Line of Bible Truth from the beginning to the end
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Step Truth 1844-1848
by to
step, back
down step
and by
down Step
total error
When their studies ended, the little group rejoiced. Ellen White said with confidence, “We have the truth and we know it.” Record Book 1. p54. Quoted in Ellen G. White Messenger to the Remnant by Arthur L White p39.
“The truth is now made so plain that all can see it and embrace it if they will. But it needed much labor to get it out clear as it is, and such hard labor will never have to be performed again to make the truth clear.” Pamphlets 016. To Br. J.N.Andrews and Sr. H.N.Smith 1860. Also credited to James White in the above book by Arthur L White from an E.G.W manuscript MS 2 1855. (Aug 26 1855)
The Seventh-day Adventist Church was now on the line of truth and in harmony with all who had gone before. Now Jesus could come back for them.
Doctrinally the church was ready, but there were still prophecies to be fulfilled. The believers must hold on to their faith in anticipation of Christ’s return. Within a few years they had lost their zeal.
In 1888, two young men were chosen to prepare the way for Jesus to return. As they preached the message of Christ and His righteousness, drops of the latter rain began to fall. Sadly the majority were not ready to receive it, and the heavenly dew was withdrawn.
With the advent delayed, Christ’s Church must suffer the inroads of a deadly heresy that would eventually take the denomination off the line of truth. Six years later, the prophet was called to speak out against the ‘alpha of deadly heresies’, a teaching akin to pantheism, but with roots that went much deeper.
In her battle against the ‘alpha’ heresy, she told Dr Kellogg, “You are not definitely clear on the personality of God, which is everything to us as a people. You have virtually destroyed the Lord God Himself.”Letter 300. The Elmshaven Years. Vol 5. 1900-1905. Arthur L White 1941. The doctor’s understanding of God, His Son and the Spirit was out of harmony with the beliefs of the Adventist Church, and in fact was the teaching of the denominations rejected as Babylon.
God had led our pioneers along “… step by step, until He had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform.” Early Writings p259.
Some would “approach the platform and examine the foundation…” then with joy step on it. “Others commenced to find fault with the foundation. They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier.”
Amazingly, some declared that the platform had been laid wrongly. The prophet continues, “But I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform and exhorted those who had stepped off to cease their complaints; for God was the Master Builder, and they were fighting against Him.” Early Writings p259.
Leading men who continued to complain finally decided the central pillar needed replacing. Gradually others joined in, and little by little the false pillar was established.
Israel of old worshipped the gods of the nations; we have turned to the gods of the denominations. It is up to us individually to go to the Master Builder and ask Him to show us the solidness of the platform, and with repentance and humility step back on it.
Line of Bible Truth from the beginning to the end
______________________________________________________________________________
Step truth .......... 1844-1848
Step
by to down ........ After 1888 -- Trinity
step, back
and by
down Step
total error
The warning from the Spirit of Prophecy still stands, “We must firmly refuse to be drawn away from the platform of eternal truth, which since 1844 has stood the test.” 1 Selected Messages 200. “Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid…” Ibid 206.
Ask yourself – Was the original platform eternal truth? In light of the prophet’s statements, how can we say NO? Do you think we are more enlightened today than when Ellen White was personally among us?
Under latter rain power, God’s remnant will be in harmony of belief, all standing firmly on the eternal platform. “The watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isaiah 53:8. 1 Corinthians 1:10.
It will not be easy, as truth will be “criticized and scorned, and derided…” Review & Herald. August 20. 1903. Trusting in their Saviour, the remnant will “gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from the treason.” Sons and Daughters p201.
The ‘winds of doctrine’ are blowing all about us. We cannot afford to take hold of a single one of them, as new light never contradicts that which has been confirmed by the Spirit of prophecy. Only the house built on the rock of truth will stand during the tempest soon to burst upon the world. The house built on sand will fall, together with all who occupy it. The true foundation was built by the Master Builder and it will stand for eternity.
We must come back on the line of truth or there is no hope for us. It may not happen for the denomination, and like Israel of old, we will be rejected. God will still have a remnant who will stand on the solid line of truth, the unmovable, eternal platform.
Our prophet said, “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we forget how God has led us and His teaching in our past history.” Life Sketches p196.
As a denomination, we have forgotten, but praise God, some have remembered.
Are you one of them?
THE LINE OF TRUTH
A SOLID PLATFORM
Through the centuries of papal dominion, the truths of God’s Word were cast down by the "man of sin". 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Step by step, the pure teachings were mingled with error until truth was no longer distinguishable. The beliefs of the Catholic Church had become pagan dogma, completely distinct from Bible truth.
Restoration began slowly, but under Martin Luther it spread like wildfire. Not that he saw the whole truth, but according to the light given him, he became God’s spokesman. During the years that followed, others rejoiced to find hidden gems among the rubble, yet not all was restored.
Forty years after papal dominion ceased, further light was given to those who had come out of Catholicism. But Protestantism was spiritually dead and would not take a step towards true Bible doctrine. When William Miller presented the first angel’s message to the Protestant churches they refused to receive it, and were designated Babylon. Men and women who had embraced the light left their churches, and in a short time thousands had embraced the message.
Yet there was still more truth to learn.
When Jesus did not return as expected, a separation took place, and the believers were divided into two groups. The larger segment, 50,000 strong, refused to believe God had led them. Only fifty men and women held on to their belief that the movement had been led of God, and as they studied, God revealed three important truths -- the sanctuary, the Sabbath, and the prophetic gift. When these doctrines were presented to the larger group, all three were rejected.
For the next four years (1845-1848) a number of brethren met together in prayerful study, “searching for truth as for hidden treasure.” Ellen White wrote later, “When they came to the point in their study where they said, ‘We can do nothing more’, the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively.” 1 Selected Messages p206. She said they studied “until all the principal points of our faith were made clear to our minds, in harmony with the Word of God.” Ibid p207.
Truth had been restored, and the church brought back on the straight line, eternal truth that is “based upon unquestionable authority.” Ibid p208.
A Line of Truth -- a Solid Platform
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…." 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Take note – it is fulfilled a second time!