Editorial

Editorial – Preconceived Opinions

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In Jesus’ day, the Jews had many preconceived opinions about how prophecy was going to be fulfilled. They clung so tenaciously to these preconceived opinions (many of which were hundreds of years old—venerable with age) that, when prophecy was fulfilled in a different way than their pre-conceived opinions, they rejected the evidence of fulfilled prophecy. This was one of the reasons for the rejection of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. One of the Jews’ preconceived opinions was that nobody would be able to tell where the Messiah was from, another was that the Messiah would appear at the head of armies for their deliverance from the Romans. The irony of all this is that nobody really could explain where Jesus was from, because the virgin birth could not be explained then or now. They rejected it, and accused Jesus of being born of fornication; they were sure that they were right because Joseph had been engaged to Mary at the time that she became pregnant. The Messiah would have delivered them from the tyranny of the Romans if they had accepted Him, but not in the way that they pre-conceived this to happen. Notice how clearly this is stated in The Desire of Ages, 576: “If Jerusalem had known what it was her privilege to know, and had heeded the light which Heaven had sent her, she might have stood forth in the pride of prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, free in the strength of her God-given power. There would have been no armed soldiers standing at her gates, no Roman banners waving from her walls. The glorious destiny that might have blessed Jerusalem had she accepted her Redeemer rose before the Son of God. He saw that she might through Him have been healed of her grievous malady, liberated from bondage, and established as the mighty metropolis of the earth. From her walls the dove of peace would have gone forth to all nations. She would have been the world’s diadem of glory.” [Emphasis supplied.]

How much they missed because they clung tenaciously to their preconceived opinions! Is there any danger of that today? Do we have preconceived opinions about how prophecy is to be fulfilled? If prophecy is fulfilled in a completely different way, will we recognize it, or will we reject the light and go into darkness? It has been my observation for many years that misinterpretation of prophecy is usually based on reading something into the prophecy that it does not exactly say, based on preconceived opinions that are widely held. This has been a reason for the controversy over who and what the church is—is it exactly what the Bible says, no more and no less, or not? (The book of Ephesians tells us exactly who and what it is.) The same is true in regard to statements in the Spirit of Prophecy—many of these statements were given in a specific context and cannot be given a universal or restricted technical application. (See Ellen G. White Volume 6 The Later Elmshaven Years 1905–1915, by Arthur L. White, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington D.C., 1982, 384, 385.)

In future editorials we will look at some of these preconceived opinions by which we read things into inspired writings. We all need to ask ourselves the question, “Do I believe what the prophet actually wrote and no more, or do I believe what I think it means?”

Editorial – A New Creature

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“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Just as a good tree will bear good fruit, so will the tree that is actually planted in the Lord’s garden produce good fruit unto eternal life. Besetting sins are overcome; evil thoughts are not allowed in the mind; evil habits are purged from the soul temple. The tendencies which have been biased in a wrong direction are turned in a right direction. Wrong dispositions and feelings are changed, new principles of action supplied, and there is a new standard of character. Holy tempers and sanctified emotions are now the fruit borne upon the Christian tree. An entire transformation has taken place. This is the work to be wrought.

“We see by experience that in our own human strength, resolutions and purposes are of no avail. Must we, then, give up our determined efforts? No; although our experience testifies that we cannot possibly do this work ourselves, help has been laid upon One who is mighty to do it for us. But the only way we can secure the help of God is to put ourselves wholly in His hands, and trust Him to work for us. As we lay hold of Him by faith, He does the work. The believer can only trust. As God works, we can work, trusting in Him and doing His will.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1080.

“The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish every earthly and hellish power. In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influence goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring man to his original perfection. Yea, more, it was offered to give him an entire transformation of character, making him more than a conqueror.” Ibid., 1113.

“Christ declares, ‘I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love’ (Revelation 2:4). Many are holding on to the truth with only the tips of their fingers. They have had great light and many privileges. Like Capernaum, they have in this respect been exalted to heaven. But unless they put away their pride and self-confidence, in the time of trial that is approaching they will become apostates. Unless they have an entire transformation of character, they will never enter heaven.” Review and Herald, February 11, 1904.

