Last week we looked at how the SDA and the DSDA have two very different views of the next big event to happen to God’s remnant church. To simplify, we see that the SDA believe that the world’s governing bodies will enact a “universal” Sunday law, compelling all people the world over to worship on Sunday to the “Lord”. The DSDA believe that the event that will soon take place before the Sunday laws take place is the “church judgement” which is when our Lord will execute the beginning phase of the judgement for the “living”.
Let’s continue with the SDA view.
Many are aware of the great leadership role of the SDA by Doug Batchelor and his team ( Amazing Facts org). I have always respected and admired his straight forward and knowledgeable views on many areas of Biblical truths. He has also been courageous in taking on some controversial issues (women pastors for example). A while back on their Sunday evening call-in question and answer show, I spoke to the co-host of that show (about 7 or 8 months ago).
At that time I had just started learning the real truth on the 144,000. But as I was learning, I wanted to know for sure what one of the leaders among the SDA had to say about the 144,000. So I called in and got through. The answer came as follows — The 144,000 are kind of like “super apostles”. They’ll go out into the world and bring in many from babyon (the heathen and Sunday worshipers).
So it is very clear to see that the view is that the 144,000 will be a “separate” blessed people from among the SDA, who have super powerful abilities from God to preach a strong and forceful message before the Sunday laws are established and “marks” are placed on those who submit. The “rest” of the SDA are watching and doing their less powerful part to help the heathen. The SDA church as a church body continues all the way up to the establishment of the Sunday law.
The work of bringing the many out of babylon goes out until the 7 last plaques begin. So the final event view is pretty basic with the following important actions — bring them out of the Sunday churches with God’s message now, and teach and prepare for the dreaded Sunday law. Look for our Lord’s coming in the clouds very soon after the plaques hit. (The end time view from the SDA standpoint is largely from the Great Controversy book).
Now, let’s look at a serious complication, or giant hurdle if you may, that puts the above view in disjointed array. The hurdle is found in our prophetess’ writings in (Testimonies to Ministers, p.445) ” This sealing of God’s servants is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness to this most startling revelation.” The only place in the book of Ezekiel that speaks of a sealing or marking is chapter 9. We’ll revisit this issue later on.
There are some among the SDA who do profess in the belief of Ezekiel 9 happening but they claim it occurs as the Sunday law is enforced. In other words, the “law” itself will be the seperation of the righteous and un-righteous. Let’s see how brother Houteff addresses this.
“If it be true that the beast’s decree is to sift out the unconverted (the tares) that are in the church then one must conclude that the beast is not symbol of a power of dragon-like principle, but a heaven-sent agency, sent to cast out the tare which the dragon has brought in!
From Ezekiel 9 we see that not the “beast” but the angels are to do this. After the one with the writer’s inkhorn by his side mark those who sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in their midst, the five with slaughter weapons follow on to slay all who are left with out the mark. And this great purgation, as both the prophecy itself and them testimonies specifically state, takes place in the church. (See Test. to Ministers, p.445; Testimonies, vol3, p.266,267: Testimonies Vol5, p.210, 211; also Tract No. 1, the Darnanelles fo the Bible)
It is Satan’s predetermined purpose to pollute the church by multiplying instead of reducing the disloyal members. And if his most dramatic fiat is to purify the church, than to what purpose does the Lord “suddenly come to His temple..and..sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Mal. 3:1-3) why is a message to cause the shaking (early Writings, p.270); an why are the angels of Ezekiel 9, those who “shall come forth” to “sever the wicked from among the just”? (Matt.13:49)
Is the burden of the purifying work, Satan’s or the Lord’s? Satan is doing nothing to purify the church, but is doing everything to pollute it.
Therefore the beast’s decree and his rigid enforcement of it, are not for the purpose of purifying the church, but for the purpose of blockading the way out of babylon, thereby holding the world captive. This he does specifically to halt the steady flow of multitudes of converts to the then purged and purified church. In spite, however of the enemy’s heaviest efforts to keep them in babylon, the faithful will come out.
They will take heed to the Lord’s counsel: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the lamb.” (Rev.14:9,10) ( Answerer, Vol. 3, Question 68)
But let’s now look at the DSDA end time views. As Davidians, they also believe in the scenario’s presented by EGW on the GC book. However they put just as much emphasis on her other books, such as Early Writings (particularly p. 269 and after), Testimonies for the church volumes, Testimonies to Ministers, and others. They look at the “whole picture” from EGW’s writings, not just the GC book. They also take heed to the “solemn” things she points out as well. Many times our beloved prophetess didn’t “mince” words when it came to straight testimony.
