvation opportunity (NOT A SECOND CHANCE) for those billions who
sincerely, NEVER had a fair chance to accept Jesus Christ as personal Lord and
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Savior. Evaluate this from an honest, common-sense perspective…..it makes sense
logically and theologically! Do YOU believe everyone deserves an EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY?
So, what my high school girlfriend said
about “they will be like they never existed” is wrong. The problem is, they do
exist, and every soul must be dealt with individually. This group will include little
children who died in infancy, mentally handicapped individuals, and multitudes with
other physical impairments that prevented them from having a fair
gospel-opportunity….
I trust you will understand that the exact details about the Earthly
Millennium are not spelled out very clearly in Revelation. We cannot be overly
dogmatic on the finer points, however, the promise that there will be a post
Second Coming, Earthly Millennial period, CANNOT be disproved from Scripture.
One of the major flaws in Adventist eschatology is that it makes no provision for
the BILLIONS of people, dead or alive, who NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL! The
explanations offered, such as, "God knows what they would have done", and "They
were saved unknowingly" simply will not stand the test of Scripture.
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Chapter 6
NO ONE GOES TO HEAVEN ….
While preparing for confirmation in the
Dutch Reformed Church, someone asked my catechism teacher an apparently
difficult question: “If we go to heaven when we die, why must the Lord come back
to get us if we are already there?” The elder mumbled something about “our
bodies”, but did not elaborate on the real question ……
Contrary to what my catechism teacher
told us, the Bible does not say that anyone goes to heaven or hell when they die.
In Matthew 5:5, Jesus said: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
EARTH!” This verse tells us that our final residence will not be in heaven, but
rather on EARTH. I don’t think anyone will ever go to the abode of God the
Father. As far as we humans are concerned, it will all happen right here, on earth!
According to Jesus, no one has yet ascended to heaven, except Himself.
John 3:13 – “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son
of man ….”
Do you believe Jesus told the truth?
The Bible is very clear that people, who
are “deceased”, are actually, factually and truly DEAD! They are neither in heaven
or burning in hell. Yes, John 5:29 says that even those who have done “good” will
await “the resurrection of life”. Please read 1 Corinthians 15:21-23 for a very
clear description of the resurrection.
John 14:1-3 - “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place
for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
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Does this section of the Bible really say that one day we will be going to
heaven to inherit a mansion? Could this be mere assumption? If there are
ALREADY mansions, why would Jesus have to construct even more mansions?
Translations vary with regards to the word “mansions”. Other metaphorical
expressions of the same word are: rooms, abodes, and dwelling places. In the
Christian hymn, A Child of the King, songwriter, Hattie Buel, says, “They’re
building a palace for me over there!”
You will notice that there is no timeconnotation
to the statement of Jesus. If it were true that some of us indeed
would go to heaven, for how long would we live in the mansions and palaces? 7
years? 1000 years? This whole concept is in stark conflict with Jesus’ own
statement in Matthew 5:5. (Also read Psalm 37:11, 29, where the Psalmist is
clearly referring to an earthly abode during a time of “great peace”)
God the Father’s House:
Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we
are the children of God:”
When we say, “our children are part of our
house”, we simply mean they are part of our family ……..the same with God the
Father. Because of our acceptance of Christ, we were adopted into our Father’s
house, or family. And in the household of God there is ample SPACE for
EVERYONE! There is “room at the Cross for you”; in God’s heart is a dwelling
place for you.
John 2:16 – “And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house
an house of merchandise.”
Jesus was clearly drawing an analogy from
the temple being “my Father’s house”.
Hebrew 3:6 – “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence
and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
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This is simply saying that Jesus has
followers ……… “whose house WE ARE” - and of course, Christ’s house is His
Father’s house. It cannot be clearer: God the Father’s house is composed of
those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior.
Preparing a Place: When Jesus said that He was going back to His Father to
prepare a place for us, He was referring to His daily work as our INTERCESSOR.
It would only take a few moments for Jesus to "speak" the most beautiful
mansions into existence - like He did when He made the Earth in only 6 days! He
was not going to take 2000 years to build or prepare a physical palace for any one!
Do you agree?
Hebrews 4:14-16: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus
the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
in time of need.”
What is Jesus PREPARING? He is
continually offering His atoning blood for the sins we still commit every day. This
is the only way we can continue to stay in the household of the Father.