“The mighty power of the Holy Spirit works an entire transformation in the character of the human agent, making him a new creature in Christ Jesus. …

“We may talk of the blessings of the Holy Spirit, but unless we prepare ourselves for its reception, of what avail are our works? Are we striving with all our power to attain to the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever pressing toward the mark set before us—the perfection of His character? When the Lord’s people reach this mark, they will be sealed in their foreheads. Filled with the Spirit, they will be complete in Christ, and the recording angel will declare, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30).” Ibid., June 10, 1902.

Editorial – If God Had Workers Who . . .

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A time unprecedented in this world’s history is upon us. In this time of crisis, God’s mercy, long treated with contempt, will soon cease to plead in man’s behalf, and the time of His judgment will begin. As men rapidly close their accounts, base ingratitude is being registered in the books of heaven. Divine patience must soon give way to divine judgment. In natural disasters, which are following one another in rapid succession, and in the crimes of no common nature that have become so common, we see the evidence that even now God’s restraining Spirit is being withdrawn.

God has waited long for a company of united, sanctified people through whom He can finish His work. In words of solemn import, Ellen White described what God would do if He had such a group of people.

“If the Lord had a company of workers who would rely wholly upon Him, He would accomplish a great work through them. One could chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. God is just as willing now as anciently to work through . . . weak instrumentalities. We shall not gain the victory through numbers, but through full surrender of the soul to Jesus. We are to go forward in His strength, trusting in the mighty God of Israel.” Review and Herald, January 11, 1887.

Are we really awake to these solemn realities and to the great work of preparation in which we must all engage? “The important future is before us. To meet its trials and temptations, and to perform its duties, will require great faith, energy, and perseverance. But we may triumph gloriously; for not one watching, praying, believing soul will be ensnared by the devices of the enemy. All heaven is interested in our welfare, and waits our demand upon its wisdom and strength. Neither wicked men nor evil spirits can hinder the work of God or shut out His presence from His people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their sins, and in faith claim His promises. Every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, ‘not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ [Zechariah 4:6.]” Ibid. [Emphasis supplied.]

If we have complied with the conditions of God’s Word, Christ will be our refuge in the coming storm, and His pledge of security will be ours. If, however, “the warnings which God has given are neglected or regarded with indifference, if you suffer sin to be cherished, you are sealing your soul’s destiny; you will be weighed in the balances and found wanting. Grace, peace, and pardon will be withdrawn forever; Jesus will have passed by, never again to come within the reach of your prayers and entreaties. While mercy still lingers, while Jesus is making intercession for us, let us make thorough work for eternity.” Ibid.

Though it is possible to be regarded as a Christian by being a partial follower of Jesus, if you are lacking in essential qualifications that constitute Christian character, you are sealing your soul’s destiny and will eventually be numbered with those who are lost. Now is no time to venture to tamper with sin, or remain in a state of lethargy and stupid indifference. Soon grace, peace and pardon will be withdrawn forever; Jesus will have passed by, never again to come within the reach of your prayers and entreaties. Now is not the time to be in uncertainty as to your soul’s destiny. While mercy still lingers, and Jesus still makes intercession for you, make thorough work for eternity.

[Reprinted from LandMarks, October 1993.]

Editorial – What Are You Doing Today? Part I

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Many Christians are hoping and desiring to do some great work for Jesus but think that they do not have opportunity. Do not worry about your opportunities, just ask the Lord what He would have you do today. Below are some things that we can begin to do today.

1 Surrender your will to Jesus and be completely on the Lord’s side.

“Will you not without delay place yourself in right relation to God? Will you not say, ‘I will give my will to Jesus, and I will do it now,’ and from this moment be wholly on the Lord’s side? Disregard custom and the strong clamoring of appetite and passion. Give Satan no chance to say: ‘You are a wretched hypocrite.’ Close the door so that Satan will not thus accuse and dishearten you. Say, ‘I will believe, I do believe that God is my helper,’ and you will find that you are triumphant in God. . . . It will take, at times, every particle of will power which you possess.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 514.

2 Arise and make a stand against Satan.

“The means is provided, and no one will have any excuse for sin. If you fail of overcoming, there are reasons for this. Ye will not obey God’s revealed will; ye will not pray; ye will not strive; ye will not fight evil habits and unholy thoughts. Are ye stronger than God? Can ye, dare ye, contend with the Eternal? If you are not proof against God’s judgments, proof against His vengeance, then go on no longer in your own evil ways. Arise and make a stand against Satan. Be doing something, and do it now. Repent now, confess, forsake.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 455, 456.

