| Author | Message | ||
| Lynn W |
In the Revelation Seminar lesson book, in U. Smith's "Daniel & Revelation, in Maxwell's "God Cares" series, in the slide shows for the crusades, etc. etc. there is a lot of artwork. These are paintings commissioned specifically for the Adventist books & crusades. These are not "just pictures," they depict Adventist doctrine. I'd like to review a few and compare them with scripture. Starting with the ever-present picture of Judgment Day. Christian art generally shows a picture of someone kneeling before the throne of God at His feet. But Adventist Art always shows a man standing before a giant set of the 10 commandments. They believe we will be literally judged by the 10C, as if God is going to run down the list & check each one to see how we've done and decide our fate accordingly. Where does the righteousness of Jesus come in? I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath CLOTHED ME WITH THE GARMENTS OF SALVATION, he hath COVERED ME WITH THE ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isa. 61:10. we were reconciled to God BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we shall be SAVED BY HIS LIFE. Rom 5:10 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself BY JESUS CHRIST 2 Cor. 5:18. The judgment by the law is for those who insist on living under the law and not relying on the righteousness of Christ. Romans 2:12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned UNDER THE LAW will be judged by the Law; In other words, all those Adventist pictures of a man standing before a giant set of the 10 commandments on Judgment Day are accurate - for those who insist on living by the law. They will be judged by the Law. On the other hand, those who live by faith in Jesus shall be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:12. Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those WHO ARE UNDER THE LAW, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith APART FROM works of the Law. The worst sin is the boasting by Adventists that they will be able to pass the judgment based on their own ability to keep the commandments. That's why they are so quick to condemn sabbath-breakers. 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, HIS FAITH IS RECKONED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS, | ||
| Lynn W |
Then there's all those pictures of Jesus in the Levitical robes with the breastplate, mitre, etc. Is this Bible or Ellen White? Early Writings pg. 36" ìI was taken off in vision to the most holy place, where I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel. On the bottom of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate.î Who did Ellen White ìsee?î She has described the priestly garments of the Levites; but the Bible makes it clear that Jesus is from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, NOT Levi. At no time is He ever described the way Ellen White ìsawî Him. Furthermore, scripture specifically says He is a priest after the order of Melchizedek for the express purpose of establishing that Christ did NOT come after the order of Aaron (through Levi) and that when He came, atonement was no longer accomplished through the law. ìIf therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and NOT be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW. [when was the last time you heard that in a sermon?] For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, NOT after the LAW OF A CARNAL COMMANDMENT, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made NOTHING perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a BETTER TESTAMENT (yes, there are TWO testaments). Heb. 7:10-22. | ||
| Lynn W |
Remember all those pictures of the second coming? With people standing around looking up to heaven as Jesus approaches. In the Great Controversy pg. 636, Ellen White is speaking of the second coming, Then a rainbow, shining with the glory from the throne of God, spans the heavens and seems to encircle each praying company. The angry multitudes... gaze upon the symbol of Godís covenant and long to be shielded from its overpowering brightness. By the people of God a voice, clear and melodious, is heard, saying, "Look up," and lifting their eyes to the heavens, they behold the bow of promise. The black, angry clouds that covered the firmament are parted, and like Stephen they look up steadfastly into heaven and see the glory of God and the Son of man seated upon His throne... It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance... etc. etc. According to 1 Cor 15:51-52, thereís not time for all this standing around. ...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. Yet in Ellen Whiteís version, they are still standing around a few pages later. pg. 640, The Israel of God stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward...In solemn silence they gaze upon it as it draws nearer the earth... etc. etc. Also Rev. 6:16 finds the angry multitudes hiding ...from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, not from a rainbow. | ||
| Lynn W |
Why didn't I notice this one sooner? Rev. Seminar, lesson 8 - the Ressurection. People are coming out of the graves and what is the first thing they see? Jesus? Heaven? No, it's Nebuchadnezzar's image! | ||
| Lynn W |
And of course, there's the classic image of the 10 commandments. Always 4 on the left and 6 on the right with all the writing on one side of each tablet. Says who? Josephus the historian says they were written on BOTH sides with 2 1/2 commandments on each side of each tablet, making 5 on each. I don't cite Josephus as scripture, but he did write from rabbinical tradition, and he was a historian who lived about 2000 years closer to the time of the events. His account sounds much more like the Biblical narration. Exod 32:15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on BOTH their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. | ||
| Thomas |
Regarding being judged by the 10 commandments, I keep wondering why all of those sermons NEVER read or even mentioned Rom. 10:4. The first time I read that one, I kept looking through other bibles to make sure mine hadn't been misprinted! | ||
| Lynn W |
Can't overlook Rom. 10:3, For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish THEIR OWN righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things SHALL LIVE BY THEM. Good luck. |
