GC409-491 ERRORS (2 OF 3) 200+ Edited 4-1-18
CHAPTER 23, What is the Sanctuary? Chapters 23 and 24 explain the SDA reason that Jesus did not return to earth on October 22, 1844. The vast majority of Adventists, including Miller himself, admitted they were wrong and returned to their churches. However, a very small group which later became the SDA Church insisted that the Miller’s date and prophetic calculations which pointed to October 22, 1844 were correct, but the “event” was wrong. GC409: The scripture which above all others had been both the foundation and the central pillar of the advent faith was the declaration: "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Daniel 8:14. These had been familiar words to all believers in the Lord's soon coming. By the lips of thousands was this prophecy repeated as the watchword of their faith. All felt that upon the events therein foretold depended their brightest expectations and most cherished hopes. These prophetic days had been shown to terminate in the autumn of 1844. In common with the rest of the Christian world, Adventists then held that the earth, or some portion of it, was the sanctuary. They understood that the cleansing of the sanctuary was the purification of the earth by the fires of the last great day, and that this would take place at the second advent. Hence the conclusion that Christ would return to the earth in 1844. ERROR: Daniel 8:14 was not “familiar words to all believers in the Lord’s soon coming.” Most believers never got caught up in the false interpretations of William Miller. ERROR: “In common with the rest of the Christian world” is a gross exaggeration. Again, most believers never got involved with the false interpretations of William Miller. Gc409-410: But the appointed time had passed, and the Lord had not appeared. The believers knew that God's word could not fail; their interpretation of the prophecy must be at fault; but where was the mistake? Many rashly cut the knot of difficulty by denying that the 2300 days ended in 1844. No reason could be given for this except that Christ had not come at the time they expected Him. They argued that if the prophetic days had ended in 1844, Christ would then have returned to cleanse the sanctuary by the purification of the earth by fire; and that since He had not come, the days could not have ended. ERROR: They had been embarrassed by three false dates for the second coming of Christ (1843; spring 1844; autumn 1844). “The appointed time” was always false. Gc410: To accept this conclusion was to renounce the former reckoning of the prophetic periods. The 2300 days had been found to begin when the commandment of Artaxerxes for the restoration and building of Jerusalem went into effect, in the autumn of 457 B.C. Taking this as the starting point, there was perfect harmony in the application of all the events foretold in the explanation of that period in Daniel 9:25-27. Sixty-nine weeks, the first 483 of the 2300 years, were to reach to the Messiah, the Anointed One; and Christ's baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit, A.D. 27, exactly fulfilled the specification. In the midst of the seventieth week, Messiah was to be cut off. Three and a half years after His baptism, Christ was crucified, in the spring of A.D. 31. The seventy weeks, or 490 years, were to pertain especially to the Jews. At the expiration of this period the nation sealed its rejection of Christ by the persecution of His disciples, and the apostles turned to the Gentiles, A.D. 34. The first 490 years of the 2300 having then ended, 1810 years would remain. From A.D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. "Then," said the angel, "shall the sanctuary be cleansed." All the preceding specifications of the prophecy had been unquestionably fulfilled at the time appointed. ERROR: 457 B. C. and Ezra do not fulfill Daniel 9:25. They only mention the temple and not the walls of Jerusalem. ERROR: The 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 actually began with the desolation of the Temple by the little horn of Daniel 8:11-12 which is totally ignored in The Great Controversy. The little horn did not desolate the Temple in 457 B.C. and neither did the saints!! ERROR: This interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27 is far from absolute. Many theories exist. ERROR: This is not the date accepted by most Christian commentators. ERROR: This is only one of many interpretations of Daniel 9:24-27. ERROR: Even if it were true, there is no proof that the prophecy of Daniel 9 provides the beginning point of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14. ERROR: While implying that Miller began with 457 B. C. from Ezra 7, Miller actually used this reckoning (his seventh of fifteen points) to reach 1843. He subtracted 490 from 2300 reach 1810; he then added A. D. 33 to 1810 to reach 1843 –not 1844. SDAs are very dishonest in hiding the 1843 date. ERROR: SDAs were wrong about (1) who defiled the sanctuary, (2) which sanctuary, (3) the 2300 days, (4) the type of cleaning required, (5) the event, (6) Daniel 9:25, etc., etc. Gc410: With this reckoning, all was clear and harmonious, except that it was not seen that any event answering to the cleansing of the sanctuary had taken place in 1844. To deny that the days ended at that time was to involve the whole question in confusion, and to renounce positions which had been established by unmistakable fulfillments of prophecy. ERROR: Actually, denying this would have ended all “confusion.” ERROR: See GC333-335. The “unmistakable prophecies included the 1755 “fulfillment” of Revelation 6:12, the 1833 “fulfillment” of Revelation 6:13 and the 1840 “remarkable fulfillment” of Revelation 9:15. Those dates for Christ’s return are evidently wrong since Jesus has still not returned. Gc410: But God had led His people in the great advent movement; His power and glory had attended the work, and He would not permit it to end in darkness and disappointment, to be reproached as a false and fanatical excitement. He would not leave His word involved in doubt and uncertainty. ERROR: It is wrong to credit God with leading His people in a false movement. GC411: Though many abandoned their former reckoning of the prophetic periods and denied the correctness of the movement based thereon, others were unwilling to renounce points of faith and experience that were sustained by the Scriptures and by the witness of the Spirit of God. They believed that they had adopted sound principles of interpretation in their study of the prophecies, and that it was their duty to hold fast the truths already gained, and to continue the same course of Biblical research. With earnest prayer they reviewed their position and studied the Scriptures to discover their mistake. As they could see no error in their reckoning of the prophetic periods, they were led to examine more closely the subject of the sanctuary. GC411: In their investigation they learned that there is no Scripture evidence sustaining the popular view that the earth is the sanctuary; but they found in the Bible a full explanation of the subject of the sanctuary, its nature, location, and services; the testimony of the sacred writers being so clear and ample as to place the matter beyond all question. The apostle Paul, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, says: "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat." Hebrews 9:1-5. ERROR: The truth about the sanctuary is “clear” to everybody except SDAs. The N. T. teaches that Christ fulfilled the one “day” Day of Atonement in one “day” on the cross (Heb 9:24-28). Gc411-412: The sanctuary to which Paul here refers was the tabernacle built by Moses at the command of God as the earthly dwelling place of the Most High. "Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8), was the direction given to Moses while in the mount with God. The Israelites were journeying through the wilderness, and the tabernacle was so constructed that it could be removed from place to place; yet it was a structure of great magnificence. Its walls consisted of upright boards heavily plated with gold and set in sockets of silver, while the roof was formed of a series of curtains, or coverings, the outer of skins, the innermost of fine linen beautifully wrought with figures of cherubim. Besides the outer court, which contained the altar of burnt offering, the tabernacle itself consisted of two apartments called the holy and the most holy place, separated by a rich and beautiful curtain, or veil; a similar veil closed the entrance to the first apartment. ERROR: The sanctuary of Hebrews 9:11-15 refers to a previous tabernacle in which the Old Covenant was ratified as seen in Exodus 24:2-8. Gc412: In the holy place was the candlestick, on the south, with its seven lamps giving light to the sanctuary both by day and by night; on the north stood the table of shewbread; and before the veil separating the holy from the most holy was the golden altar of incense, from which the cloud of fragrance, with the prayers of Israel, was daily ascending before God. Gc412: In the most holy place stood the ark, a chest of precious wood overlaid with gold, the depository of the two tables of stone upon which God had inscribed the law of Ten Commandments. Above the ark, and forming the cover to the sacred chest, was the mercy seat, a magnificent piece of workmanship, surmounted by two cherubim, one at each end, and all wrought of solid gold. In this apartment the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory between the cherubim. ERROR: Since the “Divine Presence” is in the Most Holy Place, SDAs should not teach that Christ only ministered in the Holy Place from His ascension until l1844. GC412: After the settlement of the Hebrews in Canaan, the tabernacle was replaced by the temple of Solomon, which, though a permanent structure and upon a larger scale, observed the same proportions, and was similarly furnished. In this form the sanctuary existed--except while it lay in ruins in Daniel's time--until its destruction by the Romans, in A.D. 70. Gc412-413: This is the only sanctuary that ever existed on the earth, of which the Bible gives any information. This was declared by Paul to be the sanctuary of the first covenant. But has the new covenant no sanctuary? ERROR: Hebrews 9:11-15 and Exodus 24:4-8 describe a dofferemt sanctuary used by Moses to confirm the old covenant. Note: Heb 8:4 “For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.” 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present …. The Old Covenant sanctuary pattern only served for the Old Covenant time. GC413: Turning again to the book of Hebrews, the seekers for truth found that the existence of a second, or new-covenant sanctuary, was implied in the words of Paul already quoted: "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." And the use of the word "also" intimates that Paul has before made mention of this sanctuary. Turning back to the beginning of the previous chapter, they read: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." Hebrews 8:1, 2. GC413: Here is revealed the sanctuary of the new covenant. The sanctuary of the first covenant was pitched by man, built by Moses; this is pitched by the Lord, not by man. In that sanctuary the earthly priests performed their service; in this, Christ, our great High Priest, ministers at God's right hand. One sanctuary was on earth, the other is in heaven. ERROR: These are contrasts showing the differences. Man built the earthly; God built the heavenly. Men were priests of the earthly; Jesus is THE priest of the heavenly. Many sacrifices were made in the earthly; one sacrifice for the heavenly. Many yearly Days of Atonement compared to ONE once for all Day of Atonement. Gc413: Further, the tabernacle built by Moses was made after a pattern. The Lord directed him: "According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it." And again the charge was given, "Look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount." Exodus 25:9, 40. And Paul says that the first tabernacle "was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices;" that its holy places were "patterns of things in the heavens;" that the priests who offered gifts according to the law served "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things," and that "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." Hebrews 9:9, 23; 8:5; 9:24. Note: EGW should believe her own quoted words. Hebrews 9:9 clearly limits the patters to the Old Covenant. Almost all of Hebrews 8 and 9 reveal patter “contrast” and not pattern “fulfillmnent.” Gc414: The sanctuary in heaven, in which Jesus ministers in our behalf, is the great original, of which the sanctuary built by Moses was a copy. God placed His Spirit upon the builders of the earthly sanctuary. The artistic skill displayed in its construction was a manifestation of divine wisdom. The walls had the appearance of massive gold, reflecting in every direction the light of the seven lamps of the golden candlestick. The table of shewbread and the altar of incense glittered like burnished gold. The gorgeous curtain which formed the ceiling, inwrought with figures of angels in blue and purple and scarlet, added to the beauty of the scene. And beyond the second veil was the holy Shekinah, the visible manifestation of God's glory, before which none but the high priest could enter and live. ERROR: It is highly unlikely that the heavenly sanctuary has counterparts for daily sacrificial offerings, an altar for burning sacrifices, a water laver for washing hands, scores of Levitical priests and Levite servants, a literal physical building, pots, pans, utensils, two separate rooms and a veil. The only pattern SDAs want to keep is the Day of Atonement and they do not follow their own “one day for one year” principle. Gc414: The matchless splendor of the earthly tabernacle reflected to human vision the glories of that heavenly temple where Christ our forerunner ministers for us before the throne of God. The abiding place of the King of kings, where thousand thousands minister unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before Him (Daniel 7:10); that temple, filled with the glory of the eternal throne, where seraphim, its shining guardians, veil their faces in adoration, could find, in the most magnificent structure ever reared by human hands, but a faint reflection of its vastness and glory. Yet important truths concerning the heavenly sanctuary and the great work there carried forward for man's redemption were taught by the earthly sanctuary and its services. Note: “Thousand thousands”: The heavenly sanctuary contrasts with the earthly GC414-415: The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth. As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven, he beheld there "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne." Revelation 4:5. He saw an angel "having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne." Revelation 8:3. Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the "seven lamps of fire" and "the golden altar," represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth. Again, "the temple of God was opened" (Revelation 11:19), and he looked within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. Here he beheld "the ark of His testament," represented by the sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain the law of God. ERROR: EGW says that John only saw the Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary. Yet the veil represented Christ who was in both rooms at the same time (Heb. 10:20). When Christ died on the cross, shadow met reality and the physical veil was no longer applicable (Mt 27:51). If all believers can, as priests since the cross, “come boldly to the throne of grace,” then, of course, Christ does also (Heb 4:16). Since Christ was/is the veil, then there is only one undivided “room” in the heavenly sanctuary. Also, John is clearly inside the one-room Most Holy Place in Revelation chapters four and five. ERROR: “He looked within the inner veil upon the holy of holies” is not in the Bible; it is EGW’s erroneous insertion. Gc415: Thus, those who were studying the subject found indisputable proof of the existence of a sanctuary in heaven. Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him. Paul teaches that that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in heaven. And John testifies that he saw it in heaven. ERROR: Hebrews 8:4-9 and 9:9 are omitted. GC415: In the temple in heaven, the dwelling place of God, His throne is established in righteousness and judgment. In the most holy place is His law, the great rule of right by which all mankind are tested. The ark that enshrines the tables of the law is covered with the mercy seat, before which Christ pleads His blood in the sinner's behalf. Thus is represented the union of justice and mercy in the plan of human redemption. This union infinite wisdom alone could devise and infinite power accomplish; it is a union that fills all heaven with wonder and adoration. The cherubim of the earthly sanctuary, looking reverently down upon the mercy seat, represent the interest with which the heavenly host contemplate the work of redemption. This is the mystery of mercy into which angels desire to look--that God can be just while He justifies the repenting sinner and renews His intercourse with the fallen race; that Christ could stoop to raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin and clothe them with the spotless garments of His own righteousness to unite with angels who have never fallen and to dwell forever in the presence of God. ERROR: SDAs have a difficult time defining “law.” Most often they erroneously limit it to the Ten Commandments. They often allow dietary and moral laws outside the Ten Commandments. They seldom include the entire revelation of God to Hebrew man in “law” as did Paul in Romans 3:1-20. ERROR: The “book of the law” which was part of the Ark of the Covenant contained everything God considered Old Covenant Law for Israel: commandments, judgments and ordinances. ERROR: God only command Old Covenant Israel to obey His law (Exodus 31:13-18). ERROR: Gentiles (non-Hebrews) who did not join Israel via circumcision were judged by the law of conscience and nature (Romans 1:18-20; 2:14-16). ERROR: New Covenant man is tested according to his/her response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 16:9; Romans 8:1-2). ERROR: SDAs do not encourage the death penalty on its members who break major laws of the Ten Commandments. GC415-416: The work of Christ as man's intercessor is presented in that beautiful prophecy of Zechariah concerning Him "whose name is the Branch." Says the prophet: "He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His [the Father's] throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between Them both." Zechariah 6:12, 13. ERROR: Zechariah 6:12-13 makes no sense unless it refers to Christ’s literal Messianic reign on earth. GC416: "He shall build the temple of the Lord." [[Zechariah 6:13]] By His sacrifice and mediation Christ is both the foundation and the builder of the church of God. The apostle Paul points to Him as "the chief Cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also," he says, "are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Ephesians 2:20-22. GC416: "He shall bear the glory." To Christ belongs the glory of redemption for the fallen race. Through the eternal ages, the song of the ransomed ones will be: "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, . . . to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." Revelation 1:5, 6. GC416: He "shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne." Not now "upon the throne of His glory;" the kingdom of glory has not yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a mediator shall be ended will God "give unto Him the throne of His father David," a kingdom of which "there shall be no end." Luke 1:32, 33. As a priest, Christ is now set down with the Father in His throne. Revelation 3:21. Upon the throne with the eternal, self-existent One is He who "hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows," who "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin," that He might be "able to succor them that are tempted." "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father." Isaiah 53:4; Hebrews 4:15; 2:18; 1 John 2:1. His intercession is that of a pierced and broken body, of a spotless life. The wounded hands, the pierced side, the marred feet, plead for fallen man, whose redemption was purchased at such infinite cost. ERROR: Since priests mediate sins, and since there will be no sins in eternity, the quotation makes no sense unless it refers to Christ’s Messianic reign on earth. GC416-417: "And the counsel of peace shall be between Them both." The love of the Father, no less than of the Son, is the fountain of salvation for the lost race. Said Jesus to His disciples before He went away: "I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you." John 16:26, 27. God was "in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." 