worship

The Sabbath, Part II

by

Now, passing from that [the idea of the Sabbath], why is it that this message, calling the attention of the world—for it is a world-wide message—to God as the Creator, through Christ, and turning men’s minds to worship him—why is it that it has come just at this time, and just at the close of the great controversy? From the very first, the purpose of Satan was to put himself in the place of Christ, and that was what started the rebellion in heaven, because Christ alone was exalted to an equality with the Father, though Satan stood in the next place; although he stood in the presence of God, so that the light and the glory of God shone upon him continually; although there enveloped him such a panoply of light as enveloped none others of the angels of God, yet he was not satisfied. He must needs be put in the place of Christ himself. So that feeling in his heart rankled till open rebellion came, and after every effort was made to save him, with forgiveness and restoration, just the same as we have to-day, everything being refused and the most persistent rebellion indulged in, he with his sympathizers was cast out of heaven, just as you and I will be shut out of heaven if we persist in rebelling against God.

And since that time, Satan has lost none of his purpose to put himself in the place of Christ, and as the only hope of salvation for a lost world was in Jesus Christ, it has been Satan’s effort from that time,—and is to-day,—to turn men’s minds away from Christ, to cover up the true character of Christ, to keep men from trusting in Christ, and to conceal his power to save. But there is no institution in all the world that so turns men’s minds toward Christ as the Sabbath, when the Sabbath is rightly understood. So Satan is ever at work to destroy and tear down that institution which above all others reminds the world of Jesus Christ, the Creator and the Redeemer. But, when he tried that, what consideration, do you suppose, led him to choose the first day of the week as the rival day?

Let me read two or three scriptures. The first scripture, Isaiah 14:12: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground which didst weaken the nations?” The marginal reading is “day-star.” Lucifer means “light-bearer.” What was the first thing that was created? God said, “Let there be light, and there was light!” We read in John’s epistle, the first chapter and the fifth verse: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” So Christ said, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Satan’s position was that of the first angel next to Christ: upon him as upon none other except Christ, did the light show itself as he moved about clothed in a very panoply of light.

Well, can you not see that the nearest thing that Satan can get to be like God, is light? The very idea of light? God created the sun to be a light-bearer. He placed light in the sun to let it rule the day. The sun as being to us the source of light is the one created object that attracts every eye. Now, does it seem to you that Satan connected those ideas, and out of that idea of light and the glory of God manifested in light has made a counterfeit? He who fashioneth himself as an angel of light, turns men’s minds away from God, the source and the Creator of this light, to the light itself, and to himself—Satan—in that light. And that, really, when you get to it, is the very essence of the change,—that Satan might be exalted as the lightbearer, as the light of the world, instead of Christ.

Trace that idea all through heathendom. The sun has been worshiped in every nation and in every phase of worship, and it has always been of a degrading character. The worship of God is uplifting and elevating; the worship of Satan or of self or of anything except God, degrades, and when man is left to himself in the worship of anything else except God, he gets down to the very lowest depths of heathendom, no matter if intellectual light shines like the sun. You only have to read the first chapter of Romans to see that. Right at the time when intellectual light was at its height—at the time to which people look back now as a time of boasted civilization,—right then was heathen worship at its height, and men changed the image of God, the Creator, and worshiped the creature and they were degraded to the very depths by it.

It is evident that all these years there has been one deep laid plan, and that is the same as of old. Just as Satan made the effort to secure a following among the angels and did secure it, so his effort has been, and is, to secure a following among men, that they should turn to him and worship him instead of turning to God in Jesus Christ. Now the close of the great controversy is coming, and therefore we read: “The Sabbath question is the great testing question for this time.” Why? Because in the Sabbath question—in the Sabbath idea, is involved the whole question of whether we will turn to God and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, or whether we will give ourselves to Satan and yield to his control. The whole thing is right there.

So, therefore, there is but one test today, and that test is the Sabbath,—and no man in whom Jesus Christ does not dwell as a living Saviour can keep the Sabbath. Understand when I say that the Sabbath is the test, I do not mean that if a man drops his work at the beginning of that time and does not work any more until it is past, that that is keeping the Sabbath. No man who does not know Jesus Christ and has not had the experience of the new birth with Christ formed within, can keep the Sabbath. So the whole idea of the worship of God, of trust in God as our Creator, with his power pledged for our redemption, and of exalting Jesus Christ, is in the Sabbath question. The whole idea of whether now we turn to God for salvation, and for redemption, and for power, or whether we prefer to trust ourselves in the hands of Satan, lies in the Sabbath question. And he who truly keeps the Sabbath exalts Christ as it is impossible to do in any other way. Talk about the idea that Seventh-day Adventists do not believe in Christ! Talk about the idea that Seventh-day Adventists have left Christ and have gone back to some Jewish custom! Who is it that has left Jesus Christ? Everyone who turns his back on the Sabbath of God leaves Jesus Christ. It is impossible to exalt Jesus Christ to the place where he belongs as Creator, as Redeemer, as Saviour, and trample on him in violating the Sabbath. The two do not go together.

So now, at the time when men are to decide for eternity—because now is the time for decisions for eternity—comes this test. In whom are you trusting? In the power of God in Jesus Christ? or in the power of Satan manifested through his agents? . . . We have heard for years the statement, “Christ must be king” in our courts, in our cloisters, everywhere, Christ must he king; and he must come in by the gateway of politics. I want to tell you that in trying to exalt Jesus Christ in that way, Christ has been set aside and Satan put in his place. That is the simple fact of it. . . . Who has turned his back upon Jesus Christ? Who has dishonored God? . . .

Now let me read:—

“No greater contempt can be shown to the Creator than the contempt manifested for the day which he has sanctified and blessed.”

What follows? That is the greatest contempt that can be put upon God. We have been for years working up to this climax. . . . When that is done, what next? “It is time for thee, Lord, to work, for they have made void thy law.” “Arise, O arm of the Lord! Put on strength.” It is time. . . . It is time for everyone who believes in God to exalt his day as never before. It is time for everyone who believes in God to find out what the Sabbath is,—to find out how the Sabbath can be kept, that he may truly honor God. Again I read:—

“And as Satan with his human agents pushes the warfare against God by leading man to trample on the Sabbath, the few who do honor God should be aroused to greater zeal and earnestness in his defense.”

There is just one more thought in connection with this subject that I would like to leave with you. We have taught in a certain way for years that the Sabbath is the seal of God. I have not time to go into the whole subject. When a seal is put upon anything, it leaves an imprint; it may be a monogram; it may be a figure; it makes no difference. We take a seal and drop the wax on the spot, and then while it is warm—notice that, while it is warm—the wax can be impressed while it is warm; but when it is cold, if you attempt to do it, you will smash it all to pieces—then while it is warm and yielding, ready to receive the imprint, the pressure is brought to bear upon it with the seal, and the seal being removed, there is the image which you wished to impress.

The Sabbath is the seal of God. What is the image that God wants to impress upon us? Why, the very purpose of all this time of probation has been that the image of God, as manifested in Jesus Christ when he was here, shall be received by us. And just as when Christ was here and walked the earth he was to the world an interpretation of the character of God, so everyone of his followers is to be a living epistle, known and read of all men, and is to show forth the excellencies, the praises, of him who has called him out of darkness into his marvelous light; and the Christian walking the earth now is to show forth the character of God as Christ did of old when on the earth. That is the image of God restored, and that image is to be restored in humanity, just as that image was in Christ when he was here in humanity; for what Christ was in his perfect humanity, that we must be.

But have we not found by this study that the Sabbath from every point of view brings out Christ? And the Sabbath being kept in its perfection must be because Christ is formed within. Then do you not see that the Sabbath is simply a sign, a mark, a measure of what Christ is to the soul? that Christ is the one that makes us holy, that sanctifies us, that blesses us, that refreshes us; that as he said: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” so our Sabbath is a Sabbath of rest in him? And then every step of the way;—at every turn you give to it, Christ stands out in the Sabbath everywhere. Then the Sabbath is the seal of God, because, when the Sabbath is accepted as the Sabbath of the true God, in the meaning that God intended it to be for us, and we really keep it that way, the image of God is being, and is, restored in the soul; so that when God looks upon his Sabbath-keeping children, who are indeed Sabbath-keepers, he sees in them the image of his own Son. Then he is ready to close the work, and say: “Let him that is holy, be holy still.”

We read in Matthew 3:17, when Christ was baptized, “Lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Let me read Dr. Young’s translation of that verse: “And lo a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I did delight.” Now keep that thought in mind—“In whom I did delight,” and let me read with it from Isaiah 42:1: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.” That was a prophecy of Christ. When he came, the voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, my beloved, in whom my soul did delight.” Why did God delight in Christ? Because of his perfect harmony with him; because it was God in Christ, and Christ in God;—“As thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee.” This is the union he wants between us as brethren, and between us and him, and then God delights in us. Christ delighted to do the will of God, and God delighted in him, and when he came he gave him that evidence with that voice that spoke, “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I did delight.”

Let me now read a very familiar scripture from Dr. Young’s translation. Isaiah 58:13:—

“If thou dost turn from the Sabbath thy foot, doing thine own pleasure on my holy day, and hast cried to the Sabbath, ‘A delight.’ ” When the Sabbath comes, just call to it, “A delight!” Why? Because he in whom the Father’s soul did delight is there. When the Sabbath comes, we say, “Welcome it! A delight! Glad it is here!” Why? Because the One in whom the Father delighted is there,—Christ in the Sabbath;—Christ the delight of the soul. “And has cried to the Sabbath, ‘A delight,’ to the Holy of Jehovah, ‘Honored.’ ” Notice, the Sabbath is the Holy of Jehovah, and he is the Holy One himself, and his Son, that Holy Child Jesus, and you cannot separate them.

When you really take the Sabbath as the Holy of Jehovah, you find God in Christ there, the Holy Saviour. And to the Holy of Jehovah we cry, “Honor, honor!” “Blessing and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne.” It is the same idea. It is to exalt Christ to the place where he belongs, and recognize him in the Sabbath as the “Delight,” as the “Holy One,” as the “Honored One.” Now we read that he received honor. 11 Peter 1:17: “For he received from God the Father honor and glory.” When this voice came, saying: “This is my Son, my beloved, in whom my soul did delight.” What are we to receive? 1 Peter 2:7: “Unto you, therefore, which believe, he is precious.” The margin says, “an honor,” which is the literal translation, making it read: “Unto you which believe, he is an honor.” We say to the holy of the Lord, “Honored!” When we say to the Holy of the Lord, “Honored,” he turns about to us and confers honor upon us, and he says to us, “Honored!” Why? Because we acknowledge the honor due to Jesus Christ in the Sabbath.

Remember that all exaltation to us comes through humility. Remember that the only genuine life that is worth having comes through death. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted; and because he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name.” Now we are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt us in due time. As he raised him up to sit in heavenly places, so by the same power working in us, he is to raise us up to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And all this comes from a knowledge of what the true Sabbath is, and by the proper keeping of the Sabbath. Exalt Jesus Christ. Lift him up. Exalt his day. Trust in him and his power as against every power, and all the power that the world knows. “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” [Hebrews 13:5.]

Reprinted from Review and Herald Extra, Daily Bulletin of the General Conference, vol. 5, No. 9, February 11, 12, 1893, 219–225.

W. Prescott (1855–1944) served as president of four Seventh-day Adventist colleges as well as administrator and editor of the Review and Herald for seven years.

The Awakening

by

The message of “the everlasting gospel,” in this generation, is a message of Sabbath reform; for it is in the Sabbath of the fourth commandment that Christendom has in doctrine as well as in practice set aside the commandments of God and followed papal tradition. The call of God, in this threefold message of Revelation 14, opens with the words:

“Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water” (verse 7).

This call to reformation in the worship of God is based on the terms of the fourth commandment. It is an appeal to worship the God who “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 20:11).

It is the Creator, the God who made the Sabbath the sign of His creative power, that is to be worshiped. “Hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:20).

The Sabbath is a sign, the divinely appointed mark of the living and the true God.

But the Roman Papacy has set up a mark of its own, a badge of the assumed power of the Catholic Church, to speak for God independently of His Holy word. The Papacy points to the existence of the Sunday institution in Christendom as a mark of its power and authority; and so it is.

It was on this very point that the famous Council of Trent based Rome’s answer to the Protestant Reformation, that tradition and not Scripture alone is the guide, with the voice of the Catholic Church the living voice, instead of the Bible, the living word of God. The council had long debated the ground of its answer. The history records:

“Finally, at the last opening on the eighteenth of January, 1562, their last scruple was set aside; the archbishop of Rheggio made a speech in which he openly declared that tradition stood above Scripture. The authority of the church could therefore not be bound to the authority of the Scriptures, because the church had changed Sabbath into Sunday, not by the command of Christ, but by its own authority. With this, to be sure, the last illusion was destroyed, and it was declared that tradition does not signify antiquity, but continual inspiration.” Dr. J. H. Holtzman, Canon and Tradition, page 263.

In this speech of the archbishop of Rheggio, Caspar del Fossa by name, arguing, from the generally accepted change of the Sabbath, that the world had acknowledged that the church has power to change the written word and law of God, it was stated:

“Such is the condition of the heretics to-day that they appeal to no other matter more than that they, under the pretense of the word of God, overthrow the church; as though the church, which is the body of Christ, could be opposed to this Word, or the head to the body. Yea, the authority of the church is most gloriously set forth by the Holy Scriptures; for while on the one hand she recommends the same, declares them divine, offers them to us to be read, explains them faithfully in doubtful passages, and condemns whatever is contrary to them, on the other hand, the legal precepts of the Lord contained in them have ceased by virtue of the same authority. The Sabbath, the most glorious day in the law, has been changed into the Lord’s day … . This and other similar matters have not ceased by virtue of Christ’s teaching (for He says He came to fulfill the law, not to destroy it (Matthew 5:17)), but they have been changed by virtue of the authority of the church. Should this authority cease (which would surely please the heretics), who would then witness for truth, and confound the obstinacy of the heretics?” Mansi, Paris, 1902, pages 526–533, quoted in The History of the Sabbath, page 588, Andrews and Conradi (Review and Herald, Washington, D. C.).

Ever since, the Papacy has been boldly challenging Protestants with inconsistency in holding to the observance of Sunday while rejecting the authority of the Roman Church. One finds it in almost any Roman Catholic catechism. Thus:

Question: Have you any other way of proving that the church has power to institute festivals of precept?

Answer: Had she not such power, … she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority. Kennan’s Doctrinal Catechism, page 174.

Again, a standard Roman Catholic work written for Protestants, says:

“The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the church.” Plain Talk About Protestantism of To-day.

There can be no question as to the fact that the Bible recognizes no change of the day of the Sabbath. As Cardinal Gibbons says:

“You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify.” Faith of Our Fathers, page 141.

