| Author | Message | ||
| Xsra Registered user Username: Xsra Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi, Has anyone here heard of the Sabbath Rest Advent Church? Take care. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2174 Registered: 12-2003  |
Hi, Xsra! Glad you're here! I've heard of Sabbat Rest Advent hurch, but I don't know anything abot it. I look forward to learning more! Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1646 Registered: 3-2004  |
Welcome to FAF Xsra. I have not heard of the Sabbath Rest Advent Church. Tell us what you can of it. Diana | ||
| Jerry Registered user Username: Jerry Post Number: 460 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi, Xsra. I did a search in the archives of this forum (click on the "Search" link at the top right of this panel). There was a posting about this church in 2003? where someone suggested that it was started by a former SDA minister. The post claimed that the current head of the church was in Germany. I was able to find a listing of one of these churches in Sharpsburg MD. in a GOOGLE search (for some reason the search pulled up a large number of porno sites, so watch out.) That is all I have found, but I have not verified anything. | ||
| Xsra Registered user Username: Xsra Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2005 |
I am an ex-member of the SRA church (not to be confused with the Satanic Ritual Abuse church), and would like to issue a warning with regards to this church. Never growing to more than two thousand members world wide, this relatively small and unheard of church sprung from the "Awakeners" movement in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the early 1960s, and was led by an ex-SDA minister by the name of Fred Wright (circa 1924-1997). The church was originally called the Fundamental Seventh-day Adventist Church before it changed its name (due to registration reasons) in the 1980s, but has always gone by the title "The Message". Its headquarters were in Palmwoods, in the state of Queensland, Australia, but were transferred to Dickendorf, Germany in 1993 due to a revolt by former church members - whose names were on the land and business titles - on the grounds that the church had changed from its original purpose to a private ministry where Fred Wright basically had a monopoly over it. The matter went to court, the SRA church lost, and were forced to surrender several hundred thousand dollars of property, printing equipment and books. The two main doctrines that separate them from SDAs and others is they believe that 1). the carnal mind is eradicated at the new birth, thus rendering the cause of all manner of sin thereafter to the flesh, and 2). God destroys nobody, but the person's own sins separate them from a God who can no longer protect them from circumstances that are now out of His control, such as accidents, earthquakes, fire out of heaven, the ten plagues of Egypt, the Flood, etc. Although due to my inexperience I once fully supported the above beliefs, I now feel they are not necessary for salvation, but that it is enough to believe that God can take care of the carnal mind at all times such that "sin shall not have dominion over you" Rom 6:14, and that "God is love" 1 John 4:8 such that how He deals with the disobedient is, as the apostle Paul says, His prerogative. But the doctrine that I would like to warn people about is a doctrine entitled "The Primary Order", which was preached by Fred Wright in 1989. This doctrine teaches that God gives all the new light through one man only, called "The Primary Messenger", except during the periods just after Christ's resurrection and just before His return (the early and latter rain periods). To be more specific, all new light will originate in the mind of the primary messenger alone, and everybody else must simply pass this on to others. Furthermore, Fred Wright preached that anyone apart from the primary messenger who claimed to have new light was to be shunned, their letters sent back unopened, and generally regarded as an enemy of the church and God. Obviously, the man bringing such a message would have to be that messenger; and so from 1989 the church forbade anyone else from presenting anything that had not originated in the mind of Fred Wright. This naturally led to many people leaving the church. The primary order teaches that God gives light to Christ, Who gives it to the primary messenger, who gives it to the church. (They actually have a graphic showing God at the top, then Christ, then the PM, then the church.) All other teachers and workers are called "Secondary Messengers", because they pass on light they have received from the primary messenger. The primary messenger's position is arbitrary, ie., it is not contingent on him bringing light, but that he is firstly and arbitrarily "The Messenger" and secondly the light bearer. In other words, ordinarily a person is considered a messenger only if they have a message, but in the SRA church the primary messenger is a messenger, period, and as such the church expects light to come through him, much like a prophet, although Fred made no such claims. One might also compare it with the Levite priesthood, i.e., theirs by inheritance within their generations. Leading up to and since Fred Wright's passing (God bless his dear soul) Andreas Dura of Germany has been the new primary messenger of the SRA church since the mid 1990s. During his tenure the church has made many changes. He has re-written some of Fred Wright's books in order to bring them up to date (with Andreas's own new theories), and has brought back into the church many forms and ceremonies that Fred Wright had done away with in the name of the "Message". For example, Fred Wright did away with the medical work, the youth work, the Sabbath school, and every form of human election. This was all done in the name of "New Light". However, Andreas Dura has gradually re-introduced these things. It would seem that God gives contrary light through His messengers! The Sabbath Rest Adventists don't go out of their way to advertise, believing instead that God will lead true believers to the SRA church. They have a web site containing brief information as to their history, beliefs and contact details. In their beliefs section, be very aware that they make no mention of the Primary Order. Also, to those who may read this