2 Corinthians 5:19. And in the ministration in the sanctuary above, "the counsel of peace shall be between Them both." "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. GC417: The question, What is the sanctuary? is clearly answered in the Scriptures. The term "sanctuary," as used in the Bible, refers, first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the "true tabernacle" in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The "true tabernacle" in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant. And as the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 is fulfilled in this dispensation, the sanctuary to which it refers must be the sanctuary of the new covenant. At the termination of the 2300 days, in 1844, there had been no sanctuary on earth for many centuries. Thus the prophecy, "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed," unquestionably points to the sanctuary in heaven. ERROR: This is a fundamental error which completely ignores the context of Daniel 8:1-13 and, especially, the question it answers from Daniel 8:13. It also demands that 2300 “evenings and mornings) could only be interpreted as prophetic years rather than literal days or even 1150 literal days. The sanctuary of the New covenant was inaugurated when Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father and began ministering there as a high priest. The one “day” Day of Atonement lasted one “day.” When SDAs admit that Christ has been ministering in the heavenly sanctuary since his ascension, they inadvertently admit that he inaugurated the entire sanctuary at that time. ERROR: This is only “unquestionable” in SDA ranks because one is not allowed to question Ellen G. White. She never explains how Daniel 8:14 answers the question posed in 8:13 and its context. No other church or system of theology has even suggested their conclusion. GC417: But the most important question remains to be answered: What is the cleansing of the sanctuary? That there was such a service in connection with the earthly sanctuary is stated in the Old Testament Scriptures. But can there be anything in heaven to be cleansed? In Hebrews 9 the cleansing of both the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary is plainly taught. "Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these [the blood of animals]; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these" (Hebrews 9:22, 23), even the precious blood of Christ. ERROR: It has not been proven that the heavenly sanctuary has been defiled and requires cleansing. ERROR: Actually, there were three different times that the earthly sanctuary/Temple was “cleansed”: (1) its inauguration, (2) its re-dedication/restoration after being defiled and (3) Day of Atonement. EGW and SDAs confuse the actual “restoration” cleansing required from Daniel 8:11-12 with the Day of Atonement cleansing of Leviticus 16. The create their own confusion by disconnecting 8:9-13 from 8:14. The Hebrew word for “cleansed” in Daniel 8:14 (tsadaq) is never associated with the Day of Atonement cleansing in Leviticus 16 (taheer). ERROR: The “cleansing” described in Hebrews 9:13-14 is neither the second (re-dedication), nor the third (Day of Atonement) which required sin to be confessed over the sacrifices. Rather, it was the first (inauguration) of both the old and new covenants which did not require sin to be confessed over the sacrifices (Exodus 24:3-8). GC417-418: The cleansing, both in the typical and in the real service, must be accomplished with blood: in the former, with the blood of animals; in the latter, with the blood of Christ. Paul states, as the reason why this cleansing must be performed with blood, that without shedding of blood is no remission. Remission, or putting away of sin, is the work to be accomplished. But how could there be sin connected with the sanctuary, either in heaven or upon the earth? This may be learned by reference to the symbolic service; for the priests who officiated on earth, served "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things." Hebrews 8:5. ERROR: Fundamental error. Atoned sin never entered either sanctuary. The sin ceased to exist the moment the sacrifice died (Ex 12:13; Lev 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18. EGW keeps repeating Hebrews 9:22 but does not apply it to the moment the sacrificial blood was shed. Every aspect of both sanctuaries reflected the sinless holiness of God. The two sanctuaries are vastly different because the earthly sanctuary was located in the middle of millions of sinners, whereas the heavenly sanctuary is not, and could not possibly contain sin which cannot abide in the Presence of God. See chapter 11 of my book, Exposing Seventh-day Adventism. Willful sins were punished by judges. There was no sacrifice prescribed for willful sins (Ex 21: 17, 23-25; 31 14; Lev 20 2; 24:16). GC418: The ministration of the earthly sanctuary consisted of two divisions; the priests ministered daily in the holy place, while once a year the high priest performed a special work of atonement in the most holy, for the cleansing of the sanctuary. ERROR: Atonement and cleansing were performed every day of the year. Atonement was pronounced after every sacrifice. The entire sanctuary was cleansed before it entered service (Ex 29:36; 2 Chron 29:15), lepers' houses (Lev 14:49), Levites (Numb 8:6) and, especially, individual sins (Ps 51:2). Since there was such a great importance placed upon clean and unclean, it is wrong to limit cleansing to the residual cleansing of the Day of Atonement (Lev 10:10). Also, "the special work of atonement in the most holy" is really "the special work of atonement which began in the most holy and spread to include the entire sanctuary; this fact really annuls the SDA interpretation. GC418 Day by day the repentant sinner brought his offerings to the door of the tabernacle, placing his hand upon the victim's head, confessed his sin, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice. COMMENT: “At the door of the tabernacle “the blood of the perfect sinless substitute sacrifice (Jesus Christ) atoned for and washed away the sin at the instant He died. Christ "did not know sin" before or at Calvary. "God" the Father (not the sinner) "made Him to be sin for us" (2 Cor 5:21) --- He legally imputed sin to Christ. Christ did not become a sinner; He was affected by sin but not infected by it. GC418: The animal was then slain. "Without shedding of blood," says the apostle, there no remission of sin. "The life of the flesh is in the blood." Leviticus 17:11. COMMENT: Yes, yes, yes. Remission of sin occurred the moment the sacrifice died and the blood was shed on a daily basis. Again, the instant the Substitute died, its blood atoned for and washed away the sin. The sin itself did not enter into and defile the sacrificial blood, the priest or the sanctuary!!! Everything and every person in the sanctuary must maintain holiness at all times in order for the sanctuary to function properly. Words such as "And the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them" occur over 40 times in Leviticus alone. GC418: The broken law of God demanded the life of the transgressor. COMMENT: The broken law of God demanded either restitution equal to itself or death would result from an imperfect sinner. If it only demanded the life of the transgressor, then no substitute and no sacrifice would be allowed in any religion. If it only demanded death, the death of the sinner would result in the sinner's salvation because the price had been paid. The broken law of God demanded that payment be made which was equal to the level of the broken law. No sinner could do this. GC418 The blood representing the forfeited li whose guilt the victim bore, was carried by the priest into the holy place, and sprinkled before the veil, behind which was the ark containing the law that the sinner had transgressed. ERROR: "No! No! No!" A thousand times "No!" The blood, representing the holy, perfect, sinless, life of the Substitute sacrifice, was evidence (the receipt) that the perfect redemption price had been paid!!! The blood recorded the finished atonement and redemption. Jeremiah 17:1 reads "The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars." ……………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………… GC418: By this ceremony the sin was, through the blood, transferred in figure to the sanctuary. GREAT FUNDAMENTAL ERROR: Although EGW once softens the language to "record of sins," her declaration that "sin [itself] was transferred through the blood" is predominant. Records do not defile. As will be seen soon in following statements, beginning here, Seventh-day Adventism makes its greatest error!!! GC418 In some cases the blood was not taken into the holy place, but the flesh was to be eaten by the priest, as Moses directed the sons of Aaron saying “God has given it unto you to bear the iniquity of the congregation.” Leviticus 10:17. Both ceremonies alike symbolized the transfer of the sin from the penitent to the sanctuary. ERROR: This is the greatest error of the SDA view of the sanctuary. Sacrificial blood "atones," "cleans” and “washes away” sin! (Ex 29:36; Lev 12:8; 14:20, 53; 16:30; Numb 8:21). Sacrificial blood does not “transfer” sin from the sinner to the sanctuary. No sin entered the sanctuary through the atonement ritual! Sacrificial blood never “defiles” anything! Everything about the priest, his physical body, his clothing, his anointing, and his deportment within the sanctuary, must be holy and without blemish! Everything about the sacrificial animal must also be “most holy” or it would be rejected! The SDA doctrine insults the holiness of God and turns the Most Holy Place of the entire universe into the most defiled place with the accumulated atoned sins of every believer since Adam! (See Ex 33:22, 23; Lev 16:13; Isa 6:3-5; Lev 6:25-27; Numb 18: 9; Lev 4:20; 5:6; 6:7; 7:6; Heb 9:13, 14). It is contradictory to teach that everything about the sanctuary was either holy or most holy while teaching that the priests routinely defiled it through their daily ministry of blood. The priests merely bore the responsibility of mediating sins. ERROR: Lost in this discussion is the indirect and inadvertent admission by SDAss that Jesus is the WHO, the Source, the ONE who DEFILES the sanctuary by transferring the Sin of believers into it. GC418: Such was the work that went on day by day throughout the year. The sins of Israel were thus transferred to the sanctuary, and a special work became necessary for their removal. ERROR: This is EGW and SDA cultic doctrine at its contradictory worst. It forces them to teach that the daily sacrifices (representing Jesus as priest, sacrifice and His blood) “‘defiled” the sanctuary while the (same) yearly Day of Atonement sacrifice ‘cleansed’ it. However, SDAs dare not equate the word “transfer” with “defile.” Neither would they ever blame Jesus for defiling the sanctuary even though it is clearly what they teach! The Bible does not teach that the purpose of the Day of Atonement was to remove previously forgiven sins which had been placed there via sacrificial atonement blood! It was only for residual sin (Lev 16:29, 31; 23; 27, 32). GC418-419: God commanded that an atonement be made for each of the sacred apartments. "He shall make an atonement for the holy place because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.' An atonement was also to be made for the altar "to cleanse it and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel." Leviticus 16:16, 19. ERROR: There is a serious problem here for SDAs. While completely ignoring the necessary cleansing of the holy place, altar and the remainder of the sanctuary, SDAs teach that the cleansing of the Most Holy Place has lasted over 170 years already. Their logic questions the Omniscience of Christ. Also, since (they teach) Christ immediately began ministering inside the holy place at His ascension, this demands that the entire sanctuary be cleansed, especially the Most Holy Place. GC419: Once a year, on the great Day of Atonement, the [high] priest entered the most holy place for the cleansing of the sanctuary. The work there performed completed the yearly round of ministration. On the Day of Atonement two kids of the goats were brought to the door of the tabernacle, and lots were cast upon them, "one for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat." Verse 8. ERROR: (1) No mention is made of the high priest's personal sin offering because such is not pattern fulfillment (16:3, 6). (2) Neither is mention made that both goats from the congregation were for one sin-offering (16:5) as this disagrees with the SDA interpretation of the scapegoat at Satan. (3) Again, no mention is made that the entire sanctuary was cleansed on the Day of Atonement. GC419: The goat upon which fell the lot for the Lord was to be slain as a sin offering for the people. ERROR: When both goats were presented before the LORD for one sin offerings (Lev 16:5, 7), both goats became most holy (Nu 18:9). Both goats were equal because the lot could have fallen on either (16:8). The first goat would immediately die for the LORD (16:8, 9); the second goat became a living sacrifice to carry the memory of sins away (16:10; Heb 8:12). Compare Leviticus 14:54. GC419: And the priest was to bring his blood within the veil and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. The blood was also to be sprinkled upon the altar of incense which was before the veil. ERROR: EGW has no problem interpreting "within the veil" correctly here compared to pages 420-421. Also, she fails to point out that the entire sanctuary was cleansed on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:16). Gc419: "And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: and the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited. Verses 21, 22. The scapegoat came no more into the camp of Israel, and the man who led him away was required to wash himself and his clothing with water before returning to the camp. ERROR: Far from being a reference to Satan, "presented alive before the LORD" insures that the scapegoat is a holy living sacrifice "to make an atonement with him" (16:10; Nu 18:9). The high priest literally placed both his hands upon both goats. If the scapegoat represented Satan, he would have been defiled. The fact that neither the high priest nor the man who led the goat out were required to offer sin offerings after their tasks proves that they were not handling sin (16:24, 26). Both only had to wash. Gc419-420: The whole ceremony was designed to impress the Israelites with the holiness of God and His abhorrence of sin and, further to show them that they could not come in contact with sin without becoming polluted. Every man was required to afflict his soul while the work of atonement was going forward. All business was to be laid aside, and the whole congregation of Israel were to spend the day in solemn humiliation before God, with prayer, fasting and deep searching of heart. ERROR: The one-day Day of Atonement was symbolic of one final Judgment Day in which God would once-for-all time deal with sin (Heb 10:1-14). Israelites afflicted their souls to reveal any residual un-confessed and un-atoned sins from the previous year. Since SDAs cannot cease doing business every day for over 170 years, the prophetic symbolism is lost (Lev 16:29, 31; 23:27, 32). GC420: Important truths concerning the atonement are taught by the typical service. A substitute was accepted in the sinner's behalf, COMMENT: Ellen G. White has changed from saying "the blood represents the forfeited life of the victim" to the correct saying "a substitute was accepted in the sinner's behalf." GC420: … but the sin was not canceled by the blood of the victim. ERROR: Back to unbiblical theology. In other words, "The perfect sinless blood of Jesus Christ was unable to completely atone for and wash away sin when first confessed." Then why keep repeating Hebrews 9:22 “without the shedding of blood is no remission”? When the sacrificial blood was shed daily at the entrance to the sanctuary, remission occurred. The phrase “and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven” occurs in Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7; 19:22). Indeed, the sin was canceled because the debt had been fully paid. The responsibility for the atonement sin was transferred --- not the sin itself. There is no mention of the transfer of sin into the sanctuary in the Bible. GC420: A means was thus provided by which it was transferred to the sanctuary. GREAT ERROR: Thus is born the Seventh-day Adventist doctrine of the Investigative Judgment to remove atoned sins which have defiled the heavenly sanctuary. GREAT ERROR: (1) Pagan Rome defiled the sanctuary with its army in A. D. 70 per the SDA interpretation of Daniel 8:9-10. (2) Papal Drome defiled the sanctuary with its theology and confessional in A. D.121t5 per the SDA interpretation of Daniel 8:10-12. (3) Jesus Himself becomes the worst defiler by transferring atoned sins of believers there per the SDA interpretation of Daniel 8:14. Therefore, Jesus is the Anti-Christ little horn of Daniel 8. Although they must strongly deny such obvious consequence and blame the sins of believers, “transfer sin” and “defile” mean the same thing! The WHO is Jesus and the HOW is “using the sins of the saints.” GC420: By the offering of blood the sinner acknowledged the authority of the law, confessed his guilt in transgression, and expressed his desire for pardon through faith in a Redeemer to come; but he was not yet entirely released from the condemnation of the law. ERROR: This is another example of SDA theology at its worst. Ellen G. White failed to grasp that the sinner was offering the perfect sinless blood of Jesus Christ which certainly released the sinner from the condemnation of the law. The perfect sacrifice had been brought and accepted; Jesus’ life-blood had been shed; the atonement-redemption price had been fully paid, and the priest had announced “it shall be forgiven” (Lev 4:26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7; 19:22). Yet EGW erroneously says that the sinner was “not yet entirely released from the condemnation of the law.” Thus, none can be in heaven and none can have assurance of salvation until their records had been scrutinized sometime after 1844. GC420: On the Day of Atonement the high priest, having taken an offering from the congregation, went into the most holy place with the blood of this offering, and sprinkled it upon the mercy seat, directly over the law to make satisfaction for its claims. ERROR: This was a most holy spotless sin offering which had been presented before the LORD (Lev 16:5, 7; Numb18:9) and the residual sins of the congregation confessed over it (Lev 16:29, 31; 23:27, 32). Satisfaction was made the instant the sin offering died (Ex 12:13). Its blood was brought into the Most Holy Place as proof, or evidence, that the payment had already been made (Jer 17:1). Since God does not require double atonement for the same sins, the Day of Atonement ritual was not a second redemption for sins covered by the daily ministration. This was a final residual cleansing of all remaining “un-atoned” sinfulness of Israel. Atoned sins are the only ones which do not defile! (See Lev 15:31; 18:28; Numb 5:2, 3; 19:13; 35:34; compare Lev 16:16-20, 30). ERROR: If confessed and atoned DAILY sins defiled the sanctuary, so also would confessed and atoned YEARLY sins defile it. GC420: Then, in his character of mediator, he [the high priest] took the sins upon himself and bore them from the sanctuary. ERROR: If the high priest had touched sin, he would