3 Dedicate a portion of your income to getting the Three Angels’ Messages to the entire world.

“If we fold our hands in unbelieving idleness, Jesus cannot do many mighty works for us. We are standing upon the very threshold of the eternal world, and we need to realize the claims God has upon us to do something, and to do it now. . . . Every genuine Christian will be a worker with Christ. He cannot selfishly hoard the means in his keeping; God wants it, and he cannot withhold the intrusted talent.” Review and Herald, January 15, 1884.

“I ask you, my brethren and sisters, to do what you can to help, and do it now. Let your means be invested in this work that is so far-reaching. This is the work of God. He has given us great advantages for the carrying on of His work.” Lake Union Herald, September 13, 1911.

4 Go to work to save at least one soul.

“The message borne to the people by the faithful servants of God will not be calculated to lull them to carnal security. They will have words to speak to stir them to action. We call upon those who are imitating Meroz to arouse. Go to work; do something for the salvation of souls, something to advance the cause of God; and do it now. You have but little time in which to labor. The Lord has given to every man his work according to his ability. To meet the claims of God, you will have to make personal effort . . . . Upon every one, old or young, rests a responsibility in this matter.” Review and Herald, January 8, 1884.

To be concluded . . .

Editorial – What are you doing today? Part II

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Last month I began a list of things each of us can begin to do today for the Lord. The list continues this month with action number five.

5 Contact your fellow church members about supporting missionaries and mission work.

“Why should not the members of a church, or of several small churches, unite to sustain a missionary in foreign fields? If they will deny themselves, they can do this. My brethren and sisters, will you not help in this great work? I beseech you to do something for Christ, and do it now.

“God will put His Spirit upon those who will do something, and do it now.” (Australasian) Union Conference Record, July 21, 1899.

6 Be faithful in the responsibilities God has allowed to come your way today.

“Steady progress in a good work, the frequent repetition of one kind of faithful service, is of more value in God’s sight than the doing of some great work, and wins for His children a good report. . . .

“Do something; do it now. Remember that the angel bearing the closing message of mercy to this world flies swiftly.” Bible Training School, March 1, 1912.

7 Reach for the hand that needs your help.

“Oh, why not go to the wounded sheep, and bind up their bruises, and lead them to the Healer and the Shepherd of souls? Why not bind these weak ones by the cords of love and sympathy to your hearts, and make it hard for them to fall from their steadfastness, instead of pushing them away from you by evil surmising and evil speaking? Why not be a co-worker with Christ? Why not stand ready to grasp the hand that is stretched out for your help? Here are souls that are to be saved, and how earnestly you should labor for their salvation. This work has been long neglected. Why not do it now in the fear of the Master? Seek the lost, gather in the weak ones, help them by your faith and love, that they may gain victory after victory, and that where they are feeble they may become strong and whole.” The Signs of the Times, April 1, 1889.

8 Decide today to go forward.

“Elder _____’s mind must grow with the work, or he must be replaced by some one who will take a more extensive view of what needs to be done to warn the world. Do something, do it now. Let the pull-back principle go, and the go-forward principle come in. The angel with the third message flies swiftly.” The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters, 379.

“Our time for work is short. We have not a moment to lose. Let us do something for Christ, and do it now.” Review and Herald, December 17, 1901.

“In the name of the Lord, I call upon my brethren to do something to strengthen the publishing interests and to help establish other lines of work in the South, and to do it now. Soon it will be too late to do anything. Soon our opportunities to work will have passed by forever. The plagues of God are already beginning to be poured out upon the earth. The evidences before us indicate that God’s Spirit is being withdrawn from the earth. Only a little while longer shall we be permitted to labor, and then in heaven it will be said, ‘It is done.’ ‘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.’ ” Ibid., May 27, 1902.

Editorial – The Gospel to All the World . . .

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“By giving the gospel to the world, it is in our power to hasten the coming of the day of God.” Review and Herald, November 11, 1913.

