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Kathy23
Registered user
Username: Kathy23
Post Number: 22
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 5:06 pm: |     |
I am the only person in my generation in my family who has gone on to attend an Evangelical Church after leaving Adventism. Every single one of my cousins, my sister, my nieces and nephew left Adventism but they haven't been able to attend another church. My mother, Aunt, Uncle and Grandmother are the only Adventists left in my family. All others have left but will not attend another church. I know in my sister's case, she still believes in some of the Adventist pricipals but can't live by them so has chosen to "give up" on all religion. My nephew has chosen to be an athiest. It is so sad. When I left the Adventist church, I still believed in it as "the truth" but couldn't live by it. I didn't attend another church for over 10 years. The brain-washing goes so very deep. I continue to pray for my family that has left Adventism and will not attend another church and my family still in Advenstism. Sometimes I don't know which is worse.
Kathy |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 5486
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 9:55 pm: | |
Kathy, what a poignant story. I agreeóI don't know which is worse, to leave and go into "nothingness" or to stay blindly in Adventism.
You've totally summed up the problem: "The brainwashing goes so very deep." Without doubt, Adventists are brainwashed, and it is very scary to contemplate that TRUTH might actually be somewhere else. Adventists have a hard time actually knowing and trusting Jesus because of that very brainwashing.
Colleen |
Dennis
Registered user
Username: Dennis
Post Number: 1004
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 10:02 pm: | |
Kathy,
Even Dudley Canright, Adventism's most notable heretic, reported that many former Adventists in his day often became atheists, agnostics, nothing, spiritists, etc. They don't want to be ever burned (deceived) again. They simply can't bring themselves to trust another religious organization ever again. In short, they have had it! They are "done" with all religion--even with God Himself. Indeed, this what Adventism does to many people.
Sadly and unfortunately, some people transitioning out of Adventism still somehow consider Ellen White as a mouthpiece for God. They well know that they can't ever be perfect like Ellen White required in order to obtain salvation. As a direct consequence, they begin to hate God as well. Without heaven's direct intervention, they would never consider being a part of God's wonderful family. God never goes on a failed mission to rescue His people. Praise God! He calls us out of the darkness of Adventism at precisely the right moment. Soli Deo Gloria!
His grace still amazes me,
Dennis Fischer |
Jackob
Registered user
Username: Jackob
Post Number: 436
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 11:07 pm: | |
Kathy, Diana, Dennis, Colleen
I became in recent times painfully aware that there is no other way for spiritual healing without recognizing fist that Ellen White is a FALSE prophet. It's not sufficient for someone to just say "She's not a prophet", but to acknowledge with all his being that she was a false prophet.
This cknowledgment must be fully conscious and the entire heart must be involved, not only an intellectual "yes, she was a false prophet".
She was a false prophet, her mission was really against God and the gospel. Trusting in her was not trusting in God, but in his enemy, in the lies of Satan. Somebody must became aware that God has nothing to do with the mission of Ellen White and that adventism has nothing in common with christianity.
This may sound harsh, but it's necccesary to rebuid trust in God on a new base. As long as somebody thinks that Ellen sometimes speaks for God, so maybe some prophecies or some other sayings of her may be true, they feel and think that God was and still is behind Ellen's mission.
Now, they became aware that Ellen canot be fully trusted, and she deceived them partially. And because God associated with her, He cannot be fully trusted, and deceived them, at least let them be deceived. it's not a wonder that they reject the gospel along with adventism.
They must come to the point of seeing that "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough" (Galatians 5:9). A false prophet cannot be trusted with everything he or she says. Even the good things are tainted by a false prophet.
This is why a religion founded on a false prophecy, and a false prophet has nothing in common with christianity. It's like a poisonous food must be totally rejected having nothing in common with a good food. Maybe it looks like, it has the same composition, but it's poisoned. It's the difference between drinking milk and drinking poison. You're dead.
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Bmorgan
Registered user
Username: Bmorgan
Post Number: 131
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 4:39 am: | |
Jackob, I agree with you...
"I became in recent times painfully aware that there is no other way for spiritual healing without recognizing fist that Ellen White is a FALSE prophet. It's not sufficient for someone to just say "She's not a prophet", but to acknowledge with all his being that she was a false prophet."
