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Lynn W
Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 1999 - 1:31 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The word for angel simply means messenger. It can be translated "angel or messenger." It depends on what the translators chose. But there are created beings who are angels.
A problem arises if you say that an "angel of God" is Christ because then who are the "angels of God (plural)" in Gen. 28:12 & 32:1? How many Christs are there?
Christ is not created, and to call Him an angel is to reduce Him to a created being. You have to make a choice, either Christ is an angel as Michael is, or He is diety. How can He be both?
The teaching of Christ=Michael originated because Ellen White and the early Adventist pioneers were Arians who did not believe in the Diety of Christ. This also explains why Ellen White's "Christ" had to argue with His Father 3 times to persuade God to let Him redeem mankind.
The Jehovah's Witnesses broke off from SDA, & kept most of their doctrines including this one.
Lynn W
Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 1999 - 1:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

P.S. I forgot to add - the word for "angel" in the terms "angel of God" & "angel of the Lord" are the exact same word in the Hebrew: malak.
Lori
Posted on Friday, November 26, 1999 - 9:24 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for you answer Lynn, that is exactly how I felt---How can you identify Christ as a angel!!! The OT accounts of angel of the Lord seemed to be used interchangeably with the Lord. And angel, like you already mentioned means messenger. Michael means who is like God. Michael the Archangel means chief messenger who is like God. Most Christians believe that angel of the Lord is a reference to the spirit of the pre ressurected Lord, and the term they use to refer to that Christophany.(sp.?) However, there is great controversy as to whether Michael the archangel is Christ. This is not an issue that is just within the SDA beliefs, it is in other denominations as well.
Below is a rather lengthy article claiming that Michael is indeed Christ. It's rather convincing....and it's completely scriptural. Please give your comments. I am continuing to ask the Holy Spirit for discernment on this subject, as I hope that each one that reads this will also. I feel that Satan uses these kinds of things to draw us away from the gospel, the true means of our salvation. And that is why I ask, does it really matter? He, who ever Michael is, is obviously a heavenly being fighting for God's people.

The Michael Enigma
Questions frequently arise in Christian circles about the true identity of
the biblical Michael, sometimes called "Michael the great Prince" or
"Michael
the archangel." Some claim that Michael is the highest of the heavenly
angels, one of the covering cherubs, or a special messenger like Gabriel,
and
as such is a created being. Others, such as the Bible commentator Matthew
Henry, assert that Michael is simply another name for Jesus Himself. Can we

know the real identity of this mysterious individual? The key to this
puzzling question is found in the Scriptures.

A quick look in a Bible concordance reveals that there are 15 references to

the name Michael. The first 10 of them are found in Old Testament
chronologies and obviously refer to real people named Michael. In fact, the

entry for "Michael" in the lexicon (a Greek and/or Hebrew dictionary)
states:
"The name of an archangel and nine Israelites." It is the identity of
Michael, the archangel and prince, mentioned in the last five references
that
we are seeking.

The first three of these references are in the apocalyptic Old Testament
book
of Daniel. The last two are in the New Testament books of Jude and
Revelation. During an honest study and comparison of these verses and
others,
clues emerge that lead us to an inescapable conclusion that the identity of

Michael is none other than Jesus, God the Son, and that He is not a created

angel, but God's eternal Son!

At first glance it appears that the Old Testament portrays Michael as a
prince and the New Testament as an angel. But by looking at other related
scriptures where similar language and wording are used, we will see a
different pattern emerge.

It's in the Name
First, let's consider the meaning of some words and names. In the Greek New

Testament, as compared to the Old Testament, the word "angel" means
"messenger," and "arch" means "chief, principle, greatest, or highest." So
"archangel" simply means "highest or greatest messenger." The Hebrew name
"Michael" means "who is like God" or "Who is like God?" Whether this name
is
a question, statement, or a challenge will be clear by further study. One
angel did profess to be like God. That fallen being is Lucifer, the
covering
cherub in the heavenly courts who became the devil, Satan, by claiming to
"be
like the most High" (Isaiah 14:14). In Revelation 12:7 Satan is opposed by
"Michael and his angels" and is cast out of heaven.

It is not implausible to assume that if Christ came to earth and became a
man
in His battle against Satan to save human beings, He might also have
identified with the angels to protect them from Satan's evil influence in
heaven. In fact, there are several references in Scripture to a mysterious
being identified as "the angel of the Lord" before Christ's earthly
incarnation. Yet each time He is mentioned there are clues to His identity.

