A
"The Seventh day Adventist constitutes an unscriptural religious movement that developed as an outgrowth of the renewed interest which had arisen in the 19[SUP]th[/SUP] century concerning the immanency of the Second Advent of Christ. The Adventist derived their name from the erroneous Second Advent prophecies of William Miller and from their emphasis upon observance of the Jewish Sabbath Saturday as a memorial of God’s creation. Miller, a farmer, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1782. He had predicted (on the basis of erroneous interpretations of certain passages in Daniel) that Christ would return by March 21, 1843 in spite of Jesus’ declaration that no man could know the time of His return (Matt 24:36). On the basis of his predictions many Millerites (as his followers were called) gave up their occupations, farmers left their crops in the field, while others fled the cities to await the judgment day. When the great day passed uneventfully, many were disillusioned. However, at Exeter New Hampshire during a camp meeting it was again predicted by another Adventist that Christ would return on October 22, 1844. After the second disappointment, Miller admitted that he himself had been in error, nevertheless some of his followers remained undaunted in spite of the prophesies. A solution was soon found to their disappointment. Hiram Adson, an Adventist, claim to have received a vision of Christ entering the Heavenly sanctuary (cf. Heb.8-9). This was interpreted as signifying that the Millerite prophesies had not been wrong, but simply misunderstood. Christ did not return to earth in 1844 but had entered into the Heavenly sanctuary to complete His atoning work in preparation for the Second Advent on earth. Thus the Adventists solved their dilemma by stating that Miller had been right as to the time but wrong as to the place of Christ’s appearance. At this juncture, Mrs. Ellen G White who claimed to have received special visions and revelations from God became the new leader of the Millerites. Her counsels lead to the organization of the Seventh Day Adventist church in 1863 at Battle Creek Michigan. She wrote some 45 books, one becoming the standard work for all Adventists, entitled, “The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan”. Adventists carry on their work in a 185 countries and territories, have built numerous schools and colleges, and reported membership in excess of 2 million. The Seventh Day Adventist movement, which was built upon the false properties of William Miller and others (Miller later admitted his prophesies were erroneous), and upon the unscriptural teachings and alleged revelations of Ellen G White, is clearly unbiblical in many of its teachings and beliefs. Attempts have been made by later Adventists to gloss over some of the grocer unscriptural statements made by earlier Adventist, but the fact remains that the basic positions and beliefs have not changed in Adventisism. Several of the most obvious errors of the Seventh Day Adventists are:
1. The atonement of Christ is said to be unfinished.
Adventists claim that the atonement of Christ was not finished at Calvary for two reasons. First, although believers received “pardon” by Jesus’ blood, yet their sins remained upon the so-called “Books of Record”. In 1844 Christ is said to have entered into the heavenly sanctuary to complete His atoning work through the process of the removal of our sins from the heavenly sanctuary. This means, according to Ellen G White, that the sins of believers had been transferred to the heavenly sanctuary which is now being cleansed by Christ. He is at present investigating the Books of Record to determine who true believers are whose sins are to be blotted out.
In contradiction to this false doctrine which alleges that Christ’s atoning ministry is not finished, the scriptures clearly teach that His atoning work was completed once for all on the Cross when he cried,” It is finished” (John19:30). In refutation see: Heb10:11-18; 1Peter2:24; Col1:20; 1John1:7. Adventists claim that Christ’s atoning work is unfinished in the second place because Satan is sent to be the final sin bearer. Adventists teach that justice demands that while Christ suffered for our guilt, Satan must also be punished as the instigator for our sin. The scapegoat in the Old Testament had the sins of Israel confessed over it by the High priest, and was then sent away into the wilderness bearing away the sins of the people. Another goat had previously been slain as a sin-offering. Adventists teach that these two goats typify Christ and Satan. The first animal typified Christ who died for the sins of the people. These sins are ultimately to be placed upon Satan (the scapegoat) who will bear them away and He will then be destroyed. This erroneous doctrine of the Adventists ignores the fact that unlike Satan (1) both animals in the Old Testament were pure and spotless, and (2) they both typified Christ’s work of atonement. His sacrificial death was typified by the sacrificed goat, in His bearing away of our sins was signified by the second goat over whom Israel’s sins were confessed before it was sent into the wilderness bearing them away. It required two animals under OldTtestament ritual, not because they were to represent two different individuals, but because it would be impossible to portray what Christ was to accomplish with just one animal (1. His sacrificial death. 2. His bearing away of sin). Moreover, to say that Satan represents the sinbearer is blasphemy, for the scriptures declare that Jesus “ His own self bare our sins in His own body on a tree: (1 Pet.2:24). John the baptist pointed to Jesus, not to Satan, when he exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John1:29).