Romans 3:23-25 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness
for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God:”
Notice that when a sinner accepts Jesus
as Savior, ALL his or her sins are forgiven, wiped away and blotted out, never to
be remembered by God again.
However, no matter how good our
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intentions might be to never sin again, the FACT is, we still sin every day. Do you
agree with me?
1 John 1:8: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
It is for that reason we need a LIVING
SAVIOR who can take care of our “post-conversion” daily sins and shortcomings.
That is why it takes both the death and life of Christ to save us and KEEP US
SAVED!
1 Corinthians 15:17, 18 – “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain;
ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
How then are our present sins forgiven?
Please read 1 John 1:9; 2:1, 2 - and see if you can discover the answer yourself.
Jesus is not involved in any kind of
“investigation” to figure out if He should allow us eternal life or not, but He
continually intercedes in our behalf in order to KEEP and PRESERVE us as
members of the household of Him and His Father! Please read Hebrews 4:14-16.
So, when Jesus said that He was going to
prepare a place for us in the Father’s household or family, HE IS DOING JUST
THAT!
The New Testament writers were
unanimous in writing about the literal Second Coming of Jesus. In John 14, Jesus
said, “I will come again”. That does not mean, WE are going to Him, but simply
that Jesus is coming to US! Do you agree?
Acts 1:11 – “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus,
which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
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Jesus will return to where He departed
from. He will fulfill His promise to “receive you unto myself”. Jesus alluded to
that very event in Matthew
224:31,
“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they
shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Let’s get some more details about just
what the scenario will be at the Second Coming.
1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 - “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all
sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
We now want to find out just WHERE we
shall be when Jesus will receive us unto Himself:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 – “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Scripture is clear that Jesus will be in the
CLOUDS when we meet Him, “…. in the AIR.” That means just above the surface
of the earth. That is where Jesus will be when we meet Him. And for how long
will we be with Him? v. 17 “…..shall we EVER be with the Lord.” And Jesus
Himself said in John 14, “…… that WHERE I AM there you may be also.”
The question for us to consider is this:
do we stay in the clouds forever? Do we go to some or other planet – perhaps to
heaven itself? Because in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul does not tell us where we go
after we meet Jesus in the clouds. He did say that we will REMAIN with the
Lord. We need to search for other Scripture for our answer to WHERE Jesus
will go after this gathering of saints in the air.
We have already noticed where Jesus was
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when He ASCENDED to heaven. (Acts 1:11,12) Mt. Olivet, JERUSALEM.
Jerusalem – the beloved city:
Zechariah 14:1-4 - “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil
shall be divided in the midst of thee.
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses
rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the
city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east,
and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and
there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it
toward the south.”
Some scholars understand Revelation 1:10
to refer, not to the Seventh-day Sabbath (Lord’s day), but rather to the “Day of
the Lord”, as it is referred to more than 30 times in the Old Testament. It is
viewed as referring to a future prophetic time, rather than the day of the week
on which John had the vision. This “Day of the Lord” is seen as referring to the
Second Coming and Millennial reign of Christ.
I have noticed that in the Greek, the word en is used – which should be
translated “in” and not “on” the Lord’s Day. In the vision John was apparently
taken into that particular end-time scenario.
Speaking of “the day of the Lord”, and
referring to the Battle of Armageddon (read Revelation 16:12-16), Zachariah says
that, “His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before
Jerusalem.” In Revelation 19:11-21 is a detailed description of this end time
battle.
Notice in Zechariah 14:5, last sentence:
“and all the saints with thee”. At the second coming after we meet Christ in the
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air, we continue on with Him down to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, to fight
the armies of the warring nations.
Only God the Father knows when that day will occur.
Matthew 24:36:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Zechariah 14:9 says that Jesus will be
“King over all the EARTH”. That is exactly where you and I will be part of His
administration. (Revelation 5:10 – “……. and we shall reign on the earth”)
After the 1000 year Earthly Millennium,
Jesus will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father.
1 Corinthians 15:24-26 – “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even
the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
It is only after this time when the last
enemy, DEATH, is destroyed that the New Jerusalem comes down and God the
Father HIMSELF will come and live on the new earth. You may want to read
Revelation chapters 21 and 22.
The truth is that no one goes to heaven –
but that God the Father and Heaven are coming down TO US! What an awesome
God!
