Gospel Order

Ichabod!

The Glory Has Departed

Table of Contents

V - Great Apostasy Developing Stronger 1903-1909

1903 – Leaders Voted Directly Against God.
-- A New Constitution Passed.
-- SDA Church Declared a Harlot.
“The Divine Presence and Glory have Deparated.”

In the 1903 GC session, the leaders voted to go directly against God. “A New Constitution was passed in General Conference contrary to the principle of God.” (2PRC 437).

“How is the Faithful City Became an Harlot!”

“In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: "Found wanting." By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged…”

“The heavenly Teacher inquired: "What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they are in need of everything…"

“Who can truthfully say: "Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world"? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: "Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed!" 8T 247-250.

Surprisingly, the strong statement declaring that the SDA Church is harlot is confirmed by the SDA Leaders. To wit:

“1903 – The Church became a harlot…[quoted 8T250].” Answers to Current Issues, vol 1, p. 64, by Severino S. Paypa.

“That city of ‘Jerusalem’ is analogous to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a ‘faithful’ church which become an ‘harlot’ during the time of E.G. White…” Documented Answers on Seventh-Day Adventist Issues, by Gideon Durante, p. 72 (1994).

Spirit of Prophecy vol. 4 p. 233 clearly states that, “In Revelation 17, Babylon is represented as a woman, a figure which is used in the Scriptures as the symbol of a church. A virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. Babylon is said to be a harlot.”

Babylon is a harlot is the SDA Church!

The SDA Church is a harlot is Babylon!

To recall, the SDA Church was not yet Babylon in 1893. Fact is, E.G. White denounced A.W. Stanton et al for such a premature declaration that “the Church was Babylon”. “He has run before he was sent.” At that very time the “Church was receiving the outpouring of the Spirit of God.” E.G. White states: “The same message is to be proclaimed the second time.” Te second time took place 10 years after—in 1903. God, ever loving and merciful, would have wanted that the Church would mend her ways. A period of time was given for the Church to repent. Belligerent, rebellious, unheeding God’s command to mend her ways, the SDA Church repeated ancient Israel’s glum experience.

Thus, the chilling pronouncement: “Ichabod! – the glory is departed!”

… Again and again, the history of Christ’s withdrawal from Judaea was repeated.

Appeals for change fell on deaf ears. With continual backsliding, the distance between church and papacy lessened.

It is a backsliding church that lessens the distance between itself and the Papacy.” ST, February 19, 1894 (3ST 99).

No Repentance

No evident effort was done to make the necessary repentance. The Church continued to grow worse.

“After I received word in regard to the excellent meeting of confession and unity that had been held in Battle Creek I was writing in my diary and was about to record the thankfulness I felt because a change had come, when my hand was arrested, and there came to me the words: "Write it not. No change for the better has taken place.” 8T 231.

Platform of Eternal Truth

The Church could no longer stand in the platform of eternal truth because she had been governed by worldly policy.

“If we refuse to do this, if we continue to link up with the world, and to look at every matter from a worldly standpoint, we shall become like the world. When worldly policy and worldly ideas govern our transactions, we cannot stand on the high and holy platform of eternal truth.” 4BC 1142.

“Our platform is the law of God, in which we are enjoined to observe the Sabbath day; for, as is distinctly stated in the thirty-first chapter of Exodus, the observance of the Sabbath is a sign between God and His people.” 7T 122

“God is leading a people out from the world upon the exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” 3T 446.

Hopeless Apostasy

No repentance made, the Church continued to grow worse in hopeless apostasy and rebellion against God and His truth.

Yet instead of repentance, they continued to grow worse in “hopeless apostasy” and rebellion against God and His truths from henceforth that “will result in the loss of many souls.”

“That which has been done since the General Conference held at Oaklandin 1903 will result in the loss of many souls. Men who might have stood in clear light, doing valiant service as ministers of the Gospel and medical missionaries, have been accepting false theories and sophistries which originated with the father of lies, and yet they do not realize that they have changed.” SpTB07 16

“The world is represented in the apostate churches who are trampling upon the Word of God, transgressing His holy law.” UL 285.

