Changing Times (Part 1)
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1. Introduction 2. Eternal Principles 2.1. Victory over sin 2.2. The Name of The Church 2.3. The Unity and Authority of The Church 2.4. Lifestyle reform (w/ exceptions) 3. Conclusion of Part 1 |
Introduction
Zahakiel: Luke, will you offer the opening prayer?
Qinael: Our dear heavenly
Father,
We thank you for this time of
gathering for your saints. We thank you
for the means by which we, though far apart, are given to fellowship together
before you. We thank you for this
special time you have set aside for the cleansing and growth of your children;
a reminder and a necessary tool for the judgment that each of us stands in.
We ask that your Spirit will
guide minds and hearts to a full understanding and appreciation of the eternal
themes we are to hear of this day.
In the name of Yahshua we pray, amen.
Rita: Amen.
Zahakiel: Amen.
Naraiel: Amen.
Barb: Amen.
Crystle: Amen.
Guerline: Amen.
Abraham: Amen.
Peter: Amen.
Zahakiel: This month’s topic and (especially) next is going to be potentially controversial, particularly for the independent Adventists with whom we have frequent conversations, and also for some mainstream Adventists. The reason for the controversy is because we are going to do an in-house study of some statements of Ellen G. White. This is a topic I have been thinking about presenting for some time, and I actually started to write it early last month. I have been adding to it periodically ever since, and it has now grown to the point where it must be split into two parts.
We recall in an interview with Walter Carson, the president of the General Conference at the time the Trademark law went into effect, he said something to the effect that “times have changed,” therefore Mrs. White’s statements about using lawyers to protect Church groups was no longer a valid restriction. The Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church very strongly disagrees with this. There are, however, some statements from Mrs. White that DO seem tied to a particular time or set of circumstances, and what we are going to do is very carefully look at some of her statements and prophecies and see which are based on eternal principles, and which may have depended upon current conditions to be properly relevant.
We read, for example, “The Saviour’s instructions to His disciples were given for the benefit of His followers in every age. He had those in view who were living near the close of time, when He said: ‘Take heed to yourselves.’”
[Testimonies for the Church Volume Five, page 102]
At the same time, “Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered. Nothing must be done untimely.” And this isn’t just about waiting for the right time to increase light for those who are slow to progress, but in order to avoid misinterpretation entirely. She says just below that, “Tell them to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God. Place His Word before them. There will be those who will misinterpret and misrepresent. Their eyes have been blinded, and they set forth the figures and interpretations that Satan has worked out for them, and an entirely wrong meaning will be placed upon the words that Sister White has spoken. Satan is just as verily claiming to be Christ’s child as did Judas, who was on the accusing side. They have educated themselves in Satan’s school of misstating.” [Selected Messages Book 1, page 57]
So then, we need to be able to understand what is eternal, what is conditional on the times, and how to avoid misstating either… how to explain this distinction to others in the course of our evangelism. This first session will examine those that are everlasting, or at least began at some point and continue until the time of the end. Our second study, next month, will look at those things that were temporary or conditional in nature.
Zahakiel: Are there any questions about what we will be covering today?
Qinael: No.
Rita: None.
Abraham: No.
Crystle: No
Peter: No.
Guerline: No.