Further, we have to choose and let the Word of God (be our "new images")...sanctify us through and through and the Lord Himself be our teacher.
It amazes me that some people still have a strong carry-over from Adventism, a spiritual pride and elitist mindset. They deem or give the impression that the common ordinary laypeople are inferior to themselves and therefore lack scriptural understanding.
I feel frustrated when people bulldoze me with their opinions or try to convince me I should put full stock in other men's (their standards and choosing)teachings/theology, as though the men have undisputable, flawless stature and must be the final authority on a matter.
It is some of these same people who give Ellen White a pass as though she is from God and did have inspired things to say. How absurb, to think one is harsh if he speaks truth. She still remains a FALSE PROPHET, with a deceiving spirit-not from the God of our Salvation.
While I appreciate and agree with "great men of the faith" (whatever that means) I know the Holy Spirit gives ordinary believers understanding of the Word of God in great measure. I don't remember the "great" men of the Reformation period ever claiming they were infallable prophets either. God is no respecter of persons.
I can't tell you how sick I get when I come across the elitist attitude. In Adventism it was the unspoken rule- leave the interpretation of Scripture to 'god's prophet to his church Ellen G WHite, or the church scholars and professional people in their midst, who have the mental capacity to reason and interpret. They had clout, the "common" (unimpressive)lay people had none.
I feel saddened that people leave Adventism but and never seek christian fellowship, however, I think it's worst if and when those in the church do not have a relationship with Christ.
People leaving the church and God, at least the person (former Adventist) having no spiritual connection, is more likely to recognize his destitute state, need of a Savior and hunger and thirst after righteousness, quicker than the person who makes the church and Sabbath his Lord and Savior. One may seek, but will not find the Living among the dead!
"Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
Lord, give me/us an attitude of mercy for those in SDA bondage. Teach me/us to be pure in heart in seeking You and always intercede for them. Amen.
Erma bmorgan
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River
Registered user
Username: River
Post Number: 556
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 7:48 am: | |
Yes, there is the other side of the coin and it is a sad fact,, as was spoken about the people who leave Adventism and leave off seeking the truth altogether as Dennis said ìThey have had itî.
Were they honest seekers after truth?
Were they ruined by the Adventist church?
There are so many variables in questions such as this.
There are so many things we just cannot know.
One thing I do know is that in all likely had they had a Bible in their possession.
There is an interesting verse in John 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him-the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
John 12:49 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
Interpret it as you will.
We have his word, yet some will perish, are they truly asking the question ìIs there no Christ to be found?î
I would like to take my younger brother as an example; it always helps to talk about a known problem.
Several years ago he went to the Baptist church and had some kind of experience and yet he fell away.
Last summer I visited him in his home and late one evening I was sitting on his back porch reading my Bible.
Now the fact is that he had joined and gotten deeply involved in the Masonic Lodge.
He came out and sat with me and said ìlet me show you a ìbetterî wayî and I said I was not interested and he said ìWhy?î I said this is Godís word ìThis is the wayî
It seems like all these people want to show you a ìspecial truthî as if Godís word is something hidden.
Godís word is not hidden but in order to see it one must accept Jesus, then they must accept his words.
When people reject his wordís (Christ) they begin to set mans word up instead.
The original Adventist rejected his word Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
And then began to set up some other thing.
The Adventist of old rejected this scripture, even though it was plain and began to set up something in its place.
John 16:13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Not some truth, all truth. Jesus said that.
The Adventist say they have the Holy Spirit, the question is, what Spirit has guided them for 140 years?
Like the guy said ìWhom seek ye?î
River
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River
Registered user
Username: River
Post Number: 557
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 7:51 am: | |
And a big P.S on that last.
If one truly seeks "the Christ"
He will find him.
And he will be assimilated.
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Jackob
Registered user
Username: Jackob
Post Number: 437
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 11:12 am: | |
Bmorgan,
I sensed that somehow my negative approach left the positive out, thanks for pointing this.
When somebody becomes clear that Ellen really had not spoken for God, in His behalf, the Bible really has a free space to become the Word of God for that person. Unfortunately, in adventism people were instilled with the idea that the Bible cannot be understood without the aid of a human "guru".
