Q: Didn’t Ellen White say in “Selected Messages, Book 1,” p. 204, that the Seventh-day Adventist Church would leave the pillars of faith which God gave to the remnant pioneers? Isn’t the Adventist Church just another fake following the fulfillment of this prophecy? — Cedric, from South Africa
A: Cedric, the passage to which you refer in “Selected Messages” is an interesting one. It was written in direct response to error presented by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg in his book “The Living Temple.” Mrs. White stated that Kellogg’s book contained errors regarding the personality of God. She wrote: “‘Living Temple’ contains the alpha of these theories. I knew that the omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people” (1SM 203).
Then a little later on page 204 we read:
“In a vision of the night I was shown distinctly that these sentiments have been looked upon by some as the grand truths that are to be brought in and made prominent at the present time. I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers—the truths of the Word of God. Someone high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. …
“The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization.
“Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced.
“The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.
“Who has authority to begin such a movement? We have our Bibles. We have our experience, attested to by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit. We have a truth that admits of no compromise. Shall we not repudiate everything that is not in harmony with this truth?” (1SM 204, 205).
Please notice that while the church was under attack then (described as the “alpha”), it did not fall. Nor will it fall during what is described as the “omega.” Why? Because, as Ellen White described, those leading out in errors “would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure” (1SM204).
No, Cedric, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is not “just another fake.” It is the remnant church of Bible prophecy. This church was initiated by God Himself at the right time, in the right place and for the right reason — to fulfill Revelation 12:17 — a people “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”