Eternal Principles
Zahakiel: Due to the subject matter, this will be another one of those rare meetings that focus a lot on Ellen White’s work. Even so, as is our custom, we will continually check the things she has put down on paper against the infallible Word of Yahweh, and this will help us in our task to see the principles behind the sometimes-temporal specifics. Some of Mrs. White’s statements are clearly meant to apply to all time, and we will start this month with these. Some of these issues are openly declared to be everlasting in scope, or give a definite timeframe right up until the end; these are the easy ones. We saw, in the two quotes we started with, that a line of distinction is already drawn for us that can serve as an initial guide. The words of Christ, Mrs. White wrote, were for all time – if her testimonies are therefore founded directly in one of His teachings, parables or examples, we would be inclined to consider them without any time-based limitations. Some of her other testimonies best had their force at the appropriate time. At some later point, we may make a formalized list of criteria for what is eternal and what is conditional, but in this study we are primarily going to look at examples. One eternal concept well known to CSDAs is:
1) Victory over sin
Zahakiel: Some have said, “Ellen White never taught victory over sin,” or “Ellen White never said we must be sinless,” or “Ellen White never called for as strong a testimony as the CSDA members present.” Our initial (and most correct) answer to these questions is, “What does the Bible say?” Mrs. White, of course, would be the first to agree: “Do not repeat what I have said, saying, ‘Sister White said this,’ and ‘Sister White said that.’ Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands.” [Manuscript 43, 1901] It has been the work of this Church to adhere to that as closely as possible, not only in our interpretation of such prophecies as the Mark of The Beast, which we’ll get into next month, but the very heart of the Gospel, the effect of conversion upon the heart.
Nevertheless, for those who cannot see anything much beyond the lesser light, for whose sake we are ultimately even having this New Moon study, we can easily show that any such statements about a lack of victory in Mrs. White’s writings are manifestly false.
I have compiled an entire document entitled “EGWVictory.txt,” which I use for references when dealing with those who seem to respect Ellen White’s writings even more than the Word of God as revealed in 1 John 3:9, John 8:11, Rom 6:15 and so on. An extremely small excerpt from that compilation follows. As always, I include the reference so that those who wish to read the entire context may do so freely and get the full sense (and power) of these statements:
“The people of God must move understandingly. They should not be satisfied until every known sin is confessed; then it is their privilege and duty to believe that Jesus accepts them. They must not wait for others to press through the darkness and obtain the victory for them to enjoy.” [Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 167]
“Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements. The willful commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the soul from God.” [The Faith I Live By, page 331]
“Take the word of Christ as your assurance. Has He not invited you to come unto Him? Never allow yourself to talk in a hopeless, discouraged way. If you do you will lose much. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulties and pressure come, you give evidence of a sickly, enfeebled faith. Talk and act as if your faith was invincible.” [Christ’s Object Lessons, page 146]
Zahakiel: Of course, we have been using the above and many similar quotes to encourage the weak in faith for many years; and yes, to the soft and willing heart, even the most convicting statements of truth are encouraging. They ultimately bring forth humility and comfort, never condemnation, and never guilt. But the question before us in this study is not so much, “Did Ellen White teach” a certain thing, but did she teach that it would be everlasting? In the case of victory, it is obvious that ceasing from sin was never to be tied to any temporary point in history, but was to continue, and even increase in depth and brilliance, until the close of time. We read of an expanding, not diminishing, knowledge of godliness among the Christians of these last days:
“If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the charge: ‘They are joined to their idols, let them alone,’ and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation.” [Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 187] Clearly, this is speaking of the very last times, and we see there a purity of thought, word and deed unseen before on this earth except in the lives of Enoch, Elijah, and a handful of others. This is our destiny as the people of Yahweh.
Zahakiel: And of course, this is no mere “Adventist” doctrine, but one entirely founded in the Bible (which, in our view, makes it wholly Adventist):
“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Pro 4:18)
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1John 3:2)
“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psa 17:15) This is speaking of the resurrection.
Are there any questions about this?
Peter: No
Qinael: No.
Rita: None.
Abraham: No.
Crystle: No.
Guerline: No.
2) The Name of The Church
Zahakiel: This is another familiar one. We read:
“We are Seventh-day Adventists. Are we ashamed of our name? We answer, ‘No, no! We are not. It is the name the Lord has given us. It points out the truth that is to be the test of the churches.’” [Selected Messages, Book 2, 384]
Again, “As to the name Seventh-day Adventists: I was shown in regard to the remnant people of God taking a name. . . . No name which we can take will be appropriate but that which accords with our profession and expresses our faith and marks us a peculiar people. The name Seventh-day Adventist is a standing rebuke to the Protestant world. . . . The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind.” [The Early Years Volume 1, p.438]
Clearly, for all who accept that witness, the name “Seventh-day Adventist” was the name of God’s Church a hundred years ago. What about today? Many will tell us, “Why the big deal about the name? Just choose another name. You’re just brining trouble on yourselves, when you can just as easily be Seventh-day Adventists on the inside, while bearing some other name outside.” Those who say this have never been Seventh-day Adventists.