This is something which is not explicitly affirmed in adventism. Thw Word of God is not estimated as the living Word of God, God actually talking to us today, in the present time through His Holy Spirit, but is seen as an ancient book who needs to be brought to life by a modern prophet, by someone who, in the present time actually speaks for God. In this way people are taught on a daily bases not to trust in Bible and in a living God who's still speaking in the Bible to those who have ears to hear.
My prayers for the adventists and for those who are discovering that the system is false, is that God shall speak through His Word to them, that Bible shall become alive for them. |
Jeremy
Registered user
Username: Jeremy
Post Number: 1720
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 4:56 pm: | |
Great posts, Jackob and Bmorgan. I totally agree that Adventism has nothing in common with Christianity.
Ellen White truly was "taught by demons" as 1 Timothy 4:1 says (NIV). I heard Pastor Mark Martin talk about this passage last night, and he pointed out that the text says that these false teachers no longer have a conscience, which means that they are beyond hope.
"Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." (1 Timothy 4:2 NIV.)
And the Greek tense actually says that their consciences have been seared forever. Truly, false prophets are not Christians and never have any hope of being saved.
Jeremy
(Message edited by jeremy on March 04, 2007) |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 5491
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 7:41 pm: | |
I know these absolute statements about Ellen generate intense knee-jerk reactions from many people, but the fact is, the Bible is very clear, as Jeremy shared from Mark Martin's sermon.
I can tell you that true, loyal Adventists are very clear in their own minds that those of us who speak of Jesus and expose Adventist deception ARE LOST. A woman called me last Thursday and kept reminding me that Jesus said a millstone should be hung around the necks of those who lead people astray.
False prophets speak for Satanóthere's really no other conclusion to be reached. If they are not for Jesus, they are against Him. And we who were under the enchantment of a false prophet MUST fully admit, as Jackob said so eloquently, that she was fully false, not just "not a prophet". Until we can embrace this reality, a part of our hearts is held back from being fully healed in the truth of Jesus. We are still bound to her, and our freedom is compromised.
It is humiliating to realize, as Job did, that although our behaviors and consious minds may have been above obvious reproach, we have hidden from the compromise of our spirits and motives and deep fears. We must repent before our sovereign God in spiritual sackcloth and ashes, confessing our arrogance and resistance and pride and accepting the forgiveness He has already offered in His blood.
Great insights, Jackob, Bmorgan, and Jeremy.
Colleen |
Bmorgan
Registered user
Username: Bmorgan
Post Number: 132
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 9:47 pm: | |
Colleen, Jackob and Jeremy I think you all know you are taking a risk and should expect to be called insensitive, mean and vitriolic because you speak truth about false prophets as you see it in scripture.
Having to admit Ellen White is/was a false prophet set me on a new path of living. I could then begin fresh, empty and willing to be a humble learner.
The query: why focus on Ellen White? She is the biggest or main problem, without her there would be no SDA organization. Her prints are all over the place. Even the extremely sophisticated, enlightened, Evangelical congregations especially in Southern California who take pride in themselves for relegating EGW to a nonfuntional role are fooling themselves. If the root is bitter how can anything pure come out of it?
The gospel is offensive to people. Should we then not say Jesus is the Only Way because doing so would alienate some good moral people? |
Jdpascal
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Username: Jdpascal
Post Number: 46
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 9:03 am: | |
Jackob, When you said
"This is something which is not explicitly affirmed in adventism. Thw Word of God is not estimated as the living Word of God, God actually talking to us today, in the present time through His Holy Spirit, but is seen as an ancient book who needs to be brought to life by a modern prophet, by someone who, in the present time actually speaks for God. In this way people are taught on a daily bases not to trust in Bible and in a living God who's still speaking in the Bible to those who have ears to hear."
It brought to mind the "evangelistic" series that I have attended - helped with. All of them were organized in such a way as to prepare the people attending for a deeper appreciation for the "spirit of prophecy" through Ellen and those presenting her other gospel.
Even their constant exhortations to "read it for your self" from the Bible are hollow reminders to study the proof texts that the "in the know" preachers supply.
I hear people say that Ellenís role is down played more in recent years but I hear that as a euphemism for a more practiced and cunning deceitfulness in presenting SDA doctrine.