2. Adventist are legalistic in their attitude toward Old Testament Law and observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
Adventists teachings imply that Christians are still “under the Law,” in the sense that the so-called Moral LAW and some aspects of the Jewish ceremonial restrictions are still legally binding, in spite of the clear teachings of the Scriptures to the contrary (see: Gal. 2-3; Rom. 6: 15; 2 Cor. 3:6-11). Vegetarianism is encouraged by Adventists, and so-called unclean foods (by O.T. standards), including meats, especially pork, are to be avoided, in spite of the clear teaching of Mark 7:14-19 and 1 Timothy 4:1-5. If the precepts of the Law are to be kept one wonders why Adventists fail to obey such commandments as the one concerning circumcision, for example; or, for that matter, why they insist upon observing the Sabbath commandment, but ignore the Sabbath restrictions which were inseparable from the Fourth Commandment (e.g., no burden was to be carried, Jer 17:21; no fire could be kindled, Exod. 35:3; or cooking done, Exod. 16:23). Violations were punishable by death!
Seventh Day Adventists thus insist that the seventh day or Sabbath (Saturday) is to be observed, and that the churches are merely following the later tradition of the Roman Catholics in observing the first day of the week (Sunday). They believe that Sunday observers will be those who take “the mark of the beast.” Some Jewish Christians in the earl days continued to respect the Sabbath, as well as the first day of the week, but the Gentile Church never did. Moreover, the New Testament itself gives evidence that during the first century the first day of the week (Sunday) replaced the Jewish Sabbath among Christian Jews in commemoration of Christ’s resurrection, and was designated as “the Lord’s Day” or “the first day of the week.: See Acts 20:7; Revelations 1:10; 1 Corinthians 16:2, for example. As the Sabbath meant something distinctive to Israel, so also the first day of the week has always had special significance to Christians. Furthermore, all the early Church Fathers spoke of the commemoration of the Lord’s Day (Sunday) by the churches long before the Roman Catholics sanctioned Sunday observance in the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] century A.D. Rome merely sanctioned for its members what the churches had been already observing for centuries. Moreover, the Sabbath Commandment, which was a covenant made only to Israel (as a sign between God and Israel, Exod. 31:12-17), was abolished with the rest of the Law at Calvary. This Fact is clearly taught in such passages as Colossians 2;13-17; Romans 2-8; Acts 15, and Galatians 2-3. The so-called “moral law” which contains the Fourth or Sabbath Commandment was an inseparable part of the one Law given to Israel which was annulled by the Cross. Adventists contend that the “moral law” is still binding on Christians, although most civil and ceremonial laws peculiar to Israel are done away with. However, such teaching reveals a lack of understanding of the nature of Old Testament Law. The Law was not divided into three laws as the Adventists Contend (moral, civil, ceremonial); there was but one Law with 3 aspects: Moral, civil, and ceremonial. The Scriptures show that if we are bound to keep one part of the Law, then we must keep it all, “for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal. 3:10). The same verse states in no unmistakable terms, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse” (cf. vs. 21). Since the Adventists cannot keep the Law (anymore than could Israel before them, then to place oneself under Law in any sense is to be under its condemnation and curse (Gal. 2-3). This does not imply, however that the moral “principles” of the Law are invalid, but that the Christian is in no sense “under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14) Its is still a sin to steal, lie, kill, or to commit adultery; the abolition of the dispensation of the Law did not abolish God’s requirement of righteous conduct on the part of His Children (Rom. 3:28, 31; 6:1-2). Some Adventists contend, of course that salvation is by faith and not by the works of the Law; but this does not alter the fact that they insist that the “moral law” is legally binding upon the Christians, that Christians are obligated to keep the Jewish Sabbath commandment, and that they should observe certain Old Testament dietary restrictions contained in the ceremonial laws. The net result is that Adventists subject themselves to the bondage of the Law although it was abolished at Calvary.
3. Adventists teach the error of “soul sleep”
The soul is said to be unconscious or “asleep” between death and the resurrection. Adventists take literally Biblical references to the dead being “asleep” and such passages as Acts 7:59-60 (when Stephen died it is said that “he fell asleep”) and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The Scriptures, however, declare that the soul or person is conscious after the death of the body and that to speak of the dead as “asleep” is simply a figure of speech (indicative of the appearance of the body upon death). See in refutation: Matthew 17:1-3, Luke 16:19-31; 23:40-43; Phillippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9; Psalm 73:24; Revelation 6:9-11; Ecclesiastes 12:7. These passages clearly prove that the dead saints (and sinners) are conscious and active, and that the saved are present with the Lord immediately. Moreover, the saints who “sleep in Jesus” will come back with Him at the Second Advent, indicating that they had been consciously present with Him all along, not asleep in some grave (1 Thess.3:13;4:14).