Let me say that again: Those who believe that the name “Seventh-day Adventist” is just some moniker that can be discarded for convenience’s sake have never understood the true meaning of Adventism. They have never been Seventh-day Adventists.
Seventh-day Adventists believe that the Lord Himself has given us that name, and not merely to comfort us… not so that we can be a thing on the “inside;” not… at least not entirely… for the sake of the Church was this name given, but for the sake of the world. Christ suffered and died, not for His own good, but for the world’s. Yahweh gives gifts unto men, not for their own benefit alone, but as a testimony to the world. The name Seventh-day Adventist was given to us for more than just some letters to put on our buildings and our paperwork. This name “expresses our faith and marks us a peculiar people” as “no name” other than that can possibly do. Are we expressing our faith to ourselves? To other Seventh-day Adventists? No… we are expressing our faith to the world, and in this dark age it is simply not enough to say, “I believe in Jesus, I’m a Christian.” That can mean anything from Trinitarianism to downright pantheism, and doesn’t lead the worldling one step closer to the truth behind all doctrine – to the saving relationship between the actual Creator and Savior, and not just some word-picture of Him that the majority of Christendom have conjured up in their minds.
Zahakiel: But conviction of sin, which the name we have been given was designed to do… that leads to repentance, faith and, ultimately, baptism.
We believe, particularly when it comes to religion and governments on a large scale, that nothing, nothing is neutral. On an individual level there are convictions and there are preferences; some things are conditional based upon the situation, and it is not always so black-and-white as certain zealots may wish to make it appear. But when it comes to governmental powers making decisions about religious matters, we had better be able to decided whether we should be rejoicing or mourning!
Now, before us in these days we have an ecclesiastical body that has fallen into some bad doctrines and some very bad practices. It is clothed in civil power, and seeking to bar the use of its name by any group other than those approved by itself. Who is behind this movement? Who motivated it in the first place? Who encouraged its progress? Who facilitated its development? Was it God, or was it Satan? There are, in this case, only two options – and we have a choice to make, and to present before others.
If it is God leading the mainstream Seventh-day Adventist Church to rely upon the might of the second Beast, and the arm of men, to defend itself, then we are rightly called heretics, and deserve whatever providence and divine mercy seek to visit upon us.
Zahakiel: If it is Satan leading the mainstream Seventh-day Adventist Church to rely upon the might of the second Beast, and the arm of men, to defend itself, then – listen carefully… to say, “It’s okay” is to come to the same decision as that beast; “To receive [the mark of the beast] means to come to the same decision as the beast has done, and to advocate the same ideas, in direct opposition to the word of God.” [The Review and Herald, July 13, 1897] Now, the General Conference’s Church has already come to the same decision as the beast about religious services; it is therefore eternally unsafe to agree with this unholy pair in such a matter.
And, to say, as many have said, “It’s wrong,” but not to actively protest it, is to facilitate the Beast’s work, and God will never hold such a one guiltless.
It is easy to explain why. To simply say, “It’s wrong” but to fail to protest, is essentially saying, “I don’t like what’s being done, but it doesn’t really affect me.” Forget, for just a moment, that this is an inherently selfish viewpoint that can never be justified when compared to the character of Christ. Let’s just stick with our current topic about the name “Seventh-day Adventist.” If someone is saying, “You can’t use the name Seventh-day Adventist unless you are a part of the General Conference group,” and this doesn’t affect you, there are only two places you can be. Where are these two places? Think about that for a moment, and then let me know.
Qinael: You are in the GC, or you are not using the name Seventh-day Adventist.