Let's review them briefly.

Hagar
After Hagar bore Ishmael to Abraham, she and the barren Sarah could no
longer
coexist peacefully. Sarah mistreated her now haughty handmaid until Hagar
fled into the desert. "And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of

water in the wilderness" (Genesis 16:7). The angel told Hagar to go back
and
submit to Sarah, and promised that her son, Ishmael, would be the father of
a
great nation. When the "angel" disappeared, Hagar, "called the name of the
Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me" (verse 13). It appears Hagar
recognized that the "angel" who had spoken to her was really God.

Abraham
God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on mount Moriah. Just as he
was
about to plunge the dagger into his son of promise, the angel of the Lord
stopped him. "And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and
said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine
hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that
thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son
from
me" (Genesis 22:11, 12).

It is clear that Abraham was offering his son to God and not to a mere
angel.
"And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second
time,
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast
done
this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing
I
will bless thee, Ö because thou hast obeyed my voice" (Genesis 22:15-18).
In
recounting this experience of Abraham in Acts 3:25, Peter also identifies
this "angel of the Lord" as God.

Jacob
While fleeing from his angry brother Esau, Jacob had a dream in which God
confirmed the covenant of Abraham to him. After receiving assurance that
God
would be with him and bring him back safely to his home in Canaan, Jacob
vowed to return to God a tithe of all his increase. He set up the stone he
had been using for a pillow and anointed it with oil to solemnize his vow.
Then he named the place Beth-el, or house of God, since God had appeared to

him there.

Twenty years later Jacob was on his way back home, not a penniless
fugitive,
but a wealthy man. God reminded Jacob who had really brought him success.
Here's how Jacob recounted the story: "And the angel of God spake unto me
in
a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I" (Genesis 31:11). In verse 13

this "angel of God" identifies Himself: "I am the God of Beth-el, where
thou
anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me."

Then, when Jacob wrestled with a heavenly being (Genesis 32:22-32), he was
given a new name and blessed. Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,
"For
I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" (verse 30). In the
New Testament, Jesus is the one who blesses His people and gives them a new

name (Matthew 5:3-12; Revelation 2:17). Clearly, the angel of the Lord is
Jesus Himself.

When Jacob was on his death bed blessing Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and
Manasseh, he used the terms "angel" and "God" interchangeably. "God, before

whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my
life
long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the
lads" (Genesis 48:15, 16). Once again we see that the angel who redeemed
Jacob is another name for our Redeemer, Jesus!

Moses
Moses saw a burning bush that was not consumed. "And the angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush" (Exodus
3:2). Verse four identifies this angel: "God called unto him out of the
midst
of the bush." And in verse six He identifies Himself. "I am the God of thy
father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." The
angel of the Lord identifies Himself as God!

In his last sermon before he was stoned to death, Stephen agrees with the
Exodus account. "And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him
in
the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a
bush. When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to
behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, Saying, I am the God of thy

fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"
(Acts 7:30-32).

In another instance, the children of Israel were led through the wilderness

by God, "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to
lead
them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go
by
day and night" (Exodus 13:21). Moses describes it this way: "And the angel
of
God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them;
and
the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them"

(Exodus 14:19). Again, "the angel of God" is identified as God.

Balaam
In the story of Balaam and his talking donkey, the angel of the Lord again
figures prominently. It is this angel who nearly kills the covetous
prophet,
who is on his way to curse God's people, and saves the donkey from her
merciless master (Numbers 22:21-35). After Balaam's close brush with death,

"the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word

that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shall speak" (verse 35). The next
chapter reveals who put the words in the prophet's mouth: "And God met
Balaam: Ö And the Lord put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto
Balak, and thus shalt thou speak" (Numbers 23:4, 5). Here again, "the angel

of the Lord" turns out to be God Himself.

Gideon
Gideon had an encounter with the angel of the Lord in the book of Judges.
The
angel told Gideon that the Lord was with him. Gideon pointed to the
oppression of Israel by the Midianites as evidence to the contrary. "And
the
Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save
Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?" (Judges
6:14).
Throughout the rest of the narrative, the person speaking to Gideon is
identified interchangeably as the Lord, the angel of the Lord, and the
angel
of God.