have been instantly defiled, unfit to serve and would require another sin offering for cleansing. The Bible does not state that the high priest on the Day of Atonement removed sins from the Most Holy Place. Exactly as in daily sin offerings, the residual sins of all Israel had been atoned and washed away the instant the LORD's goat died at the doorway (Ex 12:13; Heb 9:22). The record of all atoned sins was removed from the entire sanctuary --- beginning with the Most Holy Place. Read Leviticus 16:16. Compare with the last phrase of 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." GC420: Placing his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, he confessed over him all these sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the goat. The goat then bore them away, and they were regarded as forever separated from the people. ERROR: The Bible does not say “thus in figure transferring them from himself to the goat.” EGW said that! Atoned sins never made it past the doorway where the sacrifice died! And the high priest certainly did not carry “sins” inside the sanctuary because he would have been defiled and unclean! The scapegoat, the equal second half of the ONE most holy sin offering from the people (16:7), presented a visual demonstration to Israel that their sins were forever removed. “All these sins” refers, not to previously confessed and atoned sin, but to the residual general sinfulness of Israel. See Lev 16:16-20, 30. Again, neither the high priest nor person who handled the second goat was considered defiled afterwards. Since the New Covenant sanctuary in heaven is not located “in the midst of a sinful people,” then it does not require a later corresponding Day of Atonement ritual. The cleansing described in Hebrews 9 is comparable, not to the Day of Atonement, but to the inauguration to begin the new ministry. Compare Exodus 24:4-8 and 29 with Hebrews 9:17-22. GC420: Such was the service performed "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things." And what was done in type in the ministration of the earthly sanctuary is done in reality in the ministration of the heavenly sanctuary. ERROR: How much “example” was actually performed in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 8:5)? Almost every text in Hebrews 8 and 9 is contrast, not fulfillment. Hebrews 9:9 says the old ritual was “a figure for the time then present.” It seems that SDAs only want to keep the Day of Atonement and even then they do not make it a whole year as per their principle.. ERROR: The "real" heavenly sanctuary already existed during Old Testament times. Did Christ mediate sins since Adam and Eve in it? Was there a yearly Day of Atonement every year in the heavenly sanctuary? ERROR: Since Jesus is both priest and sacrifice, SDAs inadvertently make Jesus the guilty defiler of the sanctuary transferring sin to it. Their theology has Jesus bearing His own sin-laden blood into the sanctuary and defiling it. ERROR: The vast majority of items, persons, and activities associated with the physical sanctuary have no relevance to the heavenly sanctuary because Hebrews, chapter 8, stresses contrasts, not similarities. GC420 After His ascension our Savior began His work as our high priest. Says Paul: "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself now to appear in the Presence of God for us." Hebrews 9:24. ERROR: How were sins mediated before Calvary? Did Christ forgive on the premise that He would eventually endure Calvary? (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:15). What did Christ do in heaven prior to becoming the God-Man? GC420: The ministration of the priest throughout the year in the first apartment of the sanctuary, “within the veil” which formed the door and separated the holy place from the outer court, represents the work of ministration upon which Christ entered at His ascension. ERROR: If this were true, then He only ministered as a normal priest. Only Seventh-day Adventists teach that "within the veil" describes Christ ministering only in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. Their theology determines their interpretation of Scripture. GC420-421: It was the work of the priest in the daily ministration to present before God the blood of the sin offering, also the incense which ascended with the prayers of Israel. ERROR: This SDA portrait is wrong. It depicts Christ inside the Holy Place presenting His blood and pleading with the Father to forgive the sin covered by the blood. In reality, the sin was forgiven the instant the blood of the sacrifice was shed (Heb 9:22) at the entrance to the sanctuary. The priest merely presents the shed blood to the Father as evidence that the price had been paid. GC421: So did Christ plead His blood before the Father in behalf of sinners, and present before Him also with the precious fragrance of His own righteousness the prayers of penitent believers. Such was the work of ministration in the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven. ERROR: This is the first time Ellen G. White has referred to the priest as Christ and to the blood has His blood. It has previously been "the blood represented the forfeited life of the sinner" (GC418). GC421: Thither [only into the holy place] the faith of Christ's disciples followed Him as He ascended from their sight. Here their hopes centered, "which hope we have," said Paul, "as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever.” ERROR: Again, SDAs teach that “within the veil” only refers to the veil between the outer courtyard and first compartment. No other church has dared offer such a different explanation of where Jesus ascended. GC421: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 6:19, 20; 9:12. ERROR: Compare GC414-415. SDAs are the only group who teach that Christ only ministered in the Holy Place (instead of the Most Holy Place) from his ascension until 1844. EGW takes the reference to “within the veil” from Hebrews 6:19 and changes it into the outer veil instead of the inner veil. However, with one exception (Heb. 9:3), five of six references to “veil” in the New Testament refer to the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place --- not to the curtain separating the Holy Place from the courtyard (Mt 27:51; Mk 15:38; Lk 23:45). Also, the phrase, “within the veil (vail)” occurs six (6) times in the Old Testament and always refers to the Most Holy Place, particularly on the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16. See Ex 26:33; Lev 16:2, 12, 15; Nu 18:7. The phrase, “without the veil (vail)” occurs four (4) times in the Old Testament and always refers to the Most Holy Place. See Ex 26:35; 27:21; 40:22; Lev 24:3. The “holy place” from Hebrews 9:12 (except for SDAs) is universally understood by Greek scholars and Bible translators as referring to the Most Holy Place (NKJV and NIV) of “heaven itself” (9:24). Again, the context of Hebrews 9:12 is that of inauguration of the New Covenant and not that of the Day of Atonement. Compare 9:18-21 with Moses’ inauguration in Exodus 24:3-8. GC421: For eighteen centuries this work of ministration continued [only] in the first apartment of the sanctuary [the holy place]. The blood of Christ, pleaded in behalf of penitent believers, secured their pardon and acceptance with the Father, yet their SINS still remained upon the books of record. ERROR: This is an SDA oddity. While the Father and the Law are located inside the Most Holy Place, Christ was not there until 1844. ERROR: No Bible texts validate that atoned sins “remain on the books of record.” ERROR: While it is true that Arminian Methodists believe one can fall from grace, they attribute the fall to unconfessed sins following an initial justification experience. However, here SDAs refer to previously confessed and atoned sins still on the books of heaven. Ps 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west , so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. GC421: As in the typical service there was a work of atonement at the close of the year … ERROR: SDAs do not apply their “one day for one prophetic year” principle to 1844-1845. It has already been over 173 years since 1844. ERROR: Th “work of atonement” at the end of the year did not involve previously confessed and atoned sins. GC421: … so before Christ’s work for the redemption of men is completed there is a work of atonement for the removal of SIN from the sanctuary. ERROR: This does not mean there is a yearly Day of Atonement in the heavenly sanctuary. ERROR: Only SDAs teach that sin is in the sanctuary. ERROR: SDAs teach that Christ's atoning blood must be administered twice before a person is fully saved. GC421: This is the service which began when the 2300 days ended. At that time, as foretold by Daniel the prophet [GC479; Dan. 7:9, 10], our High Priest entered the most holy, to perform the last division of His solemn work --- to cleanse the sanctuary. ERROR: It has taken Ellen G. White 421 pages to justify the existence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church following the great false prophecy of 1844 by William Miller. Yet it has already taken their Omniscient God over 173 years to research the books of heaven to determine who shall finally be saved. However, the "one-day" Day of Atonement prophesied Christ's "one-day" act of once-for-all-time redemption at Calvary (Heb 9:24-26). The First and Second Angels’ Messages (“from God” EGW earlier wrote) preached by Miller have now been completely rejected by SDAs and replaced by the much worse false doctrine of the Investigative Judgment. Daniel 8:14 is now the cornerstone of Seventh-day Adventism. GC421: As anciently the SINS of the people were placed by faith upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the New Covenant the SINS of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. ERROR: Forget how bad the SDAs depict the littler horn of pagan and papal Rome (Dan 8:9-12). Forget the change of the Sabbath and the Mark of the Beast. When Daniel 8:9-14 ends with 8:14, SDAs and Ellen G. White totally ignore their own previous descriptions of 8:9-12 and now, in 8:14, inadvertently describe Jesus Himself as the little horn who defiled the heavenly sanctuary using the atoned sins of believers. As priest, Jesus, “in fact“ takes His own blood containing atoned sins of the saints and defiles both the sanctuary on earth and the heavenly sanctuary. It is absolutely incredible that SDAs make Jesus Christ the sinless Substitute and Sacrifice into the culprit responsible for carrying sins into the heavenly sanctuary and defiling the Most Holy Place in heaven! “Yes,” they say, the very same atoning and purifying blood of Jesus Christ is also defiling blood which carries SIN into the holiest place in the Universe and pollutes it! Therefore, the worst offender is not the "little horn" but Jesus Christ Himself. GC421-422: And as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the SINS by which it had been polluted [by Jesus], so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the SINS which are there recorded. ERROR: This is speaking of blotting out sins which have already been forgiven an atoned. ERROR: At this point EGW does say “sins which are there recorded.” However, all of her other quotations plainly say “sins” which have “defiled” heaven. Mere “records” of sins would not defile, yet, according to EGW, heaven is defiled by atoned sins of believers which were carried there by Jesus through His blood. GC422: But before this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of his atonement. ERROR: Notice “to determine.” This cancels the previous statement that “pardon and acceptance” is already secured (GC421). Otherwise, there would be no reason to examine the lives of the faithful. And, by extension, it also means that nobody is in heaven yet because nobody can claim to have been fully saved before 1844. GC422: The cleansing of the sanctuary therefore involves a work of investigation --- a work of judgment. This work must be performed prior to the coming of Christ to redeem His people; for when He comes, His reward is with Him to give to every man according to his works. Revelation 22:12. ERROR: This twist is unique to Seventh-day Adventism. This means that nobody has ever been finally saved before they died. The Investigative Judgment is a fictional doctrine invented by SDAs to justify their disgrace when Jesus did not return in 1844. COMMENT: This error also forced the doctrine of soul-annihilation into existence. GC422: Thus those who followed in the light of prophetic word saw that, instead of coming to the earth at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844, Christ then entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work of atonement preparatory to his coming. ERROR: William Miller’s false interpretation of Daniel 8:14 created an even worse false interpretation. Only SDAs call this “the light of prophetic word.” GC422: It was seen also that, while the sin offering pointed to Christ as a sacrifice and the high priest represented Christ as a mediator, the scapegoat typified Satan, the author of sin, upon whom the SINS of the truly penitent will finally be placed. When the high priest, by virtue of the blood of the sin offering, removed the SINS from the sanctuary, he placed THEM upon the scapegoat. ERROR: EGW does not say (as SDA leaders want to say) that only “Satan’s part” of the sins were placed on Satan. She clearly says “the sins” and “them.” Again, atonement blood cleans; it is most holy and does not defile. GC422: When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the SINS of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place THEM upon Satan, who, in the execution of the judgment, must bear the final penalty. ERROR: Among Christians, only SDAs teach that the scapegoat was Satan. GC422: The scapegoat was sent away into a land not inhabited, never to come again into the congregation of Israel. So will Satan be forever banished from the presence of God and His people, and he will be blotted from existence in the final destruction of sin and sinners. ERROR: As a final review: (1) Both goats were chosen by the congregation as ONE sin offering (Lev 16:5). (2) When sacrificial animals were "presented before the LORD" they became "most holy" (Lev 16:7; Nu 18:9). (3) The scapegoat was presented as a living sin offering similar to Leviticus 14:53. And (4) if the high priest and goat-handler had contacted sin, they would have been required to bring a sin offering. CONCLUSION: Chapter 23, What is the Sanctuary?, The Great Controversy, replaces all of the wickedness of the little horn, the papacy and the Sabbath-changers with the greatest culprit of all --- the one responsible for defiling the Most Holy Place of the Universe. That culprit is Jesus Christ Himself. And Seventh-day Adventists wonder why they are called a false cult. CHAPTER 24, In the Holy of Holies GC423: The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. ERROR: It was the excuse for not admitting Miller’s error. It was one error to explain another error. GC423: It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that God's hand had directed the great advent movement and revealing present duty as it brought to light the position and work of His people. ERROR: It was a doctrine no other denomination or theologian has ever seen in the Bible. Everything Miller taught was wrong and the SDA reinterpretations were wrong. It is wrong to call Miller’s false predictions “light.” GC423: As the disciples of Jesus after the terrible night of their anguish and disappointment were "glad when they saw the Lord," so did those now rejoice who had looked in faith for His second coming. They had expected Him to appear in glory to give reward to His servants. As their hopes were disappointed, they had lost sight of Jesus, and with Mary at the sepulcher they cried: "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." Now in the holy of holies they again beheld Him, their compassionate High Priest, soon to appear as their king and deliverer. ERROR: Jesus’ disciples may have understood wrong, but they did not publicly teach error, as did William Miller. GC423: Light from the sanctuary illumined the past, the present, and the future. They knew that God had led them by His unerring providence. Though, like the first disciples, they themselves had failed to understand the message which they bore, yet it had been in every respect correct. In proclaiming it they had fulfilled the purpose of God, and their labor had not been in vain in the Lord. Begotten "again unto a lively hope," they rejoiced "with joy unspeakable and full of glory." ERROR: (1) God does not lead false prophets like William Miller. (2) Miller’s message was easy to understand –Jesus was returning to earth on October 22, 1844 to destroy it by fire. (3) People do not “fulfill the purpose of God” by teaching a false message. This one false doctrine forced the Adventists to reject many orthodox doctrines and become a true cult which condemned everybody else as false churches in false Babylon. ERROR: Earlier in GC373-374 she said that God deliberately caused them to err by covering up the real meaning of the prophecy and that God “designed” for them to be wrong. Now she says they “knew.” ERROR: This makes no sense. Miller taught for 25 years that Christ would return to earth in 1843 before changing it to 1844 after 1843 passed. GC424: Both the prophecy of Daniel 8:14, "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed," and the first angel's message, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come," pointed to Christ's ministration in the most holy place, to the investigative judgment, and not to the coming of Christ for the redemption of His people and the destruction of the wicked. ERROR: Therefore God was wrong because God endorsed Miller and his message, calling it the first angel’s message. In fact neither Daniel 8:14 nor Revelation 14:6 point to an 1844 event. In its context, Revelation 14:6-12 does not cause anybody to accept Christ. It follows the seal and trumpet judgments. It immediately precedes the vial judgments and the second coming of Christ. There is no Investigative Judgment here. GC424: The mistake had not been in the reckoning of the prophetic periods, but in the event to take place at the end of the 2300 days. Through this error the believers had suffered disappointment, yet all that was foretold by the prophecy, and all that they had any Scripture warrant to expect, had been accomplished. At the very time when they were lamenting the failure of their hopes, the event had taken place which was foretold by the message, and which must be fulfilled before the Lord could appear to give reward to His servants. ERROR: Nothing was accomplished by teaching that Jesus was returning in 1844 to destroy the earth by fire! The Adventists did not even learn to stop listening to false prophecies. GC424: Christ had come, not to the earth, as they expected, but, as foreshadowed in the type, to the most holy place of the temple of God in heaven. He is represented by the prophet Daniel as coming at this time to the Ancient of Days: "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came"--not to the earth, but--"to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him." Daniel 7:13. ERROR: In other words, Christ did not “go to the Father” at His ascension as He said. That makes Christ a liar and a sinner (John 20:17). SDAs teach that, from AD 32 until 1844 Christ ministered only the heavenly holy place and not in the most holy place at the right hand of the Father. ERROR: The explanatory error was greater than the original error and much less believable. Although many have falsely set a time for the second coming, nobody but SDAs have exchanged the second coming for the Investigative Judgment. ERROR: Like a little god, EGW’s statement removed Christ from the Most Holy Place at his ascension and denied him full access to the Presence of the Father until 1844. ERROR: Only SDAs interpret Daniel 7:13 as the Investigative Judgment. It is clearly a judgment of the little horn and not the sins of believers. GC424: This coming is foretold also by the prophet Malachi: "The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3:1. The coming of the Lord to His temple was sudden, unexpected, to His people. They were not looking for Him there. They expected Him to come to earth, "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel." 