SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS

ARE THEY THE LEGITIMATE REMNANT?
How about:
Seventh Day Baptists?
Church of God 7th Day?
First - day Adventists? or Other Adventist groups?
The written message contained in this article is meant to all those who claim to be Adventists, believing in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and more specifically to those who keep the Seventh Day Sabbath as the Biblical they of worship. Among these we find the Seventh Day Adventists, Seventh Day Adventist RM, Historical Seventh Day Adventist and the many independent groups who believe to have the “Gift of Prophecy”.
This has become the identifying characteristic of God’s remnant people of the last days. Those who believe in Revelation 12:17 and 19:10; where it is written: “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” and “the testimony of Jesus Christ is the Spirit of Prophecy”. To identify them as God’s peculiar people. (ST Nov. 01, 1899 #3)
“We have a world-wide message. The commandments of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ are the burden of our work.” CW, 79.2
“We have the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy.” TM, 114.1
THE ADVENTIST MOVEMENT
Adventism had its origins in the Millerite Movement during the 1st half of the XIX Century. Important prophetic discoveries were made based in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, which aroused the attention of members of all other protestant denominations of those days. Those who joined the movement were disfellowshipped from their respective churches and, because they believed in the imminent coming of Christ, became known as “Adventists”. Sure of the veracity of prophetic interpretations, they were mistaken in regards to the time of its fulfillment; such led to their great disappointment in the year 1844.
In the midst of perplexities and divisions, the Seventh Day Adventist Movement had its origin. This group of believers, saw the light of the prophetic chronology of Daniel 8:14, which they had been aright in it’s time interpretations. However, the event to take place as fulfillment of the prophecy had they misapplied. Having latter on, understood the truth about the Heavenly Sanctuary, and the truth about the 7th Day Sabbath, as the biblically correct day of worship. Gradually, their perplexities were healed at the light of revelation. Their courage and determination revived, and in short few years, they understood why they had been so bitterly disappointed realizing the awesome responsibility of the message deposited to their charge. Namely: the proclamation of the 3 Angel’s Messages.
The 3 Angel’s messages constitutes in essence the Present Truth of Revelation chapter 14.
THE PIONEERS, ORGANIZATION AND BELIVES OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH.
In May 20 -23, 1863, was the Seventh-day Adventist Church organized, at Battle Creek, Michigan. The following individual were elected as corporate officers:
President - John Byington
Secretary - Uriah Smith
Treasurer - E.S. Walker
During the year 1872, Uriah Smith, wrote a tract containing a synopsis of the principal doctrines of Seventh-Day Adventists. The Review and Herald publishing association, printed this synopsis of the believes of the Seventh-Day Adventists, than numbered 4.801 members, having 25 propositions of faith. In June 04, 1874, The first issue of the Signs of the Times was published, containing the printing of these doctrinal synopsis. During 1889, three(3) more doctrinal believes were added, totaling 28 propositions. This publication received the name denominational Yearbook, where in the General Conference publishes the statutes, addresses, and the doctrines of the church. The 1889 edition contains the “Principal Doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination - A Statement of Faith.”
Now in 1894, the Church Assembly gave it’s approval to the Seventh - Day Adventist Principal Doctrines. Assembly meetings held in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA. Consequently, following this assembly approval, was than published a document considered to be the most important document in the history of the SDA Church. This document which was published in 1894, is of even greater importance due to the fact that it is an official “Statement of Believes - OFFICIAL DOCTRINES of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church! This church conference took place in April 15, 1894 in Battle Creek, Michigan, where the Officers of the General Conference, Review and Herald, Theological Institute, Battle Creek Sanatorium, and general assembly, signaled there approval in signing its documents. A total of 1521 signatures.
Battle Creek was the administrative center of the SDA Church prior to its removal to Takoma Park, Maryland. The pamphlet contains the list of official names that were present to the assembly, confirmation is also to be found in the book: “Movement of Destiny”, Authored by: Leroy E. Froom - University church history teacher.
We shall highlight, the two(2) initial declarations of beliefs that have to do with the doctrinal changes: The Non - Trinitarian doctrinal declaration and the Christ’s sinful nature - That is, He was tempted in all points as we are, but without sin. He overcame sin as we have to overcome:
1 - That there is one God, a personal, spiritual Being, the Creator of all things, omnipotent, omniscient, and eternal; infinite in wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, truth, and mercy; unchangeable, and everywhere present by His representative, the Holy Spirit. Psalm 139:7. Yearbook
2. That there is one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father, the One by whom God created all things, and by whom they do consist; who took the nature of Abraham, for the redemption of the fallen nature; that he dwelleth among men, full of grace and truth, lived as our example." Yearbook - Signs of the Times, June 4, 1874
WHO IS THE LIGITIMATE REMNANT, IN ADVENTISM TODAY?
The Current, Organized SDA Church of today, no longer advocate among other doctrines, these two(2) fundamental Beliefs; It is of profound interest to all, the declaration of ”the Spirit of Prophecy”:
“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.” Selected Messages, Vol. 1, 204.2
“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….” IBID, 205.1
A minority profess that de believes of the pioneers, were well founded and defined on a’ Thus say the Lord’ under the guidance of the ‘Gift of Prophecy.” They are engaged in preserving ‘Present Truth’, as they have been introduced to it, ready to ‘earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints’ (Jude 1: 3)
They believe that truth is progressive; but can not be altered. To those, as important as the day in which we worship, so it is whom we worship; There fore, they renounce the worship of God in a Trinity. Why so?
“Let the brightest example the world has yet seen be your example, rather than the greatest and most learned men of the age, who know not God, nor Jesus Christ whom he has sent. The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted.” The Youth Instructor, July 7, 1898 par. 2 They yet believe in overcoming sin the same way as did Jesus Christ.
BOOKS OF A NEW ORDER (New Doctrines)
It may be verified when comparing the denominational publications:
“Most of the founders of Seventh-day Adventism would not be able to join the church today if they had to subscribe to the denomination’s Fundamental Beliefs.” George Knight, Ministry Magazine - October, 1993 page 10.
They understand that it has astray from path of truth. The New Theology has recently been voted in approval as declared in official publication: 1931, and 1981 Yearbook.
Although Aryanism and Non-trinitarianism were strongly believed among the Pioneers and Leaders of the SDAChurch untill early part of the 20th Century, Books of a different order begun to circulate and it first appeared in official print in the 1931, Year book and most recently, after the General Conference heald in 1980 - Dallas, Texas. Now also appearing in the 1981, Year book.
CONCLUSION
Those who are living amid the perils of the last days, days which are characterized by the masses turning from the truth of God to fables, will have close work to turn from the fables which are prepared for them on every hand, and have an appetite to feast upon unpopular truth. Those who turn from these fables to truth are despised, hated, and persecuted by those who are presenting fables to the people for their reception. Satan is at war with the remnant who are endeavoring to keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. Evil angels are commissioned to employ men as their agents upon the earth. These can the most successfully exert an influence to make Satan's attacks effective against the remnant whom God calls "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Testimonies Vol.2, 105.1
In reviewing our past history,…We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history." Selected Messages Vol. 3, 162.3
The SDA Pioneers did not fear for the future!!! Do you???
Translated by: M. Dumitry.
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