Protestant authorities—men who themselves observe the traditional Sunday—have freely declared that the New Testament nowhere teaches the substitution of the first day of the week for the seventh as the day of rest. Smith and Cheetham’s “Dictionary of Christian Antiquities,” a standard work edited by Church of England clergymen, says:

“The notion of a formal substitution by apostolic authority of the Lord’s day [meaning Sunday] for the Jewish Sabbath, and the transference to it, perhaps in a spiritualized form, of the Sabbatical obligation established by the promulgation of the fourth commandment, has no basis whatever, either in Holy Scripture or in Christian antiquity.” Article Sabbath.

And all the time the fourth command of God’s holy law declares the seventh day to be the Lord’s day, not a “Jewish” sabbath, but “the Sabbath of the Lord thy God” (Exodus 20:10). Whoever takes Jehovah as God and Lord is asked by Him to take His Sabbath also.

Here are statements by another Church of England writer, Dr. Eyton, canon of Westminster:

“There is no word nor hint, in the New Testament, about abstaining from work on Sunday.

“No commandment of God bids us do this or not do that on Sunday; we are absolutely free as far as His law goes.

“The observance of Ash Wednesday or Lent stands on exactly the same footing as the observance of Sunday.

“Into the rest of Sunday no divine law enters.” The Ten Commandments, Trübner & Co. (London).

The late Dr. R. W. Dale, Congregationalist, famous in all the churches as one of England’s foremost writers and scholars, said:

“It is quite clear that however rigidly or devoutly we may spend Sunday, we are not keeping the Sabbath.

“The Sabbath was founded on a specific divine command. We can plead no such command for the observance of Sunday.

“There is not a single sentence in the New Testament to suggest that we incur any penalty by violating the supposed sanctity of Sunday.” The Ten Commandments, Hodder and Stoughton (London).

Christ kept the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment, as He kept all His “Father’s commandments” (John 15:10, last part). He declared Himself “Lord also of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28). It is the only Lord’s day of Holy Scripture, the only day blessed and made holy by the Lord. In keeping it, Jesus left His followers for all time an example that they should walk “even as He walked” (1 John 2:6). He is “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). He never changed the perfect law of God, which is “holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12); He magnified the law in His earthly life and death, and ever lives to bring repentant sinners into the obedience of faith. The new-covenant promise declares the joyful word, “I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people” (Hebrews 8:10). That is the work of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

But the Papacy, that antichristian power brought to view in Daniel’s prophecy that was to “think to change” (Daniel 7:25) the law of God, has set aside the sign, or mark, of the living God, the Sabbath, and set up its own mark, the Sunday institution. This mystic Babylon of the prophecies has “made all nations drink of the wine” (Revelation 14:8) of its errors and perversions. Even some professedly Protestant peoples are found seeking by civil law to compel the observance of the Sunday, the mark of papal authority. Therefore the Lord sends the last message to all nations, crying the warning:

“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).

The whole question of loyalty and allegiance is bound up in this matter. The Lord sets forth His sign, the holy Sabbath, and the Papacy sets forth its sign, the Sunday institution. Whom shall we follow—the living God, or the Roman Papacy that “sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4, last part)?

The age-long controversy between truth and error is brought to the final crisis in this last generation. The issue is clear. There it stands written in the “sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19) for all mankind to read. The Reformation is not ended yet. Every movement of reform in past days has been leading up to this last stand for God and His Holy Word, on the platform of the primitive faith of the New Testament—“the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).

The closing work of the judgment-hour in heaven and this advent movement and message on earth are God’s answer to the great apostasy.

The prophet of old, as he saw the workings of apostacy treading down the sanctuary and the truth of God, heard the cry, “How long shall be the vision” (Daniel 8:13)? How long, O Lord, how long? was the cry of hearts through the dark night of papal error. The Lord’s answer was, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” (verse 14). Interpreted, that answer was, Unto the year 1844, then will the judgment work begin in heaven that is to cut short the reign of sin and apostasy; and then will the Lord lift up on earth the standard of eternal truth against the Papacy in the final gospel message to the world.

Truths obscured by traditions and trampled under the foot of apostasy are to be proclaimed anew. The message of Revelation 14:6–14 is spreading to the world. Every year thousands of new voices join in telling it. Printing-presses are printing this message in many lands. Schools and colleges in every continent are educating thousands of Seventh-day Adventist youth, keeping before them, as the highest aim in life, the hastening of the advent message of Revelation 14 to the world. Sanitariums in many parts are training medical missionary evangelists, ministering at the same time to the sick, and teaching the principles of Bible health and temperance. The movement necessarily emphasizes every principle and every truth of “the everlasting gospel,” while pressing upon all the solemn issue that loyalty to Christ now means to turn from papal tradition to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, from the Sunday of the Roman Papacy to “the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”

In times past Christian believers have been unwittingly following the Papacy in this matter; the Lord holds no man accountable for light that he did not have. Reformation is a progressive work. Of the past we may say with Paul: “The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:30, 31, first part). And now, with this “hour of God’s judgment” already come, the entire covering of papal tradition is to be torn aside, and true believers will be found keeping the faith and keeping the commandments of God as Jesus comes in glory.

All this was shown to John on the Isle of Patmos—the coming of the judgement-hour, the rise of the advent movement, and the heralding of the last message to the nations.

What John saw in vision nearly two thousand years ago, we see fulfilling before our eyes today. It is not enough to see it. We must have a part in it, and be a part of it.

The Hand of God in History, William A. Spicer, ©1913, 208–216.

 

William A. Spicer (1865-1952) was born into a Seventh-day Baptist home, became a Seventh-day Adventist, and was employed as a call boy at Battle Creek Sanitarium and later as secretary to Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, the medical superintendent there. He later served as secretary to Elder S. N. Haskell, then helped establish the Solusi Mission on 12,000 acres of land obtained from Cecil Rhodes. In 1903 he became secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and was President of the General Conference from 1922–1930. He was General Field Secretary of the General Conference from 1930–1940. He authored several books and many magazine articles also, as he was an editor of several Adventist periodicals, including The Review and Herald.

Question – What does it mean to worship in “spirit and truth?”

by

Question:

What does it mean to worship in spirit and Truth?

Answer:

The word “worship” has several connotations. For instance, sometimes remarks are made like this: “He just worships that car,” or “He worships on Saturday,” or “He worships on Sunday.” It is sometimes thought of as a religious practice according to some creed. Or worship may be spoken of as a reverent devotion to God. Or there are people who worship a person, like the pope of Rome. As for worshiping an object like a car, it would just mean that you spend a lot of time thinking about it and giving it extra good care; it would have first place above other things in your life. Jesus said, when talking to the woman at the well, that we must “Worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (See John 4:24.)

Taken in its loosest form, the word “worship” means to have a great deal of esteem or respect for God or a particular person, place or thing. Your esteem or respect leads you to certain actions and reactions, which could rightfully be called worship.

Worshiping in truth would be doing the right thing and showing the right respect to God. Worshiping God as is described in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, you may have all the outward appearances, such as going to church, kneeling for prayer, singing along with the congregation, and sitting quietly during church service. All these things are good and right in their place, and it is often considered true worship or worshiping in truth. However, worship in this manner could just be habit, form, or a ritual that gives you satisfaction because you feel like you are doing the right thing or because of social acceptance, not necessarily because your heart is there.

If you worship in spirit, your motives would be from a different source. Your heart and soul would be in what you were doing. Your intentions, your emotions and your actions would all be in harmony. You would be spending time with the Lord in private as well as in public. You would be attending all the worship services you could. You would be worshiping God because you love Him. You would also be worshiping Him to thank Him for all the blessings that He has bestowed upon you and for the sacrifice Jesus made for you on the cross of Calvary.

Worshiping God in spirit and in truth is to worship Him with all your heart and soul. Yes, there will be a certain amount of habit and form, but that will be the result of continual love and respect. You have a relationship with the Creator that no one else has; it is yours and you love it, and God loves it.

If you have a Bible question you wish to have answered, please e-mail it to: ruthgrosboll@stepstolife.org.

Bible Study Guides – The Call of Ancient Israel to the Service of God

by

January 8, 2006 – January 14, 2006

Key Text

“Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” Isaiah 43:10.

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 63–73; Prophets and Kings, 367–378.

Introduction

“God called Israel, and blessed and exalted them, not that by obedience to His law they alone might receive His favor and become the exclusive recipients of His blessings, but in order to reveal Himself through them to all the inhabitants of the earth. It was for the accomplishment of this very purpose that He commanded them to keep themselves distinct from the idolatrous nations around them. . . .

“But God did not intend that His people, in self-righteous exclusiveness, should shut themselves away from the world, so that they could have no influence upon it.

“Like their Master, the followers of Christ in every age were to be the light of the world.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 369.

1 Before God created the earth, what provision was made so that His purpose for man should not fail? 11 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:4.

note: “The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of ‘the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal.’ Romans 16:25, R. V. It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne. From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency.” The Desire of Ages, 22.

2 Whom did Adam and Eve obey instead of the Creator? Genesis 3:1–6. Having thus yielded, into what condition did they fall? 11 Peter 2:19, last part. How much did man lose by the fall? Romans 5:12; Genesis 3:17, 18.

note: “Not only man but the earth had by sin come under the power of the wicked one, and was to be restored by the plan of redemption. At his creation Adam was placed in dominion over the earth. But by yielding to temptation, he was brought under the power of Satan. [11 Peter 2:19 quoted.] When man became Satan’s captive, the dominion which he held, passed to his conqueror. Thus Satan became ‘the god of this world.’ 11 Corinthians 4:4. He had usurped that dominion over the earth which had been originally given to Adam. . . .

“Adam, in his innocence, had enjoyed open communion with his Maker; but sin brought separation between God and man, and the atonement of Christ alone could span the abyss and make possible the communication of blessing or salvation from heaven to earth. Man was still cut off from direct approach to his Creator, but God would communicate with him through Christ and angels.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 67.

3 Because of Adam’s transgression, what conditions developed among men before the Flood? Genesis 6:5–7. How had those who were loyal to God acknowledged His supreme power during these years? Genesis 4:3, 4.

note: “The sin of the antediluvians was in perverting that which in itself was lawful. They corrupted God’s gifts by using them to minister to their selfish desires. The indulgence of appetite and base passion made their imaginations altogether corrupt. The antediluvians were slaves of Satan, led and controlled by him (MS 24, 1891).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1090.

“They [Cain and Abel] knew that in these offerings they were to express faith in the Saviour whom the offerings typified, and at the same time to acknowledge their total dependence on Him for pardon; and they knew that by thus conforming to the divine plan for their redemption, they were giving proof of their obedience to the will of God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 71.

4 After the Flood, what acknowledgment did Noah make of God’s saving and keeping power? Genesis 8:20.

note: “In the joy of their release Noah did not forget Him by whose gracious care they had been preserved. His first act after leaving the ark was to build an altar and offer from every kind of clean beast and fowl a sacrifice, thus manifesting his gratitude to God for deliverance and his faith in Christ, the great sacrifice. This offering was pleasing to the Lord; and a blessing resulted, not only to the patriarch and his family, but to all who should live upon the earth. . . . Here was a lesson for all succeeding generations. Noah had come forth upon a desolate earth, but before preparing a house for himself he built an altar to God. His stock of cattle was small, and had been preserved at great expense; yet he cheerfully gave a part to the Lord as an acknowledgment that all was His.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 105, 106.

5 As men again departed from God, and forgot their Maker, what call was made to Abram? In calling him, what purpose did God have in mind for the world? Genesis 12:1–5. What evidences do we have that Abraham fully acknowledged God’s love and power, and His ownership of all things? Genesis 12:8; 14:17–20.

note: “God called Abraham, and prospered and honored him; and the patriarch’s fidelity was a light to the people in all the countries of his sojourn. Abraham did not shut himself away from the people around him. He maintained friendly relations with the kings of the surrounding nations, by some of whom he was treated with great respect; and his integrity and unselfishness, his valor and benevolence, were representing the character of God. In Mesopotamia, in Canaan, in Egypt, and even to the inhabitants of Sodom, the God of heaven was revealed through His representative.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 368.

“The tithing system did not originate with the Hebrews. From the earliest times the Lord claimed a tithe as His, and this claim was recognized and honored. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God.” Ibid., 525.

6 What experience came to Jacob on his journey to Haran? What act of worship did he perform? What pledge did he make to God? Genesis 28:10–22.

note: “Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and a wanderer, promised the Lord, ‘Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.’ Genesis 28:22.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 525.

“Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and penniless wanderer, lay down at night, solitary and alone, with a rock for his pillow, and there promised the Lord: ‘Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.’ [Genesis 28:22.] God does not compel men to give. All that they give must be voluntary. He will not have His treasury replenished with unwilling offerings.

“The Lord designed to bring man into close relationship with Himself and into sympathy and love with his fellow men by placing upon him responsibilities in deeds that would counteract selfishness and strengthen his love for God and man. The plan of system in benevolence God designed for the good of man, who is inclined to be selfish and to close his heart to generous deeds.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 393.

“Our business or calling is a part of God’s great plan, and, so long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is responsible for the results. ‘Laborers together with God’ (1 Corinthians 3:9), our part is faithful compliance with His directions. Thus there is no place for anxious care. Diligence, fidelity, caretaking, thrift, and discretion are called for. Every faculty is to be exercised to its highest capacity. But the dependence will be, not on the successful outcome of our efforts, but on the promise of God. . . .

“He who gives men power to get wealth has with the gift bound up an obligation. Of all that we acquire He claims a specified portion. The tithe is the Lord’s.” Education, 138.

7 For what purpose did God call Israel and set them in Palestine at the crossroads of the nations? Isaiah 43:10–12; 44:8.

note: “Often the Israelites seemed unable or unwilling to understand God’s purpose for the heathen. Yet it was this very purpose that had made them a separate people and had established them as an independent nation among the nations of the earth. Abraham, their father, to whom the covenant promise was first given, had been called to go forth from his kindred, to the regions beyond, that he might be a light bearer to the heathen. Although the promise to him included a posterity as numerous as the sand by the sea, yet it was for no selfish purpose that he was to become the founder of a great nation in the land of Canaan. God’s covenant with him embraced all the nations of earth.” Prophets and Kings, 367, 368.

8 In order that Israel might truly represent God, what must they do? What did God promise to do for them? Deuteronomy 26:17–19.

note: “To this people were committed the oracles of God. They were hedged about by the precepts of His law, the everlasting principles of truth, justice, and purity. Obedience to these principles was to be their protection, for it would save them from destroying themselves by sinful practices. And as the tower in the vineyard, God placed in the midst of the land His holy temple.

“Christ was their instructor. As He had been with them in the wilderness, so He was still to be their teacher and guide.” Prophets and Kings, 18.

“God desired to make of His people Israel a praise and a glory. Every spiritual advantage was given them. God withheld from them nothing favorable to the formation of character that would make them representatives of Himself.