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Mal 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. ERROR: Now EGW says that Malachi 3:1 is a prophecy of the Investigative Judgment in which Jesus moved to the Most Holy Place in 1844. This is insane hermeneutics! Chapter 3:3-4 clearly refer to Jesus cleansing the earthly temple during His first coming. And, any subsequent application does not fit the Day of Atonement. GC424-425: But the people were not yet ready to meet their Lord. There was still a work of preparation to be accomplished for them. Light was to be given, directing their minds to the temple of God in heaven; and as they should by faith follow their High Priest in His ministration there, new duties would be revealed. Another message of warning and instruction was to be given to the church. ERROR: Therefore Christ never intended to come in 1844. GC425: Says the prophet: "Who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." Malachi 3:2, 3. ERROR: It is obvious to any honest Bible student that EGW is wrong to apply Malachi 3:2-4 to the Investigative Judgment; “purify the sons of Levi and purge them” is far out of that context. GC425: Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. ERROR: EGW now jumps to the time the Investigative Judgment is over. Since Jesus has stopped mediating (SDAs assume) believers must be sinless both by grace and also by “their own diligent effort.” GC425: While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. ERROR: EGW forgets that texts like First John 1:9 promise forgiveness of “all unrighteousness” when known sins are confessed. GC425: When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing. "Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." Malachi 3:4. Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to receive to Himself will be a "glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Ephesians 5:27. Then she will look "forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." Song of Solomon 6:10. ERROR: (1) The Day of Atonement only lasted one day; an Omniscient God could read the books of heaven in less than one day; there is no pattern-fulfillment here. (2) The context of Malachi 3:1-4 is Old Covenant Israel, Judah and Jerusalem which SDAs totally reject. GC425-426: Besides the coming of the Lord to His temple, Malachi also foretells His second advent, His coming for the execution of the judgment, in these words: "And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3:5. Jude refers to the same scene when he says, "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds." Jude 14, 15. This coming, and the coming of the Lord to His temple, are distinct and separate events. GC426: The coming of Christ as our high priest to the most holy place, for the cleansing of the sanctuary, brought to view in Daniel 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of Days, as presented in Daniel 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described by Christ in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25. ERROR: Now EGW and SDAs teach that the parable of the ten virgins at the wedding feast is all about the Investigative Judgment which (they say) only began in 1844. GC426-427: In the summer and autumn of 1844 the proclamation, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh," was given. The two classes represented by the wise and foolish virgins were then developed--one class who looked with joy to the Lord's appearing, and who had been diligently preparing to meet Him; another class that, influenced by fear and acting from impulse, had been satisfied with a theory of the truth, but were destitute of the grace of God. In the parable, when the bridegroom came, "they that were ready went in with him to the marriage." The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the marriage. The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife." Said the angel to John: "Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." "He carried me away in the spirit," says the prophet, "and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." Revelation 21:9, 10. Clearly, then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper. Revelation 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride. Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;" He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2. Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to "sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob," at His table in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb. ERROR: Once again we are reminded that the original decree that “Babylon is fallen” was made by Miller against those who denied the second coming of Christ in 1844. Therefore Miller included future SDAs among those “fallen” from God’s truth. Matthew 25 was used by Miller to explain why Christ had not come already. His explanation was definitely not that of the Investigative Judgment. ERROR: In the parable to “coming of the bridegroom” took place immediately before the marriage as in Revelation 19. By falsely interpreting the “coming of the bridegroom” as 1844, SDAs have already invented a 160 year-plus gap. GC427: The proclamation, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh," in the summer of 1844, led thousands to expect the immediate advent of the Lord. At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to the Ancient of Days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception of His kingdom. "They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut." They were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth. The followers of Christ are to "wait for their Lord, when He will return from the wedding." Luke 12:36. But they are to understand His work, and to follow Him by faith as He goes in before God. It is in this sense that they are said to go in to the marriage. ERROR: EGW is mixing ideas. The “thousands” who expected “the immediate advent of the Lord” were Miller’s followers before October 22, 1844. Only SDAs interpret Matt. 25:10 as the Investigative Judgment instead of the second coming. If, as SDAs argue, Matthew 25 refers to the Investigative Judgment and the “door was shut” when the Investigative Judgment supposedly began in 1844, then it was logical for their detractors to accuse them of limiting salvation to SDAs who accepted that message. GC427-428: In the parable it was those that had oil in their vessels with their lamps that went in to the marriage. Those who, with a knowledge of the truth from the Scriptures, had also the Spirit and grace of God, and who, in the night of their bitter trial, had patiently waited, searching the Bible for clearer light--these saw the truth concerning the sanctuary in heaven and the Savior’s change in ministration, and by faith they followed Him in His work in the sanctuary above. And all who through the testimony of the Scriptures accept the same truths, following Christ by faith as He enters in before God to perform the last work of mediation, and at its close to receive His kingdom--all these are represented as going in to the marriage. ERROR: Those who had fanatically accepted Miller’s false teachings were now accepting the “sanctuary” doctrine where Jesus’ blood defiled the heavenly Most Holy Place. GC421 GC428: In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is introduced, and the investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 22:11; Revelation 7:14. He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are accepted of God and accounted worthy of a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His throne. This work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing of work in the sanctuary above. ERROR: Now EGW and SDAs see their cultic doctrine in yet another parable. GC428: When the work of investigation shall be ended, when the cases of those who in all ages have professed to be followers of Christ have been examined and decided, then, and not till then, probation will close, and the door of mercy will be shut. Thus in the one short sentence, "They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut," we are carried down through the Savior’s final ministration, to the time when the great work for man's salvation shall be completed. ERROR: (1) Before October 22, 1844 the case of no believer had already been decided. Therefore no believer is already in heaven. (2) EGW is countering the “shut door” accusations made from her Early Writings.( 3) The new “shut door” doctrine only applies to non-Sabbath keepers when Jesus returns (Mark of the Beast). GC428-429: In the service of the earthly sanctuary, which, as we have seen, is a figure of the service in the heavenly, when the high priest on the Day of Atonement entered the most holy place, the ministration in the first apartment ceased. God commanded: "There shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he comes out." Leviticus 16:17. So when Christ entered the holy of holies to perform the closing work of the atonement, He ceased His ministration in the first apartment. But when the ministration in the first apartment ended, the ministration in the second apartment began. When in the typical service the high priest left the holy on the Day of Atonement, he went in before God to present the blood of the sin offering in behalf of all Israel who truly repented of their sins. So Christ had only completed one part of His work as our intercessor, to enter upon another portion of the work, and He still pleaded His blood before the Father in behalf of sinners. ERROR: In biblical reality the “daily” evening and morning burnt sweet-savor offering and the “daily” ministry (as seen in the holy place) occurred even on the Day of Atonement. Also, in biblical reality, Jesus has been ministering His shed blood (as seen in the holy place) since His ascension (GC421) and will continue to do so until He returns! (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). SDAs have it backwards; it is not the “daily” which ended but the Day of Atonement (Heb 9:24-28). It is error to say that Christ “completed,” or “ceased his ministration in the first apartment” unless He continued such in the second apartment. In biblical reality the veil of Christ is part of both apartments and these are not separate in heaven. GC429: This subject was not understood by Adventists in 1844. After the passing of the time when the Savior was expected, they still believed His coming to be near; they held that they had reached an important crisis and that the work of Christ as man's intercessor before God had ceased. It appeared to them to be taught in the Bible that man's probation would close a short time before the actual coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. This seemed evident from those scriptures which point to a time when men will seek, knock, and cry at the door of mercy, and it will not be opened. And it was a question with them whether the date to which they had looked for the coming of Christ might not rather mark the beginning of this period which was immediately to precede His coming. Having given the warning of the judgment near, they felt that their work for the world was done, and they lost their burden of soul for the salvation of sinners, while the bold and blasphemous scoffing of the ungodly seemed to them another evidence that the Spirit of God had been withdrawn from the rejecters of His mercy. All this confirmed them in the belief that probation had ended, or, as they then expressed it, "the door of mercy was shut." Gc429-430: But clearer light came with the investigation of the sanctuary question. They now saw that they were correct in believing that the end of the 2300 days in 1844 marked an important crisis. But while it was true that that door of hope and mercy by which men had for eighteen hundred years found access to God, was closed, another door was opened, and forgiveness of sins was offered to men through the intercession of Christ in the most holy. One part of His ministration had closed, only to give place to another. There was still an "open door" to the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ was ministering in the sinner's behalf. ERROR: When Christ did not return on October 22, 1844, many Adventists (not Sabbath-keepers or SDAs yet) thought that the door of probation had been shut for all except their small group. They believed that Christ would only linger for a short time before returning to earth. This “shut door” theory is best seen in Ellen White’s book, Early Writings. Many think that she also at first believed and taught the idea. ERROR: As the Investigative Judgment doctrine replaced William Miller’s theories, the “shut door” was changed from the “door of probation” to the “door between the holy place and the outer court.” This illustration is illogical. Since the sanctuary had only one entrance, if that were shut, then nobody else could enter. Regardless of whether the INNER is open; if the OUTER door is shut, then entrance to the inner door is still limited to those already inside! The attempt to reconcile the initial “shut door” error resulted in this poor logic and compounded the error. ERROR: At the real marriage feast of the Lamb, the saints are all present (Rev. 19). However, saints are not actually present in the SDA version of the Investigative Judgment. Gc430: Now was seen the application of those words of Christ in the Revelation, addressed to the church at this very time: "These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Revelation 3:7, 8. Gc430: It is those who by faith follow Jesus in the great work of the atonement who receive the benefits of His mediation in their behalf, while those who reject the light which brings to view this work of ministration are not benefited thereby. The Jews who rejected the light given at Christ's first advent, and refused to believe on Him as the Savior of the world, could not receive pardon through Him. When Jesus at His ascension entered by His own blood into the heavenly sanctuary to shed upon His disciples the blessings of His mediation, the Jews were left in total darkness to continue their useless sacrifices and offerings. The ministration of types and shadows had ceased. That door by which men had formerly found access to God was no longer open. The Jews had refused to seek Him in the only way whereby He could then be found, through the ministration in the sanctuary in heaven. Therefore they found no communion with God. To them the door was shut. They had no knowledge of Christ as the true sacrifice and the only mediator before God; hence they could not receive the benefits of His mediation. ERROR: In other words, only those who understand the “light” of the 1844 Investigative Judgment will be saved. That excludes most SDAs who cannot even begin to explain this doctrine. It also excludes William Miller and all those who returned to their own churches after October 22, 1844. Gc430-431: The condition of the unbelieving Jews illustrates the condition of the careless and unbelieving among professed Christians, who are willingly ignorant of the work of our merciful High Priest. In the typical service, when the high priest entered the most holy place, all Israel were required to gather about the sanctuary and in the most solemn manner humble their souls before God, that they might receive the pardon of their sins and not be cut off from the congregation. How much more essential in this antitypical Day of Atonement that we understand the work of our High Priest and know what duties are required of us. Gc431: Men cannot with impunity reject the warning which God in mercy sends them. A message was sent from heaven to the world in Noah's day, and their salvation depended upon the manner in which they treated that message. Because they rejected the warning, the Spirit of God was withdrawn from the sinful race, and they perished in the waters of the Flood. In the time of Abraham, mercy ceased to plead with the guilty inhabitants of Sodom, and all but Lot with his wife and two daughters were consumed by the fire sent down from heaven. So in the days of Christ. The Son of God declared to the unbelieving Jews of that generation: "Your house is left unto you desolate." Matthew 23:38. Looking down to the last days, the same Infinite Power declares, concerning those who "received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved": "For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12. As they reject the teachings of His word, God withdraws His Spirit and leaves them to the deceptions which they love. GC431: But Christ still intercedes in man's behalf, and light will be given to those who seek it. Though this was not at first understood by Adventists, it was afterward made plain as the Scriptures which define their true position began to open before them. GC431-432: The passing of the time in 1844 was followed by a period of great trial to those who still held the advent faith. Their only relief, so far as ascertaining their true position was concerned, was the light which directed their minds to the sanctuary above. Some renounced their faith in their former reckoning of the prophetic periods and ascribed to human or satanic agencies the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit which had attended the advent movement. Another class firmly held that the Lord had led them in their past experience; and as they waited and watched and prayed to know the will of God they saw that their great High Priest had entered upon another work of ministration, and, following Him by faith, they were led to see also the closing work of the church. They had a clearer understanding of the first and second angels' messages, and were prepared to receive and give to the world the solemn warning of the third angel of Revelation 14. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. CHAPTER 25, God's Law Immutable; The U.S.A. in Prophecy Note: It has taken 433 pages before EGW introduces the SDA emphasis on the Law with their emphasis on the Sabbath. GC433: The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament." Revelation 11:19. The ark of God's testament is in the holy of holies, the second apartment of the sanctuary. In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things," this apartment was opened only upon the great Day of Atonement for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Therefore the announcement that the temple of God was opened in heaven and the ark of His testament was seen points to the opening of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844 as Christ entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. Those who by faith followed their great High Priest as He entered upon His ministry in the most holy place, beheld the ark of His testament. As they had studied the subject of the sanctuary they had come to understand the Savior’s change of ministration, and they saw that He was now officiating before the ark of God, pleading His blood in behalf of sinners. ERROR: It is pure speculation that Revelation 11:19 refers to 1844. If Dispensationalists are correct and Revelation 4-18 is about the 70th week of Daniel 9:24-27,, aa glimpse into the Most Holy Place would signal impending judgment. GC433: The ark in the tabernacle on earth contained the two tables of stone, upon which were inscribed the precepts of the law of God. The ark was merely a receptacle for the tables of the law, and the presence of these divine precepts gave to it its value and sacredness. When the temple of God was opened in heaven, the ark of His testament was seen. ERROR: EGW and SDAs err when they speak of “Law” chiefly as the Ten Commandments. The “Law” given to Moses as the Old Covenant precepts was: (1) Ten Commandments, (2) Judgements, or Civil Laws mediated through judges and (3) Statutes/Ordinance, or Ceremonial Laws governing Israel’s worship. All of these were “Law” for Israel. Violation of any of these three was sin. GC434: Within the holy of holies, in the sanctuary in heaven, the divine law is sacredly enshrined--the law that was spoken by God Himself amid the thunders of Sinai and written with His own finger on the tables of stone. GC434: The law of God in the sanctuary in heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch were an unerring transcript. Those who arrived at an understanding of this important point were thus led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law. They saw, as never before, the force of the Savior’s words: "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law." Matthew 5:18. The law of God, being a revelation of His will, a transcript of His character, must forever endure, "as a faithful witness in heaven." Not one command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. Says the psalmist: "Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven." "All His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever." Psalms 119:89; 111:7, 8. ERROR: The great overwhelming use of the word “law” both in the Old and New Testaments does not mean only the Ten Commandments. “Law” is the revelation of God’s will to mankind. For the Israelite “Law” included every word of the Old Testament (Romans 3). For the Gentile “law” was only in nature and conscience (Rom 2:14-16). God does not require from eternity past the minutia in the Ten Commandments and Pentateuch which have no relevance to a sinless creation. GC434: In the very bosom of the Decalogue is the fourth commandment, as it was first proclaimed: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Exodus 20:8-11. ERROR: The Creation Sabbath had no boundaries of “evening and morning” because God continues His creation rest today. The seventh-day Sabbath of the Ten Commandments was only given to Old Covenant Israel as a peculiar sign of its Old Covenant relationship (Exod 31:13-18). The intro to the Ten Commandments in both Exodus and Deuteronomy limit them to Israel which had been redeemed from Egypt (Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:1-6). GC434-435: The Spirit of God impressed the hearts of those students of His word. The conviction was urged upon them that they had ignorantly transgressed this precept by disregarding the Creator's rest day. They began to examine the reasons for observing the first day of the week instead of the day which God had sanctified. They could find no evidence in the Scriptures that the fourth commandment had been abolished, or that the Sabbath had been changed; the blessing which first hallowed the seventh day had never been removed. They had been honestly seeking to know and to do God's will; now, as they saw themselves transgressors of His law, sorrow filled their hearts, and they manifested their loyalty to God by keeping His Sabbath holy. GC435: Many and earnest were the efforts made to overthrow their faith. None could fail to see that if the earthly sanctuary was a figure or pattern of the heavenly, the law deposited in the ark on earth was an exact transcript of the law in the ark in heaven; and that an acceptance of the truth concerning the heavenly sanctuary involved an acknowledgment of the claims of God's law and the obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Here was the secret of the bitter and determined opposition to the harmonious exposition of the Scriptures that revealed the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. Men sought to close the door which God had opened, and to open the door which He had closed. But "He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth," had declared: "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Revelation 3:7, 8. Christ had opened the door, or ministration, of the most holy place, light was shining from that open door of the sanctuary in heaven, and the fourth commandment was shown to be included in the law which is there enshrined; what God had established, no man could overthrow. Note: Why would God from eternity past in heaven hang the original exact transcript for the law on His wall? Why warn of sin where there is no sin? GC435-436: Those who had accepted the light concerning the mediation of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God found that these were the truths presented in Revelation 14. The messages of this chapter constitute a threefold warning (see Appendix) which is to prepare the inhabitants of the earth for the Lord's second coming. The announcement, "The hour of His judgment is come," points to the closing work of Christ's ministration for the salvation of men. It heralds a truth which must be proclaimed until the Savior’s intercession shall cease and He shall return to the earth to take His people to Himself. The work of judgment which began in 1844 must continue until the cases of all are decided, both of the living and the dead; hence it will extend to the close of human probation. That men may be prepared to stand in the judgment, the message commands them to "fear God, and give glory to Him," "and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The result of an acceptance of these messages is given in the word: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." In order to be prepared for the judgment, it is necessary that men should keep the law of God. That law will be the standard of character in the judgment. The apostle Paul declares: "As many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law, . . . in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ." And he says that "the doers of the law shall be justified." Romans 2:12-16. Faith is essential in order to the keeping of the law of God; for "without faith it is impossible to please Him." And "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23. ERROR: This is an admission the Miller did not preach the true First and Second Angels' messages at all. Now SDAs re-interpret Miller’s messages to include the Sabbath. ERROR: Jesus, not the Law, will be the standard of the judgment. John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me.” GC436: By the first angel, men are called upon to "fear God, and give glory to Him" and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law. Says the wise man: "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13. Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be pleasing to God. "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." 1 John 5:3; Proverbs 28:9. ERROR: William Miller did not teach this and EGW said that he taught the first angel’s message. GC436-437: The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the Creator and that to Him all other beings owe their existence. And wherever, in the Bible, His claim to reverence and worship, above the gods of the heathen, is presented, there is cited the evidence of His creative power. "All the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens." Psalm 96:5. "To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things." "Thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it: . . . I am the Lord; and there is none else." Isaiah 40:25, 26; 45:18. Says the psalmist: "Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves." "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." Psalms 100:3; 95:6. And the holy beings who worship God in heaven state, as the reason why their homage is due to Him: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things." Revelation 4:11. GC437: In Revelation 14, men are called upon to worship the Creator; and the prophecy brings to view a class that, as the result of the threefold message, are keeping the commandments of God. One of these commandments points directly to God as the Creator. The fourth precept declares: "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: . . . for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Exodus 20:10, 11. Concerning the Sabbath, the Lord says, further, that it is "a sign, . . . that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." Ezekiel 20:20. And the reason given is: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed." Exodus 31:17. ERROR: The only way SDAs can teach the Sabbath from Revelation is to connect it to “creator” –-using the back door instead of stating it directly. ERROR: “The seventh-day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God” is only addressed to Old Covenant Israel.” ERROR: EGW only quoted the last half of Exodus 31:17. “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” The seventh-day Sabbath was only a sign to literal Old Covenant Israel. If it were for all nations, it could not at the same time be a special sign. GC437-438: "The importance of the Sabbath as the memorial of creation is that it keeps ever present the true reason why worship is due to God"--because He is the Creator, and we are His creatures. "The Sabbath therefore lies at the very foundation of divine worship, for it teaches this great truth in the most impressive manner, and no other institution does this. The true ground of divine worship, not of that on the seventh day merely, but of all worship, is found in the distinction between the Creator and His creatures. This great fact can never become obsolete, and must never be forgotten."--J. N. Andrews, History of the Sabbath, chapter 27. It was to keep this truth ever before the minds of men, that God instituted the Sabbath in Eden; and so long as the fact that He is our Creator continues to be a reason why we should worship Him, so long the Sabbath will continue as its sign and memorial. Had the Sabbath been universally kept, man's thoughts and affections would have been led to the Creator as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, an atheist, or an infidel. The keeping of the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to the true God, "Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." It follows that the message which commands men to worship God and keep His commandments will especially call upon them to keep the fourth commandment. ERROR: She continues to ignore the first half of Exodus 31:17. GC438: In contrast to those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, the third angel points to another class, against whose errors a solemn and fearful warning is uttered: "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." Revelation 14:9, 10. A correct interpretation of the symbols employed is necessary to an understanding of this message. What is represented by the beast, the image, the mark? ERROR 148: This is a total change from what Miller taught. EGW is about to focus on two more players in the Great Controversy on page 438. She consistently builds up to her real message. GC438: The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found begins with Revelation 12, with the dragon that sought to destroy Christ at His birth. The dragon is said to be Satan (Revelation 12:9); he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Savior to death. But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and His people during the first centuries of the Christian Era was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome. Note: Pagan Rome and its religion, paganism, is introduced on page 438 as the BEAST. Satan, the Dragon, can also be the “beast” of Revelation 12:9. GC439: In chapter 13 (verses 1-10) is described another beast, "like unto a leopard," to which the dragon gave "his power, and his seat, and great authority." This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once held by the ancient Roman empire. Of the leopard-like beast it is declared: "There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. . . . And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy. ERROR: EGW misquotes Scripture by saying “like unto a leopard," to which the dragon gave "his power, and his seat, and great authority.” 13:2 also reads he had the “feet of a bear and the “mouth of a lion.” ERROR: This is not “unquestionably the papacy. Many reformers said it was Pagan Rome as did SDA Uriah Smith of Daniel 8:10. GC439: "Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." And, says the prophet, "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." And again: "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword." The forty and two months are the same as the "time and times and the dividing of time," three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7-- the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began with the supremacy of the papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time the pope was made captive by the French army, the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." ERROR: The 1260 days of years beginning in AD 538 and ending in 1798 is an SDA interpretation not shared by reform theologians. GC439-440: At this point another symbol is introduced. Says the prophet: "I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb." Verse 11. Both the appearance of this beast and the manner of its rise indicate that the nation which it represents is unlike those presented under the preceding symbols. The great kingdoms that have ruled the world were presented to the prophet Daniel as beasts of prey, rising when "the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea." Daniel 7:2. In Revelation 17 an angel explained that waters represent "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Revelation 17:15. Winds are a symbol of strife. The four winds of heaven striving upon the great sea represent the terrible scenes of conquest and revolution by which kingdoms have attained to power. |
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GC440: But the beast with lamblike horns was seen "coming up out of the earth." Instead of overthrowing other powers to establish itself, the nation thus represented must arise in territory preciously unoccupied and grow up gradually and peacefully. It could not, then, arise among the crowded and struggling nationalities of the Old World--that turbulent sea of "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." It must be sought in the Western Continent. GC440-441: What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world? The application of the symbol admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America. Again and again the thought, almost the exact words, of the sacred writer has been unconsciously employed by the orator and the historian in describing the rise and growth of this nation. The beast was seen "coming up out of the earth;" and, according to the translators, the word here rendered "coming up" literally signifies "to grow or spring up as a plant." And, as we have seen, the nation must arise in territory previously unoccupied. A prominent writer, describing the rise of the United States, speaks of "the mystery of her coming forth from vacancy," and says: "Like a silent seed we grew into empire."--G. A. Townsend, The New World Compared With the Old, page 462. A European journal in 1850 spoke of the United States as a wonderful empire, which was "emerging," and "amid the silence of the earth daily adding to its power and pride." --The Dublin Nation. Edward Everett, in an oration on the Pilgrim founders of this nation, said: "Did they look for a retired spot, inoffensive for its obscurity, and safe in its remoteness, where the little church of Leyden might enjoy the freedom of conscience? Behold the mighty regions over which, in peaceful conquest, . . . they have borne the banners of the cross!"--Speech delivered at Plymouth, Massachusetts, Dec. 22, 1824, page 11. ERROR: Most reformers interpreted the first beast of Revelation as Pagan Rome and the second best as Papal Rome. See Uriah Smith on Daniel 8:11-12. GC441: "And he had two horns like a lamb." The lamblike horns indicate youth, innocence, and gentleness, fitly representing the character of the United States when presented to the prophet as "coming up" in 1798. Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America and sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty. Their views found place in the Declaration of Independence, which sets forth the great truth that "all men are created equal" and endowed with the inalienable right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." And the Constitution guarantees to the people the right of self-government, providing that representatives elected by the popular vote shall enact and administer the laws. Freedom of religious faith was also granted, every man being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. The oppressed and downtrodden throughout Christendom have turned to this land with interest and hope. Millions have sought its shores, and the United States has risen to a place among the most powerful nations of the earth. GC441-442: But the beast with lamb-like horns "spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed; . . . saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." Revelation 13:11-14. GC442: The lamb-like horns and dragon voice of the symbol point to a striking contradiction between the professions and the practice of the nation thus represented. The "speaking" of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities. By such action it will give the lie to those liberal and peaceful principles which it has put forth as the foundation of its policy. The prediction that it will speak "as a dragon" and exercise "all the power of the first beast" plainly foretells a development of the spirit of intolerance and persecution that was manifested by the nations represented by the dragon and the leopard-like beast. And the statement that the beast with two horns "causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast" indicates that the authority of this nation is to be exercised in enforcing some observance which shall be an act of homage to the papacy. GC442: Such action would be directly contrary to the principles of this government, to the genius of its free institutions, to the direct and solemn avowals of the Declaration of Independence, and to the Constitution. The founders of the nation wisely sought to guard against the employment of secular power on the part of the church, with its inevitable result--intolerance and persecution. The Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," and that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States." Only in flagrant violation of these safeguards to the nation's liberty, can any religious observance be enforced by civil authority. But the inconsistency of such action is no greater than is represented in the symbol. It is the beast with lamblike horns--in profession pure, gentle, and harmless--that speaks as a dragon. GC442-443: "Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast." Here is clearly presented a form of government in which the legislative power rests with the people, a most striking evidence that the United States is the nation denoted in the prophecy. GC443: But what is the "image to the beast"? and how is it to be formed? The image is made by the two-horned beast, and is an image to the beast. It is also called an image of the beast. Then to learn what the image is like and how it is to be formed we must study the characteristics of the beast itself--the papacy. GC443: When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of "heresy." In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends. GC443: Whenever the church has obtained secular power, she has employed it to punish dissent from her doctrines. Protestant churches that have followed in the steps of Rome by forming alliance with worldly powers have manifested a similar desire to restrict liberty of conscience. An example of this is given in the long-continued persecution of dissenters by the Church of England. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, thousands of nonconformist ministers were forced to flee from their churches, and many, both of pastors and people, were subjected to fine, imprisonment, torture, and martyrdom. GC443-444: It was apostasy that led the early church to seek the aid of the civil government, and this prepared the way for the development of the papacy--the beast. Said Paul: "There" shall "come a falling away, . . . and that man of sin be revealed." 