Manoah
Samson's mother, the wife of Manoah, was barren. "And the angel of the Lord

appeared unto the woman" (Judges 13:3). This angel told her she would bear
a
son who would deliver the apostate Israelites from their heathen
oppressors.
She quickly called Manoah, who prayed for another visit from the "man of
God." When the angel came the second time, Manoah asked him his name. The
King James Version of the Bible says that the angel told Manoah that his
name
was "Secret," with a margin notation that translates it as "Wonderful."
This
immediately makes us think of Isaiah's familiar prophecy that the name of
the
coming Messiah would be "Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). The name "Wonderful"

for the angel of the Lord who appeared to Manoah connects this "angel" with

the coming Messiah who was to be called "Wonderful."

No One Has Seen the Father
Suddenly we have more leads than we can follow at once. The "angel of the
Lord" is clearly shown to be God. But the Bible states, "No man hath seen
God
at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he

hath declared him" (John 1:18). John 6:46 tells us, "Not that any man hath
seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father."
Obviously, since no man has seen God the Father, all of these Old Testament

sightings of God as the "angel of the Lord" must have been Jesus, God the
Son, veiling His glory so they could endure His presence without being
consumed.

Rebuking the Accuser
There is one more important reference where the angel of the Lord appears
in
the Old Testament. The prophet Zechariah was given a vision of Joshua the
high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. Satan is standing at his

right hand to resist him. Here we see two adversaries contending over a
sinful human being. In this case the sin is represented by Joshua's filthy
garments (Zechariah 3:3).

In this narrative the name changes quickly from "the angel of the Lord"
(verse 1) to "the Lord" (verse 2), indicating again that they are one and
the
same. Then the Lord makes an interesting statement. "And the Lord said unto

Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan" (Zechariah 3:2) There is only one
other
place in Scripture, Jude verse nine, where this sentence is found, and it
is
spoken by Michael the archangel!

In the small New Testament epistle of Jude we see a vignette similar to
Joshua and the angel in the book of Zechariah. "Yet Michael the archangel,
when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst
not
bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee"
(Jude
1:9). The situations are amazingly parallel. Christ and Satan are
contending
over a sinner. A live one in the case of Joshua, and a dead one in the case

of Moses. The debate is ended abruptly when Jesus says, "The Lord rebuke
thee." Jesus also rebuked the devil when He was tempted in the wilderness.
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan" (Luke
4:8).

Michael the Prince
Isaiah's prophecy about the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6) reveals a key word that
bears investigating. One of the names he says that would apply to the
Messiah
is "Prince of Peace." This immediately reminds us of the three verses in
Daniel in which Michael is called a "prince."

There is another verse in Daniel where the "Prince of princes" is
mentioned.
Again the cosmic conflict is being played out with Christ on one side and
the
devil on the other, with humanity serving as the battlefield. Symbolic
names
identify the two arch foes. Both struggle to gain control, Satan against
our
will and Christ only with our willingness.

"Prince of princes" is actually the same term that is translated "prince of

the host" in verse 11. This is similar to "Lord of lords" (Psalm 136:3),
"God
of gods" (Deuteronomy 10:17), and "King of kings" (Revelation 19:16). All
these are titles of deity. He is even referred to as "Messiah the Prince"
(Daniel 9:25).

One, or First?
Daniel 10:13 is probably the most difficult verse regarding Michael: "But
the
prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo,
Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me." It appears at first
glance that Michael is only "one of" the chief princes. This is an
unfortunate translation in the King James Version. The word "one" comes
from
the Hebrew word "echad" which also means "first," as in "first day"
(Genesis
1:5). This changes the whole meaning of the verse to Michael being first
of,
or highest of, the chief princes. Again, a reference to Jesus.

The Voice of Michael
If we take the term "Michael the archangel" and examine the word
"archangel,"
we see another interesting match. The only other passage in the Bible that
uses the word "archangel" is 1 Thessalonians 4:16. But look at its context.

"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." It is the voice of the archangel that raises the dead in
Christ,
and the Lord Himself who shouts it. This indicates that they are one and
the
same. Jesus is the one who shouts with the voice of the archangel, or
"greatest Messenger," to raise the dead!

Obviously, angels don't have the power to resurrect the dead. Only God who
gives life has the power to restore it. "For as the Father hath life in
himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. Ö Marvel not
at
this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall

hear his voice, And shall come forth" (John 5:26, 28, 29).