“Their obedience to the laws of God would make them marvels of prosperity before the nations of the world. He who could give them wisdom and skill in all cunning work would continue to be their teacher and would ennoble and elevate them through obedience to His laws. If obedient, they would be preserved from the diseases that afflicted other nations and would be blessed with vigor of intellect. The glory of God, His majesty and power, were to be revealed in all their prosperity. They were to be a kingdom of priests and princes. God furnished them with every facility for becoming the greatest nation on the earth.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 221, 222.

9 In what respect was Israel to be a separate and distinct people? Exodus 33:16.

note: “How frequently ancient Israel rebelled, and how often they were visited with judgments, and thousands slain, because they would not heed the commands of God who had chosen them! The Israel of God in these last days are in constant danger of mingling with the world and losing all signs of being the chosen people of God. Read again Titus 2:13–15. We are here brought down to the last days, when God is purifying unto Himself a peculiar people. Shall we provoke Him as did ancient Israel? Shall we bring His wrath upon us by departing from Him and mingling with the world, and following the abominations of the nations around us?

“The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself; this consecration to God and separation from the world is plainly and positively enjoined in both the Old and the New Testament. There is a wall of separation which the Lord Himself has established between the things of the world and the things He has chosen out of the world and sanctified unto Himself. The calling and character of God’s people are peculiar, their prospects are peculiar, and these peculiarities distinguish them from all other people.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 283.

10 What was to be Israel’s relation to the nations about them? Why? Deuteronomy 7:2–4.

note: “God called Israel, and blessed and exalted them, not that by obedience to His law they alone might receive His favor and become the exclusive recipients of His blessings, but in order to reveal Himself through them to all the inhabitants of the earth. It was for the accomplishment of this very purpose that He commanded them to keep themselves distinct from the idolatrous nations around them.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 369.

11 How were the Lord’s people to relate themselves to the strangers who came and dwelt among them? Exodus 12:44–49; 20:10; Leviticus 19:34.

note: “God had made provision that all who would renounce heathenism, and connect themselves with Israel, should share the blessings of the covenant. They were included under the term, ‘the stranger that sojourneth among you’ [Leviticus 18:26], and with few exceptions this class were to enjoy equal favors and privileges with Israel.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 507.

12 If Israel had followed God’s plan in relating themselves to the stranger and to the idolatrous nations, what would have been their relation to God? Exodus 19:5, 6.

note: “If obedient to His requirements, they were to be placed far in advance of other peoples in wisdom and understanding; but this supremacy was to be reached and maintained only in order that through them the purpose of God for ‘all nations of the earth’ might be fulfilled.” Prophets and Kings, 368, 369.

The Ten Commandments, Part V: Idol Worship is Bad News

by

As we look at the various forms of idolatry which were practiced in Old Testament times by heathen worshippers, it seems almost inconceivable that the children of Israel could be caught up in something that was so obvious a departure from God. They knew who the true God was. They had revelations of the true God; they had prophets who told them about the true God, and yet it seemed almost too easy for them to get caught up in the worship of idols. The reason they got caught up in the worship of idols is, basically, the same reason why modern Israel gets caught up in idol worship today.

Ellen White wrote: “Through deceptive means and unseen channels, Satan is working to strengthen his authority and to place obstacles in the way of God’s people, that souls may not be freed from his power and gathered under the banner of Christ. By his deceptions he is seeking to allure souls from Christ, and those who are not established upon the truth will surely be taken in his snare.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 295.

The devil’s plan for each of us is to catch us in his snare. So the Lord, in an effort to prepare us to escape the snare of the devil, pleads with us to follow the counsels that He has given to us in His Word.

“Thou shalt not make thee [any] graven image, [or] any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” Deuteronomy 5:8–10.

We read in these texts that God is a jealous God. In a previous article, we considered this concept of jealousy. The original Hebrew word for jealousy, qanna’, indicates the jealousy of a husband for the purity of his wife, whom he loves with an affection that will not tolerate any rival. We find that all through the Scriptures the relationship between God and His people is represented by a marriage, a pure relationship that excludes all other gods. There are to be no rivals.

God does not expect us to love only Him and ignore all of our fellow human beings, but He wants us to focus on Him as our Husband. We are His bride; He is our Husband. This is the kind of relationship, the kind of divine jealousy, which runs throughout the whole Bible. We need to understand this.

The Song of Solomon and Psalm 45, as well as other places in Scripture, allude to this marriage relationship that we are to have with God. An elaborate illustration is given in Ephesians 5 of the husband/wife relationship Christ uses to teach His people of the love He has for them.

Idolatry, then, in its final analysis, is really infidelity to the most sacred of vows—the divine marriage vow. When we are born again, when we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour, we are counted as the bride of Christ, and we are to be faithful to Him in all that we do. When we are counted as His bride, we take vows in this marriage covenant which, in reality, are the Ten Commandments. This is God’s will for us. This is what God expects us to follow. But many times we find ourselves, like many others today, having eyes that are casting about in other directions from where God would have us to look, and we become unfaithful to our marriage vow to God.

If we have the covenant relationship, the Ten Commandments, ever before us, we are going to be faithful to Him—not because we have to be, but because we love Him as God. I have never known anyone who really loved his or her spouse to be unfaithful to the marriage vow. If they really love their spouse, every other consideration dims, as they focus on that relationship, and then there is no temptation to commit adultery.

Gross and Refined Forms

The gross forms of idolatry practiced in heathen lands are practically unknown in the United States. But we do have what we would term “refined forms of idolatry.” These refined forms can be just as captivating to us as the gross forms are to the heathen.

In heathen lands, we see this gross idolatry being practiced in the forms of images, temples, shrines, and altars that are of a very imposing nature. People are captivated by the beauty of these things, and they are drawn to them. In the United States, it is slightly different. We have refined idolatry, which is probably more displeasing to God, and because we have such great light shed upon these kinds of things, we are going to be held more accountable.

In review, the second commandment tells us that we are to have no images or anything that is to be in the place of God. We have learned that idolatry is serving or worshipping the creature more than the Creator. To worship the creature does not necessarily mean to worship a living organism, but it is inclusive of everything that has been created. Whatever or whomever we love and serve more than God becomes an idol to us. We can love someone, but it is when we love him or her more than we love God that the problem occurs. I would hate to think what a husband/wife relationship would be if it was devoid of love and if it was believed, “I cannot love you, because I have to love God instead.” God tells us not to love them more, not to put them in the place of Him. Are we guilty of idolatry, as far as the divine definition is concerned?

When the apostle Paul visited the city of Athens, the Bible says that his spirit was stirred when he saw that the whole city was given over to idolatry. (Acts 17:16.) I wonder how Paul would feel if he were to walk the streets of the United States today, such as New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles. Would he recognize the forms of idolatry that are there, or would he just be looking for those gross forms of idolatry? Would these different forms of idolatry deceive him to the extent that he could not recognize them?

Let us look at some of the things the apostle Paul might see today, if he were on tour. Paul said, of the idolaters of his day, that they “became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:21, 22.

How would Paul feel if he found himself in a sports arena where, as the teams ran out onto the field, the whole crowd stood to their feet screaming and yelling for them? Would he recognize this as a form of idolatry? Certainly it can become a form of idolatry.

How would he feel if he found himself at a rock concert? Many people today think nothing of a rock concert. When they started gaining popularity in the 1960s, people were appalled by what they saw. Now, when rock concerts are advertised, they just gather a protracted yawn from most people. Yet, when you consider what transpires at a rock concert, as far as the performers are concerned, is this, indeed, not a form of idolatry? Billions of dollars are spent annually to gather the music as a shrine, so it can be played over and over again.

What about movie stars? As they parade out on stage to receive their trophies at the annual awards shows, to the applause and cheering of the audience, would Paul recognize this as idolatry? Do we recognize some of these things as a violation of the commandment that says we should not bow down to these kinds of idols?

Those are some of the more obvious ones, but what about the marvelous discoveries of modern science that have increased the worship of the works of man? In this age of invention and discovery and scientific progress, we find that these categories can open up a violation of this commandment, when we see the exaltation and the deification of human achievements that present a god before which millions bow in reverence and admiration.

No longer do we need to depend upon God for life, health, or happiness. Are you growing old? Are you wearing out? Modern techniques of medicine can fix you up better than new. Do you need a new hipbone? Well, one can be put in that will last almost forever. What about a new lung? A new heart? Medical specialists can even give you a new heart, and we fall down and serve the creature rather than the Creator, in exalting medical technology.

But who is really responsible for all of the progress for which man takes credit? The Creator seems to stand humbly in the wings while the creature takes the bow on center stage.

Worship of Self

Although I have read 11 Timothy 3:1 many, many times, I present it now in an effort to bring this into a context in which we can understand the dangers that we face in light of this second commandment. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

Often, people have the idea that these perilous times are referring to wars and rumors of wars. That is not what it is talking about. This is the thesis sentence of what is to follow, and Paul very specifically tells Timothy what those perilous times are all about: “For men shall be lovers of their own selves . . . .” In other words, there is going to be extreme selfishness. Self is all that is being considered.

“Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous [desiring what belongs to someone else], boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” Verses 2–4. Do you suppose that is idolatry? “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Verse 5.

This is a graphic description of idolatry. Every one of these words and phrases fall into a category of idolatry—worship of self. Probably one of the greatest problems we face today is coming into contact with people who are so selfish. I would much rather be in Iraq, feeling my way along through mine wires, than to be in a setting where all that is mentioned in these texts are present. You might be able to make it through the minefield, but you may not be able to make it through this minefield of idolatry.

Many marriages today fail, or are failing, because of the worship of self. Instead of the marriage relationship being that of total giving, it has become a total getting experience. “What can I get out of this relationship?” is usually the question being asked, rather than, “What can I give to this relationship?”

There is probably nothing more responsible for this than the modern media—music, films, and all the rest. What can I get out of this relationship? It is this concept that is pounded into the minds of young people today. It is a philosophy that comes directly from the headquarters of evil.

Christ is not able to find any corner to stand in or any chair to sit down on, in those whose hearts are filled with self, and unless Christ is the center of the marriage, it will become a “getting for self” experience rather than a “giving experience.” How wrong is this kind of philosophy!

Selfishness is a malicious ruler. It cannot be satisfied through simple appeasement. It clamors for more and still more, and the person who worships self is not even aware, many times, of the terrible dangers and eternal consequences that come through this kind of sin. If you look at the Law of God and make application of the second commandment, self dies, and Christ takes up residence.

We know that Jesus is the very embodiment of humility. On the opposite extreme, selfishness is the very spirit of the satanic. Indeed, I can say that perilous times have come upon our generation in the fulfillment of this Bible text.

Antidote for Selfishness

According to the Spirit of Prophecy, one of the greatest antidotes for the disease of selfishness is to work for the salvation of others. (See Review and Herald, August 16, 1881; December 10, 1901.) And, yet, this too can become a deception. If we think that we want to guard ourselves against selfishness by going out to work for others, we need to make sure that we have the right motive. If we do not have the right motive, it can turn into a system of works for self’s sake.

Fashion

Self can center its expression in fashion. Fashion, in its broadest sense, embraces idolatry. The word fashion means to conform to the prevailing modes, practices, and customs of the world.

We need to have more education with concern to fashion. I mean this in a loving way, but some Seventh-day Adventists and other Christians—and even historic Seventh-day Adventists—take the counsel relative to fashion and interpret it to mean that they have to go about looking like scarecrows! They think they have to dress like one in order to avoid being fashionable. We are made in His image, and God does not intend for us to look like scarecrows. We will scare everyone away to whom we are trying to witness if we look like that!

Fashion can become an idol when the thoughts and the intents are: How can I be like the world? How can I acclimate myself to all the customs and the traditions and the dress and the ornamentation of the world? This can, but does not need to, become an idol. You can look representative; you can look modest; you can have a pure deportment, but that does not mean that you are being fashionable. Let us make sure that we have a right understanding of what it means to be dressed as a Christian versus what it means to look like a scarecrow. We have to be able to know the difference, so we can rightly represent the Lord in all of this.

Worship of Others

Along with the worship of self comes the worship of others. For instance, there are many parents who make gods of their children. This is an area about which we must be very careful. Our children are never to become idols of worship to us, but there are many people who devote their lives, as parents, serving and obeying their children. In these homes, the children are indulged and pampered and defended until they become so self-centered and such bigots that they expect everybody to bow down to their every whim and to their every wish. You know them, and I know them. Where does it all start? It starts in the home where the children are made an idol of worship.

It is a travesty that children are allowed to control what happens in a home. The home is where the parents are to be in control and where the children are to be obedient to their parents. I have never read in the Bible or in the Spirit of Prophecy where parents are to be obedient to their children and are to honor them. It is the other way around. The children are to obey and honor their parents.

People can worship other people, and this is a form of idolatry. This is one of the reasons why the Lord Jesus stated, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37. This revolves around the second commandment concept.

Can we love father and mother? Yes, we can. Can we love son and daughter? Yes, we can, but this love must be kept in its proper perspective.

Lovers of Pleasure

Paul mentions, in his list, those who, in the last days, are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. What would he say today if he could see the advertising in the United States which seems entirely directed toward making us lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God? Professed Christians spend more time and money in the shrine of pleasure than they do in the house of God and at the altar of prayer. In this pleasure-mad age, thousands of people live only to satisfy their cravings for fun and frolic.

In the parable of the sower, the pleasures of this life are said to be thorns that cause the seed to become unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22.) Where, on any given day, do you suppose you would find most people if they had to choose between missionary work and play? What would most of them be doing? You would probably find most of them at play.

Is there anything wrong with taking time to play? No. It is not my intent to take away anyone’s playtime, but we need to make sure that we have things in their proper perspectives.

The kind of recreation, inspiration tells us, in which a Christian should participate is that which is of a quality that recreates the body and the mind. “There are modes of recreation which are highly beneficial to both mind and body. An enlightened, discriminating mind will find abundant means for entertainment and diversion, from sources not only innocent, but instructive. Recreation in the open air, the contemplation of the works of God in nature, will be of the highest benefit.” The Adventist Home, 496. “Recreation, when true to its name, re-creation, tends to strengthen and build up. Calling us aside from our ordinary cares and occupations, it affords refreshment for mind and body and thus enables us to return with new vigor to the earnest work of life.” Ibid., 512. This is what recreation or re-creation is all about. Unless it does this, it should not be labeled as recreation.

Perverted Appetite

One of the other plagues of idolatry can be found in perverted and uncontrolled appetite. Paul identifies this area, which is part of the refined idolatry of the day: “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18, 19.

The idolatry of appetite embraces, in its broadest application, all the appetites of the flesh. There are many people today—thousands, perhaps millions—who live to eat rather than eat to live. This is one of the reasons why many Americans experience such poor health. On every business street corner and even into suburbia, we find restaurants appealing to the appetites of the people.

