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and the Seventh-day Adventist Church  ~ Further Study ~ Further Study 1 Repeating the Past? “With profound and reverent interest the elders of Israel should have been studying the place, the time, the circumstances, of the greatest event in the world’s history —the coming of the Son of God to accomplish the redemption of man. All the people should have been watching and waiting that they might be among the first to welcome the world’s Redeemer. But, lo, at Bethlehem two weary travelers from the hills of Nazareth traverse the whole length of the narrow street to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a place of rest and shelter for the night. No doors are open to receive them. In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle, they at last find refuge, and there the Saviour of the world is born.” {GC 313.2} The Spring Feasts foretold the events and time of Christ’s first coming, and the Fall Feasts foretell His second coming! If the Fall Feasts have not yet been fulfilled, how then can they be done away? Has the Church of the last generation learned from the past so that the past is not repeated? It doesn’t appear so! The prophecies of the seven thunders in Daniel foretell that severe judgments are coming, —first to the Church and then to the churches of the world. The warnings are clear as the storm approaches and they are sounding as thunder! The storm is only beginning! The force of its destruction has not been released, and yet we can even now hear the Thunder of the Almighty’s voice? “The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.” Ps 77:18. “And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder.” Rev 14:2. (Dan 8:5-7; 11:31, 32; 1Pet 4:17; Rev 11:1-2; 17:5, 6). Daniel’s prayer is far more relevant to us —the last generation, “Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. . . . O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.” Dan 9:11, 16. Further Study 2 Daniel 8:14 pointed to the closing work. “Instead of the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 referring to the purifying of the earth [Oct. 22, 1844], it was now plain that it pointed to the closing work of our High Priest in heaven, the finishing of the atonement, and the preparing of the people to abide the day of His coming.” {CET 56.3} “But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell.” {EW 63.2} Further Study 3 Sanctuary Cleansed at the end of the 2300 literal days! Topsham, April 21, 1847. To Bro. Eli Curtis, New York City. Dear Bro:— “In the Day-Dawn, Vol. 1, Nos. 10 and 11, you kindly invite me to address you a communication. {WLF 11.1} [A Word to the Little Flock] “The only apology I have to offer for not writing before is, I have not had a clear duty to write till now. You will, I doubt not, excuse me for addressing you so publicly, at this time. I have been much interested in your writings in the Dawn, and extra; and fully agree with you on some points, but on others we widely differ. {WLF 11.2} [Emphasis supplied] “Your Extra is now on the stand before me; and I beg leave to state to you, and the scattered flock of God, what I have seen in vision relative to these things on which you have written. I fully agree with you, that there will be two literal resurrections, 1000 years apart. {WLF 11.3} “I also agree with you, that the new heavens, and the new earth, (Revelation 21:1. Isaiah 65:17. 2 Peter 3:13.) will not appear, till after the wicked dead are raised, and destroyed, at the end of the 1000 years. I saw that Satan was “loosed out of his prison,” at the end of the 1000 years, just at the time the wicked dead were raised; and that Satan deceived them by making them believe that they could take the holy city from the saints. The wicked all marched up around the “camp of the saints,” with Satan at their head; and when they were ready to make an effort to take the city, the Almighty breathed from his high throne, on the city, a breath of devouring fire, which came down on them, and burnt them up, “root and branch.” {WLF 11.4} “And I saw, that as Christ is the vine, and his children the branches: so Satan is the “root,” and his children are the “branches;” and at the final destruction of “Gog and Magog,” the whole wicked host will be burnt up, “root and branch,” and cease to exist. Then will appear the new heaven and the new earth. Then will the saints “build houses,” and “plant vineyards.” I saw, that all the righteous dead were raised by the voice of the Son of God, at the first resurrection; and all that were raised at the second resurrection, were burnt up, and ceased to exist. {WLF 12.1} “You think, that those who worship before the saint’s feet, (Revelation 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you; for God shew me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away, and “crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” And in the “hour of temptation,” which is yet to come, to show out every one’s true character, they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saint’s feet. {WLF 12.2} “You also think, that Michael stood up, and the time of trouble