The New Heaven and New Earth will be inhabited by God the Father,
our Lord Jesus Christ, all the saints, and a host of angelic beings.
Unfortunately, the Bible does not give us much details of our future destiny,
except what we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9.
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"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
OBSERVATION: Because of many years of indoctrination, it is always very
difficult for Sunday-keepers to accept the Biblical teaching on the Sabbath. In
similar fashion, it is equally, if not more difficult, for Seventh-day Adventists to
part with the EGW-confirmation of a Heavenly Millennium.
I have noticed, however, that most Adventists are HONEST people, and when
they are directly confronted with Biblical truth, they will not hesitate to accept
the leading of God's Spirit and to follow Jesus ALL THE WAY!
Personally, I made my decision about the
Earthly Millennium, when I studied the many OT prophetic references to the
Earthly Millennium…The crux of Jesus' own teaching was to remind His followers
of A COMING KINGDOM…when the apostles will sit on 12 thrones, helping to
manage the EARTH…and Jesus Himself will sit on His father David's throne.
These events have NOT yet happened; it CANNOT refer to anything in Heaven
OR the New Earth…..…it MUST happen during the Earthly Millennium!
Also, in Rev 20:9, those who attack
Jerusalem with Satan are NOT the resurrected wicked, but are OF the
NATIONS, living at the end of the Millennium, who did not accept the Gospel. The
term "devoured"… simply refers to how they will die the FIRST DEATH. Notice,
Satan is thrown into the LAKE OF FIRE! The "devouring" of the unrepentant in
v.9, is NOT HELL. Those people will later take part in "the resurrection of
damnation", and be annihilated in v.13-15 when the last enemy, death, will also be
destroyed.
ONLY NOW do we come to Rev 21, and
CHRONOLOGICALLY the New Jerusalem AND God the Father come down. The
Jerusalem referred to in v. 9 is NOT the New Jerusalem…it simply CANNOT be!
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T hank you for allowing me, to share my
understanding with you. While I certainly respect the views and opinions of
others, I am convinced that your personal research will conclude that the Bibleway
is still…… the ONLY WAY!
Chapter 7
“The Testimony of Jesus”
Adventists have traditionally believed that
the SDA Church constitutes “the Remnant” of Revelation 12:17. In fact, the
official baptismal vow includes the words “I believe that the Seventh-day
Adventist Church is the Remnant Church of Bible prophecy”. This is viewed as an
exclusive title “for SDA’s only”.
In Revelation 12:17 we noticed that there
are two qualifications for being part of the Remnant: keeping God’s
commandments and have the testimony of Jesus. The implication is that the
members would exhibit TWO actions: OBEDIENCE to God, and WITNESSING
about the teachings of Jesus. However, we refer to Revelation 19:10 for a
definition of “the testimony of Jesus”. For some or other reason Adventists
would then come to the conclusion that “the Spirit of Prophecy” is the writings of
Ellen G. White. In some instances the wording would be something like “the Spirit
of Prophecy is ‘manifested’ in the writings of Ellen G. White”.
That is obviously an incorrect exegesis of
Revelation 19:10. Please observe the translation of The New Testament
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Contemporary English Version, which makes most sense:
Revelation 12:17
“They are the people who obey God and are faithful to what Jesus did and taught.”
Revelation 19:10
“Everyone who tells about Jesus does so by the power of the Spirit”.
These two verses make it very clear that
it is most assuredly not the writings of E.G. White, although she had every right
just like you have, to be part of those who indeed proclaim “what Jesus did and
taught”.
“Go thee therefore, and teach all nations, ……Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you …. “ Matthew 28:19, 20\
God’s Remnant will simply “observe all
things” that Jesus commanded and taught on the great issues such as Salvation,
the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath, Baptism, the Second Coming, the
Millennium, the Ordinances, etc.
The literal translation of Revelation 19:10, indeed refers to "spirit of prophecy".
However, the term has a much broader application than simply the office of a
prophet.
Prophecy is more than foretelling things to
come. It also includes the ability to speak according to Scripture in the power of
God's Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul expresses his desire that the church
members at Corinth would "prophesy". Does that mean every-member-a-prophet?
