By David J. Stewart | February 2016
Galatians 1:7-9, “Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
I recently picked up a copy of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) magazine,
“SIGNS OF THE TIMES.” The front cover says, “The Great Controversy
between good and evil is nearly over.” The magazine explains on page 2
that in the beginning, Lucifer rebelled against God and persuaded a
third of Heaven's angels to join him in an attempt to overthrown God's
throne. So far so good, this is Biblical.
The question is then raised in the magazine: Why didn't God just destroy Lucifer and the angels that sinned? The suggested answer on page 3 is that if God had done that, the remaining angels would have “served Him out of fear lest they suffer the same fate.” So in His wisdom, “God had to allow them to see for themselves the outworking of Satan's plans. That way, instead of being afraid of God, they could praise Him for the great wisdom He showed in dealing with the problem.” This supposition is speculation by SDA's. Jesus said that Hell was created for the Devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” This blows up the SDA theory that God didn't want the angels to fear, because God created the Lake of Fire for the ones who rebelled. And in addition, James 2:19 says that the devils believe, BUT TREMBLE. That sounds like FEAR to me!
Albeit, a much more serious doctrinal problem arises on page 8, under the sub-title called, “Choosing God.” On page 7 we are told about God rescuing mankind through Christ's death on the cross, but now on page 8 we are given conditions for salvation, and I quote: “However, God didn't give the entire human race a blank check. In order to escape the death penalty, each person would have to make a personal choice between Satan's way of life and God's. Each person would have to believe that God's rescue plan was real and that it was real for him or her. And each person would have to declare his or her loyalty to God and His way of life.” This is not the Gospel as taught in the Holy Scriptures. Not at all. Our text passage of Scripture from Galatians 1:7-9 pronounces a CURSE from God upon anyone who tampers with the Gospel. 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 defines “the Gospel” as Christ's death on the cross for our sins, His burial, and bodily resurrection three days later. There is no requirement in the Gospel to forsake Satan's way of life and embrace God's way of life, and be loyal to Him, for salvation. These are self-righteous works, and “works” are not allowed in God's plan of salvation for man.
2nd Corinthians 11:3-4, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”
Kindly, Seventh-day Adventists teach ANOTHER GOSPEL!!!
The SDA doctrine gets really strange on page 9, in a sub-section titled, “Judging The World.” Basically, they teach that God, Lucifer and the angels battled thousands of years ago, which resulted in Lucifer and a third of Heaven's angels being cast down to the earth. So far so good, that is Biblical. But then they say (on page 9), “God has promised that anyone who truly believes in Jesus can be brought into heaven. However, God's loyal angels fought a battle several thousand years ago in which they cast Satan and his disloyal angels out of heaven, and I'm certain they don't want to let anyone back into heaven whose disloyalty might start the whole conflict all over again.” As I will show you next, they are laying the groundwork for a works-based plan of salvation.
Pages 10-11 further explain that the purpose of the “Final Judgment” (which they avoid calling the “Investigative Judgment,” which is what it actually is in SDA dogma) is to “show the angels why we do deserve eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.” This is a very strange doctrine foreign to the Bible. Biblically, no one “deserves” eternal life. No one is worthy in God's eyes, which is why we need a worthy Savior. The Bible says that no one in Heaven or earth was “worthy” enough to open The Book With Seven Seals. Revelation 5:3-5 and 9, “And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. ... And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. ... And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Only Jesus Christ, the precious Lamb Of God, is worthy to open the book!
It is heresy for SDA's to teach that the Lord is involved in some End Time judgment, that is exclusive only to Seventh-day Adventism, and was invented by Seventh-day Adventists in 1844. According to page 11 of the Signs Of The Times issue that I am quoting from, they say that God keeps record books in Heaven, which is very true. However, SDA's teach that these books will be used to determine whether each Christian REALLY BELIEVES in the Lord, enough to commit to following the Lord's way of life over Satan's. These are very strange doctrines indeed. Pages 10-11 say that, “God devised a plan to ensure that every angel in Heaven understands His decisions about every human being whom He admits into heaven, because this would ensure that He had their loyalty.”