There is nothing wrong with eating. I enjoy eating, but there are people who make eating the center of their lives. Many belong to supper clubs where the supposed finest cuisine is served—most of which should never be consumed.

Eating and drinking, as a means of health and strength, should be practiced by every Christian, but eating and drinking as an end in itself is a foolish, dangerous, and deadly practice. It is legitimate to satisfy a normal, temperate appetite, and doing so should be pleasurable.

The Lord has given us a tremendous amount of counsel concerning proper eating and drinking—not only from the standpoint of health but also from the standpoint that if this is a pleasure that has taken the place of God, then it is in violation of the second commandment.

Sensuality

Another idol that is worshipped today is the goddess of sensuality. There is no question in my mind that we have arrived at the anti-type of the days of Noah when the earth was destroyed with the flood—the time when the earth was so corrupt before God that every imagination, every thought, and every intent of the heart was only evil continually.

As we read, in the second commandment, the Lord will punish generation after generation after generation who hate Him and are not following His commandments. This does not mean that God is going to punish children for the sins of their parents. Ezekiel 18 is very, very clear about that. But what it does tell us is that there is a proliferation from one generation to another of the traits and the characteristics of the former generation. Just by virtue of beholding, we become changed into that which we behold.

We must make sure that we are always following the Lord and not following the dictates of the household, if they are different from what the Lord has instructed us. It is an unfailing rule of justice that the iniquities of parents are visited upon their children if they follow their footsteps.

Think about that for a moment. Parents’ ideas of religion are usually accepted by their children. This can be a sobering thought. We would wish that it would be wholly positive, but it can be just the opposite, if the parents’ ideas of religion are skewed.

The parents who say they will let their child decide what religion he or she wants to practice when he or she grows up, will usually find that their child will reflect their philosophy. Ultimately, no one is saved. The parents are lost, and the child is lost, because neither has a definite belief regarding the Saviour.

How do you worship God in your home? Is it consistent? Is it spiritual? Is sin rebuked, or is it condoned? Whatever attitude you are fostering is the attitude with which your children will grow up, whether you realize it or not.

The law that says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” proves true every time. Proverbs 22:6. But there is a contrast. Sin is visited unto the third and forth generations (Exodus 34:7), but the contrast is greater than the sin. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20. Notice what the commandment says: “Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” Deuteronomy 5:9, 10. In other words, sin is visited unto the third and fourth generations, but the reward of obedience reaches to a thousand generations. I like this positive aspect that, if we are serving the Lord, these effects can be felt right on down through generations to come. Sin will eventually run its course; it will become extinct, but virtue and loyalty and righteousness will never, ever die. Obedience to God’s Law, both moral and those that involve our well-being, brings a rich reward in character and happiness.

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” Deuteron-omy 7:9. There is a limit to God’s wrath that will be poured out upon the sins of the third and fourth generations, but a thousand generations beyond that will experience His love and His mercy. His mercy reaches far beyond His wrath.

What is Permissible

We could go on about the prohibitions of image worship or idolatry, but let us look at one image that it is permissible to worship. This image of worship is not only permitted, but it is actually commanded as the only means of salvation.

Because the Father knew that it would be difficult for man to worship an invisible God, He sent His Son into the world to become Emmanuel—God with us. The incarnation of Jesus, as the Son of God, was God manifest in the flesh. Christ was declared to be the very image of the invisible God. (Colos-sians 1:15.) His character is described, and it is that which is promised to be reproduced in us as we worship Him. By beholding Christ, we become changed into His image. (11 Corinthians 3:18.) We must learn of His attributes, His character, His love, His long-suffering, and incorporate these into ourselves by beholding His image. This is the only acceptable image worship, because it is all righteousness.

The chief ambition of every Christian should be to worship the only true image of the invisible God, Jesus Christ, and have His character likeness reproduced in his or her life. This form of worship is not idolatry. It is Christianity.

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” 1 Corin-thians 3:18. We have a tendency, as human beings, to think that our wisdom is okay if it centers upon the things of the world to the neglect of Christ. But we have become fools, if that is the case. We need to understand that there is a God in heaven Who has commanded us, Who expects us to respond to His command, and that by beholding Him, we can become changed into His likeness. That is where true wisdom is found. The rest is all foolishness. Solomon called it vanity: “Vanity of vanities; all [is] vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2.

The only responsibility of human beings is to “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. May that be our vow to God, and may we be determined to serve Him to the end.

To be continued December 2005 . . .

A retired minister of the gospel, Pastor Mike Baugher may be contacted by e-mail at : landmarks@stepstolife.org.

The Ten Commandments, Part III: Idol Worship is Bad News

by

According to what God has told us, upon the Ten Commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Testimonies, vol. 2, 43.) So all instruction really emanates from His Word, His Law, His character, and His love. We need to gather the principles contained in His Law and then apply them to our lives that we might not sin against Him.

The Second Commandment

“Thou shalt not make thee [any] graven image, [or] any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me, And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” Deuteronomy 5:8–10.

The first commandment is very short and to the point. The second commandment is a bit longer, but the first and the second commandments are closely related in that they both prohibit idolatry and false worship. There are, nevertheless, very distinct differences between them. Let us take a look at some of these differences.

Catechisms

The first commandment deals with the question of Who is the true God. The second commandment deals with how the true God is to be worshipped. The second is not a repetition of the first, as some would have us to believe. As we look at Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican catechisms, we see that the second commandment is removed or, with very small type, is included under the first. Then the second commandment is given as, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.” The third commandment is given as, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” And the tenth commandment is divided in half to fill the void.

The distinction between the first and second commandments is as much as that which exists between any of the other ten. The first commandment reveals the object of true worship. It tells us Who alone must be worshipped. The second tells us how He must be worshipped or how He must not be worshipped. The first prohibits the worship of false gods; the second forbids false forms of worship.

No Tinkering

Ellen White tells us, “The Lord has not placed before one individual the trade of becoming a church tinker.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 40. With what should we not tinker? We should not tinker with the form of worship! Is it tinkering because we are not following a certain kind of liturgy, or is it speaking to greater principles than this? I think that it is speaking to greater principles. When we are counseled to not tinker with the form of worship, it involves the fact that the attention is not to be given to those who are directing the worship but rather to the One who is the object of the worship.

In the early years of my ministry, I attended, at my cousin’s invitation, a special musical program in a Nazarene church. During the program, I noticed one individual, a gentleman, who seemed particularly enraptured with the presentation.

The musical presentation was followed by the “Ministry of the Word,” but at the conclusion of the music, this man left. He had no interest in the preaching. He only wanted the “high,” the sensuous emotion that the music had apparently given him. He did not have any further interest in hearing the Word.

We can tinker with worship to the extent that it becomes almost a sensuous experience; we become wrapped up in all the choreography and the details of the presentation and forget Whom it is we have come to worship. Such are the kinds of things to which this commandment speaks.

The first commandment deals with our conception of God. The second commandment addresses our external acts as manifested in worship. It directs against the false worship of the true God. He must not be worshipped through idols or images—visible manifestations to represent the diety.

Negative Implies a Positive

We must not think that the Ten Commandments are wholly negative. Many of them begin with “Thou shalt not,” and there is a tendency for us to bristle just a little, because we do not like to be told what not to do. This is part of our sinful, fallen, human nature. Yet, we perceive a negative aspect to the second commandment, because it leaves more of a negative impression upon our minds than it does a positive. This is, again, a result of human nature.

There are many things that we accept being told to do, but there are very few things that we enjoy being told not to do. However, if we are told not to worship in a certain way, it is because there is a positive way in which to worship. The negative command, “You shall not,” always implies the positive command, “You shall.” Sin forbidden indicates righteousness commanded. “You shall have no other gods before Me,” implies the command, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only should you serve.” (Matthew 4:10.)

Internal Belief/External Acts

Both the internal belief and the external acts are involved in worship. These are distinguished by the first two commandments. The outward acts of worship reveal the thoughts and the intents of the heart. Outward acts are fruits; they are one of the things we can judge. We cannot judge the intents of the heart, but the intents of the heart are usually revealed in the outward actions. This is where a lot of people get into trouble. They do not want to be judged, but they present themselves before people in such a way that there is nothing else that can take place, because we are called to be fruit inspectors and to judge from that standpoint. As a man thinks in his heart, so is his conduct. (Proverbs 23:7.)

False or True

The distinction between false gods or false forms of worship needs to be recognized, because, as fallen human beings, we can very easily be caught up in worshipping idols and things along with or in place of the true God.

When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, He told her that “the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 4:23.

This is a positive aspect of the second commandment. True worship is far more than religious forms and ceremonies. This is one of the principles of this commandment that we need to consider.

True worship can become perverted and degraded by those who are occupied with the externals and substitute them for the spiritual experience. This is one of the problems with churches which apparently feel that the louder the noise and the more physical movement that occurs, the more they are worshipping God.

One of the reasons many Seventh-day Adventists are worshipping independently of the organized church is because of the inroads the celebration movement has made into Adventism. This is one of the reasons I am no longer employed by the organized conference.

A Stand for True Worship

I had preached a sermon about the celebration movement and the inroads it was making into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Shortly thereafter, the local conference academy wished to sponsor a rock radio station on its campus. Some of the church members, who knew my stand on the matter, asked if I would accompany them to talk with the conference leadership concerning this station.

We prepared a packet of materials that outlined Christian standards of music and sent a copy to each member of the Conference Committee 30 days before the scheduled meeting. They laughed us to scorn in the meeting.

The church members decided they were going to see to it that this issue was put on the agenda for the constituency meeting, which was to be held in three months. At the appointed time, I was the only pastor who stood before the assembled constituents and spoke against the music that would be played on the campus of the academy by this proposed radio station.

In the three months following this meeting, the little conference of 6,000 members missed its budget by $150,000. The leadership sent out a letter, inquiring whether any of the pastors knew why the giving had diminished so drastically. Upon receipt of that letter, my wife and I drove to the conference office and said, “You have asked a question; we have an answer.” We told them what we felt the answer was, and they again laughed us to scorn and declared, “It could not possibly be.”

A few months later, the conference president called me to his office and told me he would like to discuss my new responsibilities. I had been in my current church district for seven years, and I knew it was getting close to the time to move to another district. We did not think we would be moved clear out, but we were. The conference president said, “We have four positions which must be cut because of the finances. One pastor has taken a call to another conference; one has retired; one has gone back to Andrews University. This leaves one more position, and that is yours.” If I was in trouble, it was because I stood for principle on issues, not because I was involved in moral problems or other personality difficulties.

As far as I was concerned, this change was fine. God had called me to ministry, so my wife and I started an independent ministry. We have continued in the Lord’s work ever since.

Forbidden Images

The second commandment, as given to the Israelites, forbids the making of images or any likenesses of any created object in heaven or earth for the purpose of worship. There are people who believe that this commandment forbids photographs—pictures of Jesus or relatives or anything of that nature. They say that such pictures are graven images. They do not believe we should display these things in our homes, because the commandment forbids it. Well, the commandment does not forbid this kind of thing. If indeed such was the case, then Moses, when commanded by the Lord, shortly after this commandment was given, to embroider figures of angels, to be placed in the Sanctuary to beautify it, was under divine injunction to transgress this commandment!

The principle of this commandment centers on worship. If you have created a shrine, where you bow down and worship, and the shrine includes a photograph of someone you adore and worship, then yes, this is wrong, and the second commandment addresses that. Memory’s hall, where we have photographs and pictures of loved ones, has nothing whatsoever to do with this principle.

Anything in the Heavens

Many people interpret “Thou shalt not make . . . any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above” as not making a picture of Jesus. After all, He is in heaven above. But let me just ask you a question: Are we to worship Jesus? Absolutely! This commandment is not forbidding the worship of Jesus. (Although, as presented previously, it does forbid worshipping a graven image of Jesus.) He certainly is worthy to be worshipped.

This commandment is referring to the planets in the heavens above us, to which people have attributed the status of gods. People have bowed down and worshipped Venus, Mars, and the sun. The Lord tells us that we should not worship these heavenly bodies or make any graven images of them. Neither should we worship angels, which are in heaven. They are not worthy of worship. (See Revelation 22:8, 9.)

Dead gods are not worthy of worship. Let us be honest; there are dead gods. They were known and called such, but they were believed to have immortal souls. We are forbidden to make graven images for the worship of these gods.

The second commandment is a prohibition against the worship of the work of our hands.

In Place of God

An idol is any creature or created thing put in the place of God. Idolatry is creature worship rather than Creator worship. Of all the forms of idolatry, the most degraded and senseless is the worship of the mere image of the genuine.

Think about this for a moment. Man is always superior to that which he makes, and in worshipping the works of his own hands, he is worshipping that which is inferior to himself. If you fashion a little doll or an image—perhaps a statue of the Virgin Mary—it is something crafted by your hands. It has no life or energy. It cannot help you. It is actually beneath you. It would be one thing to worship a living human being who is on your same level, but it is altogether different to worship something which is beneath you.

Image worship is even worse than the worship of what God has made, because what God has made has at least come from His hand. Image worship is the worship of something from the hand of man.

Heathen Gods

When the law was given to the children of Israel at Sinai, they had just been delivered from a country where some of the worst forms of idolatry had been practiced. They were on their way to a land that was equally corrupt. The chief gods, which the Egyptians worshipped, were the likenesses of Osiris and his wife, Isis. Osiris was known as the god of the dead. All heathen gods were men and women who, after their deaths, were deified and worshipped. In many places, they are still worshipped.

In Egypt, along with the worship of human forms, the people also worshipped the ox, heifer, stork, crane, hawk, crocodile, serpent, frog, and fish of the Nile. Every living thing was a god, and a god was in everything. This was a form of pantheism.

As far back as can be traced, the worship of all pagan deities originated with the worship of dead men and dead women. The Bible speaks very plainly concerning the worship of the dead and the familiar spirits of the dead. Do not seek after those that peep and mutter, the Bible says. (Isaiah 8:19.) (See also Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10–12.)

All graven images of worship usually represent dead heroes, ancestors, or, as we find in modern forms of this idolatrous worship, the saints and the Virgin Mary. Interestingly, in the Catholic structure, a person does not become a saint until he or she is dead.

Immortality of the Soul

This commandment forbids the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. If it were understood correctly, there would never be the concept of the immortality of the soul.

Can you see why, on the Ten Commandments hang all the law and the prophets? Immortality is not spoken of in the Ten Commandments, yet the foundation of it is found there. This is why it is never to be entertained as a doctrine, because the second commandment forbids the consideration of the immortality of the soul. Only God is immortal. To represent God, an image must represent someone who is immortal as well.

In the book, The Origin of Pagan Idolatry (A. J. Halry, London, 1816), the author, George S. Faber, states that the gods were holy men and the sun, moon, and stars were regarded as intelligences, because they were the abode of deified men. The gods were the souls of men who were afterwards worshipped by their posterity on account of their extraordinary virtues.