and who are present members of said church, please become knowledgable with regards to the crises of 1985, 1989 and 1993, as this should help convince you of the utter implausability of the claim that God gave all the light through one man. Without a doubt, the strength of the SRA church, as with all sects and cults, is that the left hand must never know what the right hand is doing. In closing, I would like to say that I believe Fred Wright was a sincere, dedicated Christian, but that he went off the track. Prior to this time, he preached and wrote many inspirational messages. But a church, or a message, or a messenger that is mostly good but a little bit bad is in fact wholly bad and should be avoided at all costs. I realise that I am advertising this church to many who might otherwise have never heard of them, but I have prayed about this and felt that it is better to send a clear warning than to say nothing and hope nobody will be deceived like I was. I'm very pleased to announce that I am no longer deceived, but rather God has turned this unfortunate experience to His advantage by now using me to warn and help others who have been down the "fanaticism" path. May God preserve you all from the fanaticism of these last days. | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 70 Registered: 3-2005 |
Xsra: PRAISE GOD you came out of that! Thank you for the warning and for the explanation of why it is a cult. God bless you! Patria | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 455 Registered: 3-2005 |
Xsra, Welcome to FAF! Praise God He delivered you from that tangled mess. I agree with everything you said, but would like to ask you, How could Fred Wright be a true and dedicated Christian as you say, and then be a leader of a cult group? I would also be interested in where you now find fellowship? Thanks again for relating your experience, and your screen name is clever X-SRA! Stan | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1652 Registered: 3-2004 |
Thanks Xsra, for the warning. When I decided not to rejoin the SDA church I did have a few Christian friends who warned me about getting involved in a cult like church. When I explained what and why I left and what I was learning from the Bible, they did not worry any longer and helped me with my Bible study. I echo Stan's comment-Where do you not find fellowship? Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2183 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thanks for your clear explanation and warning, Xsra. I do believe people who have been enveloped in deception (as we have been!) are especially vulnerable to new deceptions as they transition. I'm also wondering where you find fellowship? There is nothing so amazing as being part of a local fellowship of the Body of Christ--the true body of Christ united by the Holy Spirit. With prayers for your continued healing and growth (and yes, God DOES restore the years the locusts ate!), Colleen | ||
| Xsra Registered user Username: Xsra Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Stan "How could Fred Wright be a true and dedicated Christian as you say, and then be a leader of a cult group?" Actually, I said he was a sincere and dedicated Christian "who went off the track". As for how this will affect his standing in the judgment, only God knows, as people have sincerely gone into error in the past but were forgiven by God, such as Abraham having two wives, or Eli's great sin. The SRA church was not always a sect/cult but became one in 1989 due to the primary order doctrine. However, it wouldn't surprise me if the present leader - The Amazing Andreas - has pulled another rabbit out of his hat and, in the name of "new light", caused the primary order "message" to disappear into thin air! LOL. Hi Jerry, Patria, Diana and Colleen, I haven't fellowshipped with a church since leaving the SRA church, but am not opposed to Christian fellowship, although I'm now very wary of all churches and church groups. I suppose the expression "once bitten twice shy" is fitting for me right now. But thanks for your replies and I'll keep in touch. Take care. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2188 Registered: 12-2003 |
Now that I think about it, Xsra, I have heard of your former church and have known some people who were followers of Fred Wright. You are right--it is truly cultic and dangerous. One of Satan's more successful ventures, in my opionion, has been to mimic reality and truth with deceptive copies that barely hide their false nature. One of the venues he's really mimicked well is the local church. Because cults use the same terminiology that Christians use, it's hard to see that the "church" in reality is completely different from "the church" in a cult. In reality, according to Biblical truth, "the church" is composed of people who have met Jesus and have been born again by the Holy Spirit bringing their own dead spirits to life. These people are united by the Spirit Himself and share commitment and support that is only possible by the power of the indwelling God of the universe who helps us love each other for Him. In cults, the "church" is composed of cult members. For the most part, these people are usually not born again because they haven't actually met the true Jesus. They've only learned about the "Jesus" the cult teaches, and he is usually altered and compromised from the REALITY is significant ways. Because these cult church members are not (usually) truly born again and children of God (see Romans 8:13-16), they have no true unity or concern for one another except as those who share a unique belief. Their "unity" is through dogma instead of through the Spirit of God. A true, Bible-believing, Christ-honoring fellowship of Christians is completely different from a church of a cult. As I said, the vocabulary terms are a serious deception in this instance. If, as in witchraft, cults called their associations something other than "church"--such as the "coven" in witchraft--there would be no confusion. Everyone would know that they were not talking about a Biblical church. But because they masquerade as Biblical and use Biblical terms to define themselves, they cause those who finally "escape" or otherwise leave great confusion. They have knee-jerk reactions (understandably!) to anything that sounds like the old familiar structures. Praise God that He is bigger than our deceptions and wounds! Colleen | ||