2 Thessalonians 2:3. So apostasy in the church will prepare the way for the image to the beast. GC444: The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord there will exist a state of religious declension similar to that in the first centuries. "In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Timothy 3:1-5. "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 Timothy 4:1. Satan will work "with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." And all that "received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved," will be left to accept "strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. When this state of ungodliness shall be reached, the same results will follow as in the first centuries. GC444: The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed--however important they might be from a Bible standpoint--must necessarily be waived. GC444-445: Charles Beecher, in a sermon in the year 1846, declared that the ministry of "the evangelical Protestant denominations" is "not only formed all the way up under a tremendous pressure of merely human fear, but they live, and move, and breathe in a state of things radically corrupt, and appealing every hour to every baser element of their nature to hush up the truth, and bow the knee to the power of apostasy. Was not this the way things went with Rome? Are we not living her life over again? And what do we see just ahead? Another general council! A world's convention! Evangelical alliance, and universal creed!"--Sermon on "The Bible a Sufficient Creed," delivered at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb. 22, 1846. When this shall be gained, then, in the effort to secure complete uniformity, it will be only a step to the resort to force. GC445: When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. ERROR: SDA theology is neither Democrat, nor Republican, liberal nor conservative B it is blatantly anti-American! Two and one half chapters of The Great Controversy are devoted almost exclusively to calling both the U. S. government and its sincere Christians TRAITORS to God’s truth. Like it or not, that is exactly what SDAs teach about non-SDAs in the U.S.A. Yet liberal unions and the RC Church in the U. S. A. have less and less power every day and more and more stores are staying open on Sunday! GC445: The beast with two horns "causeth [commands] all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Revelation 13:16, 17. The third angel's warning is: "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." "The beast" mentioned in this message, whose worship is enforced by the two-horned beast, is the first, or leopardlike beast of Revelation 13--the papacy. The "image to the beast" represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. The "mark of the beast" still remains to be defined. ERROR: Any other option is not considered by EGW or the SDA church. The Beast could be a future Antichrist and the False Prophet could be his Satanic, miracle-working cohort. Neither have been revealed by God or His Word. 2 Thess 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” GC445-446: After the warning against the worship of the beast and his image the prophecy declares: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Since those who keep God's commandments are thus placed in contrast with those that worship the beast and his image and receive his mark, it follows that the keeping of God's law, on the one hand, and its violation, on the other, will make the distinction between the worshipers of God and the worshipers of the beast. GC446: The special characteristic of the beast, and therefore of his image, is the breaking of God's commandments. Says Daniel, of the little horn, the papacy: "He shall think to change times and the law." Daniel 7:25, R.V. And Paul styled the same power the "man of sin," who was to exalt himself above God. One prophecy is a complement of the other. Only by changing God's law could the papacy exalt itself above God; whoever should understandingly keep the law as thus changed would be giving supreme honor to that power by which the change was made. Such an act of obedience to papal laws would be a mark of allegiance to the pope in the place of God. ERROR: EGW and SDAs have decided and declared that the little horn of Daniel 7:25 could only be Papal Rome. Therefore there is no room for discussion within Seventh-day Adventism or its highly degreed theologians for change. ERROR: “Time” AND “the law” are two separate and distinctly different things. The text does not say “time of the law” or “the law’s time.” They squeeze the text to make it say only what they want it to say. GC446: The papacy has attempted to change the law of God. The second commandment, forbidding image worship, has been dropped from the law, and the fourth commandment has been so changed as to authorize the observance of the first instead of the seventh day as the Sabbath. But papists urge, as a reason for omitting the second commandment, that it is unnecessary, being included in the first, and that they are giving the law exactly as God designed it to be understood. This cannot be the change foretold by the prophet. An intentional, deliberate change is presented: "He shall think to change the times and the law." The change in the fourth commandment exactly fulfills the prophecy. For this the only authority claimed is that of the church. Here the papal power openly sets itself above God. ERROR: First, since all ruling powers often change laws, this is not unique to the papacy. Second, SDAs change the Sabbath law; instead of staying home and resting as it commands, they make Sabbath busiest day of the week. GC446-447: While the worshipers of God will be especially distinguished by their regard for the fourth commandment,--since this is the sign of His creative power and the witness to His claim upon man's reverence and homage,--the worshipers of the beast will be distinguished by their efforts to tear down the Creator's memorial, to exalt the institution of Rome. It was in behalf of the Sunday that popery first asserted its arrogant claims (see Appendix); and its first resort to the power of the state was to compel the observance of Sunday as "the Lord's day." But the Bible points to the seventh day, and not to the first, as the Lord's day. Said Christ: "The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." The fourth commandment declares: "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord." And by the prophet Isaiah the Lord designates it: "My holy day." Mark 2:28; Isaiah 58:13. ERROR: The only “worshippers” who were ever commanded to observe the seventh-day of the week as holy rest day were Old Covenant Hebrews. God never commanded non-Hebrews to observe that holy day. Ex 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. GC447: The claim so often put forth that Christ changed the Sabbath is disproved by His own words. In His Sermon on the Mount He said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven," Matthew 5:17-19. ERROR: EGW and SDAs do not understand that Jesus’ audience was Hebrews. They were either to be under all of the law or none of it. The ignore “law” as inclusive of the Ten Commandments, all the judgments and all the statutes. The ignore Matthew 5:18-19 which did not permit removing many judgments and ordinances (as SDAs do). GC447: It is a fact generally admitted by Protestants that the Scriptures give no authority for the change of the Sabbath. This is plainly stated in publications issued by the American Tract Society and the American Sunday School Union. One of these works acknowledges "the complete silence of the New Testament so far as any explicit command for the Sabbath [Sunday, the first day of the week] or definite rules for its observance are concerned."--George Elliott, The Abiding Sabbath, page 184. ERROR: Like SDAs, most Protestants view themselves as “spiritual Israel and commanded to keep the “law” (which they do not define). Many conservative Protestants understand the post-Calvary Bible to be teaching that there are no holy days (Rom 14:5; Gal 4:8-11). GC447: Another says: "Up to the time of Christ's death, no change had been made in the day;" and, "so far as the record shows, they [the apostles] did not . . . give any explicit command enjoining the abandonment of the seventh-day Sabbath, and its observance on the first day of the week."--A. E. Waffle, The Lord's Day, pages 186-188. GC447-448: Roman Catholics acknowledge that the change of the Sabbath was made by their church, and declare that Protestants by observing the Sunday are recognizing her power. In the Catholic Catechism of Christian Religion, in answer to a question as to the day to be observed in obedience to the fourth commandment, this statement is made: "During the old law, Saturday was the day sanctified; but the church, instructed by Jesus Christ, and directed by the Spirit of God, has substituted Sunday for Saturday; so now we sanctify the first, not the seventh day. Sunday means, and now is, the day of the Lord." ERROR: Regardless of what Roman Catholics and Protestants might say, Roman Catholics did not tell a strong Roman Emperor Constantine what to do. As a god himself and not a Christian, Constantine made the change to stop dissension. GC448: As the sign of the authority of the Catholic Church, papist writers cite "the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of; . . . because by keeping Sunday, they acknowledge the church's power to ordain feasts, and to command them under sin."--Henry Tuberville, An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine, page 58. What then is the change of the Sabbath, but the sign, or mark, of the authority of the Roman Church--"the mark of the beast"? GC448: The Roman Church has not relinquished her claim to supremacy; and when the world and the Protestant churches accept a sabbath of her creating, while they reject the Bible Sabbath, they virtually admit this assumption. They may claim the authority of tradition and of the Fathers for the change; but in so doing they ignore the very principle which separates them from Rome--that "the Bible, and the Bible only, is the religion of Protestants." The papist can see that they are deceiving themselves, willingly closing their eyes to the facts in the case. As the movement for Sunday enforcement gains favor, he rejoices, feeling assured that it will eventually bring the whole Protestant world under the banner of Rome. ERROR: Contrary to what SDAs and the Roman Catholic claims, most of its history was spend begging secular rulers to protect it. In fact, from AD 538 to 1150 it had never had enough authority to orders dissidents to be killed. The 1260 days of years is a great myth. GC448-449: Romanists declare that "the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] Church."--Mgr. Segur, Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today, page 213. The enforcement of Sundaykeeping on the part of Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of the papacy--of the beast. Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false instead of the true Sabbath are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded. But in the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular power, the churches would themselves form an image to the beast; hence the enforcement of Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and his image. ERROR: This is political showmanship to embarrass Protestants after 1517. SDAs teach that, in the last days, the Roman Catholic Church will unite with apostate Protestantism (everybody except themselves) and very strictly enforce Sunday blue laws because these blame the plagues of Revelation on SDAs for nor worshiping on Sunday. However, compared to the 1800s, Sunday blue laws have become almost non-existent in the United States. GC449: But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing that in so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath; and there are now true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion, who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment. God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him. But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshipping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome--"the mark of the beast." And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive "the mark of the beast." ERROR: For SDAs the gospel is not in focus in the last days. GC449-450: The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel's message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy. Men are not to be left in darkness concerning this important matter; the warning against this sin is to be given to the world before the visitation of God's judgments, that all may know why they are to be inflicted, and have opportunity to escape them. Prophecy declares that the first angel would make his announcement to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." The warning of the third angel, which forms a part of the same threefold message, is to be no less widespread. It is represented in the prophecy as being proclaimed with a loud voice, by an angel flying in the midst of heaven; and it will command the attention of the world. ERROR: If the Three Angel’s Messages all relate to the Sabbath (as SDAs claim) one would expect God to say such clearly. It is strange that no other person discovered this in Revelation 14:6-12 until after October 22, 1844. Why would God give such an important last-day message to a group which had followed a false prophet through three disappointments? Why not give it to somebody who had not been deceived? ERROR: The Third Angel’s Message ends in Revelation 14:12. Yet Adventists flatly deny the literal significance of verses 10-11 “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, 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Smoke cannot “ascend forever and ever” if the fire has been extinguished. GC450: In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided into two great classes--those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16), to receive "the mark of the beast," yet the people of God will not receive it. The prophet of Patmos beholds "them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God" and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2, 3. ERROR: EGW says nothing of Muslims, Buddhists and every other religion. Except for Sabbath-keepers, she thinks that everybody else will be members of the false Christian churches. The Bible does not teach that! CHAPTER 26, A Work of Reform GC451: The work of Sabbath reform to be accomplished in the last days is foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." "The sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants, everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer." Isaiah 56:1, 2, 6, 7. ERROR: Isaiah was only speaking to Old Covenant Hebrews. GC451: These words apply in the Christian age, as shown by the context: "The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him." Verse 8. Here is foreshadowed the gathering in of the Gentiles by the gospel. And upon those who then honor the Sabbath, a blessing is pronounced. Thus the obligation of the fourth commandment extends past the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, to the time when His servants should preach to all nations the message of glad tidings. ERROR: The only Gentiles who are to keep the Sabbath are “the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD” –they have been circumcised and have joined the community of Old Covenant Hebrews. GC452: The Lord commands by the same prophet: "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples." Isaiah 8:16. The seal of God's law is found in the fourth commandment. This only, of all the ten, brings to view both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It declares Him to be the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and thus shows His claim to reverence and worship above all others. Aside from this precept, there is nothing in the Decalogue to show by whose authority the law is given. When the Sabbath was changed by the papal power, the seal was taken from the law. The disciples of Jesus are called upon to restore it by exalting the Sabbath of the fourth commandment to its rightful position as the Creator's memorial and the sign of His authority. ERROR: This is an SDA invention. The Jews do not call the Sabbath the “seal of God’s law.” God’s authority as Israel’s deliverer, or redeemer, is found in the preamble to the Decalogue: Ex 20:2 “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” GC452: "To the law and to the testimony." While conflicting doctrines and theories abound, the law of God is the one unerring rule by which all opinions, doctrines, and theories are to be tested. Says the prophet: "If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Verse 20. ERROR: “Testimony” refers to the Ten Commandments. “Law” refers to the judgments and statutes. SDAs do not follow most of the judgments and statutes. That makes them sinners according to their own text usage. GC452: Again, the command is given: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." It is not the wicked world, but those whom the Lord designates as "my people," that are to be reproved for their transgressions. He declares further: "Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God." Isaiah 58:1, 2. Here is brought to view a class who think themselves righteous and appear to manifest great interest in the service of God; but the stern and solemn rebuke of the Searcher of hearts proves them to be trampling upon the divine precepts. GC452-453: The prophet thus points out the ordinance which has been forsaken: "Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord." Verses 12-14. This prophecy also applies in our time. The breach was made in the law of God when the Sabbath was changed by the Roman power. But the time has come for that divine institution to be restored. The breach is to be repaired and the foundation of many generations to be raised up. GC453: Hallowed by the Creator's rest and blessing, the Sabbath was kept by Adam in his innocence in holy Eden; by Adam, fallen yet repentant, when he was driven from his happy estate. It was kept by all the patriarchs, from Abel to righteous Noah, to Abraham, to Jacob. When the chosen people were in bondage in Egypt, many, in the midst of prevailing idolatry, lost their knowledge of God's law; but when the Lord delivered Israel, He proclaimed His law in awful grandeur to the assembled multitude, that they might know His will and fear and obey Him forever. GC453: From that day to the present the knowledge of God's law has been preserved in the earth, and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has been kept. Though the "man of sin" succeeded in trampling underfoot God's holy day, yet even in the period of his supremacy there were, hidden in secret places, faithful souls who paid it honor. Since the Reformation, there have been some in every generation to maintain its observance. Though often in the midst of reproach and persecution, a constant testimony has been borne to the perpetuity of the law of God and the sacred obligation of the creation Sabbath. GC453-454: These truths, as presented in Revelation 14 in connection with "the everlasting gospel," will distinguish the church of Christ at the time of His appearing. For as the result of the threefold message it is announced: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." And this message is the last to be given before the coming of the Lord. Immediately following its proclamation the Son of man is seen by the prophet, coming in glory to reap the harvest of the earth. Note: EGW is now introducing the Seventh-day Adventist Church –the remnant church --- The only true church with the only true doctrines. It is irrelevant that John the Revelator does not use the word “commandments” as a reference o the Ten Commandments; it means “that which Jesus has taught.” GC454: Those who received the light concerning the sanctuary and the immutability of the law of God were filled with joy and wonder as they saw the beauty and harmony of the system of truth that opened to their understanding. They desired that the light which appeared to them so precious might be imparted to all Christians; and they could not but believe that it would be joyfully accepted. But truths that would place them at variance with the world were not welcome to many who claimed to be followers of Christ. Obedience to the fourth commandment required a sacrifice from which the majority drew back. GC454: As the claims of the Sabbath were presented, many reasoned from the worldling's standpoint. Said they: "We have always kept Sunday, our fathers kept it, and many good and pious men have died happy while keeping it. If they were right, so are we. The keeping of this new Sabbath would throw us out of harmony with the world, and we would have no influence over them. What can a little company keeping the seventh day hope to