Since the dead are unconscious and know not anything and have nothing whatsoever to do with anything that is done under the sun, pretended spirits of the dead are really the spirits of devils or evil angels impersonating the dead for the purpose of deception. (Ecclesiastes 9:5) The worship of idols constitutes demon worship and is so designated in the Scriptures.

The Great Apostasy

Idol worship denigrates the idea of worshipping God to the level of worshipping goats and devils. What an abomination to our Creator!

Idolatry is Satan’s effort to substantiate the lie to Adam and to Eve when he said, “You shall not surely die. For God knows that in the day that you eat of this tree, then your eyes will be opened, and you will be as gods.” (Genesis 3:4, 5.)

The great apostasy, or falling away, which was mentioned by the apostle Paul during the early Christian centuries, was a return to heathen idolatry under the disguise of a Christian exterior. The apostles were scarcely dead before the early Christians began to make images of them to venerate the relics of apostolic days. The apostasy ripened into its full fruitage between the fourth and the eighth centuries.

Edward Gibbon, in his book, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (reprinted by Allen Lane The Penguin Press, London, 1994), wrote that the sublime and simple theology of primitive Christians was gradually corrupted and the monarchy of heaven, already clouded by metaphysical subtleties, was degraded by the introduction of a popular mythology which tended to restore the reign of polytheism, the worship of many gods.

At the first, the experiment was made with caution. As the church leadership began to bring this practice in, they did it very carefully at first, because they did not know what the reaction of the people was going to be. The venerable pictures of saints and martyrs were discretely allowed, and before the end of the sixth century, these images were the object of worship and the instruments of miracles. By the beginning of the eighth century, the more timorous Greeks were awakened by an apprehension that, under the mask of Christianity, they had restored the religion of their fathers.

Temporal or Eternal

It is so much easier to be carnal than spiritual! This explains the general demand for ritualism on the part of unspiritual people. They seem to feel that a great outward show of religion makes up for the lack of an inward experience. This is one of the things commanding the attention of human beings today, especially in the area of fashion. The less spiritual experience a person has, the more they are drawn into the field of fashion. They do not seem to realize that these “things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.” 11 Corinthians 4:18. This is why, “The just shall live by faith,” not by sight. Galatians 3:11. (See also 11 Corinthians 5:7.)

The most lasting and valuable things of life are invisible. Love, joy, peace, righteousness, and character cannot be seen, yet they are more precious and eternal than all the things that are visible to the naked eye.

To be continued . . .

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life. He may be contacted by e-mail at: mikebaugher@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

From Mourning to Celebrating, part 2

by

Editor’s Note: In last month’s article we looked at eight objectives which the Vatican II Council wished to achieve by introducing the Celebration Movement. The underlying purpose was to promote ecumenism and lead the whole world to Sunday observance. We saw how these goals are being worked out in Adventism today. In this article, we will look at another of the devil’s great deceptions, which is masked in the Celebration Movement.

There is a another deep spiritual issue involved in the celebration worship style. It has to do with the most fundamental issues in your existence as a Christian. Is there any sin in your life that is not totally overcome? The apostles in New Testament times taught the people that they must overcome their sins if they were going to have eternal life. Read 1 John 3, James, the words of Jesus in John 8, or what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6 or Romans 8.

One of the most fundamental of Christ’s teachings is self-denial. (See Matthew 16:24.) Jesus said that if we were going to follow Him we must take up our cross daily. But we are living in a time when instead of crucifixion of self, as Jesus and the apostles taught, many have accustomed themselves to self-indulgence. The Christian religion is a rebuke to self indulgence and worldliness. But many people like a religion that no longer rebukes worldliness and self indulgence but endorses it and incorporates it as a fundamental element in the service of God; a religion that allows them to remain in their sins and still celebrate the idea that they are saved. It would be almost impossible to experience a greater delusion.

Jesus says to the church in Laodicea, “as many as I love I rebuke.” But there is no place for rebuke in the celebration type of worship service or religion. The rebuke of sin is eliminated. It is like the patient who has cancer—if the cancer is not cured he is going to die, but the physician says let’s pretend that everything is alright, everything is going to be fine, just experience love, acceptance and forgiveness and be happy. What is going to happen to that patient and what should happen to that physician? You see, it is the greatest delusion imaginable to be celebrating and rejoicing if you have a serious disease and your celebrating and rejoicing is taking the place of getting rid of the problem that will cause your death. God’s ancient people had this very same problem and the Lord told them that they would lose eternal life as a result. (Study Isaiah 22.)

 

Celebration — The Cradle of Carnal Security

 

We are living in the great anti-typical day of atonement, as brought to light not only in the book of Hebrews, but in Revelation 14:6, 7. This is a time for us to examine ourselves and ask the question, “Is my robe of character spotless? Does my robe of character have a spot or stain upon it? Am I ready to go to the marriage supper of the Lamb? Are my garments in condition for me to attend that great celebration?” Those who are celebrating while their garments of character are still stained and wrinkled with the sins and earthliness of this life will meet with an eternal loss. It is this great deceptiveness that is most serious about the celebration worship style. People who are lost are taught to believe that they are saved. They cannot be touched anymore with the preaching of the gospel because they are so content in the cradle of carnal security.

It is not a message of love that teaches people to celebrate in their sins. There will be a great celebration for God’s people when the sin problem is solved, but God’s word does not teach us to celebrate when we should be mourning for those, all around us, who are going to destruction. Maybe even members of our own family or ourselves, if we are self deceived and celebrating while we are living in sin! It is a great insult and outrage, to the Holy Spirit, for any Christian to be celebrating while he is living in sin. The Bible says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” The context of that statement, in James 4:8–10, is that the day and hour of judgement is here, as you can see in the next verses.

The message of the Bible, to sinners, is not a message to rejoice and celebrate. It is a message to lament, to mourn and weep, to seek the Lord that we may be purified and made whole. The fact that a person participates in religious services and ordinances does not guarantee his salvation. A wicked person does not become righteous simply by associating with the righteous at worship service or in celebrating. A man is only made holy and acceptable with God when his heart is made clean by the grace of Christ through faith and by obedience to words of truth and righteousness. We must accept all the truth that God reveals to us, choosing to obey Him if we are going to be cleansed from the defilement of sin. We cannot receive forgiveness and acceptance with God unless there is repentance—true heart sorrow for sin. Repentance is not a work of rejoicing or celebration. By its very definition, repentance is a work of sorrow of heart, sorrow for sins committed and a turning away from sin.

There is no such thing as real love to God without obedience to His law. This so called love, acceptance and forgiveness that does not include a preaching of the law of God, a call for sinners to repent, is a delusion. It is not real love at all, but a soul-destroying deception. Repentance means being sorry for sin and turning away from it. All eloquent portrayals of love and charity will never save a soul who does not repent!

 

The Celebration Movement Foretold

 

We will list, from the pen of Ellen White, certain erroneous methods and deceptive theories which she foretold would be a part of the apostasy to come just before the close of probation. She wrote: “The things you have described as taking place in Indiana the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, 36. What are these things that would take place just before the close of probation?

  1. “A bedlam of noise that shocks the senses and perverts that which, if conducted aright, might be a blessing. The powers of Satanic agencies blend with the din and noise to have a carnival and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working.” Ibid.
  2. “Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting with drums, music and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions and this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.” Ibid.

This group in Indiana maintained the theory that when Christ passed through the agony of Gethsemane He obtained holy flesh such as Adam possessed before his fall. And that those who follow the Savior must also acquire this same “holy flesh” in preparation for translation. In their meetings, people were worked up to a high pitch of excitement by the use of musical instruments such as organs, flutes, fiddles, tambourines, horns, and a drum, the people sought a physical demonstration and shouted and prayed and sang until someone in the congregation would fall prostrate and unconscious from his seat. Then this person would be dragged up to the rostrum and about a dozen individuals would gather around the prostrate body, some singing, some shouting and some praying all at the same time. When the subject revived, he was counted among those who had passed through the Gethsemane experience and had obtained holy flesh and had translation faith. Therefore, it was asserted he could not sin and would never die. We see in this description, a breaking down of normal inhibitions between people, in these services in Indiana, which were a type of what would happen before the close of probation.

Another part of the experience in Indiana, which is typical of what will happen again, was the playing of dance tunes with sacred words, which is all too common with much of today’s so-called “Christian” music. The syncopated jazz-like beat of music had its beginnings in bordellos of New Orleans around 1900. This jazz music went through various stages—boogie-woogie, swing and finally rock, which is a mixture of Negro rhythm blues and country western. The stimulation of sexuality was the primary purpose sought after with this music. This type of music, with its varying degrees of syncopation and beat, still appeals to bodily movement and sensual responses.

Ellen White had this to say about it: “Angels are hovering around yonder dwelling. The young are there assembled; there is the sound of vocal and instrumental music. Christians are gathered there, but what is that you hear? It is a song, a frivolous ditty, fit for the dance hall. Behold the pure angels gather their light closer around them and darkness envelops those in that dwelling. The angels are moving from the scene. Sadness is upon their countenances. Behold, they are weeping . . . Music has occupied the hours which should have been devoted to prayer. Music is the idol which many professed Sabbathkeeping Christians worship. Satan has no objection to music if he can make that a channel through which to gain access to the minds of the youth . . . When turned to good account, music is a blessing; but it is often made one of Satan’s most attractive agencies to ensnare souls.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 506. To the shame of many Adventists, the world knows what they claim not to know—namely, that drugs, acid rock and perverted sex go together.

 

Drama—Never a Part of God’s Work

 

Another point we can learn from the Indiana episode, which is to be repeated at the end of time, was the theatrical performing and intense bodily gestures and movements engaged in by the participants. Concerning theatrical performances Ellen White has the following to say: “In my very first labors the message was given that all theatrical performance in connection with the preaching of present truth were to be discouraged and forbidden…The light given me was to give this no sanction. These performances which savored of the theatrical were to have no place in the proclamation of the solemn messages entrusted to us. The enemy will watch closely and will take every advantage of circumstances to degrade the truth by the introduction of undignified demonstrations. None of these demonstrations are to be encouraged. The precious truths given us are to be spoken in all solemnity and with sacred awe.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 125.

“Can the Lord Jesus accept the theatrical exhibitions as service done for Him? Can He be glorified thereby? No. All this kind of work is done in the service of another leader.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 335.

Ellen White said that no encouragement should be given to the kind of worship that took place in Indiana. She said, “I was instructed to say that at these demonstrations demons in the form of men are present working with all the ingenuity that Satan can employ to make the truth disgusting to sensible people.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 125.

The liberal development of celebration worship, the failure to have trust and confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy and the activities which go directly contrary to her inspired counsels on these points, were predicted and are happening. However, this is only part of the present day apostasy that we see in Adventism. This apostasy today is so deceptive that often the word celebration is not even used, but what is practiced is the same as the celebration type worship that was introduced in the 80’s and early 90’s into Adventist churches. As the saying goes, “A rose by any other name is still a rose.” But the apostasy in Adventism is much broader and much more multi-faceted than what we have been able to portray so far. In another article, we hope to show another side of the apostasy on a completely opposite end of the spectrum, in Adventism.

 

From Mourning to Celebration

by

The Vatican II Council and the Celebration Movement

 

Have you ever wondered why, in recent years, people have begun to celebrate in Adventist churches at funeral services? When I was a boy, people mourned at funeral services. But of late we find Adventist clergymen and Adventist relatives of the deceased talking about celebrating the life of their loved one. Where and when and how did people get indoctrinated that they should celebrate at a funeral?

To delve into the answer to this question we must go back almost forty years. After Pope Pius XII died in 1958, a man was chosen to be pope who was elderly, and many people thought he would be more or less a stand-in pope for a few years until his death. However, Pope John XXIII convened the second Vatican council in 1962 and, in this council, Rome planned the beginning, growth and development of the celebration style of worship. The documents of the Vatican II council were published and the 1975 edition was analyzed by Elder Bob Trefz. It contained the following major points or objectives:

  1. Introduce celebration terminology and the celebration concept into all churches so that every function of the church becomes a celebration.
  2. Get the churches accustomed to a new style of worship. Through the celebration service obtain reduction of inhibition and vastly increase congregational participation verbally and through physical gestures and bodily attitudes of movement.
  3. Promote in the celebration service dialogue between the celebrant (that is the pastor or priest) and people as external signs of celebration in common and to engender and foster unity between celebrant and people.
  4. Use as much variation as possible in these celebration services to encourage active and willing participation.
  5. Use music in celebration services as a most effective celebration utilizing popular religioussongs and relating the music to the various cultures and temperaments of the people.
  6. Narrow the gap between eucharistic celebration and the Lord’s supper, soon to be called communion celebration in the other churches. Educate the people that this service forms the basis of all Christian unity and fellowship.
  7. Demonstrate the inextricable tie between the eucharistic celebration as the foundation of all unity and the Lord’s day, or Sunday celebration.
  8. Perform any endeavor necessary to promote Sunday observance involving rest from work.

As we look around today, we find that almost all of these eight points have been introduced and implemented in various Protestant churches of the world and in many Seventh-day Adventist churches. The fact that these eight points from the Vatican II documents have been largely implemented in many Seventh-day Adventist churches should cause the serious reader to ask a number of questions. First of all, we can ask if it would be possible for such a thing to happen by chance? And the answer is no. It would be impossible that within a 25 year period the very objectives outlined in the Vatican II documents would spontaneously develop in Seventh-day Adventist churches if there were not people in these churches, leaders or laity, who were promoting these concepts. However, there are more serious questions than this to ask. What is the final objective that the Vatican has in introducing this worship style in the various Protestant churches? By promoting a universal worship style, Rome can strengthen ecumenical ties among Protestants and between Protestant churches and herself so that eventually, either through direct or indirect influence, she can influence all the Christian churches in the world. According to these Vatican II documents it is evident that it is the intent of Rome that all churches should be gathered together ecumenically under one leader, namely the pope of Rome. It is also their purpose that these concepts should be introduced into all institutions of higher education including Adventist colleges and universities.

When the time comes that most of the Christian churches in the world have accepted the same liturgical format it will be easy to suggest that since we are all one in practice why not join together as one. That development would exactly fulfill the prophecy in Revelation 13. Evangelicals and Pentecostals were some of the first to embrace these celebration ideas from Rome. Adventists, in turn, pattern their celebration formats after these Protestant churches. It is openly admitted by our leaders that they have gone to Pentecostal or other Protestant churches to learn this new science of celebration worship all in the name of church growth. The garden of prayer ceremony, which includes walking from person to person during prayer and the laying on of hands, is a charismatic ceremony of Roman Catholicism.

One of the effects of these celebration services is to excite the participants into a more emotional state of mind and in this emotional excitement a person can more easily be led to make theological or experiential changes.