It is this desire and this missionary spirit that has motivated true Christians since apostolic times. This is what caused the Waldenses to travel all over Europe, at the peril of their lives, with gospel literature. This is what caused the Reformers to stand, at the threat of death, for Bible truth. This is what impelled the nineteenth century Seventh-day Adventists to begin sending missionaries all over the world and caused ministers in the twentieth century to start Bible correspondence schools and to begin using radio and television to reach the world with the last message of mercy. This was the motivation in the 1990s to start sending millions of tabloids containing earth’s final warning to the entire inhabited world. This is what motivated the use of large newspapers and billboards to advertise the last warning message. This is the reason historic Seventh-day Adventists became so excited in 1993 about using short-wave radio to reach the entire world with the Three Angels’ Messages.

We, at Steps to Life, have been praying that, if it was the Lord’s will, He would open up the way for us to enlarge our evangelistic outreach through television. We are working on some exciting possibilities to get our television program on stations all over the United States. These possibilities are still there, but God has much larger plans than we could have imagined. God is opening up new resources of technology to help us spread the gospel message to the whole world quickly.

Steps to Life television programming has been broadcasting in southern Kansas every week since 1987. The Lord used the television program as the conduit to send us an invitation to broadcast to the world by Internet Radio. Over the years, the owner of Heartland Internet Broadcasting (HIB), a conservative, Christian ministry located in Wichita, Kansas, U.S.A., and one of its technical personnel have listened to and liked our television program. Several days ago we received a telephone call, inviting us to visit them. Many exciting potentialities have opened up as a result of this visit.

Starting November 1, 2003, Steps to Life will be broadcasting every day, 365 days a year, to all the world! This is the way it will work. Anyone any place in the world, who has access to the Internet with a sound card, will be able to tune in to the Heartland Internet Broadcasting station, KHIB, and hear a Steps to Life Internet Radio broadcast!

Weekdays, Monday through Friday, our programming can be heard from 9:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Central Time in the United States. On Sabbath and Sunday, the broadcast time will be from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Central Time in the United States. Obviously it will be at every hour of the day and night somewhere in the world during these broadcast times.

If you receive our newsletter, you know that we are living in very uncertain times and that income in almost all non-profit organizations and ministries is down from what it was a year ago. In spite of this, we believe that the Lord miraculously opened this door of opportunity for us and that as we go through it by faith, He will impress His servants to sustain the giving of the Three Angels’ Messages to all the world.

We cannot discuss all the wonderful possibilities in this editorial, but get your seatbelt fastened! If the Lord wills, Steps to Life could be broadcasting from Wichita to all the world on Internet Television soon. This is not a dream but a realistic possibility that both KHIB and we are seriously discussing for the near future. If you would like to see Steps to Life evangelistic television worldwide, please put this on your prayer list.

Editorial – This Man Receives Sinners

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Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. Jesus experienced great difficulty with the religious leaders in the world at that time, because He received sinners and ate with them. The Monsignors of that day expressed great displeasure and insinuated that Jesus liked to associate with the sinful and the vile and was not even distressed at their wickedness.

Jesus addressed the outcasts of society as the children of God, estranged for the moment from the Father’s house but not forgotten in His heart. He gave every sinner the distinct impression that He could and would deliver them from the pit of sin if they were willing.

If you have done wickedly, if you have wandered far from your Father’s house, take courage. Do not suppose that there is any if with God. His power and authority are absolute, and He has already given word that He is willing to save completely anybody who comes to Him through His Son. (John 6:37; Hebrews 7:25.) He is waiting to pardon your transgressions and bring you back into His personal presence where there is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11.) If you are in a state of rebellion against Him, He is seeking you even now. All that He needs is for you to say “yes,” because He will never violate the power of choice that He himself has given you. He just needs you to acknowledge Him as the Saviour and Lord of your life. (Acts 2:36; 5:31.)

There is another side to this wonderful story of the Man who came into this world to save sinners. Maybe you have already surrendered your life to Him and consider yourself an experienced follower of Jesus Christ. If so, a heavy obligation is resting upon you. Every person whom Christ has rescued is called to work in His name for the saving of others who are lost. (John 17:18.) Are there souls going down to ruin around you? Are you reaching out to these with deep sympathy, realizing that the tempted and erring will be lost, unless some hand of sympathy and pity reaches out to them?