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Jackob
Registered user
Username: Jackob
Post Number: 439
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 12:35 pm: | |
Thanks brothers, your openess about the subject makes encourage me to become open about some internal struggles I have regarding the issues discussed here.
Some time ago I became dissatisfied with this forum because here we talk a lot more about the wrongs of adventism, and the truths of the gospel are placed somehow as secondary in importance. At some point, I even thought that I better move on and let others post here.
I was afraid that continually focusing on the wrongs of Ellen White or the bad things in the SDA system of faith leads to the same unfruitful spirit of critisim we experienced as adventists. But in time, since my attempts to share the gospel with adventists in real life (face to face) had proved unfruitful, I became aware that in spite of my good presentations of the gospel to adventists, the effects were not good.
I experienced both types of reactions: opposition and acceptance. But even when the acceptance was the reaction, the veil remains on that person eyes. The same lack of faith, not a little bit of joy in the Lord, actually nothing resonates between my soul and that person's soul. The fellowship, true fellowship, was missing. This cannot be properly explained, it's something you can know only by experience.
These experiences makes me doubt the assumption that "adventists just needs to hear the true gospel". The assumption was that, because of the IJ and the Sabbath role in the time of trouble, adventists are lacking the assurance of salvation that comes by believing the true gospel and they will be happy to hear the true gospel, and will embrace it as soon as somebody shares the gospel with them.
That assumption is based on another assumption, that adventists are hungry for the gospel, since they are missing blessings contained in the gospel , the uncertainty and doubts about God being the order of the day. Well, this is true, but adventism offers something that the true christian evangelical churches lack.
SDA system offers the certainty of being the true denomination, the true church, the remnant church, because they keep the commandments (Sabbath) and have the Spirit of Prophecy (a true prophet in Ellen White). They are the true ark of salvation. Even if they are transitioning through the storms, their ship will bring all it's passangers safely to the harbour. The rest of the ships are sinking ships.
We re all born dead in sin, and unbelief in God is the normal state of men. For an unregenerate person the certainty offered by the SDA are better that the true gospel. Trusting in a visible church , clinging to what's visible (Sabbath - commandment keeping) and a visible man-prophet for salvation is natural for the unregenerate person.
I was glad that Colleen wrote the article of the last Proclamation about walking by faith, not by sight. Adventists are walking by sight, and they are not happy to trade their present assurance (being a passenger of the true remnant church, the true ship) with the assurance of the gospel. The assurance of the gospel requiers trust in God, walking by faith, which a deceitful and wicked heart cannot produce, and hates. But their visible assurance is in harmony with pride, pride that they are the "true church", first class christians.
This is the paradox of adventism: even if they lack the internal assurance which faith in the true gospel gives, they are sure that they are more saved than you are The evangelical gospel is at best a deficient one (obedience is downplayed in the SDA view) and at worst a false one, for adventists.
I became painfully aware that before sharing the gospel with adventists, they need to acknowledge the bankrupcy of their belief system, that Ellen is a false prophet, that the SDA church is not the remnant church, and afterwards, after their earthly assurance is destroyed, after they are shaken to the core, they are prepared to hear the gospel. Distrust in themselves and in their belief system comes first, next trust in God.
It's simple, I guess; you cannot fill a glass with water which is full, even with poison. And because of this, a great part of witnessing to adventists is composed by leading them to acknowledge that she is a false prophet, and nothing good comes from a false prophet.
As a favourite text of adventists said
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20
Notice: the Bible does not said a little light, but NO LIGHT. And after an adventist recognizes that Ellen is a true prophet and there is no light in her, he's prepared to hear the true gospel and walk in the light of the Word of God. |
Snowboardingmom
Registered user
Username: Snowboardingmom
Post Number: 241
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 1:45 pm: | |
Wow, Jackob. Very, very well put. That completely describes the reality of the chains of Adventism. Your poison analogy was perfect, as well as your insights on the assumptions of Adventists just needing to hear the true gospel.
Grace |
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 5495
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 2:23 pm: | |
Wow again, Jackob, you explained the situation better than I've ever heard it explained. You are completely right. I also really appreciated your poison analogy.