| Loneviking Registered user Username: Loneviking Post Number: 344 Registered: 7-2000 |
Interesting, the 'Primary Order' doctrine sounds just like the early SDA church. Substitute EGW as 'the messenger' and you have a picture of what the SDA church was like when she was around. The basis for the entire scam is the idea of 'thought inspiration', along with the idea that the Bible is not complete and can't be fully trusted---another touchstone of pseudo-Christian cults. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2198 Registered: 12-2003 |
Very true, Loneviking! Colleen | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 795 Registered: 10-2004  |
You're right, Loneviking! Nobody was even allowed to believe that the earth was round or flat without Ellen's stamp of approval. (Seriously--that's a real example.) Jeremy (Message edited by jeremy on June 28, 2005) | ||
| Kellymiller Registered user Username: Kellymiller Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2005 |
I could not agree with you more Xsra. That is why we too left the SRA church. We had to giggle when you said "Amazing Andreas"  PLEASE tell us who you are. My user name - is really my name. When my google search brought up this page and your post, I was so thankful to read that someone else got out too. Then Darrel and I sat around reading the post attempting to figure out who you are. So please lets end the mystery and form our own little group on this site. | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 999 Registered: 7-2003  |
Welcome Kelly. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2408 Registered: 12-2003 |
Welcome, Kelly. We're glad you're here, and we'd love to hear your story, too. Were you and your husband both (apparently) part of SRA? How did you become involved, and how long were you in? God is faithful--He personally lifts us out of darkness and into His light of truth. Colleen | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 981 Registered: 7-2003  |
Welcome to FAF Kelly. I can't wait to hear more of you story! Chris Lee Lincoln, NE | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1784 Registered: 3-2004 |
Welcome to FAF Kelly. Please tell us your story when you are ready. God is awesome in how He works on each person's heart. Diana | ||
| Kellymiller Registered user Username: Kellymiller Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks for the welcome. When I was in college, I met my husband, who was new to the Sabbath Rest Advent Church. At that time I was looking for a church and had a bad experience on a Methodist mission trip. So the things that Darrel (my now husband) was telling me about his church sounded good. For the first year and a half, I had some issues with the church and did not join them as a member, but did have contact with them. Because we were dating and I was not a member, it was really looked down upon, he was actually advised to not see me. After about a year and a half of that we broke up and he went to live with a family that belonged to the SRA church. Then in talking to this family, they suggested I was "Born Again" and invited me to the yearly camp meeting. At this first camp I attented I was babtized and all was well. A year later we were married. Over the next few years, the church started to change. Some things along the way didn't sit well with me and it was something they noticed. Yet, I did what I thought was right and kept my doubts to myself. During this time, we had two children. One issue this brought on was depression. At that point I felt trapped. There were a few people there that made me feel like I wasn't trying hard enough. They would put down my job, that I worked at all, my parenting skills, what I ate, how I dressed and how I kept the sabbath. So along with my depression and anxiety issues, I could now add fear. These people made my husband feel that I may be hindering their work. If I was to speak up and speek out against anything the church was doing, I was afraid they would suggest he leave us. Then, because of a Real messanger of the Lord, my husband started to see what they ask of us may not be what the Lord is asking of us. This friend of my husbands and worker for God, really kept at him, in very suttle ways. Then after nine/ten years in the church, they were asking us to sign a paper full of things that we really couldn't agree with. So in the end we left. It was not easy. One thing they had me believing was that if I left them, I was leaving God. Since the time I was a small child I have loved the Lord, the thought of not being in His flock any more was very hard on me. Plus, because of the limited outside friends you can have in this church, it's like you are leaving your friends and family. We knew that when we left we had to leave everyone behind. For a short period of time there was contact with a few people, but it was not easy. A couple of weeks ago, I did a google search on the church and found this thread. It is still not easy. Personally I have a lot of wrong ideas that are so much a part of me it's hard to even know they are there. Picking a church is very hard, I keep looking back at where we were at and because nothing is even close, I have the idea they are wrong. There is a church were I pretty much feel at home, but they believe in infant baptizem. The pastor of this church told me "if you won't make it an issue, we won't, we would love to have you here". It is still hard for me to form my own belief about this and just pick a church. So I keep falling back on them, looking for them in some way. So I thought that maybe if I joined this board, heard how other people got over this kind of thing it may help. Plus, to find out who Xsra is would be wonderful. It was really a close knit kind of family in the SRA church. So I also think if I could find out who Xsra is that would also help provide me with some closeure. My councler and I talked about forgiveness for a long time. So I wrote a letter of forgiveness to the church and the one member that caused me the most stress - and actually sent them. The burden I had carried was lifted and it isn't as bad anymore. Yet, it would be nice to have a bit more closure on it and pick a new church so that I can move on. One thing I am extreamly thankful for is that my children didn't have to grow up in that. |