When our sympathies broaden and our love increases, we will realize that we have a work to do. God’s household embraces the world. Most of its inhabitants are at present under the control of an alien enemy prince who holds them in abject slavery with the power of his seductive and self-exalting but ruinous temptations. But this world is to be reclaimed! Not everyone will accept the offer of salvation, but there are many precious souls yet to win. We are to attract, not repulse, every sinner who will take a look at the gospel. We are to make a personal effort, showing them that we are interested in them personally and individually.

“All the resources of heaven are at the command of those who are seeking to save the lost. Angels will help you to reach the most careless and the most hardened.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 197.

“The Saviour longs to manifest His grace and stamp His character on the whole world. It is His purchased possession, and He desires to make men free, and pure, and holy. Though Satan works to hinder this purpose, yet through the blood shed for the world there are triumphs to be achieved that will bring glory to God and the Lamb. Christ will not be satisfied till the victory is complete . . . . All the nations of the earth shall hear the gospel of His grace. Not all will receive His grace; but ‘a seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.’ Psalm 22:30.” The Desire of Ages, 827, 828.

Editorial – Unity of Spirit and Faith

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In 1902, Ellen White predicted the situation that God’s people would be in as the final crisis in this world approaches. “As we approach the last crisis, it is of vital moment that harmony and unity exist among the Lord’s instrumentalities. The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head—the papal power—the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses. This union is cemented by the great apostate. While he seeks to unite his agents in warring against the truth he will work to divide and scatter its advocates. Jealousy, evil surmising, evilspeaking, are instigated by him to produce discord and dissension. The members of Christ’s church have the power to thwart the purpose of the adversary of souls. At such a time as this let them not be found at variance with one another or with any of the Lord’s workers. Amidst the general discord let there be one place where harmony and unity exist because the Bible is made the guide of life. Let the people of God feel that a responsibility rests upon them to build up His instrumentalities.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 182.

Has the first part of this prophecy been fulfilled in your church? Has the second part? Will the third and last part of this prophecy be fulfilled in your church?

There will be a people who will come into perfect unity and harmony. This harmony and unity will not be a union in fanaticism nor will it be based on kingly power. It is not going to involve all the members of the church; there will be unity in the midst of disunity:

“As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield to temptation. Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd’s voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. . . . The testimony of one and all will be: ‘I cleave unto Christ; I rejoice in Him as my personal Saviour.’ ” Ibid., vol. 6, 400, 401.

We are going to see both separation and unity. Notice that the way people will separate is by departing from the faith; they will forsake the truth. They may still be going to the same church, but they will be accepting delusive teachings. Do we not see this already? What we see developing now will become the tidal wave of the future. All the specifications Ellen White wrote in 1902 will come to pass.

May we each be a part of the group that clings to the Bible and the Bible only and, as a result of growing up into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, part of those who come into unity of spirit and faith.

Editorial – In Search of the Apostle Paul

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When Jesus ascended to heaven in 31 a.d., the man that would become the chiefest of the apostles, the one who would write more than half of the books of the New Testament, was not yet a Christian. In fact, he was a bitter opponent who became so insolent against Christians that he was responsible for murdering many of the believers.

But the Spirit of God was in search of this man’s soul. In the first paragraph of the book Sketches from the Life of Paul, Ellen White describes it this way: “Beneath the blindness and bigotry of the zealot and the Pharisee, Infinite Wisdom discerned a heart loyal to truth and duty. And the voice from Heaven made itself heard above the clamors of pride and prejudice. In the promulgation of the gospel, Divine Providence would unite with the zeal and devotion of the Galilean peasants, the fiery vigor and intellectual power of a rabbi of Jerusalem. To lead the battle against pagan philosophy and Jewish formalism, was chosen one who had himself witnessed the debasing power of heathen worship, and endured the spiritual bondage of Pharisaic exaction.”

The Spirit of God is still in search of men like this—men who have theological training and are highly educated, whose education has been influenced by the popular religious teachers of today. The Spirit of God is searching for these men just as He searched for the apostle Paul nearly 2,000 years ago. Some are being found. The writer was happy, several weeks ago, to meet a pastor from Tennessee and another from Florida who not only have begun to keep the Sabbath but also are leading the faithful of their flocks to do the same. God has many more of these people that He is going to reach. Many minds are searching the Scriptures and being pricked in conscience that they are not completely following all of the Bible’s teachings.