The Greek word for prophesy is PROPHETEIS, which could refer to foretelling
the future OR simply "preaching". The context would determine the meaning. In
the formative years of the Christian Church, like in Corinth, the immediate need
was clearly for more preachers to proclaim the Gospel.
The Testimony of Jesus can best be
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proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit through Preaching! For doing just that,
John was exiled to the island of Patmos. This Gift of Witnessing is clearly an
identifying feature of the Christian Church, and not just reserved for one person!
The existence of an extra or post-Biblical
prophetess cannot be substantiated by the verses Adventist preachers so often
quote. I believe it has been proven over and over again that Ellen G. White does
not qualify as a Biblical-level prophetess. Most readers are aware of the writings
of Elder Walter Rea (The White Lie), and others. I have no desire to attack the
character and integrity of Ellen White. Anyone with access to the Internet can
Google “the prophecies of Ellen G. White” and engage some personal research
regarding the plagiarism issues she is accused of. The ultimate decision
is…YOURS, and I respect that.
My personal conviction is that Ellen G. White was a sincere Christian, who
wrote many wonderful books, most of whom I have read myself. Her writings were
devotional and pastoral in nature, rather than reliable prophetic foretelling of
eschatological events.
Notice the “latest” explanation by Dr.
David Newman, in the Summer, 2011 Edition of Adventist Today, on p.17, “Ellen
White was a New Testament prophet”… yet, “not universal…just to the Adventist
Church”!
RESPONSES
After the passing of a couple of YEARS, I
still have not received ANY official response from the SDA Leadership! I then
sent out 2500 Manuscripts to most SDA ministers in the English-speaking
countries of the world – also, AGAIN, to most of the SDA theologians, scholars
and Administrative Leaders in the world-field. I extended the same original
invitation: to dialogue with me and to point out if and where I deviate from
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Scripture with my positions.
Many ministerial respondents agreed
with one or all of my positions. Some explained that, because of denominational
employment implications, they would not want me to share their comments.
Some openly stated that we get our doctrines from the Bible AND Ellen G.
White. Others mentioned that they do not agree with a number of the SDA
doctrines, but found it difficult to cut the “psychological umbilical cord” with
the church.
In return-correspondence, I urged every respondent to STAY IN THE
CHURCH and to study and pray and wait patiently for the Spirit to move at the
appointed time.
CHAPTER 8
Adventist Alternative
Today, after a struggle of almost 3 years,
with no invitation to dialogue or discuss my differences with the church I had
membership with, for almost 50 years, and which I served as Pastor, Conference
Evangelist, and Adjunct Professor, the struggle is still going on!
I would like to maintain a good relationship with all Adventists and hope
to die a loyal Sabbath-keeper when my time comes. Seventh-day Adventists are
some of the greatest and most loving people I know, and it is a joy to have been
associated with them for so many years.
If you are one of more than 2 million Adventists in the
US and Canada who have left the Adventist Church in recent years, but still
desires to keep the Seventh-day Sabbath, allow me to introduce you to my own,
small, protest-organization that exists for the single purpose to rid the SDA
church from the false doctrines we have studied together. But first come and
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review with me some of our heritage:
Between, 1831-1844, Baptist Lay Preacher, William Miller, promoted the
eminence of the Second Coming of Jesus. In fact, he so firmly believed in the
Second Coming, that he and an associate, S.S. Snow – after they have studied
Daniel 8:14 - set an actual date for the Second Coming = October 22, 1844.
Within a few years they had thousands of followers from different religious
backgrounds.
Those people were very sincere in their
belief. They emptied their banking accounts and many sold their farms and
homes. With the money that was generated they bought PRINTING PRESSES
and printed only one message, around the clock: “Jesus is Coming….Jesus is
Coming, October 22, 1844!” As the day came closer, people started gathering in
homes, in barns, and all over – even in the open! They met on the evening of
October 21, and stayed up all night, praying and singing hymns to welcome the
day they have longed for so long. The morning of October 22 arrived and Jesus
didn’t come! Noontime came and nothing happened! Someone said: “He’ll come at
evening”. Evening came and Jesus didn’t come, and THAT DAY is engraved in the
history of the Sabbatarian Movement, as the Day of Great Disappointment!
Even though the MILLERITES, as they were known, were Sunday-keepers – we
trace modern Sabbatarian history back to that particular event.