In Jude we see the archangel contending with the devil for the body of
Moses,
who, incidentally, was resurrected and taken to heaven from whence he
appeared on the mount of transfiguration to encourage Christ (Mark 9). In 1

Thessalonians, the apostle Paul describes the resurrection as happening in
response to the voice of the archangel. Again we see the parallel between
these two verses; both describe the archangel in the act of resurrecting.

When Michael stands up in Daniel chapter 12, there also follows a
resurrection, and he is described as the one who, "standeth for the
children
of thy people" (verse 1). Commenting on this verse, Matthew Henry states:
"Michael signifies, 'Who is like God,' and his name, with the title of 'the

great Prince,' points out the Divine Savior. Christ stood for the children
of
our people in their stead as a sacrifice, bore the curse for them, to bear
it
from them. He stands for them in pleading for them at the throne of grace."

Jesus is clearly the one who always stands in our place and for our
defense.

Worshiping the Commander
In Revelation, Michael is portrayed as leading the heavenly hosts, or
armies,
in the war against the rebellious Lucifer that took place there. "And there

was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and
the
dragon fought and his angels" (Revelation 12:7). Here the term "dragon" is
a
symbolic name for Satan, the leader of evil (verse 9), so it is very safe
to
assume that Michael is another name for Jesus, the embodiment and leader of

good. But there is more evidence.

Just as Israel was preparing for its first battle after crossing into the
Promised Land, Joshua had an encounter with an unusual warrior. "And it
came
to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked,

and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his

hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for
our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord
am
I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and
said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the
Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the
place
whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so" (Joshua 5:13-15).

Not only did Joshua worship this being, but the heavenly captain received
his
worship. If he had been a mere angel, he would have rebuked Joshua just
like
the angel rebuked John for trying to worship him (see Revelation 19:10;
22:8,
9).

In all the cases where the angel of the Lord accepts worship, it is clearly

the Son of God. But where regular created angels are worshiped, they refuse

it. Even Jesus reminded Satan in the wilderness, "For it is written, Thou
shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Luke 4:8).

In fact, all the created angels are commanded to worship Jesus as they did
during His first advent. "And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten

into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him"
(Hebrews
1:6). The devil is infuriated because he knows that someday even he will be

compelled to acknowledge Jesus as king and worship Him. "That at the name
of
Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10, 11).

The phrase "Lord of hosts" is found 245 times in the Bible and refers to
the
"commander of God's angelic army." So the "captain of the Lord's host" that

Joshua saw was not an angel, but Jesus Himself. That explains why He
demanded
that Joshua remove his shoes. The place was holy because Jesus was there,
just as Jesus' presence at the burning bush made that ground holy for
Moses.
So Michael, the captain of the Lord's host, or army, is another title for
Jesus.

Who Is as God!
When Phillip asked Jesus to show the disciples the Father, Christ
responded:
"Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?

he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9).

Some think that God's Son waited 4,000 years to personally intervene in the

affairs of man. Not so! Though it is true that the incarnation occurred
4,000
years after man's fall, God the Son has been personally involved in the
history and affairs of His people.

What a wonderful truth that Jesus, God's eternal Son, has ever been
actively
occupied in watching over, providing for, and protecting His children! He
spoke face to face with Abraham and Moses and wrestled with Jacob. He led
the
Israelites through the wilderness, providing food and water and victory
against their enemies.

Remember that the title "Michael the archangel" means "The greatest
messenger
who is as God." It was Jesus, "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians
1:15), who brought the greatest message of hope, the gospel, to our
perishing
world!

Please consider these views prayerfully, I do not know if they are truth....they were posed against me when I spoke against Michael equaling Christ. I found the argument very convincing. Your insights would be appreciated.
Colleentinker
Posted on Saturday, November 27, 1999 - 9:10 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You're right, Lori, the article is very compelling. But it raises some questions in my mind. Last August, Gary Inrig, senior pastor at Trinity Church, came to our Friday night discussion group and led the first of two studies on eternity and the state of the soul in death. One of our biggest surprises came when he referred to the passage in Jude where Michael and Jesus contended for the body of Moses. His comments were that Moses died and his body remained in the ground. Jeus, however, had his spirit, and that was how he was able to appear at the transfiguration.

We all reponded, "But Jesus won the contest and resurrected Moses. That's how he was able to appear!"

Gary looked at us in true confusion and said, "Where does it say that in the Bible?"

Many of our group began thumbing to the book of Jude, and we had to admit that the Bible does not say that Moses was resurrected. Only EGW says that.