The
whole SDA teaching of “The Great Controversy” is a cockamamie
fabrication by false prophetess Ellen G. White (1827-1915). They're
literally teaching that Jesus entered into the heavenly sanctuary (Holy
Place) in 1844, to judge each human being on the basis of their faith
and works (or lack thereof), so that the remaining angels wouldn't rebel
against God if they misunderstood the facts. If any man is allowed into
Heaven, in spite of his sinful past and self-induced failures in life,
SDA dogma says that God must first convince the angels that He's not
letting dangerous criminals into their peaceful presence. As the
magazine states on page 11, this is only one purpose of the “Final
Judgment” (aka, Investigative Judgment), that is, “to show the angels
why we do deserve eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.”
We read on page 11, “Revelation 12:10 calls Satan 'the accuser of our brothers.' I propose that Satan is throwing up all kinds of challenges to God over His judgment of you and me, and he's especially raising questions in the minds of the angels about our worthiness to be saved.” My friend, this is satanic teaching straight from the pits of Hell. There's not an angel in Heaven who doesn't fully realize that not one human being is worthy of God's love, grace or mercy. NOT ONE! We all deserve to burn in the Lake of Fire for all eternity without end. Satan accuses imperfect Christians, just like the heathen world does, and worldly believers who accuse each other. We're never more like Satan than when we accuse others of their past faults, shortcomings and sins.
Although it is true Biblically
that Satan accuses Christians day and night before the throne of God, it
is totally unbiblical that the Lord is engaged in a present judgment in
the heavenly Holy Place of all Christian's character in order to appease
the angels, by ensuring that insincere and disloyal believers aren't
deemed “worthy” and cannot enter into Heaven. Effectively, this is
salvation by works. Like most psuedo-Christian religious cults, SDA's
often engage in forked-tongued double-talk. In one breath they claim to
believe the simple Gospel; yet in their teachings they also clearly
believe that one cannot be saved without making “a personal choice
between Satan's way of life and God's.” (Source: “SIGNS OF THE
TIMES: The Great Controversy between good and evil is nearly over,” page
8). By the way, this is exactly what
Lordship Salvation teaches!
SDA's Deny The Reality Of A Burning Eternal Hell
On page 15, the reality of a burning eternal Hell is strongly denied. The magazines states, “the idea of eternal torment makes God an eternal Hitler.” May I say, SDA's make the grave mistake of leaning upon their own understanding instead of trusting upon the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-7). The Holy Bible has much more to say about Hell than Heaven. Jesus spoke of “everlasting fire” in Matthew 25:41. The Bible plainly teaches in Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” As you just read, the Bible mentions “fire and brimstone” (sulfur). How can SDA's deny the reality of eternal punishment in a lake that burns with fire and brimstone? This is what the Bible teaches!
One thing that I've noticed in SDA literature is that they speak of the Spirit of God beginning to changing a person's desires when they believe in Jesus. They don't mention the Biblical need to be born-again. Instead, they just say to “believe in Jesus.” That's not the Gospel. A lot of unsaved people believe in Jesus, evidenced by the unsaved religious people in Matthew 7:21-23, to whom Jesus said... “I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY”!!! These were people who did “many wonderful works,” just as do Seventh-day Adventists. Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
No person will ever be able to even “see” the Kingdom of God unless they have been born-again. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” SDA's merely speak of believing in Jesus, but that is not the Gospel. The Gospel is that Christ died on the cross for our sins, and He was buried, and He resurrected from the dead three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). As evidenced by some of the quotes I've shared with you from Sign of The Times magazine, SDA's believe that one's personal behavior is a key element in the Lord's decision of who is “worthy” to enter into Heaven. This is satanic teaching.
In sharp contrast, the Word of God in the King James Bible teaches that only those who are WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB will enter into Heaven. 1st Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Entering Heaven has absolutely NOTHING to do with how we live, our intentions, our loyalty, or commitment to live God's way, nor anything else. If you ever go to Heaven, it will only be because of the blood of the Lamb—The Lord Jesus Christ—Who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and raised up the third day. If that's your only hope for eternal life, you are saved!
SDA's falsely profess to trust the Lord, but in reality they are trusting in their works, to prove to the angels that God was right in His decision to save men. SDA's claim that the angels don't want criminals in Heaven. SDA's say the angels don't want any trouble-makers who are going to bring conflict back into their peaceful domain. They is the heresy that SDA's teach, as I've outlined in this article. In SDA, a Christian's character is heavily weighed in Christ's Investigative Judgment process, as He investigates each person's life to see if they are worthy to enter into Heaven, which is based upon their sincerity and works. This is the core of SDA doctrine, which is a totally works-based plan of salvation, which is “another Gospel.” Please read, ANOTHER GOSPEL (an excellent printed sermon by Pastor Harry Ironside, 1876-1951).