I know that what you explained is exactly what happened for me. I could NOT accept the pure gospel until I admitted Ellen was a false prophet. And I wanted to be "evangelical" and Biblical. I was a poster-child "evangelical Adventist". But until I realized that Ellen WAS a prophetóbut she was a FALSE prophet, I had no means of accepting the reality of Jesus being the complete fulfillment of the law.
You are absolutely right. Adventists have no hunger for the gospel because they are already fullóand they believe that what they know is truth. They may be restless, but they don't want something else. In a very real sense, breaking down their own belief system so they have nothing is the analogue to "secular" people "hitting bottom" and realizing that without God, they are dead.
I've said for a long time that Adventism was the world God called me to leave for Jesus. Since I knew nothing except Adventism, I had to discover that my world view and SDA culture were completely false. Only in that bottomless pit of emptiness and loss was I able to grasp the true hope of Jesus and His finished work.
Yes, part of reaching Adventists is exposing to them the truth (or the falseness!) of their own experience.
Thank you for saying that so clearly, Jackob.
Colleen |
Helovesme2
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Username: Helovesme2
Post Number: 852
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 3:48 pm: | |
Well said Jackob! Thank you for writing that.
Mary |
Flyinglady
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Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 3441
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 3:55 pm: | |
Jackob, well said my friend. Thanks for your thoughts.
Diana |
River
Registered user
Username: River
Post Number: 558
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 4:32 pm: | |
Jacob,
You have experienced the same thing with Adventist as I have and paradox is the correct word.
These people can read the Bible every day and it still doesn't seem to make a difference, what a paradox Adventism really is.
People tell the truth on this forum, but in Love and that's what makes the difference.
Pinning down the real problems with Adventism, without a spirit of spite can go a long way.
River
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4truth
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Username: 4truth
Post Number: 16
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 6:56 pm: | |
Thanks for the insights Jacob! I believe you hit the nail on the head when you wrote "they need to acknowledge the bankrupcy of their belief system, that Ellen is a false prophet, that the SDA church is not the remnant church". The sad fact is, however, most adventists, when realizing things their church are messed up, reject God completly. I've sadly seeen this in my siblings and many others I know. To me it is quite a dilema. They won't/can't seem to come to an understanding of the true gospel while believing at all in EGW, yet seem to fall into agnostisism when they see how messed up their church is. It is a sorry web that satan weaves in the adventist church. Sometimes I think all we can do is hope and pray. God certainly has the power to reach anyone. |
Bmorgan
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Username: Bmorgan
Post Number: 133
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 9:16 pm: | |
Jackob, thank you for articulating the problem in Adventism so well.
I long to see my friends break through the walls Adventism has set in place which hold them in unbelief and bondage.
The pain and sadness I feel for my personal friends who are SDA overwhelm me. I find it easier to share the gospel or have honest spiritual conversation with non Christians than Adventists I know. I don't take pleasure ripping their system and wouldn't willfully offend them. However, I don't think I am doing myself or anyone a favor by not speaking the truth about Adventism.
Again, Jackob and all you posters, thank you for sharing.
ps. Hi GMatt and my Seattle friend
Erma
You said it so well, Jackob..."even if they lack the internal assurance which faith in the true gospel gives, they are sure that they are more saved than you are The evangelical gospel is at best a deficient one"
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Dennis
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Username: Dennis
Post Number: 1008
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 10:11 pm: | |
Excellent thoughts on reaching our SDA friends and relatives, Gabriel. If there is nothing wrong with Adventism, why leave it?
Dennis Fischer |
Jorgfe
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Username: Jorgfe
Post Number: 275
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 7:58 am: | |
Jackob, that is a wonderful way of stating it! I have puzzled for some time on how to reach Adventists. |
Randyg
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Username: Randyg
Post Number: 380
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 8:39 pm: | |
Gilbert,
it is good to see you post again. I hope all is well.
Randy |
Doug222
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Username: Doug222
Post Number: 514
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 5:52 pm: | |
Is there a such thing as a "post of the year" award? If there is, I think Jackob should get it. What he said was phenomenal! Dare I say it was "inspired." I can testify to everything he said in my own experience. Although EGW wasn't a real issue for me, the pride of being part of the remnant church definitely was (which I guess was really based in EGW). It was only after I let go of the idea that we had "the truth," that I became hungry to hear the gospel. Now I can't get enough of it. I can also testify to what he said in family members who I have tried to reach. I can't tell you the number of people who have asked me why I left (actually, its not that many now that I think of it. Most just feel sorry for me), but when they find out there is no dirt (i.e. a feud with the pastor or some other church member), their eyes just kind of glaze over. I'm dying to share what I have learned, but there is no interest.