Zahakiel: Right, you have to either be in the General Conference organization, or not using the name at all. If you’re in the organization, and you know about the Trademark lawsuits, you have come to the same decision about religion and government that the beast who is protecting your church has. That’s not a good place to be.
If you’re outside of the organization and you don’t care about the name, then you do not really believe that the name is a relevant testimony for this time. That is also not a good place to be. Biblically we can show that God has had a people in every age carrying a specific name that means something, and this is always given by an inspired source. That is key. Biblically, we can show the prophetic signposts leading up to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the inspiration behind receiving that name. What we cannot do is show any Biblical precedent for surrendering our testimony (and make no mistake, that name was given to us as a specific testimony) at the insistence of the enemies of our God.
To take a brief moment to clarify something… the name “Seventh-day Adventist” is not our personal testimony. Let’s not confuse these ideas. Our personal testimonies run something along the lines of Galatians 2:20 or various other Biblical declarations. Christ has died that we might live. He gave up His life to ransom ours, and by the power of His resurrection we also are raised up in His likeness. Having overcome sin in the flesh, Christ has purchased for us an everlasting victory that is our present condition and our future hope of eternal life. That is our personal testimony. At the same time, we have a corporate testimony – and that concept may be the topic of a future study. I just want that to be on record, because we ought never to be accused of making Gospel out of the name Seventh-day Adventist. Yet, because of our personal testimony, because we have overcome sin and self, we are committed to obeying the will of the Almighty on the earth, and this includes the maintenance of both our individual and corporate Christian identities; that is to say, both our personal testimonies of victory, and our corporate testimony of being those who await Yahshua’s second Advent while resting in the blessing of the Creation Seventh Day.
Are there any questions about any of this so far?
Rita: None.
Qinael: No.
Peter: No.
Crystle: No.
Abraham: No.
Zahakiel: Here is but one statement showing the importance of that God-given name right up until the last days, demonstrating that this is one of the continuing teachings of Mrs. White’s work:
“A company was presented before me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the banner or sign which makes us a distinctive people should not be held out so strikingly; for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to our institutions. This distinctive banner is to be borne through the world to the close of probation.” [MR 13, p. 69]
Of course, some point out that the statement reads “this distinctive banner,” and not “the name Seventh-day Adventist,” but in saying this they ignore the previous quote we read; the name “marks us a peculiar people” in a corporate sense. Further, they make plain their beliefs that the principles of Seventh-day Adventism, and our collective testimony, can be properly and effectively upheld without the label God Himself has given it.
This is incorrect, according to still more of Mrs. White’s other statements: “We may claim to be Seventh-day Adventists, and yet fail of realizing how exalted is the standard to which we must attain in order to deserve this name. Some have felt ashamed of being known as Seventh-day Adventists. Those who are ashamed of this name should never connect with those who feel it an honor to bear this name. And those who are Christ’s witnesses, standing where the truths of the Bible have placed them, are worthy of the name they bear.” [MR 5, p. 445] “We are Seventh-day Adventists, and of this name we are never to be ashamed.” [SM 2, p. 384, emphasis added] That’s permanent.
“Let us take our position as Seventh-day Adventists. The name is a true expression of our faith. I am instructed to call upon God's people to bring their actions into harmony with their name, of which they have no need to be ashamed.” [The Kress Collection, page 74]
Zahakiel: I could go on and on, but is there any indication there that the name “Seventh-day Adventist” was temporary?
Of course, this by itself is not going to be enough for some. There was no indication that the names “Israel,” or “Christian” were to be replaced as the primarily label for Yahweh’s people either. Yet we know that all these names accomplished a stated purpose for their being given, and if you look at the first statement I quoted in this section, the name Seventh-day Adventist “points out the truth that is to be the test of the churches.” We need to ask ourselves, “Have the Churches been tested yet?” Or, perhaps more accurately, “Has the testing of the Churches ended yet?” Clearly not, for we certainly believe there are genuine Christians in even the most erring of religious systems. We read Yahweh’s statement, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa 55:11)
We believe the name we bear was God-given. There is a purpose yet to be fulfilled for the name “Seventh-day Adventist,” and we are to bear it faithfully, through rain and rocky ground, until the Divine General says, “It is enough.”