1904 – A Supposed Great Reformation

Principles of Truth Discarded

“The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.” 1SM 204-205

Reformations from Truth to Error

“The reformations that were shown me, were not reformations from error to truth; but from bad to worse; for those who professed a change of heart, had only wrapt about them a religious garb, which covered up the iniquity of a wicked heart. Some appeared to have been really converted, so as to deceive God's people; but if their hearts could be seen, they would appear as black as ever.” RH, August 1, 1849 par. 12.

“Our ministering brethren were looking on, watching what was being done, but they did not seem to understand. The foundation of our faith, which was established by so much prayer, such earnest searching of the Scriptures, was being taken down, pillar by pillar. Our faith was to have nothing to rest upon--the sanctuary was gone, the atonement was gone.” UL 152

Can the Whole Church be Revived?

“Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will never come.” 1SM 122.

A very strong statement, to which the following SDA leaders gave their stamp of approval.

“The quotation above written on March 22, 1887, that the whole church will never be revived is correct.” Documented Answers on Seventh-Day Adventist Issues, by Gideon Durante, p. 90 (1994).

“Now what does this mean? Of course the whole church will never revive!” Reasons of Faith, p. 29, by James B. Rubrico, Sr.

1905 – Great Apostasy Developing Stronger.

“One thing it is certain is soon to be realized,--the great apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing stronger,... will continue to do so until the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout. We are to hold fast the first principles of our denominated faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith… Souls are departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. There must not be any languishing of soul now.” SpTB07 57

1907 – Apostasy and Hypnotism

“The Time of Apostasy is Here.

“The end of all things is near at hand. The signs are rapidly fulfilling, yet it would seem that but few realize that the day of the Lord is coming, swiftly, silently, as a thief in the night. Many are saying, "Peace and safety." Unless they are watching and waiting for their Lord, they will be taken as in a snare. . .”

"Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1). The time of this apostasy is here. Every conceivable effort will be made to throw doubt upon the positions that we have occupied for over half a century. . . “

“Those who look for miracles as a sign of divine guidance are in grave danger of deception. It is stated in the Word that the enemy will work through his agents who have departed from the faith, and they will seemingly work miracles, even to the bringing down of fire out of heaven in the sight of men. By means of "lying wonders" Satan would deceive, if possible, the very elect.” 1SM 408

“Apostates Will Use Hypnotism.

The time has come when even in the church and in our institutions, some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. But God will keep that which is committed to Him. Let us draw near to Him, that He may draw near to us. Let us bear a plain, clear testimony right to the point, that hypnotism is being used by those who have departed from the faith, and that we are not to link up with them. Through those who depart from the faith, the power of the enemy will be exercised to lead others astray.” 3SM 411.

1908 – SDA’s Reminded of Their Peculiarity.
-- Churches Which Constitute Babylon.

A Peculiar Treasure

“I am instructed to say to Seventh-day Adventists the world over, God has called us as a people to be a peculiar treasure unto Himself. He has appointed that His church on earth shall stand perfectly united in the Spirit and counsel of the Lord of hosts to the end of time.” 2SM 397.

“Not by its name, but by its fruit, is the value of a tree determined. If the fruit is worthless, the name cannot save the tree from destruction. John declared to the Jews that their standing before God was to be decided by their character and life. Profession was worthless. If their life and character were not in harmony with God's law, they were not His people. DA 107.

Separation From Babylonian Churches Foreseen

“The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord, Satan will work "with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness;" and they that "received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved," will be left to receive "strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future… Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ's true followers are still to be found in their communion. There are many of these who have never seen the special truths for this time. Not a few are dissatisfied with their present condition and are longing for clearer light. They look in vain for the image of Christ in the churches with which they are connected. As these bodies depart further and further from the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world, the difference between the two classes will widen, and it will finally result in separation. The time will come when those who love God supremely can no longer remain in connection with such as are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work.” GC 389-390.

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” Romans 9:6.