I remember singing the words to the hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story," when I was in the church, and it was just that...words to a hymn. Sometimes now I will break out in song to that same hymn (only in private of course <smile>) and the words mean so much to me now--and I don't even have a great appreciation for hymns. I remember attending many evangelistic crusades where the 2nd or 3rd meeting was usually on the topic of the gospel (usually the first one was on a prophecy topic in order to attract the crowd). I used to get impatient, because I wanted them to get to the good stuff (i.e. the law, the Sabbath, the Mark of the Beast, etc.. Now, I can't get enough of the pure unadulterated gospel. Of course I was never disappointed, because the gospel presentation was always just a warm-up to the main event anyway.
Thanks for those words Jackob.
Doug |
Olga
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Username: Olga
Post Number: 54
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 8:49 am: | |
I remember as an Adventist never feling secure of my salvation; I did think at some point I would accomplish this feat of perfection and finally arrive (eventually I left for many years, feeling hopeless at my inability to become perfect).
However, I never felt 'bankrupt' as I thought this was God's true church and while a member I remember also loving everything that had to do with prophecy (the seminars and the flashy, colorful brochures), I loved to hear my parents talk to neighbors and relatives about things such as the Sabbath, health message, mark of the beast, etc. It made us seem kind of "cool" -- we knew something different and couldn't believe all the other religions weren't privy to this stuff. Friends, neighbors and relatives who were from other churches didn't seem that smart until 'they got it' (and I don't mean Jesus but all the other stuff like the Sabbath). I guess we thought since we were the true church with all these important truths, there was no need to preach Jesus too much.
Those years I was in the world and "lost" my family prayed for my return; I guess it worked 'cause I did return. I rebaptized in '95 after one of those Revelation/ prophesy seminars. I had an emotional high that lasted for a little while after I got baptized again; then misery set in again 'cause I couldn't fully obey what I thought were God's requirements. Thank God for leading me to the internet and to His word as that led me to recognize that EGW was a false prophet (not easy to swallow and it was almost unbelievable at first).
Revelation 3 is the message to the church in Laodicea and it is a warning that I think could be applied to any church that dilutes and / or puts less emphasis on the real Gospel. The laodiceans were guilty and God was "ready" to "spit" them out (v. 16) "You say, 'I'm rich, and I have become wealthy and do not need anything.' But you do not know that you are really miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." (v. 17)
We should pray that SDA's recognize the church and its institutions as bankrupt. They need to follow God's advice recorded on verse 18 (last part): "Buy from me medicine to put on your eyes so you can truly see."
Almost forgot to add that now whenever I hear, read, and sing about Jesus and what he's done for a sinner like me, I'm brought to tears or very close to it every single time. There is something different now, it is so much real. Everything else seems to not matter as much, almost like rubbish. Bragging about Jesus not about what I knew (which was just nothing); in fact, I'll admit I feel sort of 'simple' but that's ok.
olga
(Message edited by olga on March 14, 2007) |
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 5545
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 1:55 pm: | |
Great insights, Olga. And I so understand how you feel about hearing, reading, or singing about Jesus. Sometimes I am overwhelmed to realize that while God had Adventism in His plan for me, He also chose me to know Him in this profound way after having been blinded to who He really was for so many years.
Jesus is worth everything.
Colleen |
Jackob
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Username: Jackob
Post Number: 446
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 4:23 pm: | |
God bless you brothers. I wish things would be different than they are. In these circumstances, our trust in God is put to test, and is strenghtened by God's faithfulness to His word. Finally God takes all the glory, and every adventist rescued by the power of the gospel is a living miracle of God's grace and power/
Jackob |
Reb
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Username: Reb
Post Number: 66
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 4:06 pm: | |
I praise God every day that I found the Gospel and saw Adventism for what it really is - FALSE!
I agree, Jackob, Adventism is like poison. |
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