They are also keenly aware that EGW spoke of “somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah…”(Testimonies to Ministers, page 475). When’s the last time you heard an SDA leader speak about this “somebody”? Even offer conjecture on the subject? The Davidians sure do. In fact much of this “somebody’s” words are believed by them to be God’s last message to His people. Apparently God believes in this “somebody” too ( see Mal 3:1). So we see an important emphasis is put on this “somebody” coming before our Lord comes. This “messenger” has a message from God. Are we listening? Are we studying it? Did God send a last day message from His messenger because it was useless and not needed? These are serious questions that we as truth seekers need to answer.
Continuing on with the DSDA view, the last day “Elijah” message is now the important message going out. Contrary to the SDA, they believe that God’s last prophet (Victor T. Houteff) has the most important message for us today and must be heeded. They are not going into babylon but to our own people. They are warning, “blowing the trumpet”, sounding the alarm. Sadly though, God’s words through EGW are coming true.
In speaking of this last day message EGW says (Early Writings, P.270) “The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded.” Can we confidently say that our dear brothers and sisters through out the SDA have rejected the “Elijah”message sent by God’s last prophet-Victor T. Houteff? There can be no doubt.
The SDA view allows for co-mingling (Wheat and Tares)which the DSDA cannot believe will exist when our Lord begins the judgement for the living. EGW states ” The time of judgement is a most solemn period, when the Lord gathers His own from among the tares. Those who have been members of the same family are separated. A mark is placed upon the righteous.” (Test. to Ministers, p.234) Notice she doesn’t say the righteous are whisked away into heaven. She means within the church while it’s here on earth (Ezek. 9).
So we see that this message is the focus now by the DSDA. And that message is the above referenced EGW quote (Test. to Minister, p.445) That the Ezekiel sealings/slayings will very soon take place within our churches. This is solemn, it’s serious, but it will happen.What can we do? Sit back and deny it? God is not mocked or played with, His word will stand and come to pass.
Sadly again EGW describes the outcome when the DSDA do the warnings from God. ” Many who hear the message– by far the greatest number, will not credit the solemn warning…Ministers will warn the people not to listen to them.” (Test. to Minsters p.233)
Next, the DSDA view is that after this warning message is done and the fateful last 144,000th one is marked, the church will be “purified” per the Ezekiel prophecy. The “great and dreadful day” has come. Contrary to the SDA, the DSDA believe this referenced day is not the day the Lord comes in the clouds. The book of Malachi is a great read for this understanding.
After this event has come, the 144,000 are now empowered with God’s power to go forth into babylon, to be very effective in calling out many who accept God’s powerful message. Healings, miracles, wonders are all done in plain view in a most astounding way. People are “bowled over” by their power. It will be a trying time for God’s servants as well. Satan will arouse the people to counter them. In fact counter miracles will be used. So the people will be confused(2 Thes. 2:9). The Sunday worshipers and their miracle workers, or the Sabbath keepers and their miracles. Which are really from God? Unless you are grounded in the truth of His word, deception will be most powerful against you.
The 144,000 successfully call out a “great multitude” from the world and bring them into God’s “pure” church. So much so, that God will finally have His prophesied “Kingdom” on earth, in the midst of the heathen ( this subject is quite vast and will be taken up in a future post). It will not be a government kingdom but His “Church Kingdom”.
After the great multitude are brought in and the final number that make up His Kingdom is made up, its curtians for the rest of the world. Plaques hit and the rest of the world melts down. The Lord comes as His people are threatened, in a final attempt to eliminate God’s people because they are deluded into thinking(by Satan) that they were the cause of the plaques. The 1000 year reign in heaven now becomes a reality for God’s people.
To summarize, let’s review.
The SDA are ignoring two important prophecies. 1) that the sealing of ( Rev.7:3-4) is the same as Ezekiel’s vision. 2) No importance is given to the fact that somebody is to come before the Lord’s great and dreadful coming. That person’s message is a non-issue. Let’s call it the “great by-pass”.
The DSDA conversely adhere to 1) EGW’s (Test. to Ministers statement, p.445) and put it squarely into the final event scenario. This alone changes so much of the course of events. 2) That God will have a church purified, beginning with the remnant, the 144,000. 3) They go out and help complete God’s church Kingdom until that last one is brought in.
The Spirit of Truth is promised to us. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, our Lord says “But when he,the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth “(John 16:13).So we see that our Holy Spirit will guide us. Which of the two group’s views has the Holy Spirit guided you to believe? Which view has thoroughly stood upon His word as come by the prophets?
You decide which. Your answer can affect your standing in the great and dreadful day of our Lord. Let the Lord not come as a thief in the night, be ready and be prepared. We must study to show ourselves approved. Let’s look seriously into God’s last message to us. Then we will have a most clear understanding of the—final events.
In Christ, forever His servant, Rob
Note — This post has a youtube version, which can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLPU8B88zHs&list=UL
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