“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid.. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Romans 11:1, 2, 5.

“Christ was a Seventh-day Adventist, to all intents and purposes.” MM 49.

Babylon Fallen

In GC 389-390, two conditions must be met for a Church to be Babylon fallen:

(1) “to receive strong delusion and believe a lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

(2) A union of the church with the world

In 1903, the first condition was fulfilled.

8T 249 states:

“The heavenly Teacher inquired: "What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they are in need of everything…"

The fulfillment of the second condition was a progressive one when on July 12, 1968, the Seventh-day Adventist Church became a member of the Faith and Order Commission—the highest policy making body of the World Council of Churches. verification please write to: San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridders Park Dr., San Jose Ca. 5190.

What is Faith And Order?

According to “The Modern Catholic Encyclopedia” p. 273”: “From time to time attempts at reunion were made. Yet in its contemporary form the ecumenical movement originated in 1910 at an international conference of chiefly Protestant missionary organizations. It took shape between the two World Wars as two organisms: “Faith and Order,” concerned with unity in doctrine, and “Life and Work,” eager to promote joint action. A few Catholic theologians took an interest in it in the 1920s, especially when Cardinal Mercier, in Belgium, sponsored the Malines Conversations (1921-1926) between Catholics and Anglicans. In 1948 the two organizations united to form the World Council of Churches, in which Faith and Order remains an agency that is focused on growing together in the area of doctrine. Under the impact of the ecumenical movement, a number of Protestant Church have taken practical steps toward reunion through progressive mergers, notably in South India, North India, Canada, Australia, and the U.S.A. Diverse forms of cooperation have also been tried. An agreement on Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (BEM), that was finalized at Lima in 1982 after many years of discussion in the Faith and Order Commission, was a hopeful achievement.”

The Denial

However, this is denied by the Church leaders! They say that the SDA Church is not a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) but participates only in their assemblies and various committees.

“Although, the SDA General Conference Directors have participated in various committees it does not mean that the SDA Church is a member of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.” Documented Answers on Seventh-day Adventist issues, by Gideon Durante, p. 54. (1994).

But what really is participation in the truest sense? GW 392 says, “Fellowship means participation.”

Interestingly, in Adventist Review, February 11, 1999, p 18, it says that “the term (ecumenical) forum had been deliberately chosen… in order to suggest that participation is more important than membership.”

The SDA Church is in outright denial of its membership in the World Council of Churches, yet she participates in its various committees. What does that give when fellowship means participation as stated above? Hence fellowship is participation is membership or vice versa.

Great Apostate Movement—Bridging the Gulf

SDAs on the basis of Bible prophecies and E.G. White’s writings, envision a great apostate movement to unite the world to gain global peace. They are aware of God’s message of mercy and His call to leave the apostate Churches.

“On the basis of bible prophecy and the writing of E.G. White, SDA’s anticipated the eventual success of the ecumenical movement, both in eliminating the division of Protestantism and in reuniting Christendom by bridging the gulf that separates Non-Catholic communions from Rome. The ecumenical movement will then become a concerted effort to unite the world and to secure universal peace and security by enlisting the power of civil government in a universal religio-political crusade to eliminate all dissent. SDA’s envision this crusade as the great apostasy to which John the revelator refers to as ‘Babylon the Great’. They understand also, that God’s last message of mercy to the world prior to the return of Christ in power and glory will consist of warning against this great apostate movement, and a call to all who choose to remain loyal to Him to leave the churches connected with it.” Seventh - Day Adventist Encyclopedia, vol. 10, p. 410- 411.

“A close cooperation between Protestant and Roman Catholics.”

“She (EGW) prophesied that major changes within Protestantism would bring about a departure from the faith of the reformation. Consequently, differences between Protestants and Catholics would diminish, leading to the bridging of the gulf separating the two.”

“The years since her death (E.G. White) have seen the rise of the ecumenical movement, the establishment of the World Council of Churches, the Catholic Church’s Vatican II, and Protestant ignorance and even outright rejection of the Reformation views of prophetic interpretation. These major changes have broken down barriers between Protestants and Catholics, leading to growing cooperation.” Seventh-day Adventists Believe, p. 225.