commenced, in the spring of 1844. {WLF 12.3} “The Lord has shown me in vision, that Jesus rose up, and shut the door, and entered the Holy of Holies, at the 7th month 1844; but Michael’s standing up (Daniel 12:1) to deliver his people, is in the future. {WLF 12.4} [Emphasis supplied] “This, will not take place, until Jesus has finished his priestly office in the Heavenly Sanctuary, and lays off his priestly attire, and puts on his most kingly robes, and crown, to ride forth on the cloudy chariot, to “thresh the heathen in anger,” and deliver his people. {WLF 12.5} “Then Jesus will have the sharp sickle in his hand, (Revelation 14:14) and then the saints will cry day and night to Jesus on the cloud, to thrust in his sharp sickle and reap. {WLF 12.6} “This, will be the time of Jacob’s trouble, (Jeremiah 30:5-8) out of which, the saints will be delivered by the voice of God. {WLF 12.7} “I believe the Sanctuary, to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days, is the New Jerusalem Temple, of which Christ is a minister. The Lord shew me in vision, more than one year ago, that Brother Crosier had the true light, on the cleansing of the Sanctuary, &c; and that it was his will, that Brother C. should write out the view which he gave us in the Day-Star, Extra, February 7, 1846. I feel fully authorized by the Lord, to recommend that Extra, to every saint. {WLF 12.8} [Emphasis supplied] “I pray that these lines may prove a blessing to you, and all the dear children who may read them. * * E. G. White.” {WLF 12.9} Further Study 4 The End of the 2300 Days The following are events Ellen White saw on the last great Day of Atonement. The title in Early Writings, p. 54 is— “I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus’ countenance and admired His lovely person. The Father’s person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, “If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist.” Before the throne I saw the Advent people —the church and the world. I saw two companies, one bowed down before the throne, deeply interested, while the other stood uninterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus; then He would look to His Father, and appear to be pleading with Him. A light would come from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it; others were careless and did not cherish the light, and it moved off from them. Some cherished it, and went and bowed down with the little praying company. This company all received the light and rejoiced in it, and their countenances shone with its glory. {EW 54.2} “I saw the Father rise from the throne, [SEE PAGE 92.] and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, “Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.” Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace. {EW 55.1} “I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children.” {EW 56.1} Further Study 5 2 Esdras 6:23-25. —Apocrypha 23 And that trumpet shall give a sound, which when every man heareth, they shall be suddenly afraid. 24 At that time shall friends fight one against another like enemies, and the earth shall stand in fear with those that dwell therein, the springs of the fountains shall stand still, and in three hours they shall not run. 25 Whosoever remaineth from all these that I have told thee shall escape, and see my salvation, and the end of your world. Further Study 6 2 Esdras 15:33-35. —Apocrypha 33 And from the land of the Assyrians shall the enemy besiege them, and consume some of them, and in their host shall be fear and dread, and strife among their kings. 34 Behold clouds from the east and from the north unto the south, and they are very horrible to look upon, full of wrath and storm. 35 They shall smite one upon another, and they shall smite down a great multitude of stars upon the earth, even their own star; and blood shall be from the sword unto the belly, Further Study 7 God’s map taken down. “Not long ago a very impressive scene passed before me. I saw an immense ball of fire falling among some beautiful mansions, causing their instant destruction. I heard some one say, “We knew that the judgments of God were coming upon the earth, but we did not know that they would come so soon.” Others said, “You knew? Why then did you not tell us. We did not know.” On every side I heard such words spoken. {RH, November 24, 1904 par. 1} “In great distress I awoke. I went to sleep again, and seemed to be in a large gathering. One of authority [Jesus] was addressing the company [the Church], before whom was spread out a map of the world. He said that this map pictured God’s vineyard, which must be cultivated. As light from heaven shone upon any one, that one was to reflect the light to others. Lights were to be kindled in many places, and from these lights still other lights were to be kindled. The words were repeated,— {RH, November 24, 1904 par. 2} “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill can not be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. {RH, November 24, 1904 par. 3} “I saw jets of light shining from cities and villages, and from the high places and the low places of the earth. God’s Word