Are there any questions about this one?
Qinael: No.
Guerline: No.
Rita: None.
Naraiel: No.
Crystle: No
Abraham: Very good.
Ye: No.
Peter: No.
3) The Unity and Authority of The Church
Zahakiel: This is a very important one, and perhaps one of the real “purposes” for this set of studies. Was the unity and authority of the Church set in place to keep the apostles and early disciples in line, until the Christian faith had evolved to the point where its members no longer needed structure, organization, and unity?
Let us see first what Mrs. White said about this matter:
“Like will attract like. Those who are drinking from the same fountain of blessing will draw nearer together. Truth dwelling in the hearts of believers will lead to blessed and happy assimilation. Thus will be answered the prayer of Christ that His disciples might be one even as He is one with the Father. For this oneness every truly converted heart will be striving. With the ungodly there will be a deceptive harmony that but partially conceals a perpetual discord. In their opposition to the will and the truth of God they are united, while on every other point they are rent with hatred, emulation, jealousy, and deadly strife. The pure and the base metal are now so mingled that only the discerning eye of the infinite God can with certainty distinguish between them. But the moral magnet of holiness and truth will attract together the pure metal, while it will repel the base and counterfeit.” [Testimonies for the Church Volume Five, pp. 100, 101, emphasis added]
Let me know when you are finished.
Rita: Finished.
Abraham: Finished.
Pastor “Chick”: Finished
Qinael: Finished.
Crystle: Finished.
Peter: Finished.
Guerline: Done.
Zahakiel: Now let me qualify something: those who despise the unity described above are not really against the idea of working together. They will often reply to our statements such as that above by saying, “Oh, we want unity, we want to work together, but all these other people are just doing their own thing, and can’t agree with the truth!” What they mean is, they want to work together on their own personal terms. This really becomes, at the heart of it, a despising of the authority of the Church. Paul writes that it is the Church, not the independent atoms or individual ministries, that has received the wisdom from Heaven to understand and explain “food and drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths.” (Col 2:16) It is God who declares what the “Truth” is, but He has agreed with humanity to operate in covenant-relationship with a People. This is the divine pattern so hated in these evil times.
Now it is true, as we have studied deeply of Protestant philosophy, that the Church is never to hold any arbitrary authority over the conscientious decisions of its members, but this has been taken entirely too far, until the “Church” becomes merely a body of suggestion, rather than the conduit of Yahweh’s will toward those who dwell on the earth. It has no true power in such a case, and thus it is natural for some to adopt the view that it is, in these last days, unnecessary. We read a passage from Mrs. White about this matter. The precise situation is in regard to young people unwisely choosing husbands and wives, but I think you will agree – after reading this passage – that the principle has the widest of applications. Let me know when you are finished:
“You do not see your condition, although it is very apparent to others. Light does not come to a man who makes no effort to obtain it. When you saw that your brethren and sisters were grieved with your course, then it was time for you to stop and consider what you were doing, to pray much, and to counsel with men of experience in the church and gratefully accept their advice.
“‘But,’ say you, ‘should I follow the judgment of the brethren independent of my own feelings?’ I answer: The church is God’s delegated authority upon earth. Christ has said: ‘Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’ There is altogether too little respect paid to the opinion of members of the same church. It is the want of deference for the opinions of the church that causes so much trouble among brethren. The eyes of the church may be able to discern in its individual members that which the erring may not see. A few persons may be as blind as the one in error, but the majority of the church is a power which should control its individual members.
“The apostle Peter says: ‘Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.’ Paul exhorts: ‘Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another,’ ‘submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.’ Unless the advice and counsel of the church can be respected, it is indeed powerless. God has placed a voice in the church which must control its members.”
[Testimonies for the Church Volume Five, page 107, 108]
Pastor “Chick”: Finished
Abraham: Finished.
Rita: Finished.
Qinael: Finished.
Barb: Finished.