Another problem I have with the above article is the assumption that Moses appeared at the Transfiguration to strengthen Jesus. Thanks to Dale Ratzlaff's insights I now see the transfiguration as having a completely different meaning. While strengthening Jesus may have been a result of the event, I think the truth of it is this: Moses represented the Law to all Jews. Elijah represented the prophets. Peter was ready to build shrines to all three: the law, the prophets, and the Messiah. But God covered the three with a cloud and said, "This is my son; listen to Him!" And when Peter, James and John arose, no one was before them but Jesus. The law and the prophets were gone; Jesus alone was to be worshiped and honored. The biblical accounts give emphasis to this understanding. Jesus told the three disciples, "Don't tell anyone about this until after my death."

The transfiguration heralded the New Covenant. Only after rJesus' death and resurrection, however, would the New Covenant be in place. Until then the Old Covenant was in charge.

The above article sounds to me as if it's written by an Adventist who depends upon EGW for his or her final, bottom-line understandings.

The identity of Jesus as Michael is troublesome to me. There is no biblical evidence to suggest that at any point Jesus became an angel to help angels in the way he became human to help humans. It's true that most Christians believe that the OT references to the Angel of the Lord were manifestations of the pre-resurrected Christ. But that does not make him an angel. Most of the OT is shrouded in symbols which pointed to the reality of Christ.

Another reason equating Jesus and Michael is troublsesome to me is that most Christians do not struggle over the identity of Christ as do Adventists in this matter. This teaching seems to arise out the early Adventists belief that Jesus was not the eternal Son of God. Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Satanic groups still hold this Arian belief. Many of these groups, in fact, actively teach that Lucifer and Jesus were brothers who had a fight and are engaged in an ongoing struggle for supremacy. (Sounds awfully much like the Great Controversy, doesn't it?)

Again, I'm not sure we can prove that Jesus is or isn't Michael. For me the issue is: am I consciously or subconsciously holding to a teaching of a false prophet? Since EGW wrote about Michael being Jesus when she believed that Jesus was created, it makes that identity suspect. I also think it's important to understand how orthodox Christians view this identity.

I want to be sure that I don't hold to theology that is based on EGW teachings. I want my beliefs to be firmly founded in the Bible.

Praise God that he has revealed himself through Jesus Christ and that the Holy Spirit continues to reveal truth to us!
Susan
Posted on Saturday, November 27, 1999 - 10:54 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist-he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also."1John 2:22-23 All cults and false teachings start with altering who Christ is. This is a biggie! Orthodox Christianity is quite clear about the nature of Jesus. Jesus was NOT the brother of Lucifer, an angel or just a good teacher. He was God incarnate. He died for our sins, rose from the dead and He sits at the right hand of the Father. These truths are absolute. In 1John, John was warning believers about false teachers, those who claimed that Christ was something other than the Messiah. John is quite clear about this. And in Galations Paul also speaks of the eternal condemnation that will come to those who pervert the gospel of Christ. We can have total assurance that Jesus is God. We can also rest in the promise that through faith in Christ and the finished work of the cross, we can spend eternity with God.
Lydell
Posted on Sunday, November 28, 1999 - 11:02 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Colleen, glad you made the point that Christians aren't confused about the identity of Christ as are many SDA's. So often you find "out here" (out of the SDA's) that many of the charges leveled against Christians by SDA's are just absurd. I think this is one of them. Most Christians don't much care about the issue of whether or not Christ might be Michael because they fully understand that he IS the son of God. They aren't desperately looking to enact "Sunday laws" because they really don't give a hoot whether the SDA's are worshipping on Saturday or not, mainly because the vast majority don't even have a clue that they exsist! It's just really amazing to look back at that time in the church and realize just how much time was spent in the "them against us" mindset! What a waste of time! Oops, just got off the subject. But has anyone else been struck by this BIG difference between SDA's and Christians?
Lori
Posted on Sunday, November 28, 1999 - 3:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Colleen, thanks so much for your answer!! And, yes, it was a SDA minister that was the author of the material. I felt very much the same way, that his interpretation of "just scripture" was clouded by EGW. As I don't have any one locally to bounce these things off of---this website has been a real blessing. As more and more people find out that I have left the church I keep being bombarded with more and more "information". Sometimes its difficult to determine if the source is God or Satan. However, it has driven me to the scripture more and more. And, I'm learning SO much!!!! Life IN CHRIST is wonderful!!!!!!

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