4.Eternal punishment is denied.
Adventists erroneously contend that according to such passages as Malachi 4:3, Psalm 52:1-5, and Job 21:30 the wicked, together with Satan, will be ultimately annihilated. See in refutation: Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; John 3:36; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:10. These texts clearly refute the erroneous Adventist’s teaching that “eternal punishment” is not to be taken to mean “an endless process of punishment”, but that it implies a final, once-for-all punishment-by annihilation of the wicked forever.
It is interesting that both Charles T. Russel, founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God, both of whom deny the eternal punishment of the wicked, came under the influence of Seventh Day Adventist’s teachings before their own cults." : Quoted from a non-copyrighted book: Every Wind of Doctrine Pages 127-133 By Th. D. Hobart E Freeman
1. The atonement of Christ is said to be unfinished.
Adventists claim that the atonement of Christ was not finished at Calvary for two reasons. First, although believers received “pardon” by Jesus’ blood, yet their sins remained upon the so-called “Books of Record”. In 1844 Christ is said to have entered into the heavenly sanctuary to complete His atoning work through the process of the removal of our sins from the heavenly sanctuary. This means, according to Ellen G White, that the sins of believers had been transferred to the heavenly sanctuary which is now being cleansed by Christ. He is at present investigating the Books of Record to determine who true believers are whose sins are to be blotted out.
In contradiction to this false doctrine which alleges that Christ’s atoning ministry is not finished, the scriptures clearly teach that His atoning work was completed once for all on the Cross when he cried,” It is finished” (John19:30). In refutation see: Heb10:11-18; 1Peter2:24; Col1:20; 1John1:7. Adventists claim that Christ’s atoning work is unfinished in the second place because Satan is sent to be the final sin bearer. Adventists teach that justice demands that while Christ suffered for our guilt, Satan must also be punished as the instigator for our sin. The scapegoat in the Old Testament had the sins of Israel confessed over it by the High priest, and was then sent away into the wilderness bearing away the sins of the people. Another goat had previously been slain as a sin-offering. Adventists teach that these two goats typify Christ and Satan. The first animal typified Christ who died for the sins of the people. These sins are ultimately to be placed upon Satan (the scapegoat) who will bear them away and He will then be destroyed. This erroneous doctrine of the Adventists ignores the fact that unlike Satan (1) both animals in the Old Testament were pure and spotless, and (2) they both typified Christ’s work of atonement. His sacrificial death was typified by the sacrificed goat, in His bearing away of our sins was signified by the second goat over whom Israel’s sins were confessed before it was sent into the wilderness bearing them away. It required two animals under OldTtestament ritual, not because they were to represent two different individuals, but because it would be impossible to portray what Christ was to accomplish with just one animal (1. His sacrificial death. 2. His bearing away of sin). Moreover, to say that Satan represents the sinbearer is blasphemy, for the scriptures declare that Jesus “ His own self bare our sins in His own body on a tree: (1 Pet.2:24). John the baptist pointed to Jesus, not to Satan, when he exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John1:29).
2. Adventist are legalistic in their attitude toward Old Testament Law and observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
Adventists teachings imply that Christians are still “under the Law,” in the sense that the so-called Moral LAW and some aspects of the Jewish ceremonial restrictions are still legally binding, in spite of the clear teachings of the Scriptures to the contrary (see: Gal. 2-3; Rom. 6: 15; 2 Cor. 3:6-11). Vegetarianism is encouraged by Adventists, and so-called unclean foods (by O.T. standards), including meats, especially pork, are to be avoided, in spite of the clear teaching of Mark 7:14-19 and 1 Timothy 4:1-5. If the precepts of the Law are to be kept one wonders why Adventists fail to obey such commandments as the one concerning circumcision, for example; or, for that matter, why they insist upon observing the Sabbath commandment, but ignore the Sabbath restrictions which were inseparable from the Fourth Commandment (e.g., no burden was to be carried, Jer 17:21; no fire could be kindled, Exod. 35:3; or cooking done, Exod. 16:23). Violations were punishable by death!