The purpose of promoting celebration services is simply to establish ecumenical ties. And it is one of the steps leading the various churches to a single worldwide church under the leadership of the papacy. For students of Bible prophecy, especially those who have become Seventh-day Adventists and are studying and attempting to follow the Three Angels’ Messages, this celebration worship has several apparent fatal flaws. Number one, the First Angel’s Message proclaims the fact that the investigative judgement is in progress. In the celebration style worship, nothing is taught about the judgement. People are taught about love, acceptance and forgiveness, but nothing is said about the judgement that is in progress and how to be ready for the Second Coming of Christ. No matter how much one worships, no matter how much one goes to church, no matter how much singing or praying a person does, if they are not ready for the judgement, their religion is all in vain.

Living in the time of the investigative judgement means that our lives are coming up for review before God. The criteria that decides the verdict in the judgement is not whether a person goes to church, nor is it even what church one belongs to, not his profession of faith—the verdict reached in the judgement is based on a person’s character. The Bible teaches, throughout, that we are judged according to our works in reference to God’s law. (See Revelation 20:11–15 and James 2.)

If a person has broken God’s law, of course he will be lost. But if, during the time of probation, he repents and confesses his sins, his guilt can be taken away by the blood of Jesus Christ. However, he is not then saved because he is forgiven; forgiveness is a necessary component of salvation, but it does not prepare you for the judgement. There are no texts anywhere in the Bible that say that the verdict in the judgement is based on whether our sins are forgiven. After a person’s sins are forgiven he must then be cleansed from his sins or, in other words, sin must cease to be a part of his life. He must not only be delivered from the guilt of sin (forgiveness, pardon, justification), but he must be delivered from the power of sin within (sanctification, holiness of life, purification of character). His life must come into harmony with God’s law.

This transformation is the proof that the Holy Spirit is working in his heart and his life, giving him a new heart and new mind. (See Romans 8:1–14.) If this does not happen and, as a result of this lack of a spirit-filled life there are no spirit-filled works and no spirit led living, then any profession of religion is vain. This has always been true. However, it is even more critical today because we are living in that time when probation will close not only for people who have died, but for people who are still alive upon the earth. The celebration style of worship does not at all address this most fundamental fact of the judgement, which is a central theme of the First Angel’s Message. That is just the beginning. The Second Angel’s Message, in Revelation 14:8, is a call to come out of Babylon. Babylon is a woman according to Revelation 17:1–5 and a woman is the Biblical symbol of the church. This church is a harlot church, or an apostate church, which commits spiritual fornication. (Revelation 17:1–5.)

God’s ancient people (His church), the Jewish people, were also referred to by this symbol of a woman, and when they taught people to break the commandments they were referred to as a harlot. We read in Ezekiel 23:37, 38: “For they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even sacrificed their sons whom they bore to Me, passing them through the fire, to devour them. Moreover they have done this to Me: They have defiled My sanctuary on the same day and profaned My Sabbaths.” Israel committed adultery by breaking the Ten Commandments. Babylon is a church, a mother church who has daughter churches who are harlots, churches that teach people to break God’s commandments. And these churches who are teaching people to break God’s commandments are world-wide in their influence. Revelation 18:23 says, ” The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.”

What is Babylon condemned for? Revelation 18:4 says, “And I heard another voice from heaven saying ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’” Sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4.) Babylon, then, is a church that breaks God’s law, and her daughter churches also teach people to break God’s law. Those who will be saved from the last generation must all come out of Babylon. God does not give people a warning to do something if it is not important, and Revelation 14:8 says that Babylon is fallen and has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication and Revelation 18:4 says that all people are to come out of her lest they share in her sins and also receive of her plagues.

Since sin is the transgression of the law, sharing in her sins has to do with co-operating or participating with these churches in breaking one or more of the Ten Commandments. These churches which are teaching people to break the fourth commandment, the second commandment and other commandments, have been rejected by God and He is calling His true people to come out of them. But the celebration style worship service does not call people out of Babylon, rather it is derived from Babylon and leads the participants closer and closer to full fellowship with Babylon, making it impossible for them to be part of the group who will be saved from the last generation.

The Third Angel’s Message is a call to keep the commandments, as you can see in Revelation 14:12. It is a strict warning against engaging in image worship —worshipping the image to the beast. It is a strict warning against receiving the mark of the beast. The characteristics of the beast power are outlined in Revelation 13:1–10, in 2 Thessalonians 2 and in Daniel the seventh chapter. In Revelation 13, we see that this beast power is a religion, because people worship it. (Revelation 13:4.) We see that this beast power was not one of the nations of the earth, but rather a super-power which would have influence over all the nations of the earth, because it says that authority was given him over every tribe, tongue and nation. (Revelation 13:7.) Also we see that it has been a persecuting power, because it makes war with the saints and overcomes them. (Revelation 13:7.) It is a blasphemous power (Revelation 13:6) that blasphemes God, His name,His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.

The special mark of this power, given in Daniel 7:25, is that it would attempt to change times and laws. There is only one time in the Ten Commandments, and that is the seventh day Sabbath and this is the time that men have attempted to change. This attempt to change times and laws is the mark of Babylon’s authority. If a person accepts the authority of men, instead of the authority of God, in the last generation, they will receive the mark of the beast. The Third Angel’s Message includes a call to worship God by keeping His commandments, which would include the seventh-day Sabbath. By contrast, the Vatican II documents, with the celebration concept, were established to induce everyone to celebrate on Rome’s day—Sunday. We can clearly see that the foundational objectives of the celebration style worship are directly contrary to the most fundamental principles of the Third Angel’s Message.

A final objective of the Vatican II council was to unify liturgical functions and celebration and thereby focus attention on Sunday as the Lord’s day. When we study history, we find that the adoption of Sunday worship is not something that happens instantly. It is something that creeps in over a long period of time and there are many steps leading eventually to Sunday observance. That which took generations in the second and third century has been refined so that the same process can take place much more quickly in our day. It would be well, at this point, to review briefly some of the ways that Sunday keeping was introduced into the Christian church in the second and third centuries.

At the time of the Passover every year, it was common for Christians to remember the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ. It is natural and easy for us to see how that they would do this, because for 1500 years, in the Jewish system, the greatest feast of all the year, in the spring, was the Passover feast. It was at the time of the Passover that the real Passover—Jesus, the lamb of God—was sacrificed for the sins of the world. (See John 19.) It was on the third day, two days following this, that the wave sheaf was offered when Christ arose and took with Him to heaven a group of resurrected saints from every generation as the first fruits of the plan of redemption.

It has been the devil’s design, ever since the Garden of Eden, to mix good and evil together. It is in this way that the devil has succeeded, in every generation, to deceive most of the world’s population. The good is emphasized and applauded, but with it is mixed the evil. Jesus rose on the first day of the week and the devil discovered in this fact a way to mix good and evil in the Christian church. His purpose was to eventually persuade the professed followers of Christ to break the law of God, which commands worship on the seventh-day Sabbath. (See Exodus 20:8–11.)

The heathen nations, who were sun worshipers, had adopted the day of the Sun as a festival day and it is for that reason that the first day of the week was called Sunday. The devotees of the sun worshipped with their faces toward the east, at sunrise, on Sunday. Scarcely were the last of the apostles dead when certain bishops in the church, in order to make easier the conversion of the heathen and by this to increase their own influence and authority, began to adopt heathen customs and forms. One of these heathen customs and forms that was early mixed with the practice of Christianity was an imitation of Sun worship.

One of the church fathers defended the Christian’s practices around 200 A.D. in the following words: “Others again certainly with more information and greater verisimilitude believe that the sun is our god. The idea no doubt has originated from our being known to turn to the east in prayer, but you, many of you also under pretense sometimes of worshipping the heavenly bodies move your lips in the direction of the sunrise. In the same way if we devote Sunday to rejoicing from a far different reason than Sun worship we have some resemblance to those of you who devote the day of Saturn to ease and luxury.” His argument is in effect, “You do the same thing and you originated it so you have no right to blame us.”

As a result of the influence of Rome, the entire western empire adopted the practice of celebrating the resurrection of Christ on Sunday instead of the Passover day which would occur at different days in the week. The bishop of Rome ruled that the celebration of the resurrection of Christ must always be on a Sunday, the Sunday nearest to the Passover. If the Passover should itself be on Sunday, then the celebration was not to be held on that day but upon the next Sunday. This was the origin of Easter. Victor, who was bishop of Rome, A.D. 192–202, wrote a letter to the Asiatic Christian clergy commanding them to imitate the example of the western Christians with respect to the time of celebrating Easter. But the people in Asia declared that they would by no means depart in this manner from the custom handed down to them by their fathers. The result was that Victor, the bishop of Rome, broke communion with them and pronounced them unworthy of the name brethren; He excluded them from all fellowship with the church of Rome. This happened around the end of the second century.

It is evident, from a cursory examination of these facts from history, that the celebration worship style lies very close to the foundation of the development of Sunday observance by the Roman church. It was not a long time until the yearly celebration of the resurrection of Christ, on one Sunday a year, was replaced by a weekly celebration of the resurrection of Christ on the first day of the week. Adventists for several years have been taking the initial steps into Sunday observance. The fact that Adventists, for many years and in many places, have joined ecumenically with Sunday churches in worshipping on Easter Sunday, often out of doors as the sun emerges over the eastern horizon, is a replica of what was done in the early church when Sunday was introduced. When people take the first steps into Sunday observance, just as they did back in the second century, unless they repent and are converted, there is no question that eventually they will take the last steps and will receive the mark of the beast, maybe without even knowing what they are doing.

We are living not only in serious times, but in very deceptive times. We have been warned that the mark of the beast will come in some form to every institution and every individual. Many Adventists who receive the mark of the beast will not understand what has happened until it is too late. (Early Writings, 71.) Will you be in that group? It is a very solemn thought. May God help us to live by every word that proceeds out of His mouth and not to be deceived by the sophistries of the devil, even when they look harmless.

Next month we will look deeper into this topic and see some of the weighty spiritual issues that surround the celebration movement in Adventism.

Editor’s Note: Much of the material for this article was taken from the book Adventist Carnivals by Dr. Rosenvold. A much fuller description of the topic covered in this article is given in his book.

 

No Time to Celebrate, part 1

by

In the 1888 General Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a tremendous controversy arose. Speaking about what took place there, Ellen White said: “In Minneapolis God gave precious gems of truth to His people in new settings. This light from heaven by some was rejected with all the stubbornness the Jews manifested in rejecting Christ, and there was much talk about standing by the old landmarks.” Counsels to Writers and Editors, 30. Do you know what a landmark is? If you live out in the country, you probably have stakes marking the corners of your property that show where your property ends and someone else’s begins. That is a landmark in the earthly sense. During these meetings there was a great deal of controversy over landmarks—the spiritual landmarks or the pillars of our faith. Sister White said, “But there was evidence they knew not what the old landmarks were. There was evidence and there was reasoning from the Word that commended itself to the conscience; but the minds of men were fixed, sealed against the entrance of light, because they had decided it was a dangerous error removing the ‘old landmarks,’ when it was not moving a peg of the old landmarks, but they had perverted ideas of what constituted the old landmarks.” Ibid. She was talking here about the Editor of the Review and Herald, the President of the General Conference and some others. What are the landmarks that should not be removed? Mrs. White made this clear in the same message: “The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having a decided relation to God’s people upon earth, [also] the first and second angels’ messages and the third (angels messages), unfurling the banner on which was inscribed ‘The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.’ One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God’s law. The nonimmortality of the wicked is an old landmark.” Ibid.

Continuing to talk about the situation in 1888 she said, “Now at the present time God designs a new and fresh impetus shall be given to His work. Satan sees this, and he is determined it shall be hindered. He knows that if he can deceive the people who claim to believe present truth, [and make them believe that] the work the Lord designs to do for His people is the removing of the old landmarks, something which they should, with most determined zeal, resist, then he exults over the deception he has led them to believe . . . That which is food to the churches is regarded as dangerous, and should not be given them. And this slight difference of ideas is allowed to unsettle the faith, to cause apostasy, to break up unity, to sew discord, all because they do not know what they are striving about themselves.” Ibid., 31.

 

The Three Angels ’ Messages

 

The landmarks that were mentioned are: the truth about the sanctuary and its cleansing, the Sabbath of the Ten Commandments (See Revelation 11:19), the Three Angels’ Messages (See Revelation 14:6–12), and the nonimmortality of the soul. The Three Angels’ Messages then, are one of the “old landmarks” and thus need to be clearly understood by God’s people.

The First Angel’s Message is an announcement that the hour of God’s judgment, is come. (See Revelation 14:6, 7.) The devil does not like that. He is trying to persuade people that they do not need to worry about the judgement, so that they will be lost. But the Bible says that it is here, and cannot be avoided, so we need to be prepared.

The Second Angel’s Message, in verse eight, announces that Babylon has fallen. Babylon here is described both as a city and as a woman. A woman, in Bible prophecy, represents a church. (See Jeremiah 6; 2 Corinthians 11; Song of Solomon 6; Ezekiel 23.)

The Third Angel’s Message in verses 9–12 is the focal point of the entire last half of the book of Revelation. It warns against worshipping the beast (who is clearly identified and described in Revelation 13:1–10) and receiving his mark. It further describes the people who receive this message and act on it. They are described as the people of God who keep the commandments and have the faith of Jesus.

In this article I would like to study four central features of the Three Angels’ Messages:

  1. The Three Angels’ Messages are a special message to the people who live at the end of the world.

Revelation 19 contains one of the most dramatic descriptions of the Second Coming of Christ found in the Bible. He is described as riding on a white horse and wearing a robe dipped in blood.His name is called The Word of God, and the armies in heaven follow Him. (See Revelation 19:11–14.) As the leader of this great army, He comes to confront the united force that is arrayed against Him, as described in Revelation 19:19–21: “And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worship his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” This is the war of Armageddon.

The Three Angels’ Messages are especially for the last generation that lives on the earth. If you accept the three angels’ messages and become part of God’s people who keep the commandments, you will obtain eternal life. But if you reject the Third Angel’s Message and receive the mark of the beast or worship the image of the beast, you will lose eternal life. “And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19:21.

All of the wicked will drink of the wine of the wrath of God. What is the wine of the wrath of God? Revelation 15:1 says, “Then I saw another sign in heaven great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues for in them the wrath of God is complete.” If you receive the mark of the beast, you will receive the seven last plagues. You will be part of the group that decides to fight the Lord when He comes in the clouds of heaven, and you will be destroyed.

 

Power to Overcome

 

  1. If you receive the Three Angels’ Messages and accept them, you will, through the power of the Holy Spirit, keep the commandments of God. That is the dividing line, in the last generation, between those who are saved and those who are lost. People say, “Oh, but Pastor John, I can’t keep the law.” Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. And Paul added, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

One of the main reasons for the gift of the Holy Spirit is to give you power so that you can keep all of God’s law. If you ask, you will receive the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit will give you the power to keep God’s law. (See Luke 11:13.)