Guerline: Done.
Zahakiel: Now, in our experience there was one who was beginning to be associated with us, but had formed a very unwise romantic attachment with a worldling. The object of the individual’s affections was not close to the truth, showed no indication of coming closer to the truth, and was exerting an influence on the individual (who at the time wished to not only be a member, but a minister of this message) that was obviously having a negative effect. The elders of the Church counseled and warned the individual of the dangers and effects of this course, using words even gentler than those I have quoted above…. But the principles reflected there proved true. Feelings overwhelmed self-sacrificing dedication to the truth. The result was that the individual became rebellious, accepted guilt-feelings (though none of us had ever intended that for this person) and ultimately came to despise the authority of the Body even while believing the doctrines we taught – at that point in time. There’s really nothing new under this sun.
Of course, as I said, our wording was gentler. This was not without reason; in these days we have to be very careful with such wording as Ellen White employed, for example, “a voice in the church which must control its members.” Notice that the issue was not the Church vs. the convictions, but the Church vs. the feelings, of the erring one. Further notice – and be very careful in your reading here – it is not saying that “the Church must control its members.” No, rather, the voice that Yahweh has placed IN the Church, the voice that in a sanctified environment speaks through “the majority of the Church,” that is, His own Spirit, is the controlling power along with the will of individuals to choose the right over the error. But at no time will you find, in inspired writings, this voice operating independently of, or especially in opposition to, the Church into which It has been placed!
Does everyone see that distinction?
Rita: Yes.
Abraham: Yes.
Crystle: Yes.
Peter: Yes.
Barb: Yes.
Guerline: Yes.
Qinael: It reminds me of the Trinity concept somewhat; we understand that the Spirit only “talks,” “speaks,” and the like through a medium, and not as an independent will of It’s own.
Zahakiel: Right, that's a good parallel.
Of course, Yahweh is leading individuals, even those who are members of other bodies; but that is not the “home” of the Voice. The Spirit of Yahweh goes “to and fro throughout the whole earth,” as it is written, (2Ch 16:9) but at the same time the Shekinah (which means, “the Dwelling”) was to be with the Sanctuary in Israel. That was Its place.
And are we sure that this system is to continue until the end of human history? What do the Scriptures say?
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Yahshua the Messiah, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” (2Th 2:1, 2)
We notice that it is by both Christ and the gathering or assembly of the saints, that errors are identified and avoided. This is not a point to be missed.
Yahshua prayed, “Neither pray I for these [disciples] alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:20-23)
Zahakiel: Here we have a teaching directly founded in the words of Yahshua; we may safely conclude it is eternal. Furthermore, as with the name “Seventh-day Adventist,” look at an additional purpose for which this unity is required: “that the world may know that [the Father] hast sent [the Son].” That’s the Gospel; the purpose of Christian unity is directly related to the success of the Gospel message – the good news cannot be spread without it. Is the Gospel needed by the world today? Then who can say we no longer need this perfect harmony? It is clearly a current, and increasing, need.
And is it an organized unity, or just some people saying, “Let’s all get together and agree on our story, and then start talking to passers-by.” Now, that may be a useful work within the setting of the Church, but again… if you want to know why, read the purpose the Bible declares for it and its system of authorities and helps:
“And [Yahweh] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph 4:11-16)
Zahakiel: Do we need the “perfecting of the saints?” Yes, and the more so as the Day approaches. That will certainly continue until the end. Do we need “the work of the ministry?” We absolutely need that until the very end. Do we need to come into “the unity of the faith?” Yes, and we need also to draw others into that increasing unity. Until each of us stands forth “a perfect man,” or woman, or child, we require this gift to keep us from being tossed about by error – and not one, not the apostles, prophets, or evangelists of Christ’s day or this, is immune from committing error. Not one is sufficient, by himself, to know all the will of Yahweh for the overwhelming work placed before us. It is not a lack of faith to say, “I need my brethren;” no, it is a grateful acceptance of Yahweh’s provision. We do not say, “I have Christ’s rest, I no longer need the Sabbath.” We may have a state of rest at all times, but if we cast off the very method by which Yahweh refreshes our peace, and renews our strength, we must not be surprised if we find ourselves sliding into darkness.