Seventh Day Adventists thus insist that the seventh day or Sabbath (Saturday) is to be observed, and that the churches are merely following the later tradition of the Roman Catholics in observing the first day of the week (Sunday). They believe that Sunday observers will be those who take “the mark of the beast.” Some Jewish Christians in the earl days continued to respect the Sabbath, as well as the first day of the week, but the Gentile Church never did. Moreover, the New Testament itself gives evidence that during the first century the first day of the week (Sunday) replaced the Jewish Sabbath among Christian Jews in commemoration of Christ’s resurrection, and was designated as “the Lord’s Day” or “the first day of the week.: See Acts 20:7; Revelations 1:10; 1 Corinthians 16:2, for example. As the Sabbath meant something distinctive to Israel, so also the first day of the week has always had special significance to Christians. Furthermore, all the early Church Fathers spoke of the commemoration of the Lord’s Day (Sunday) by the churches long before the Roman Catholics sanctioned Sunday observance in the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] century A.D. Rome merely sanctioned for its members what the churches had been already observing for centuries. Moreover, the Sabbath Commandment, which was a covenant made only to Israel (as a sign between God and Israel, Exod. 31:12-17), was abolished with the rest of the Law at Calvary. This Fact is clearly taught in such passages as Colossians 2;13-17; Romans 2-8; Acts 15, and Galatians 2-3. The so-called “moral law” which contains the Fourth or Sabbath Commandment was an inseparable part of the one Law given to Israel which was annulled by the Cross. Adventists contend that the “moral law” is still binding on Christians, although most civil and ceremonial laws peculiar to Israel are done away with. However, such teaching reveals a lack of understanding of the nature of Old Testament Law. The Law was not divided into three laws as the Adventists Contend (moral, civil, ceremonial); there was but one Law with 3 aspects: Moral, civil, and ceremonial. The Scriptures show that if we are bound to keep one part of the Law, then we must keep it all, “for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal. 3:10). The same verse states in no unmistakable terms, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse” (cf. vs. 21). Since the Adventists cannot keep the Law (anymore than could Israel before them, then to place oneself under Law in any sense is to be under its condemnation and curse (Gal. 2-3). This does not imply, however that the moral “principles” of the Law are invalid, but that the Christian is in no sense “under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14) Its is still a sin to steal, lie, kill, or to commit adultery; the abolition of the dispensation of the Law did not abolish God’s requirement of righteous conduct on the part of His Children (Rom. 3:28, 31; 6:1-2). Some Adventists contend, of course that salvation is by faith and not by the works of the Law; but this does not alter the fact that they insist that the “moral law” is legally binding upon the Christians, that Christians are obligated to keep the Jewish Sabbath commandment, and that they should observe certain Old Testament dietary restrictions contained in the ceremonial laws. The net result is that Adventists subject themselves to the bondage of the Law although it was abolished at Calvary.
3. Adventists teach the error of “soul sleep”
The soul is said to be unconscious or “asleep” between death and the resurrection. Adventists take literally Biblical references to the dead being “asleep” and such passages as Acts 7:59-60 (when Stephen died it is said that “he fell asleep”) and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The Scriptures, however, declare that the soul or person is conscious after the death of the body and that to speak of the dead as “asleep” is simply a figure of speech (indicative of the appearance of the body upon death). See in refutation: Matthew 17:1-3, Luke 16:19-31; 23:40-43; Phillippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9; Psalm 73:24; Revelation 6:9-11; Ecclesiastes 12:7. These passages clearly prove that the dead saints (and sinners) are conscious and active, and that the saved are present with the Lord immediately. Moreover, the saints who “sleep in Jesus” will come back with Him at the Second Advent, indicating that they had been consciously present with Him all along, not asleep in some grave (1 Thess.3:13;4:14).
4.Eternal punishment is denied.
Adventists erroneously contend that according to such passages as Malachi 4:3, Psalm 52:1-5, and Job 21:30 the wicked, together with Satan, will be ultimately annihilated. See in refutation: Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; John 3:36; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:10. These texts clearly refute the erroneous Adventist’s teaching that “eternal punishment” is not to be taken to mean “an endless process of punishment”, but that it implies a final, once-for-all punishment-by annihilation of the wicked forever.
It is interesting that both Charles T. Russel, founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God, both of whom deny the eternal punishment of the wicked, came under the influence of Seventh Day Adventist’s teachings before their own cults." : Quoted from a non-copyrighted book: Every Wind of Doctrine Pages 127-133 By Th. D. Hobart E Freeman
Last edited by a moderator:
Thats not what it meant