Ellen G. White's Heresy On “Growing Up
Into Christ” For Salvation
SDA' don't recognize being “born-again” as a new birth by the Holy Spirit of God into God's family; but rather, a change of heart. This is merely religion, and not the new birth in Christ Jesus. In her heretical book titled, “STEPS TO CHRIST,” false prophetess Ellen G. White errantly states. ...
“The change of heart by which we become children of God is in the Bible spoken of as birth.” —SOURCE: Ellen G. White; Book: Steps To Christ; Chapter: Growing Up Into Christ, pg. 67.
My
friend, that is a lie of the Devil. Being “born-again” does not mean having “a
change of heart.” In Matthew 27:3 we read that Judas Iscariot “repented” (i.e.,
had a change of heart, felt remorse), which compelled him to return the 30
pieces of silver by which he betrayed the only begotten Son of God. When the
Pharisees refused the blood money, Judas cast the coins onto the floor and ran
away. Judas then went and hung himself, committing suicide. This was one of
Jesus' very Apostles. It is so sad and tragic indeed! My point is that Judas had
a change of heart, but that didn't make him saved.So what does it mean to be born-again? It means that a person is born into God's family. If you are not saved, then God is not your Father. If you are an unbeliever, or a false believer, God is your Creator but not your Father. When you become a born-again Christian by believing the Gospel, you immediately become a child of God. Once you get saved, you are a permanent member of the heavenly family, and you can never be disowned for any reason.
If a Christian believer backslides into their own selfish ways (Proverbs 14:14), going away from the Lord—and they start attending night clubs and alcohol bars, boozing, cursing and fornicating, they have not lost nor jeopardized their eternal security in any way. However, they are disobeying God as His child, and the Bible expressly warns in Hebrews 12:6-8 that God will get involved and “chastise” (discipline) a wayward child. The Bible also uses the word “scourge,” which means “to whip.”
Granted, Ellen White teaches that only God can give new spiritual life to a person. But she teaches that it is God's power to live a changed life that constitute being born-again. That is not Biblical. Ellen does teach about the regenerating power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, but she has the wrong idea of how salvation works. The new birth is not a changed life in me produced by God's Spirit; but rather, it is God's Spirit Himself in me that is the new birth. Being born anew has NOTHING to do with our growth, attitude or desire to serve God. Biblically, we are born-again into God's family by faith in the Gospel, and then it is God's indwelling Holy Spirit Who lives the Christian life through us. Thus, we are saved by receiving the free gift of God by faith, which is completely without works. And then, if we follow Christ in obedient discipleship as we ought (which is not required for salvation), the fruit of the Holy Spirit will transfer through us to bless and help others (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:4-5). Being “born-again” does not refer to the change in one's heart or life; but rather, it refers to the new birth by the Holy Spirit (John 3:6) into God's family (Galatians 3:26-29). John 3:6-7, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
SDA's avoid
talking about being “born-again,” discouraging the idea that a person can be
saved certain at a specific time, date and place. As you might suspect, SDA's
believe that salvation can be lost, either by reckless or irresponsible
behavior, or if you simply don't want it anymore. This is absurd, because a
birth whether physical or spiritual, cannot be undone. A person who claims to
have “once been a Christian” was never a true Christian to begin with, they
merely ascribed to the philosophy of Christianity. They were never born-again by
the Holy Spirit of God. By teaching that there is no eternal security, SDA's
naturally believe that the manner in which they live their earthly life largely
determines whether or not they make it to Heaven. This is not the Gospel.
Final Words Of Warning About Seventh-day Adventism
Please understand that I have nothing personal against any Seventh-day Adventist. My heart is burdened for them, sincerely. The ones I know are good people, hard-working, and sincere; but I've also learned from speaking with them that they are woefully misled by the Devil concerning Bible prophecy, totally ignorant of the satanic New World Order, and include Discipleship as a requirement to be saved. Salvation is totally separate from Discipleship. SDA's have a wrong view of repentance. Kindly, God's curse is upon the Seventh-day Adventist religion, because like Roman Catholics, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, they add human effort to “the simplicity that is in Christ” (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4) for eternal life. Have you been born-again friend?
Please listen to EASY-BELIEVISM (an excellent doctrinally-sound MP3 sermon by Dr. Ralph Yankee Arnold).
JESUS CAME TO SAVE
SINNERS!!!
Luke 19:10,
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