accomplish against all the world who are keeping Sunday?" It was by similar arguments that the Jews endeavored to justify their rejection of Christ. Their fathers had been accepted of God in presenting the sacrificial offerings, and why could not the children find salvation in pursuing the same course? So, in the time of Luther, papists reasoned that true Christians had died in the Catholic faith, and therefore that religion was sufficient for salvation. Such reasoning would prove an effectual barrier to all advancement in religious faith or practice. GC454-455: Many urged that Sunday-keeping had been an established doctrine and a widespread custom of the church for many centuries. Against this argument it was shown that the Sabbath and its observance were more ancient and widespread, even as old as the world itself, and bearing the sanction both of angels and of God. When the foundations of the earth were laid, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy, then was laid the foundation of the Sabbath. Job 38:6, 7; Genesis 2:1-3. Well may this institution demand our reverence; it was ordained by no human authority and rests upon no human traditions; it was established by the Ancient of Days and commanded by His eternal word. GC455: As the attention of the people was called to the subject of Sabbath reform, popular ministers perverted the word of God, placing such interpretations upon its testimony as would best quiet inquiring minds. And those who did not search the Scriptures for themselves were content to accept conclusions that were in accordance with their desires. By argument, sophistry, the traditions of the Fathers, and the authority of the church, many endeavored to overthrow the truth. Its advocates were driven to their Bibles to defend the validity of the fourth commandment. Humble men, armed with the word of truth alone, withstood the attacks of men of learning, who, with surprise and anger, found their eloquent sophistry powerless against the simple, straightforward reasoning of men who were versed in the Scriptures rather than in the subtleties of the schools. Note: This mocking of schools comes from a church which now has one of the largest private school systems. GC455: In the absence of Bible testimony in their favor, many with unwearying persistence urged--forgetting how the same reasoning had been employed against Christ and His apostles: "Why do not our great men understand this Sabbath question? But few believe as you do. It cannot be that you are right and that all the men of learning in the world are wrong." GC455-456: To refute such arguments it was needful only to cite the teachings of the Scriptures and the history of the Lord's dealings with His people in all ages. God works through those who hear and obey His voice, those who will, if need be, speak unpalatable truths, those who do not fear to reprove popular sins. The reason why He does not oftener choose men of learning and high position to lead out in reform movements is that they trust to their creeds, theories, and theological systems, and feel no need to be taught of God. Only those who have a personal connection with the Source of wisdom are able to understand or explain the Scriptures. Men who have little of the learning of the schools are sometimes called to declare the truth, not because they are unlearned, but because they are not too self-sufficient to be taught of God. They learn in the school of Christ, and their humility and obedience make them great. In committing to them a knowledge of His truth, God confers upon them an honor, in comparison with which earthly honor and human greatness sink into insignificance. Note: EGW is still mocking education. GC456: The majority of Adventists rejected the truths concerning the sanctuary and the law of God, and many also renounced their faith in the advent movement and adopted unsound and conflicting views of the prophecies which applied to that work. Some were led into the error of repeatedly fixing upon a definite time for the coming of Christ. The light which was now shining on the subject of the sanctuary should have shown them that no prophetic period extends to the second advent; that the exact time of this advent is not foretold. But, turning from the light, they continued to set time after time for the Lord to come, and as often they were disappointed. ERROR: Most returned to their former churches after being deceived three times by William Miller. The few stubborn ones became SDAs. GC456-457: When the Thessalonian church received erroneous views concerning the coming of Christ, the apostle Paul counseled them to test their hopes and anticipations carefully by the word of God. He cited them to prophecies revealing the events to take place before Christ should come, and showed that they had no ground to expect Him in their day. "Let no man deceive you by any means" (2 Thessalonians 2:3), are his words of warning. Should they indulge expectations that were not sanctioned by the Scriptures, they would be led to a mistaken course of action; disappointment would expose them to the derision of unbelievers, and they would be in danger of yielding to discouragement and would be tempted to doubt the truths essential for their salvation. The apostle's admonition to the Thessalonians contains an important lesson for those who live in the last days. Many Adventists have felt that unless they could fix their faith upon a definite time for the Lord's coming, they could not be zealous and diligent in the work of preparation. But as their hopes are again and again excited, only to be destroyed, their faith receives such a shock that it becomes well-nigh impossible for them to be impressed by the great truths of prophecy. GC457: The preaching of a definite time for the judgment, in the giving of the first message, was ordered by God. The computation of the prophetic periods on which that message was based, placing the close of the 2300 days in the autumn of 1844, stands without impeachment. The repeated efforts to find new dates for the beginning and close of the prophetic periods, and the unsound reasoning necessary to sustain these positions, not only lead minds away from the present truth, but throw contempt upon all efforts to explain the prophecies. The more frequently a definite time is set for the second advent, and the more widely it is taught, the better it suits the purposes of Satan. After the time has passed, he excites ridicule and contempt of its advocates, and thus casts reproach upon the great advent movement of 1843 and 1844. Those who persist in this error will at last fix upon a date too far in the future for the coming of Christ. Thus they will be led to rest in a false security, and many will not be undeceived until it is too late. ERROR: Miller preached the second coming of Christ on October 22, 1844 to destroy the earth by fire. He was wrong. Miller did not preach the beginning of the Investigative Judgment in 1844. EGW is wrong to combine the two different messages in order to justify following a false prophet. The “far in the future” new dates of her contemporaries have also come and gone. GC457-458: The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past experience of the Adventist body. God led His people in the advent movement, even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt. In the great disappointment their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with them in their past experience, they would have seen the salvation of God. If all who had labored unitedly in the work in 1844, had received the third angel's message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work completed, and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people. GC458: It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan and establish them there, a holy, happy people. But "they could not enter in because of unbelief." Hebrews 3:19. Because of their backsliding and apostasy they perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the Promised Land. In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God. As they refused to do the work which He had appointed them, others were raised up to proclaim the message. In mercy to the world, Jesus delays His coming, that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning and find in Him a shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out. GC458: Now as in former ages, the presentation of a truth that reproves the sins and errors of the times will excite opposition. "Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." John 3:20. As men see that they cannot maintain their position by the Scriptures, many determine to maintain it at all hazards, and with a malicious spirit they assail the character and motives of those who stand in defense of unpopular truth. It is the same policy which has been pursued in all ages. Elijah was declared to be a troubler in Israel, Jeremiah a traitor, Paul a polluter of the temple. From that day to this, those who would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious, heretical, or schismatic. Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept the sure word of prophecy will receive with unquestioning credulity an accusation against those who dare to reprove fashionable sins. This spirit will increase more and more. And the Bible plainly teaches that a time is approaching when the laws of the state will so conflict with the law of God that whosoever would obey all the divine precepts must brave reproach and punishment as an evildoer. GC459: In view of this, what is the duty of the messenger of truth? Shall he conclude that the truth ought not to be presented, since often its only effect is to arouse men to evade or resist its claims? No; he has no more reason for withholding the testimony of God's word, because it excites opposition, than had earlier Reformers. The confession of faith made by saints and martyrs was recorded for the benefit of succeeding generations. Those living examples of holiness and steadfast integrity have come down to inspire courage in those who are now called to stand as witnesses for God. They received grace and truth, not for themselves alone, but that, through them, the knowledge of God might enlighten the earth. Has God given light to His servants in this generation? Then they should let it shine forth to the world. GC459: Anciently the Lord declared to one who spoke in His name: "The house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto Me." Nevertheless He said: "Thou shalt speak My words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." Ezekiel 3:7; 2:7. To the servant of God at this time is the command addressed: "Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." ERROR: EGW persists in using texts for O.T. Israel for the Church. The context is wrong. GC459-460: So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same solemn and fearful responsibility as was the prophet of Israel, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying: "Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezekiel 33:7-9. GC460: The great obstacle both to the acceptance and to the promulgation of truth is the fact that it involves inconvenience and reproach. This is the only argument against the truth which its advocates have never been able to refute. But this does not deter the true followers of Christ. These do not wait for truth to become popular. Being convinced of their duty, they deliberately accept the cross, with the apostle Paul counting that "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" with one of old, "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 11:26. GC460: Whatever may be their profession, it is only those who are world servers at heart that act from policy rather than principle in religious things. We should choose the right because it is right, and leave consequences with God. To men of principle, faith, and daring, the world is indebted for its great reforms. By such men the work of reform for this time must be carried forward. GC460: Thus saith the Lord: "Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but My righteousness shall be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation." Isaiah 51:7, 8. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………. Chapter 27, Modern Revivals, 461-478 [Satan=s deceptions] ERROR: EGW attributes successful evangelism by other churches to Satan=s deceptions. CHAPTER 28, Facing Life's Record Chapter 28, Facing Life=s Record (The Investigative Judgment), 479-491 ERROR: There is a serious change in theology in this chapter which is not pointed out by SDAs. In chapter 23, pages 409-422 only confessed and forgiven sins of God’s children have defiled the sanctuary through sacrificial atonement. However, now, in chapter 28, pages 479-491, every sin committed by believers has defiled the sanctuary and must be removed. The unconfessed sins condemn the believer and cause his/her name to be blotted out of the book of life. GC479: "I beheld," says the prophet Daniel, "till thrones were placed, and One that was Ancient of Days did sit: His raiment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Daniel 7:9, 10, R.V. ERROR: Other than SDAs, nobody, absolutely nobody else interprets this to be a judgment OF THE SAINTS. It is obviously a judgment of the little horn. GC479: Thus was presented to the prophet's vision the great and solemn day when the characters and the lives of men should pass in review before the Judge of all the earth, and to every man should be rendered "according to his works." The Ancient of Days is God the Father. Says the psalmist: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God." Psalm 90:2. It is He, the source of all being, and the fountain of all law, that is to preside in the judgment. And holy angels as ministers and witnesses, in number "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands," attend this great tribunal. ERROR: This much better fits the Great White Throne judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. GC479-480: "And, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away." Daniel 7:13, 14. The coming of Christ here described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator. It is this coming, and not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844. Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of man--to perform the work of investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits. ERROR: Christ actually entered the Presence of God in the Most Holy Place at his ascension --- not 1844. The event described in Daniel 7:13-14 is evidently immediately prior to the second coming. It is definitely not an invented Investigative Judgment which has an Omniscient God already taking over 160 years to read books in heaven to decided who will be saved. ERROR: The atonement sacrifice was completed on the cross. The SDA concept of incomplete atonement is unique to themselves. GC480: In the typical service only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period. "Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?" 1 Peter 4:17. ERROR: Notice that EGW omitted “For the time is come that” from First Peter 4:17. This changes the meaning and disagrees with her interpretation. ERROR: EGW ignores the Bema (the Judgment Seat of Christ which determines degrees of rewards for the righteous) and confuses it with the judgment of the wicked. ERROR: In the SDA Arminian scheme, even previously born-again believers are not secured until Jesus checks to see if they stayed in the faith. GC480: The books of record in heaven, in which the names and the deeds of men are registered, are to determine the decisions of the judgment. Says the prophet Daniel: "The judgment was set, and the books were opened." The revelator, describing the same scene, adds: "Another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelation 20:12. ERROR: EGW teaches that, until 1844 God had not determined the final fate of any person who has ever lived. Full atonement had not been applied to any person who accepted Christ. The books must be examined first, beginning in 1844. ERROR: The little horn is judged and punished in Daniel 7 --- not God’s saints. In a similar way, Satan, the beast and the false prophet are judged and punished prior to the Great White Throne judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. ERROR: Revelation 20:12 cannot possibly refer to the “same scene” if the Investigative Judgment has supposedly ended 1000 years earlier when Christ came in Revelation 19. GC480-481: The book of life contains the names of all who have ever entered the service of God. Jesus bade His disciples: "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20. Paul speaks of his faithful fellow workers, "whose names are in the book of life." Philippians 4:3. Daniel, looking down to "a time of trouble, such as never was," declares that God's people shall be delivered, "everyone that shall be found written in the book." And the revelator says that those only shall enter the city of God whose names "are written in the Lamb's book of life." Daniel 12:1; Revelation 21:27. Note: SDAs teach that names can be blotted out of the book of life which records who has previously been saved. GC481: "A book of remembrance" is written before God, in which are recorded the good deeds of "them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name." Malachi 3:16. Their words of faith, their acts of love, are registered in heaven. Nehemiah refers to this when he says: "Remember me, O my God, . . . and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God." Nehemiah 13:14. In the book of God's remembrance every deed of righteousness is immortalized. There every temptation resisted, every evil overcome, every word of tender pity expressed, is faithfully chronicled. And every act of sacrifice, every suffering and sorrow endured for Christ's sake, is recorded. Says the psalmist: "Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?" Psalm 56:8. GC481: There is a record also of the sins of men. "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Says the Savior: "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36, 37. The secret purposes and motives appear in the unerring register; for God "will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts." 1 Corinthians 4:5. "Behold, it is written before Me, . . . your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the Lord." Isaiah 65:6, 7. Note: These texts must be explained in terms of the justification-salvation experience. After one has accepted Christ God promises that “their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” Hebrews 8:12. And First John 1:9 promises to forgive the confessed sins and also to “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The guilt of all ours sins was paid at Calvary. GC482: Every man's work passes in review before God and is registered for faithfulness or unfaithfulness. Opposite each name in the books of heaven is entered with terrible exactness every wrong word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin, with every artful dissembling. Heaven-sent warnings or reproofs neglected, wasted moments, unimproved opportunities, the influence exerted for good or for evil, with its far-reaching results, all are chronicled by the recording angel. ERROR: The SDA description of the Investigative Judgment unravels here. In the previous chapter only confessed-forgiven-atoned sins were brought into the sanctuary to defile it. Now, even unconfessed-unforgiven-unatoned sins enter to defile it. Question: how did unconfessed-unforgiven-unatoned sins get into the sanctuary to defile it? GC482: The law of God is the standard by which the characters and the lives of men will be tested in the judgment. Says the wise man: "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment." Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14. The apostle James admonishes his brethren: "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." James 2:12 ERROR: This is Old Testament imagery. In the New Covenant man is tested by what he/she has done with Jesus Christ (Jn 1:12; 3:16; 4:14; 5:24; 16:9; Rom 1:16; 10:9, 10). ERROR: The “law of liberty” (James 2:12) is NOT the Old Covenant law. Rom 8:2 ”For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. GC482: Those who in the judgment are "accounted worthy" will have a part in the resurrection of the just. Jesus said: "They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, . . . are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:35, 36. And again He declares that "they that have done good" shall come forth "unto the resurrection of life." John 5:29. The righteous dead will not be raised until after the judgment at which they are accounted worthy of "the resurrection of life." Hence they will not be present in person at the tribunal when their records are examined and their cases decided. ERROR: EGW teaches that nobody, from Adam until 1844, had been accounted worthy of resurrection. This includes Enoch, Elijah and Moses. SDAs does not believe that the souls of unbelievers go to lower Hades at death. John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” GC482: And again He declares that "they that have done good" shall come forth "unto the resurrection of life." John 5:29. The righteous dead will not be raised until after the judgment at which they are accounted worthy of "the resurrection of life." Hence they will not be present in person at the tribunal when their records are examined and their cases decided. ERROR: EGW ignores John 5:24, 25 “Verily, verily, In say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, [already] has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment [Greek: krisis - an active judging process]; but is passed [Greek perfect tense] from death unto life. Verily, verily, In say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” The present gospel response determines who will be resurrected. GC482: Jesus will appear as their advocate, to plead in their behalf before God. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 9:24; 7:25. GC483: As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. ERROR: The righteous have already been judged and granted “eternal life” when they responded to the gospel and their names are already in the book of life (Luke 10:20). The souls of the righteous are already in heaven (Gen 5:24; 2 Kg 2:11; Mt 27:53; 2 Cor 5:8; Heb 12:1; Rev 5:8-10). However, there is no assurance of salvation within Adventism today. GC483: Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God's remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses: "Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book." Exodus 32:33. And says the prophet Ezekiel: "When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, . . . all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned." Ezekiel 18:24. ERROR: Who, then, can be saved? Everybody has forgotten sins and sins of ignorance. This indicates the immediate loss of salvation every time a person commits a sin. ERROR: This seems to say that God will even “un-forgive” previously forgiven sins. Yet the Day of Atonement actually covered general sins which had not been specifically atoned through the daily ministry of sins of ignorance. This kind of interpretation creates far more consternation among Seventh-day Adventists that it does on those who believe God’s Word: John 4:14 “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Rom 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” ERROR: EGW ignored the context. God killed thousands because the “book” referred to here is the “book of the living.” Moses himself was eventually “blotted out” for his sin and was not allowed to enter Canaan. A generation of millions died (were blotted out) and not allowed to enter Canaan. Yet Moses did not lose his salvation. There is no direct connection to the N. T. “book of life” of those who believe in Christ. GC483: And says the prophet Ezekiel: "When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, . . . all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned." Ezekiel 18:24. ERROR: Again EGW ignores the context. The text is not discussing “un-forgiving” sins. A person’s previous righteousness will not deliver him from the discipline of current sin. GC483: All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life. ERROR: This favorite SDA quote ignores the context on the same page: “When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, un-repented of and un-forgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God’s remembrance.” Therefore, EGW must mean truly repented “of every single sin” as indicated in her many perfectionist statements. Notice that previously forgiven sins will not be blotted out until after 1844. No assurance of salvation is possible while alive. GC483: The Lord declares, by the prophet Isaiah: "I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Isaiah 43:25. ERROR: Isaiah was speaking of the present time --- not since 1844. EGW does not have a post-Calvary grasp of this doctrine. Phil 3:9 “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” Eph 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” GC483: Said Jesus: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." Revelation 3:5; Matthew 10:32, 33. ERROR: In Revelation 4 and 5:8-10 the saints are already in heaven and clothed in white. Revelation 3:5 does not discuss the Investigative Judgment. Col 3:3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” GC483-484: The deepest interest manifested among men in the decisions of earthly tribunals but faintly represents the interest evinced in the heavenly courts when the names entered in the book of life come up in review before the Judge of all the earth. The divine Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in His blood be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to their Eden home, and crowned as joint heirs with Himself to "the first dominion." Micah 4:8. Satan in his efforts to deceive and tempt our race had thought to frustrate the divine plan in man's creation; but Christ now asks that this plan be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne. ERROR: This is an example of EGW’s wax nose. After making pages of statements about how hard it is to be saved, unconfessed sins, sins of ignorance and even evil thoughts, she now says the righteous “overcome through faith in Hs blood.” ERROR: This “plan” was presented, not after 1844, but before the “foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8; Eph 1:4, 5; Rom 8:28-30). God is omniscient. Whether Calvinists or Arminians are correct, God still knows who will be saved because he is not limited in time and knows the future. EGW’s statement is an insult to God’s omniscience. GC484: While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of His grace, Satan accuses them before God as transgressors. The great deceiver has sought to lead them into skepticism, to cause them to lose confidence in God, to separate themselves from His love, and to break His law. Now he points to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins that he has tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his subjects. ERROR: Who is Jesus pleading with? The Bible says that the Father gave the function of judgment to the Son (Jn 3:16-18; 1 Cor 15:26-28). EGW also places Satan in the Most Holy Place accusing the believers who are not present. GC484: Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and faith, and, claiming for them forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands before the Father and the holy angels, saying: I know them by name. I have graven them on the palms of My hands. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17. And to the accuser of His people He declares: "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" Zechariah 3:2. Christ will clothe His faithful ones with His own righteousness, that He may present them to His Father "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Ephesians 5:27. Their names stand enrolled in the book of life, and concerning them it is written: "They shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy." Revelation 3:4. Note: To EGW this means they have confessed every sin, including those previously forgotten and those of ignorance. See her previous quotes. GC485: Thus will be realized the complete fulfillment of the new-covenant promise: "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." "In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found." Jeremiah 31:34; 50:20. "In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem." Isaiah 4:2, 3. EGW: EGW quotes, but does not reference, Hebrews 8:12 which applies to the present (post-Calvary) and not to 1844. GC485: The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord. Since the dead are to be judged out of the things written in the books, it is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the judgment at which their cases are to be investigated. But the apostle Peter distinctly states that the sins of believers will be blotted out "when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ." Acts 3:19, 20. When the investigative judgment closes, Christ will come, and His reward will be with Him to give to every man as his work shall be. ERROR: Progressive revelation of Christ’s vicarious sacrifice for the believer means that, at the moment one accepts Christ, the guild of every sin he/she has ever committed or will every commit has already been paid for, blotted out. Heb 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” John 15:3 “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” 1 Cor 6:111”And such were some of you: but ye are washed , but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” GC485-486: In the typical service the high priest, having made the atonement for Israel, came forth and blessed the congregation. So Christ, at the close of His work as mediator, will appear, "without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:28), to bless His waiting people with eternal life. As the priest, in removing the sins from the sanctuary, confessed them upon the head of the scapegoat, so Christ will place all these sins upon Satan, the originator and instigator of sin. The scapegoat, bearing the sins of Israel, was sent away "unto a land not inhabited" (Leviticus 16:22); so Satan, bearing the guilt of all the sins which he has caused God's people to commit, will be for a thousand years confined to the earth, which will then be desolate, without inhabitant, and he will at last suffer the full penalty of sin in the fires that shall destroy all the wicked. Thus the great plan of redemption will reach its accomplishment in the final eradication of sin and the deliverance of all who have been willing to renounce evil. ERROR: The scapegoat represents Christ who bore our sins away never to be seen again. GC486: At the time appointed for the judgment--the close of the 2300 days, in 1844--began the work of investigation and blotting out of sins. All who have ever taken upon themselves the name of Christ must pass its searching scrutiny. Both the living and the dead are to be judged "out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." ERROR: EGW is confusing the judgment of the righteous with the judgment of the wicked. The righteous will be judged by their faith in Jesus Christ (Phil 3:9); the wicked will be judged by their works because their names are not written in the book of life. GC486: Sins that have not been repented of and forsaken will not be pardoned and blotted out of the books of record, but will stand to witness against the sinner in the day of God. He may have committed his evil deeds in the light of day or in the darkness of night; but they were open and manifest before Him with whom we have to do. Angels of God witnessed each sin and registered it in the unerring records. Sin may be concealed, denied, covered up from father, mother, wife, children, and associates; no one but the guilty actors may cherish the least suspicion of the wrong; but it is laid bare before the intelligences of heaven. The darkness of the darkest night, the secrecy of all deceptive arts, is not sufficient to veil one thought from the knowledge of the Eternal. God has an exact record of every unjust account and every unfair dealing. He is not deceived by appearances of piety. He makes no mistakes in His estimation of character. Men may be deceived by those who are corrupt in heart, but God pierces all disguises and reads the inner life. GC486-487: How solemn is the thought! Day after day, passing into eternity, bears its burden of records for the books of heaven. Words once spoken, deeds once done, can never be recalled. Angels have registered both the good and the evil. The mightiest conqueror upon the earth cannot call back the record of even a single day. Our acts, our words, even our most secret motives, all have their weight in deciding our destiny for weal or woe. Though they may be forgotten by us, they will bear their testimony to justify or condemn. ERROR: This is false perfectionism to its ultimate fantasy. Nobody can be saved. GC487: As the features of the countenance are reproduced with unerring accuracy on the polished plate of the artist, so the character is faithfully delineated in the books above. Yet how little solicitude is felt concerning that record which is to meet the gaze of heavenly beings. Could the veil which separates the visible from the invisible world be swept back, and the children of men behold an angel recording every word and deed, which they must meet again in the judgment, how many words that are daily uttered would remain unspoken, how many deeds would remain undone. GC487: In the judgment the use made of every talent will be scrutinized. How have we employed the capital lent us of Heaven? Will the Lord at His coming receive His own with usury? Have we improved the powers entrusted us, in hand and heart and brain, to the glory of God and the blessing of the world? How have we used our time, our pen, our voice, our money, our influence? What have we done for Christ, in the person of the poor, the afflicted, the orphan, or the widow? God has made us the depositaries of His holy word; what have we done with the light and truth given us to make men wise unto salvation? No value is attached to a mere profession of faith in Christ; only the love which is shown by works is counted genuine. Yet it is love alone which in the sight of Heaven makes any act of value. Whatever is done from love, however small it may appear in the estimation of men, is accepted and rewarded of God. GC487-488: The hidden selfishness of men stands revealed in the books of heaven. There is the record of unfulfilled duties to their fellow men, of forgetfulness of the Savior’s claims. There they will see how often were given to Satan the time, thought, and strength that belonged to Christ. Sad is the record which angels bear to heaven. Intelligent beings, professed followers of Christ, are absorbed in the acquirement of worldly possessions or the enjoyment of earthly pleasures. Money, time, and strength are sacrificed for display and self-indulgence; but few are the moments devoted to prayer, to the searching of the Scriptures, to humiliation of soul and confession of sin. GC488: Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds, that they may not dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be best acquainted. The archdeceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful mediator. He knows that with him everything depends on his diverting minds from Jesus and His truth. GC488: Those who would share the benefits of the Savior’s mediation should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God. The precious hours, instead of being given to pleasure, to display, or to gain seeking, should be devoted to an earnest, prayerful study of the word of truth. The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill. Every individual has a soul to save or to lose. Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge face to face. How important, then, that every mind contemplate often the solemn scene when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, when, with Daniel, every individual must stand in his lot, at the end of the days. GC488-489: All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has committed to them. The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ's work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects and be able to give an answer to everyone that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them. GC489: The intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven. We must by faith enter within the veil, "whither the forerunner is for us entered." Hebrews 6:20. There the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of redemption. The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense to heaven; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has opened the way to the Father's throne, and through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may be presented before God. ERROR: Since few SDAs can even begin to explain the Investigative Judgment doctrine, then few of them can be saved. GC489: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13. If those who hide and excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them, how he taunts Christ and holy angels with their course, they would make haste to confess their sins and to put them away. Through defects in the character, Satan works to gain control of the whole mind, and he knows that if these defects are cherished, he will succeed. Therefore he is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is impossible for them to overcome. But Jesus pleads in their behalf His wounded hands, His bruised body; and He declares to all who would follow Him: "My grace is sufficient for thee." 2 Corinthians 12:9. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:29, 30. Let none, then, regard their defects as incurable. God will give faith and grace to overcome them. GC489-490: We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart. The light, frivolous spirit indulged by so many professed Christians must be put away. There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another. Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. ERROR: EGW thought that the Investigative Judgment would be short –as would be expected from an Omniscient God. GC490: Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon--none know how soon--it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves every soul to heed the Savior’s admonition: "Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." Mark 13:33. "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Revelation 3:3. ERROR: EGW thought that the Investigative Judgment would be short –as would be expected from an Omniscient God. GC490-491: When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. Christ in the Revelation, looking forward to that time, declares: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:11, 12. GC491: The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal state--men will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. Before the Flood, after Noah entered the ark, God shut him in and shut the ungodly out; but for seven days the people, knowing not that their doom was fixed, continued their careless, pleasure-loving life and mocked the warnings of impending judgment. "So," says the Savior, "shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:39. Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every man's destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy's offer to guilty men. GC491: "Watch ye therefore: . . . lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping." Mark 13:35, 36. Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments--it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence: "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Daniel 5:27. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Chapter 29, The Origin of Evil (Soul Sleep), 492-504 Chapter 31, Agency of Evil Spirits (Soul Sleep), 511-517 Chapter 32, Snares of Satan (Soul Sleep), 518-530 Chapter 33, The First Great Deception (Soul Sleep), 531-550 Chapter 34, Can Our Dead Speak to Us (Soul Sleep), 551-562 ERROR 186: Everybody except SDAs are deceived by Satan. Many books have been written disputing the SDA understand of the non-immortality of the soul. Rather than repeat the same arguments (which are good, but often challenged by SDAs) discussions of the Old Testament word, Sheol, and the New Testament word, Hades, are in the appendix of my book, Exposing Seventh-day Adventism. | 
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