What happened next? Most of the Millerites went back to their original
churches – but a small group, known as The Little Flock, clustered together,
determined to continue their quest for ultimate truth. A lady-member of the
Seventh -day Baptist Church, RACHEL PRESTON, from New York, brought the
Seventh-day Sabbath message to the attention of some of the members of this
particular group. However, it was not long before some different points of view
developed, and dissention became evident.
What prompted the departure for many was the role of Ellen G. White as
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prophetess. Many of the early believers were offended by her “shut-door”
teaching. She claimed to have seen in a vision that the day of salvation for
sinners was past. Since that time, the histories of a number of Sabbatarian
churches, denominations, off-shoots and splinter-groups can be traced. The
Mainline SDA Church consistently refused to subject their teachings to Biblical
scrutiny. What was the result? Many leading ministers,
administrators, professors, evangelists, left the ranks. I have previously
suggested some of the names you might want to personally investigate.
Your Special Invitation:
After I have followed protocol to a T, and
did everything humanly possible to get an audience with our Leadership, I have
decided to venture out, independently, on my own. The Lord is blessing in every
aspect.
From time to time I preach at
Camp-meetings and Sabbath events, I teach some courses for ministerial
continuing education, and, by invitation, preach at different churches.
Many are using my 16 Basic Bible Studies
on DVD and use the popular share-book, The Fourth Dilemma, for massdistribution
and to advertise their churches in their local community.
I will be happy to, by invitation, visit
YOUR church, to preach or participate in an Open Forum discussion.
We also would like to invite YOU to join
Good Hope Institute, and be on our Mailing List. Feel free to communicate via Email:
radiogoodhope@yahoo.com
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Most of our supporters regularly attend
the SDA church. We often visit the Loma Linda University church ourselves, and
strongly urge all members to STAY IN THE CHURCH! Reform INSIDE!
If you have any personal needs such as
baptism, anointing with oil, support during time of bereavement, wedding,
counseling, etc., we will do our utmost to facilitate your requests.
I would also like to invite you to download
the set of 16 Basic Bible Studies on video (also the Worksheets), that you could
use to establish your own Home Bible Study Fellowship.
We are trying to establish a strong
“grass-roots” protest- movement and are in need of volunteer Ministers, Lay
Pastors and Bible Instructors. Our goal is to establish a Good Hope Fellowship
CHAPTER in every State and Country overseas. We solicit your prayers, support,
suggestions and participation, in these events. All doors for communication with
the GC will remain open…
Again, for the record, we are NOT a new
denomination, church, or SDA Splinter-group, but exist for the exclusive purpose
of trying to convince the GC to “change course”.
PLEASE NOTE: We fully understand that it would be next to impossible for the
GC to simply “do away” with the doctrines we all know we have a problem with.
HERE IS THE REQUEST: we would ask the church to do away with the
controversial doctrines as TESTS FOR MEMBERSHIP. We ask the church to
ACCOMMODATE and TOLERATE those who, for instance, do not believe in Ellen
White as a Bible-level prophetess, do not believe in a pre-advent Investigative
Judgment when only THEN, “some are accepted and some are rejected”.
These members should be allowed to maintain their church membership and be
allowed to fellowship as regular Adventists in good standing. IF the church could
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make these simple adjustments, it will stop the present exodus from our churches
and thousands will come back home.. Will YOU help us to achieve this goal? Please
contact us on radiogoodhope@yahoo.com and we will be happy to introduce you to
others of similar conviction. Be an instrument of grace and help millions of our
brothers and sisters find their way back!
Our greatest need right now, is to draw attention to as many as possible to visit
our WEBSITE! - www.adventistalternative.org.
You may even want to sponsor an inexpensive ad in the PERSONAL COLUMN of
your local Newspaper: “Adventists and ex-SDA’s, please check out
www.adventistalternative.org”
This is simple, yet most effective!
Thank you very much for your help!
Good Hope Institute is a Federally Registered 501(C)(3) Church organization and
all donations are fully tax-deductible. Donations can be made to Good Hope
Institute, P O Box 546, Apple Valley, CA 92307, USA. Tax-receipts are mailed off
immediately. All of our literature and services are …FREE!
Be sure to read THE FOURTH DILEMMA on www.adventistalternative.org
and to communicate with me personally on radiogoodhope@yahoo.com.
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WALK WITH THE KING!
Pieter Erens Barkhuizen, Th.D
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