This is one of the most exciting things in the world to see happen. I have seen miracles take place in the lives of prisoner’s who were slaves to the vilest sins. Their thoughts, words and actions were all changed and their lives came into harmony with God’s law. What excuse do we have for not overcoming? If God can transform the lives of the men and women I have seen, he can change you! The Bible says that in the day of final judgment the people who are lost will be speechless because they will not have any excuse, the evidence will be overwhelming that they could have been saved.

  1. Prophecy makes it very clear that almost all of the world will reject the Three Angels’ Messages. I am told very frequently, “But Pastor John, I’m the only one in my family who believes this message. Everyone else thinks I am crazy.” If this is the way you feel, do not be discouraged; just remember that God’s people have always been a small minority. In the last days, only a small group will accept God’s way, the majority will reject the final warning and be lost.

Look at what Satan will do to ensnare them: “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived . . . He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads.” Revelation 13:14, 16. This work of deception is very successful. Notice what it will be like when Jesus comes back: “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, ‘Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” Revelation 19:17.

Almost the entire world will reject the Three Angels’ Messages, and in the process of rejecting it they will seal their doom. That is why all through the New Testament it is predicted that when Jesus comes back again, the whole world will mourn. Why are they going to mourn? Because they have received the mark of the beast, worshipped his image and they are not ready to meet the Lord. While the saints are rejoicing (See 2 Thessalonians 1), most of the world will be weeping and wailing at their great loss.

 

A Great Deception

 

  1. They will reject the Three Angels’ Messages because of the great deceptions that the evil spirits bring on the world. What are these great deceptions? The Bible predicts that one of them will be a great development of spiritualism within Christianity. This spiritualism, disguised with the garb of Christianity, will be accepted by many people who will not even recognize what it really is. This prophecy is being fulfilled right now in Christian churches everywhere. Does this surprise you? It has been clearly predicted in the Bible: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13–15.

Can you tell the difference between a preacher of righteousness and a preacher of unrighteousness? If you cannot tell the difference, you are going to be deceived. Think it through. A preacher of righteousness will never come to you if you are living in fornication, adultery, abusing your body or breaking God’s law in any way and tell you to rejoice and be happy and praise the Lord because you will be saved! A preacher of righteousness will never do that! Any preacher that tries to make you happy and joyful while you are living in sin is a preacher of the devil and leading you straight to hell. Do not misunderstand me. God created human beings for happiness and He wants you to be joyful, but here is the catch. The Bible says that it is impossible to have true happiness if you are breaking God’s law. And the devil has been trying to disprove that for thousands of years, but it is still true.

People are in all kinds of sin and so they are depressed. When they go to church they need to find out how their sins and guilt can be taken away so they can receive power from the Holy Spirit to live a new life. But when they come to church, instead of hearing how to overcome, the preacher tells them to be joyful, sing, clap, wave and be happy. They get the drums and the music going and everyone gets an emotional “high,” but they are still in sin! And if you are in sin, you are on the way to eternal destruction. People are getting a “high” when they go to church, but no one has told them about confessing, repenting and forsaking their sins. They just say, “You are forgiven.” The devil is anesthetizing people today so that they are walking down the path that leads to destruction. They are clapping, dancing and singing their way to destruction.

 

Lying Wonders

 

Why do people reject the Three Angels’ Messages? Because of the deceptions of the spirits. I have just pointed out one of the big deceptions, but there are others. One of them is found in Revelation 16:13, 14: “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

The majority of the people in the world in the last days will be deceived because they believe what they see. The devil will perform many undeniable miracles and they will be swept off their feet.

I believe in miracles, but Jesus never ever asked anyone to believe that He was the Messiah because He worked miracles. In Matthew 4:3 we read how the devil tempted Jesus and asked Him to work a miracle to prove that He was the Messiah. This was a terrible temptation because Jesus could have done it. He could have spoken and instantly every stone in sight would have turned into a loaf of bread, but He would not do it. There is a moral principle involved here. Your faith is never to be based on miracle working. Jesus would not appease the devil by working a miracle. “But he answered and said, It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4.

Jesus could have avoided being crucified by working a miracle. “Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.” Luke 23:8, 9. Jesus would not work a miracle even to avoid going to the cross.

In John 4 the story is recorded of a man who came to Jesus because his son was at the point of death. He appealed to Jesus to heal his son, but in his mind he said, “If Jesus heals my son, then I will know that He is the Messiah.” Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” John 4:48. Instead of instantly healing his son, Jesus rebuked him because he was looking for miracles as a basis for his faith.

If your faith is based on miracles or what you can see, you will be deceived. You have to test every miracle that you see by the Bible. Remember what Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

There will be a small group of people who decide to live by every word in the Bible and they will live in harmony with God’s law. They are called the saints. The word “saint” comes from a Greek word that means a holy person. Paul said that God’s “law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. A holy person is one whose life is in harmony with God’s law. An unholy person is one that breaks God’s law. “Here are the patience of the saints. Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.

If you decide that you will live by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth, you will not depend upon what you can see or hear. You will depend on what is written in God’s Book. If you do this, God promises that no plague will come nigh your dwelling. (Psalms 91:10.) God is looking for loyal people and numbers do not matter to Him. It is quality that counts with the Lord. If you want to be one of those people described in Revelation 14:12, you can be. All you need to do is make the right decision. Jesus says, “If you confess Me before men, I will confess you before My Father in heaven.”

There are many voices for you to listen to if you want to, but choose to listen to the still small voice that says, “This is the way, walk in it.” Walk in the way of God’s commandments. Walk in the way of His Word. Do not worry about what all your friends, associates, relatives or other people are doing. Choose today to walk in the way of God’s commandments.

 

No Time for Celebration

by

Celebration” worship began to surface in the Seventh-day Adventist church less than a decade ago. Today it is rampant. “Celebration” worship is the inevitable result of the “new theology.” The following article was written by Marshall Grosboll about 8 years ago. What is the “Seventh-day Adventist Movement” that is written of in this article? We all believe that the Seventh-day Adventist movement is God’s remnant church and is going through to glory. But the question is: are those involved in this type of apostasy, unconditionally a part of God’s church? We believe that the only ones that are a part of God’s final movement are those who teach and practice the Three Angels’ Messages. What is wrong with “Celebration” worship and what will be the result? God has answered these questions in His Word. Study the verses given in this article for yourself.

The Seventh-day Adventist church is God’s true and remnant movement of Bible prophecy. As such, it is the special target of the enemy of truth and righteousness. God thus calls for His watchman to maintain a constant vigil over His purchased property. When danger is perceived within the church, it is the duty of every true and faithful Seventh-day Adventist to put personal interests and ecclesiastical positions behind him, and give the warning message necessary to protect the church, however unpopular that warning may be.

“As they [God’s people] assimilate their character to the divine Pattern, men will not guard their own personal dignity. With jealous, sleepless, loving, devoted interest, they will guard the sacred interest of the church from the evil which threatens to dim and cloud the glory that God intends shall shine forth through her.” Testimonies to Ministers, 406.

As members of His church, God holds us each responsible for its health and well being. “If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 281.

Many consider that our church is today facing the worst danger and crisis it has ever faced with the arrival of the celebration movement. The celebration movement is a new attempt, within the church, to receive the Holy Spirit. The meteoric rise of this new passion within the church is too phenomenal to be taken lightly. It is indeed either the manifestation of the true Holy Spirit or the false, counterfeit manifestation of the Spirit. If it is the true outpouring of the Holy Spirit, it would be disastrous to reject it. But if it is the counterfeit working of satanic agencies, it would be equally disastrous to receive it, or even to remain neutral about it. In this situation, as between Christ and Barabas, there is no neutral ground. The celebration movement is not part good and part bad; it is one or the other. There is no accord between Christ and Belial, or between Christ’s spirit and Satan’s. To remain neutral is as bad, or even worse than to decide the wrong way! “Christ’s followers have no right to stand on the ground of neutrality. There is more hope of an open enemy than of one who is neutral.” Review and Herald, February 25, 1902.

 

The Timing of the Movement

 

In considering this movement, let us analyze two aspects: The timing of the movement and the philosophy behind it. The Bible says, “There is a . . . time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh.” Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 NKJV.

To do a good thing at a wrong time can be the worst of evils. To prune a tree at the wrong time can kill it. To prune it at the right time can save it. To be happy when someone dies, or to be sad when someone is healed, is the wrong timing. To worship God is a duty, but to worship Him on Sunday instead of Sabbath is rebellion. “It is the very essence of all right faith to do the right thing at the right time.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 24. In fact, doing a good thing at the wrong time is often worse than open evil—it is more deceptive. Worshipping on Sunday instead of Sabbath deceives many people who would not be deceived by atheism.

One of the greatest concerns about the celebration movement is the timing. As we shall see, the Lord says that for us to celebrate at the wrong time, when we should be mourning for our own sins and for the sins of Israel, becomes an unpardonable sin!

In the Old Testament Day of Atonement, that prefigured our day just before the second coming of Jesus, those who celebrated instead of afflicting their souls were “cut off” from Israel. Leviticus 23:29. To us living during the antitypical Day of Atonement, the Lord says; “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you doubleminded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:8–10.

It is no time to celebrate when a church is in apostasy. Those who make celebration the focal point of worship during this time of crisis will not receive the seal of God. In speaking of the time just before the close of probation, the Bible says: “Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub [which were on the ark], where it had been [since 1844], to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; and the Lord said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’ To the others He said in my hearing, ‘ Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.’ ” Ezekiel 9:3–5. “The time will soon come when the prophecy of Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled; that prophecy should be carefully studied, for it will be fulfilled to the very letter.” 1888 Materials, 1303.

After quoting the above verses from Ezekiel 9, Ellen White comments: “These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.

“In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings.

While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, who prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored and the truth is made of none effect.

“The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 210, 211.

What God is calling for today is the straight testimony, such as John the Baptist gave. “In this fearful time, just before Christ is to come the second time, God’s faithful preachers will have to bear a still more pointed testimony than was borne by John the Baptist. A responsible, important work is before them; and those who speak smooth things, God will not acknowledge as His shepherds. A fearful woe is upon them.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 321. This calls for serious contemplation and heartfelt repentance, rather than jubilation and gaiety.

 

Isaiah Saw the Celebration Movement

 

In a striking prophecy of our day, when God is calling for heartfelt and tearful repentance because of the prevailing apostasy within the church, Isaiah predicted that some would be celebrating instead of repenting, and that this rebellion would constitute an unpardonable sin.

Isaiah 21 and 22 are Old Testament parallels of Revelation. In repeating the Second Angel’s Message, it says: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” Isaiah 21:9. This must be referring to spiritual Babylon, in a primary sense, for it refers to the second fall of Babylon. The Babylon of Nebuchadnzzar’s time fell but once, whereas the second fall refers to the fall of spiritual Babylon in Revelation.

While Isaiah 21 deals with spiritual Babylon, chapter 22 deals with spiritual Israel. It is “The burden against the Valley of Vision.” (Verse 1.) A “Valley” in prophecy often refers to people, whereas a mountain refers to worship, religion, God or gods. The Hebrew uses a word meaning a “wide valley” when referring to the wicked, but a word meaning a “narrow valley” when referring to the righteous. (See Isaiah 2:2; Joel 3:14; Psalms 121:1; Isaiah 22:1.) Possibly this symbolism comes from Sinai, where God spoke from the “mountain” to the people who were in the “valley” below. Here God has a message to the Valley of Vision, or the people of prophecy. In Revelation the people of prophecy, who keep the commandments, refers to God’s remnant church. (Revelation 12:17; 19:10.) This identification of the object of chapter 22 is further confirmed in verse 4, where the church is called “the daughter” of “my people.” In Isaiah’s day, God called Israel “My people”(Isaiah 51:16), whereas spiritual Israel is here identified as the “daughter” of “My people.” Isaiah 22 describes the condition of God’s people in the last days. It describes them as a “tumultuous city, a joyous city.” Yet their members are slain, though they “are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.” (Verse 2).

Today, as this prophecy predicted, our members are slain. Our young people are leaving the church in mass. Attendance figures in North America are generally on the decline. Most churches have less than half their membership even occasionally attending services. Even counting babies and visitors, most churches do well to have half as many in church as are on the books. Our people are slain, though not in martyrdom or from warfare with the enemy, but from apostasy. God’s power has seemingly been removed from the church and we are trying to replace that power with good public relations, exciting music, celebration worship, and colorful programs. Thus, while God’s people are “slain” though not “in battle” they are “a tumultuous city, a joyous city.” In order to secure themselves in the midst of these conditions, the leaders bind themselves together in a confederacy to support one another. (Verse 3.)

God and His people lament this condition within the church. He says; “I will weep bitterly; do not labor to comfort me because of plundering of the daughter of my people. For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the Valley of Vision.” (Verses 4, 5.) God can no longer protect His people because of their spiritual condition. “He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; You also saw the damage to the city of David, that it was great.” (Verses 8, 9.)

God’s people do everything to cover up their losses and to turn them around—except for one thing. They look to the institutions of man’s accomplishments, they number the homes of Jerusalem, they sacrifice some institutions to preserve others, they consolidate, they expertly plan for the future—but they do not seek the wisdom of the One who established the church in the beginning through the Spirit of Prophecy. (See Verses 8–11.)

“In that day the Lord God of hosts called for weeping and for mourning, for baldness and for girding with sackcloth.” (Verse 12.) “But instead,” what does He find in the church? He finds “joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine.” (Verse 13.)And what is the result of this apostasy of celebrating when the Lord calls for deep repentance? “Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of Hosts,

‘Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, even to your death,’ says the Lord God of hosts.” (Verse 14.) As in Ezekiel 9 and Leviticus 23, this rebellion constitutes a sin that cannot be pardoned. Probation is soon to close, and those who are celebrating when the Lord is calling for sorrow for sin will find themselves without a mediator. “Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds”—his goal is to keep us joyfully celebrating within the church, until probation’s door is forever closed and we are unprepared. (Great Controversy, 488.)That day is fast approaching.

 

New Theology for a New Movement

 

The celebration movement has its roots in the New Theology teachings that Desmond Ford and others brought into the church, starting in the 1950’s. The New Theology taught that, since Jesus had a different human nature than we do, we cannot be like He was. We can never hope to overcome sin and live a life like Jesus lived. “He is our substitute,” it was said, “not our example.”

The gospel, according to the New Theology, was the good news of justification. Sanctification was not a part of the gospel. Jesus forgives our sins without anything being done on our part except to accept Him as our Savior. We will continue to sin until Jesus comes, but we will still be saved because of Jesus’ righteousness. He accepts us just as we are. This was called “good news.”