was obeyed, and, as a result, there were memorials for him in every city and village. His truth was proclaimed throughout the world. {RH, November 24, 1904 par. 4} “Then this map was removed, and another put in its place. On it, light was shining forth from a few places only. The rest of the world was in darkness, with only a glimmer of light here and there. Our Instructor [Jesus] said, “This darkness is the result of men’s following their own course. They have cherished hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil. They have made questioning and faultfinding and accusing the chief business of their lives. Their hearts are not right with God. They have hidden their light under a bushel.” {RH, November 24, 1904 par. 5} “If every soldier of Christ had done his duty, if every watchman on the walls of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound, the world might, ere this, have heard the message of warning. But the work is years behind. While men have slept, Satan has stolen a march upon us. {RH, November 24, 1904 par. 6} Further Study 8 The Acts of the Apostles, chp. 37, pgs. 389-398. The following is a shortened version of the above chapter using only selected sentences. “Paul greatly desired to reach Jerusalem before the Passover as he would thus have an opportunity to meet those who should come from all parts of the world to attend the feast. . .” {AA 389.1} “. . . His plan to reach Jerusalem in time for the Passover services had to be given up, but he hoped to be there at Pentecost.” {AA 390.2} “Accompanying Paul and Luke were ‘Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.’ . . . [Paul] made arrangements for these representative brethren from various contributing churches, to accompany him to Jerusalem. {AA 390.3} “At Philippi Paul tarried to keep the Passover. Only Luke remained with him, the other members of the company passing on to Troas to await him there. The Philippians were the most loving and truehearted of the apostle’s converts, and during the eight days of the feast he enjoyed peaceful and happy communion with them.” {AA 390.4} [We should take note of ‘the eight days of the feast.’ The conversation is about Paul’s desire to make it to Jerusalem in time to keep the Passover, which is only one day. So then, the eight days of the feast would include Passover AND the seven days of Unleavened bread! (Acts 20:6; which is considered the Passover Week.) Included in the keeping of those two Feasts would also be Firstfruits. And thus, the counting and timing of Pentecost, because of Paul’s Providential delays, would place Paul in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, —on time!] “With rejoicing the believers again assembled in the upper chamber. They partook of the Communion, and then Paul “talked a long while, even till break of day.” {AA 391.3} [The word ‘Communion’ is capitalized by Ellen White.] “Paul had greatly desired to visit the church there, for he had important instruction and counsel to give them. But upon consideration he determined to hasten on, for he desired, ‘if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the Day of Pentecost.’” {AA 392.1} “The Son of God had died as their sacrifice and had ascended to heaven to stand before the Father as their advocate. By repentance and faith they might be freed from the condemnation of sin and through the grace of Christ be enabled henceforth to render obedience to the law of God. {AA 393.1} “The minister of Christ is not to present to the people only those truths that are the most pleasing, while he withholds others that might cause them pain. . . . Should he permit them in their self-confidence to go on unwarned, he would be held responsible for their souls.” {AA 393.4} Further Study 9 Obedience to Christ’s Command. “In obedience to Christ’s command, they waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father —the outpouring of the Spirit. They did not wait in idleness. The record says that they were ‘continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.’ Luke 24:53. They also met together to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. They knew that they had a Representative in heaven, an Advocate at the throne of God. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, ‘Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.’ John 16:23, 24. Higher and still higher they extended the hand of faith, with the mighty argument, ‘It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.’” Romans 8:34. {AA 35.2} Further Study 10 The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist— It is vitally important, even paramount, that when the term Seventh-day Adventist Church is used in this writing, it does NOT refer to the individual church member, but to the church organization —the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist— which officially determines what is printed for the Church and taught by the church member. There is most likely a greater number than we think that have studied the Bible and read Ellen White’s statements and have begun to realize that she teaches far more than what they have heard or read from the Church organization. |