We are told that the apostle Paul “had struggled entire nights against conviction.” Ibid., 24, 25. Many people, today, are in this struggle. Maybe there is one near you. They may not respond right away—it took a few years and some very rocky road before the apostle Paul responded. But if we are afraid of clergymen and never give them any literature to help them, how will they find the truth?

We recently learned of a church whose pastor is using material in his worship services from the Steps to Life television programs. As we keep sowing our seed, the Lord will send a harvest. Do not be afraid of the pastors in your area. Become friends with them—take them a loaf of homemade bread to open your friendship, and ask the Lord to lead you to an “apostle Paul” who can multiply your efforts a hundred-fold.

This will happen, and we want to cooperate with the Lord in making it happen. That is why, as 2004 begins, we are starting to provide academic training for people who are or who want to become ministers. There are many ministers desiring more academic training, and the training offered by Steps to Life is being used right now to help preachers from other churches learn about the Three Angels’ Messages and about God’s last-day people. If you know or meet a minister who is interested in further training, call or write to Steps to Life for enrollment information.

We are looking for the apostle Pauls of our time—those who right now are the bitterest enemies of the truth but who will in the future become its champions. Will you join us in the search?

Nothing to Fear. . . , Part II

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We are living in the last days, that epochal period of earth’s history that will be marked by great unbelief. (See 11 Peter 3:3–7; Matthew 24:37–39.) Those who are truly seeking to know and to do the Lord’s will are desirous of exposing their minds only to the truth, avoiding looking at or studying error. Ellen White addresses these issues plainly in her writings: “I was shown the necessity of those who believe we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily receiving or imbibing new error. I saw that neither young nor old should attend the assemblies of those who are in error and darkness. Said the angel, ‘Let the mind cease to dwell on things of no profit.’ ” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 425. In this statement, written in 1853, she was referring to those who had accepted the message of William Miller about the soon coming of Jesus and who had not accepted the Three Angels’ Messages which lead directly to an understanding of the sanctuary and the Sabbath.

“Many saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels’ messages, and gladly received them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to the people of God. Those who understand and receive them will be kept from being swept away by the many delusions of Satan.” Early Writings, 256.

The central truths of the Three Angels’ Messages (Revelation 14) are under attack in the Christian world and in the Adventist world today. The devil knows that those who cling to the truths as contained in these messages will be so anchored that they will not be swept away by his many delusions.

If we have the faith of Jesus, we will accept the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12; 12:17.) Ellen White not only claimed to have the gift of prophecy but she wrote that “all who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White, and has given her a message, will be safe from the many delusions that will come in in these last days.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 320.

The Bible tests to be applied to anyone claiming to have the gift of prophecy are:

  1. They must speak according to the law and to the testimony of the Bible. (Isaiah 8:20.) The opponents of Ellen White have tried over and over to find something in the Bible that disagrees with something in her writings. Those who oppose the Three Angels’ Messages find fault with Ellen White, because she teaches these messages, including the investigative judgment.
  2. Their predictions come to pass. (Jeremiah 28:9.) Although well over 100 predictions that Ellen White made have been fulfilled already, her opponents attack statements that contain conditional prophecy. (See Jeremiah 18:7–10.) With this technique, even the Bible writers can be proved false prophets, including Isaiah and Jeremiah and especially Jonah.
  3. A prophet’s writings will produce good fruit, or results, in the lives of those who follow their teachings. (Matthew 7:15–20.) Opponents of Ellen White blame her if they find somebody who has become fanatical or mentally unbalanced.
  4. A prophet will confess the fact that Jesus came in the flesh. (1 John 4:1–3.) This is not talking simply about the fact that Jesus came in human flesh but that He came in fallen human nature, which is the technical way that the word flesh is used in the New Testament. (See 1 John 2:15–17; Romans 6–8; Galatians 5, 6.) To document Ellen White’s position on this topic, see Elder Ralph Larson’s book, The Word was Made Flesh.
  5. A prophet will have visions and dreams. (Numbers 12:6.) This must be documented from public or published evidence before you can be sure that any person who claims to be a prophet really has the prophetic gift.