I remember a prominent Sabbath morning speaker at a conference camp meeting I was helping with a few years ago. He spoke about the joy of Sabbath-keeping. Sabbath is supposed to be a day of joy, but this joy is supposed to come from having victory over sin, not because God permits us to continue in sin. But this speaker proclaimed that the Sabbath is to be a day of joy because God accepts us in sin, just the way we are. He affirmed that we are to rejoice and be happy whether we have character defects or not—not because God can help us to overcome these defects, but because God happily accepts us while we continue to sin.

The speaker gave examples from the Bible to prove his point. He said that Moses threw down the Ten Commandments from the mountain in a fit of anger, yet the Lord accepted him, without a word of reproof, and brought him back up into the mountain to talk with Him face to face, even though Moses was continuing to manifest anger. The speaker went on to say that if the Lord accepted Moses—even with his uncontrolled temper, He will accept you if you have a temper problem too. That is why the Sabbath is to be a joyful day! Thus, he taught we are to make Sabbath a day of rejoicing without worrying about our sins.

Either the speaker had not read the Spirit of Prophecy account of this story or he did not believe what it says, for there we are assured that when “he threw down the tables of stone and broke them . . . Moses did not sin . . . He was wroth for God, jealous for His glory.” Early Writings, 163. But the speaker used this story to falsely assure his hearers that sin is inconsequential—God doesn’t care!

The speaker used other illustrations. He said that Paul boastfully claimed to have kept the law. Since those who believe in the New Theology do not believe that anyone can keep the law, thisstatement of Paul’s is not believed. He claimed that Paul was just manifesting boastful self-righteousness, but God accepted him too. Thus, God even accepts the self-righteous and boastful, according to this speaker. Again, the thought was conveyed—forget about your shortcomings, simply rejoice in the goodness of the Lord. I was shocked and distressed over this perverted theology that taught people to rejoice in their sins, but was even more surprised to hear the comments of delight over the message by those attending.

This is superficial Christianity. “If they were really one with Christ, if His Spirit were dwelling in them, they would see the sinfulness of sin. Not only would they confess; but they would forsake that which God abhors.” The Youth’s Instructor, March 5, 1903. “He who is truly penitent does not forget his past sins, and grow careless about them as soon as he has obtained forgiveness. On the contrary, the clearer the evidence he has of divine favor, the more he sees to regret in his past life of sin. He loathes, abhors, and condemns himself, and is more and more astonished that he should have continued in rebellion so long. He renews his repentance toward God, while he grasps more decidedly the hand of Jesus Christ, and finds that repentance is a daily, continued exercise, lasting until mortality is swallowed up of life. He who thus repents, appreciates the righteousness of Christ as above silver and gold above every earthly tie and affection.” Signs of the Times, November 26, 1894.

“He who is truly repentant, he who is regenerated, hates sin. All manner of selfishness is distressing to him. Indifference to God on the part of those around him grieves him. He is not led to exalt self in the performance of his duty, but abhors self. ‘I abhor myself’ is the language of the godly of all ages, who have had a clear view of the purity and holiness of Christ.” Signs of the Times, August 13, 1894.

“When the church are united, they will have strength and power; but when part of them are united to the world, and many are given to covetousness, which God abhors, He can do but little for them. Unbelief and sin shut them away from God.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 149.

It is the spirit of Satan that leads to indifference to sin. And it is this indifference and blindness to sin, which has been steadily growing in the church since the New Theology was introduced, that has laid the foundation for the celebration movement. No one who truly understands the significance of sin and the Laodicean apostasy within the church today is going to join a celebration movement —rather they are going to become a part of the movement calling for contrition and repentance for sin.

 

The Movement Finds a Home

 

The New Theology laid the foundation for the acceptance of the celebration movement within the church, but what was the catalyst that caused it to materialize? For years there has been a growing interest in statistical growth, or “numbers,” within the organization, There was the “1000 Days of Reaping” program followed by “Harvest 90.” These programs encouraged the baptizing of large numbers of people throughout the world. Literally millions joined the church, often without adequate preparation.

In Inter and South America and the third world countries, dramatic growth was witnessed. In contrast to the explosive Adventist growth in these countries, the church in North America has grown at a snail’s pace. Once the mainstay of the Adventist denomination, North America is becoming more and more insignificant compared to the other divisions. It no longer dominates the world field during the General Conference session.

In my state of Kansas, there were 100 churches around the turn of the century. Today, Kansas has nearly a million more inhabitants, but the Adventist church has grown downward from 100 churches to 56! In church after church in thriving communities, I have asked how their church today compares to what it was thirty years ago—in nearly every instance there are fewer in attendance today. Somehow the power of the gospel has, for the most part, left the Adventist movement in the Western Countries. Though there are local exceptions, church schools, academies, pathfinders, evangelism, prayer meetings and ingathering are all floundering compared to the advances made in prior years. Seemingly every program that has promised revival has failed. In short, the condition of the church in North America, as well as in Europe and Australia, has become an embarrassment.

For years, in an attempt to turn things around, we have been inviting speakers from evangelical, non-Adventist churches and seminaries to speak to our ministers and share with them how we can grow like other churches. We have copied their programs, such as their New Testament Witnessing Concepts, thinking that what works for them will work for us too, but it hasn’t. The “Caring Church” concept was one such program that was primarily a disappointment. The “Lab 1” and “Lab 2” programs for conflict management have not produced the results hoped for either. Nor has Management by Objectives brought about the miracles hoped for in administration. As was predicted in Isaiah 22, we have looked in every direction for every solution to our problems, but we have not looked to the Maker of the church—to the One who fashioned it long ago. (See Isaiah 22:11.).

Isaiah says in verse 13, that the next solution sought would be one of celebration!

With each failure, the desire for a program that works has grown more intense. We have developed a great desire for the Holy Spirit to come and give us “numbers” in the developed countries as we have heard about in the other countries. We have already reached outside of our church for the expertise of the Sunday keeping churches that supposedly have manifestations of the Holy Spirit—that is, the Pentecostal churches—to make up for what we have not found in the evangelical churches. Several of our ministers have gone to the Pentecostal churches to learn the secret of their power. In years past, there was no confusion as to the source of their power. We always believed that it was a counterfeit manifestation of the Holy Spirit. We tested all manifestations of the Holy Spirit with such verses as Isaiah 8:20. We believed that the Pentecostal power was spiritualistic, and that it would help to unite apostate Protestantism and Catholicism together, and that under this three-fold power America would “follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.” Great Controversy, 588.

Generally, in our past history, we would not consider renting a Pentecostal church for our own services, or renting out our facilities for a Pentecostal service. We loved the Pentecostal people dearly, but believed that the movement was a form of spiritualism. We could not worship in the same room where spiritualism reigned.

The result of this new endeavor to revitalize our church through the introduction of Pentecostalism is the celebration movement. It is of no small significance that the two most heralded celebration churches, the flagship churches of Portland, Oregon and Colton, California, are both conducted in Pentecostal churches.

How surprised I was to hear a sermon from a minister in one of our largest conferences,in a revival meeting, that had been promoted with a full color advertisement in the Union paper, say that his best friend was a Pentecostal minister. He shared how the Holy Spirit is being manifested in churches today, and is now even coming into some Adventist churches as well. But he said that most Adventists are so afraid of the Holy Spirit that if it should come, they would flee from the room. The conference president and other conference leaders heartily endorsed his speech. His purpose was to start a new celebration church in their conference.

Many of the Adventist celebration books and materials are simply re-writes from straight Pentecostal books and materials. And the whole order of service in these churches is Pentecostal in style.

In preparation for this article, I visited one church. I heard the reports from others, and am not the one to visit questionable places just to see for myself. But I thought that maybe the reports had been exaggerated. I was pleasantly surprised in the foyer at the conservative attire of the greeters—no jewelry or frivolous dress (though I soon found that other leaders in the church were not similarly attired). But inside I was in for a shock. A musical drama was in progress, with the lights off and spotlights on the “actors.” Following was music by the band and lead singers from up front. The music had the definite beat of rock music. When the pastor called people to come up for prayer, hundreds went forward. There was the laying on of hands by elders while the pastor and his wife prayed, and many others waving their hands back and forth in a Pentecostal manner. Throughout the service there was clapping, joking, laughter, and a happy feeling. At the conclusion the band and lead singers let loose with the loudest music of the day, with a beat that was becoming harder all the time. The lead singers clapped their hands and swayed back and forth.

Those attending appeared to be an interesting amalgamation—everything was acceptable. Many think that this is wonderful. I, too, enjoy seeing people who represent a melange of philosophy and dress in a church if the people are non-Adventists looking for truth, but that was not the case in this church. While God accepts each one where they are initially, when they first find the Lord, He expects practical, spiritual growth to ensue from that point on. The road to heaven is not the broad road that includes every brand of Christian practice and life-style, it is the narrow road that Jesus walked.

I wondered what Jesus would have said if He had attended. I am sure He would have called the service sacrilegious. I will not go back, for I do not believe the Lord could protect me from the evil influences that there prevailed. Is that too old-fashioned; too far fetched? Haven’t we always told our members not to attend spiritualistic meetings and Pentecostal services because the Lord could not protect us in such places?

 

Celebration Spreads

 

Ellen White says that “the final movements will be rapid ones.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 11. We have seen the rapidity with which Eastern Europe has turned from Communism to the Pope. But nowhere have final events moved faster than they have in the celebration movement. Who even heard of a celebration church two years ago? But today it is world-wide. Pastors from all over America have been trained in the celebration concepts. Pastors from Australia and New Zealand,on the way to the General Conference, have stopped off and been trained in the celebration concepts. Celebration churches are springing up everywhere, as though empowered by some special force.

Twice before, Satan has tried to bring this kind of spiritualistic experience into the church—after the disappointment of 1844 and again after the turn of the century. In both cases it was supposedly the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and was associated with music, drums, and the swaying of the people. Ellen White predicted that this phenomenon would again come into the church. “The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, 36. The Lord here said that this would take place “just before the close of probation”! Isaiah 22 says there would be no atonement made for those who join in, for probation will close. Surely, we are seeing the final events of history being enacted! This is no time to be a sleeping Christian, but as Paul said, “knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep.” Romans 13:11.

“But,” someone may say, “Our church is becoming a celebration church and we don’t see all the extremes mentioned above manifested in our church. Our church is just incorporating the good parts of the celebration movement.” But let us consider the source. Eve found it impossible to separate the good from the bad when she partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Let us consider one other thing: The two flag-ship celebration churches were started as celebration churches. It is impossible to change an existing, traditional church into a full-fledged celebration church immediately. There must be a conditioning process. Many times I have heard conference presidents counsel us ministers not to go too fast with the people. As in every other area of life, change comes one step at a time.

A person doesn’t become an alcoholic over-night. At first it appears that alcohol is quite a pleasant entertainment. The one who drinks doesn’t consider that he will ever go to the “excesses” of the alcoholic, but one must look at the alcoholic to see where alcohol consumption ultimately leads. And so, if one wants to see the end result of the celebration movement, he must see the character of the churches that have been started as celebration churches, without the baggage of traditional Adventists in the congregation to slow the process down. The pastor of the Colton California celebration church, found that he could not introduce all of his ideas into the Azure Hills Seventh–day Adventist church, because too many of the members objected to his ideas, as they should have done. Therefore, pastors who introduce the celebration concept into established churches must progress slowly, step by step—but the end result, though it will take a little longer to achieve, will be the same as the full–fledged celebration churches. Thus, even the first vestiges of the celebration concept must be vigorously opposed in every congregation. Once a church becomes a celebration church, it is the duty of every true and faithful Seventh-day Adventist to leave that apostate congregation.

 

Time to Speak Up

 

Today it is time for every true and faithful Seventh-day Adventist to raise his voice against this apostate movement within the church. This will bring persecution.

“It needs something besides theory to reach hearts now. It needs the stirring testimony to alarm and arouse; that will stir the enemy’s subjects, and then honest souls will be led to decide for the truth. There has been and still is, with some, a disposition to have everything move on very smoothly. They see no necessity of [a] straight testimony.

“Sins exist in the church that God hates, but they are scarcely touched for fear of making enemies. Opposition has risen in the church to the plain testimony. Some will not bear it. They wish smooth things spoken unto them. If the wrongs of individuals are touched, they complain of severity, and sympathize with those in the wrong. As Ahab inquired of Elijah, ‘Art thou he that troubleth Israel?’ they are ready to look with suspicion and doubt upon those who bear the plain testimony, and like Ahab overlook the wrong which made it necessary for reproof and rebuke. . . Just as long as God has a church, He will have those who will cry aloud and spare not . . . whether men will hear or forbear. I saw that individuals would rise up against the plain testimonies.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, 283, 284.

Already persecution has arisen against those who speak out against the celebration movement. At least one has been disfellowshipped for this, and undoubtedly other disfellowshippings will follow.

When persecution arose in Battle Creek against the straight testimony, Ellen White wrote to the leaders of the church and recalled how she and others had been persecuted in their previous denominational churches and for this reason had to leave, and to call others out of these churches, too. Then, in referring to our own church, she said: “We hoped that there would not be the necessity for another coming out.” 1888 Materials, 357. But Ellen White found that she did have to call people out of the Battle Creek church, and tell students not to attend school there. We, too, must recognize that we must not attend a place where God’s Spirit has left. The Seventh–day Adventist movement is going through, but, as in Ellen White’s day, there is proving to be a need for a calling out from certain congregations and institutions within the church.

In commenting on Adventists who had not accepted all the truth, the messenger to the remnant said: “I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness.

“I saw that we have no time to throw away in listening to fables. Our minds should not be thus diverted, but should be occupied with the present truth, and seek wisdom that we may obtain more thorough knowledge of our position, that with meekness we may be able to give a reason of our hope from the Scriptures. While false doctrines and dangerous errors are pressed upon the mind, it cannot be dwelling upon the truth which is to fit and prepare the house of Israel to stand in the day of the Lord.” Early Writings, 124, 125.

 

Conclusion

 

Ellen White was shown the final struggle of God’s remnant people: “I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads . . .

“Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them to shut out Jesus from their view . . . As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance.” Early Writings, 269, 270.

Some day soon, before Jesus comes, each Christian must go through a Gethsemane experience. Those who have developed a shallow experience based upon emotionalism will not go through. But those who have learned to stand for truth and principle now, will be helped to stand true then.

There is coming a true outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But it will not be accompanied by worldly music, clapping of hands, lightness and triviality and fanaticism —it will rather lead to deep contrition of soul. But before the genuine outpouring of the Holy Spirit will come a counterfeit movement, just as before the Second Coming of Christ will come a counterfeit second coming. I would rather choose to wait for the genuine Holy Spirit, and the genuine Second Coming.

Someday there will be a genuine celebration church. There will be most beautiful, holy music in this church. There will be rejoicing and jubilee. There will be no sin within this church, and no tempter to destroy, for it will be the celebration of the redeemed of all the ages celebrating around the throne. Just as I can wait for the true Holy Spirit, and the true Second Coming, so I can wait for the true celebration church.

“And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’ “Isaiah 25:9.