Finally, we know unity of the Church is based upon the most exalted of principles, for “Yahshua said unto [the Pharisee], ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’” (Mat 22:37-40)
So many are saying, with their actions if not their words, “Lord, I love you… it’s just these other people, and these other groups, claiming to serve you that I can’t stand.” Such a one can never stand in the pure light of the Shekinah, which is the very spiritual heart of oneness in the universe. True love works both upward to Yahweh, and across the room to our fellow humans.
Does everyone understand all this so far?
Rita: Yes.
Peter: Yes.
Crystle: Yes
Qinael: <nods.>
Abraham: Amen.
Barb: Yes.
Guerline: Yes.
Zahakiel: One last, short, section…
4) Lifestyle reform (w/exceptions)
Ellen White wrote a great deal about Christian lifestyle, from diet to dress to recreation. These have been some areas in which we have had to be particularly careful; at the same time, we have discovered that by reading for principle, we may come to the mind of Yahweh on these, as all, matters.
Let’s look at an example from Mrs. White’s writings on dress reform:
“God would now have His people adopt the reform dress, [a particular pattern of clothing] not only to distinguish them from the world as His ‘peculiar people,’ but because a reform in dress is essential to physical and mental health.” [Healthful Living, page 119]
Some years later, however, she said, “I beg of our people to walk carefully and circumspectly before God. Follow the customs in dress so far as they conform to health principles. Let our sisters dress plainly, as many do, having the dress of good, durable material, appropriate for this age, and let not the dress question fill the mind.” [Child Guidance, page 414]
Now you will notice, there was no slackening of the principle, or lessening of the urgency of the need. What was strongly advocated before was strongly advocated again, but the difference was that no particular style was prescribed in the later writings. There is another quotation I saw once, although I had some difficulty finding it while preparing this study, in which she said that the problem with prescribing a particular style was that there were some in the Church who made this a test on par with the Gospel, and were using her writings as a yardstick by which to measure others. Rather than provide ammunition for fault-finders, she wrote, she preferred to simply fall back to the principles of Scripture and leave it at that. If anyone can remember where this statement is found, let me know and I will add it to the transcript.
Zahakiel: In any event, it should be readily obvious that while Mrs. White spoke more of principle and less of specifics in this matter (and other matters of reform) as her ministry progressed, there was no lessening of the importance of actually obeying those principles. The Scriptures tell us of dress: “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1Tim 2:8-10)
We notice that although Paul speaks to women and their apparel, he does not begin with them, but instead with the men, pointing out not an outward appearance, but a state of the heart – “lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.” When he then turns to the matter of clothing, he says, “in like manner also.” In other words, the dress reform question must never be discussed in a vacuum, but only so long as it pertains to the testimony of the heart being made manifest. It should be obvious, then, that dress reform is not a “women’s issue,” but the matter of the outward appearance we present must be so considered as to avoid as much prejudice from the world and other religious groups as possible without facilitating wrong ideas of either fashion or sanctification. These remain elements of an eternal principle, for even at the time of the end, we find that the clothing we wear on these physical bodies are a “shadow of things to come” concerning the robes of righteousness with which the redeemed saints are clothed. (Col 2:17, Rev 7:14)
Of diet we read, “In the use of foods we should exercise good, sound common sense. When we find that a certain food does not agree with us, we need not write letters of inquiry to learn the cause of the disturbance. Change the diet; use less of some foods; try other preparations. Soon we shall know the effect that certain combinations have on us. As intelligent human beings, let us individually study the principles and use our experience and judgment in deciding what foods are best for us.” [Counsels on Health, page 476]
Of course, Biblically, there are certain foods that Yahweh would have His people avoid. We know of these. Of course, from our own experiences, many of us have learned that certain foods do not agree with our constitutions. But if we read Mrs. White’s writings for principle, we will see that we ought not to take the Testimonies door to door in order to investigate the tables and plates of our brethren. It has been fortunate indeed that in this movement none of our members have taken this critical approach; or, if they have held it for some brief time, have seen wisdom in correcting that course. There have been some who have come among us with very strong ideas about what should or should not be eaten by the people of God. They have come armed with strong personal convictions and certain (selected) words of the Testimonies; “Sister White said this,” and “Sister White said that.” We have sought to steer no one’s conscience, but at the same time we have not allowed our consciences to be steered by the thoughts of others.