Separation

The Sanhedrin had rejected Christ’s message and was bent upon His death; therefore Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the temple, the religious leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law, and turned to another class to proclaim His message, and to gather out those who should carry the gospel to all nations.” DA 232

“Like ancient Israel the church has dishonored her God by departing from the light, neglecting her duties, and abusing her high and exalted privilege of being peculiar and holy in character. Her members have violated their covenant to live for God and Him only. They have joined with the selfish and world-loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin have been cherished, and Christ has departed. His Spirit has been quenched in the church. Satan works side by side with professed Christians; yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not detect him… Their only hope of salvation is to separate from the world and zealously maintain their separate, holy, and peculiar character. Oh! why will not God's people comply with the conditions laid down in His word?” 2T 441-442, 444.

“Our holy faith cries out, Separation. We should not be conformed to the world, or to dead, heartless professors. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 1T 240.

Justified in Separating From Former Churches

When the Protestant churches became Babylon Fallen in 1844, some members felt justified when they separated from the Churches they loved. So have been with Adventists.

“Adventists, seeing that the churches rejected the testimony of God's word, could no longer regard them as constituting the church of Christ, "the pillar and ground of the truth;" and as the message, "Babylon is fallen," began to be proclaimed, they felt themselves justified in separating from their former connection.” 4SP 237.

“But as ministers and religious leaders decided against the advent doctrine and desired to suppress all agitation of the subject, they not only opposed it from the pulpit, but denied their members the privilege of attending preaching upon the second advent, or even of speaking of their hope in the social meetings of the church. Thus the believers found themselves in a position of great trial and perplexity. They loved their churches and were loath to separate from them; but as they saw the testimony of God's word suppressed and their right to investigate the prophecies denied they felt that loyalty to God forbade them to submit. Those who sought to shut out the testimony of God's word they could not regard as constituting the church of Christ, "the pillar and ground of the truth." Hence they felt themselves justified in separating from their former connection. In the summer of 1844 about fifty thousand withdrew from the churches.” GC 377.

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whose readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea, flee into the mountains.” Matthew 24:15-16.

1909 – SDA Church Strongly Reminded.

“For years there has been a growing tendency for men placed in positions of responsibility to lord it over God's heritage, thus removing from church members their keen sense of the need of divine instruction and an appreciation of the privilege to counsel with God regarding their duty. This order of things must be changed. There must be a reform.” TM 477-478.

“Simple organization and church order are set forth in the New Testament Scriptures, and the Lord has ordained these for the unity and perfection of the church.” Loma Linda Messages p. 464

“The order that was maintained in the early Christian church made it possible for them to move forward solidly as a well-disciplined army clad with the armor of God. The companies of believers, though scattered over a large territory, were all members of one body; all moved in concert and in harmony with one another. When dissension arose in a local church, as later it did arise in Antioch and elsewhere, and the believers were unable to come to an agreement among themselves, such matters were not permitted to create a division in the church, but were referred to a general council of the entire body of believers, made up of appointed delegates from the various local churches, with the apostles and elders in positions of leading responsibility. Thus the efforts of Satan to attack the church in isolated places were met by concerted action on the part of all, and the plans of the enemy to disrupt and destroy were thwarted. “ AA 95-96.

The current Seventh-day Adventist organization deviates from such pattern so ordained by the Lord.

“Neither should we insist that current Seventh-day Adventist Church organization and ceremony are modeled directly after the pattern of the New Testament.” Ministry Magazine, p. 27 (May 2002)

… The polity of the Seventh-day Adventist is hierarchal; authority flows downward and members in local congregations have virtually no voice. Above the level, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a closed, self-operating, and self-perpetuating system, similar to the Roman Catholic Church…” Spectrum, Quarterly Journal of the Association of Adventist Forums, Vol. 14, no 4, March 1984.

[ Back - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - Next ]

Back to top ⇧