Zahakiel: The words of Biblical inspiration, and the principles best expressing Ellen White’s conclusions of the matter are relevant here: “the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Rom 14:17) Although often misused and misapplied, the words of Romans 14 were indeed written for a reason, and must not be cast aside simply because some have taken the idea of individual freedom a step beyond the boundaries of righteousness as Yahweh would define them.
Simply put: “Many have inquired of me, What course shall I take best to preserve my health? My answer is, Cease to transgress the laws of your being; cease to gratify a depraved appetite, eat simple food, dress healthfully, which will require modest simplicity, work healthfully, and you will not be sick.” [Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 85] And of course, lest we use such statements to point fingers at the sick and assume that they have transgressed Yahweh’s will, let us remember the statement that “nine tenths of their complaints are created by their own course of action,” [Medical Ministry, page 225] and it may well be that among the one tenth remaining, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3)
The principles of lifestyle reform are everlasting, eternal… yet we do find some specifics in Mrs. White’s body of work that must be understood in their right setting, or we will either be led to give them too much consideration in relation to the work of the Gospel before us, or we will make ourselves into the servants of food, instead of having the food bless and serve us as we work for the Master. That will probably be a good place to begin next month, when our focus shifts to those aspects of the Spirit of Prophecy writings that do not have as their time of application all of human history.
Are there any questions about this section?
Rita: None.
Qinael: No.
Ye: No
Abraham: Greatly appreciated.
Peter: No
Guerline: No.
Conclusion of Part 1
Zahakiel: This month we have covered four topics today that we are able to demonstrate, from both Scripture and the writings of Ellen White, are applicable to us even a century and a half after the beginning of the great Advent movement. We have seen that victory over sin, the name of the Church, the unity of the Church, and most aspects of lifestyle reform are based upon eternal principles that will never become outdated.
Of course, there are many more things we could look at, but some of these are so obvious that it might not be useful to us to focus on. For example, the Godhead never changes, so the only reason our view of Yahweh would ever change would be to increase in knowledge (which would bring us closer to the Biblical picture) or to compromise with paganism (which would lead to a host of other false doctrines being introduced). We can certainly talk about Trinitarianism in that latter class, or the strange new teachings floating around about a God who never destroys for any reason, or a Jesus who was omniscient even in His human form. What I intend to do is to move on next month to looking at those teachings and practices that are not permanent, and may depend upon the spiritual and social situation attending the doctrines, however…
If you believe there is some topic that we should look at, I would be happy to either include it in the next meeting, or devote another section to the eternal teachings before presenting the timely truths a month after that. But it is very important that you tell me as soon as possible, so I can get it ready with the time available between now and then. Send me an email, or an instant message, or let me know if you can think of any right after this meeting. That would be very helpful to me.
So then, if there are no more questions about this week’s information, we will conclude here. Pastor, will you please close our meeting with a prayer?
Pastor “Chick”: OK.
Dear Father in Heaven,
We are thankful that you led
us to the Ark of Eternal Treasures; and thank you for your Word that keeps us
in the Highway of Holiness. Thank you
for your Spirit that ever teaches us, and for the comfort we find in Christ’s
intercession for us.
May the truths of this lesson be eternal in us, as we pray in the Holy and Blessed Name of YAHshua, AMEN!
Rita: Amen.
Naraiel: Amen.
Zahakiel: Amen.
Ye: Amen
Guerline: Amen.
Peter: Amen.
Barb: Amen.
Crystle: Amen.
