What's wrong with Seventh Day Adventism?
To any of the Adventists out there who might read this, I don't mean this as a personal attack. I'd simply like to provide the reasons why I disagree with Seventh Day Adventism, and why I think it promotes yet another false, works-based gospel. Just like with any denomination of any religion, I know not every Adventist would agree with all of these doctrines, but I believe it is fairly representative.
The Sabbath
I have my doubts about whether God sees the Sabbath as ever having been on Saturday, as Adventists strongly believe:
The Investigative Judgment
Part of this teaching is the claim that Jesus entered into the holy place more than once, and the second time was in 1844. But doesn't that contradict this verse?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigative_judgment#Derivation_of_1844_date
Baptismal Regeneration
I've written about this here:
Is water baptism involved in salvation?
Jesus is Michael the Archangel
This wasn't a new idea to me as I've seen the Jehovah's witnesses teach this also. Bear with me, as I'm going to provide a lot of scripture.
Angels were created:
Angels aren't supposed to accept worship:
Jesus rebukes satan differently than Michael
From my research, I've seen that Ellen G. White was, more or less, the founder of this set of beliefs. I've seen mixed acceptance of all of her teachings ranging from the view that she is an infallible interpreter of scripture to the view that her writings are only devotionally useful. Of all of that, I've seen in the institution and in their schools (in what little research I've admittedly done on that) that calling her a false prophet can take your position away in their church, make sure you're not participating in their events, and basically get you shunned if not kicked out. Because of those things it's important to review some of her teachings. This is an extremely short list of what could be an exhaustive one.
The "Shut Door" doctrine
Ellen's writing indicates that the time for salvation had passed (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/28.329):
"My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it; for the time for their salvation is past."
But is that also Biblical?
Satan is our scapegoat
Ellen said that satan bears our sins and is our scapegoat (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/12119.676):
"It was seen, also, that while the sin offering pointed to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest represented Christ as a mediator, the scapegoat typified Satan, the author of sin, upon whom the sins of the truly penitent will finally be placed."
But does that conform with scripture?
Annihilationism (that hell and the lake of fire is only temporarily experienced)
You can see Ellen White teaching it here (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/132.2404):
"How repugnant to every emotion of love and mercy, and even to our sense of justice, is the doctrine that the wicked dead are tormented with fire and brimstone in an eternally burning hell; that for the sins of a brief earthly life they are to suffer torture as long as God shall live."
But hell, and then the lake of fire punishment, will last forever:
Some won't have a mediator in the future
Ellen says that some will stand before God without a mediator (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/12119.700):
"Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator."
Except He's promised to be there for us as our mediator:
Ellen claimed that Old Jerusalem would never be built up again (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/28.475):
"I also saw that Old Jerusalem never would be built up;"
That's something that we know isn't true by looking at Jerusalem today.
Ellen claimed that some people alive at her time would be translated at the coming of Jesus (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/12675.1):
"I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel, “Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.""
That, having been published in 1871, could, at best, be claiming that someone alive back then in 1871 will be translated (I believe that means raptured) today (presently 2019), putting them, at least, at 148 years old. I don't think I have to add this, but we know the oldest living documented person in recent times only lived to 122 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment).
In case it needs to be stated, God has a clear standard for a prophet that Ellen did not fulfill:
Lastly, and briefly, they believe you can lose your salvation (Arminianism). I have an article about that here:
Once we're saved will we always stay saved?
They include works in their gospel in many other ways, but that's almost to be expected with so much other error with so many other important things. Here's a glimpse at Ellen's view (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/150.730):
"A mere profession of discipleship is of no value. The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. “Believe, believe,” they say, “and you need not keep the law.” But a belief that does not lead to obedience is presumption."
As with many other works-based teachings, keeping the law (in the flesh) is a requirement for salvation. Please check out these pages on why that's not true:
What must I do to be saved?
Don't we have to repent to be saved?
What's the difference between our flesh and our spirit?
Because of the large disagreement between Adventist doctrines and the scripture, I have to call it out as I see it, a false religion created by a false prophet, or prophetess (as it happens). While I appreciate some of the teachings, like a belief in a literal Genesis, we aren't supposed to compromise on important doctrines, especially when it comes to the gospel.
The Sabbath
I have my doubts about whether God sees the Sabbath as ever having been on Saturday, as Adventists strongly believe:
- ¶ And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7)
- ¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)
The Investigative Judgment
Part of this teaching is the claim that Jesus entered into the holy place more than once, and the second time was in 1844. But doesn't that contradict this verse?
- Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us]. (Hebrews 9:12)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigative_judgment#Derivation_of_1844_date
Baptismal Regeneration
I've written about this here:
Is water baptism involved in salvation?
Jesus is Michael the Archangel
This wasn't a new idea to me as I've seen the Jehovah's witnesses teach this also. Bear with me, as I'm going to provide a lot of scripture.
Angels were created:
- ¶ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (Genesis 2:1)
- For [in] six days the LORD 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)
- For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)
- I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)
- All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)
- Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Hebrews 7:3)
Angels aren't supposed to accept worship:
- Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. (Revelation 22:9)
- And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
- Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:33)
- And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. (Matthew 28:9)
- ¶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16-17)
- And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (Luke 24:51-52)
- And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. (John 9:37-38)
- And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (Revelation 22:3)
Jesus rebukes satan differently than Michael
- Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10)
- Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 9)
From my research, I've seen that Ellen G. White was, more or less, the founder of this set of beliefs. I've seen mixed acceptance of all of her teachings ranging from the view that she is an infallible interpreter of scripture to the view that her writings are only devotionally useful. Of all of that, I've seen in the institution and in their schools (in what little research I've admittedly done on that) that calling her a false prophet can take your position away in their church, make sure you're not participating in their events, and basically get you shunned if not kicked out. Because of those things it's important to review some of her teachings. This is an extremely short list of what could be an exhaustive one.
The "Shut Door" doctrine
Ellen's writing indicates that the time for salvation had passed (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/28.329):
"My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it; for the time for their salvation is past."
But is that also Biblical?
- To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)
- (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)
- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Satan is our scapegoat
Ellen said that satan bears our sins and is our scapegoat (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/12119.676):
"It was seen, also, that while the sin offering pointed to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest represented Christ as a mediator, the scapegoat typified Satan, the author of sin, upon whom the sins of the truly penitent will finally be placed."
But does that conform with scripture?
- Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)
- And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:11)
- Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
- [Ye shall offer] at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. (Leviticus 22:19)
- But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, [and] to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:10)
Annihilationism (that hell and the lake of fire is only temporarily experienced)
You can see Ellen White teaching it here (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/132.2404):
"How repugnant to every emotion of love and mercy, and even to our sense of justice, is the doctrine that the wicked dead are tormented with fire and brimstone in an eternally burning hell; that for the sins of a brief earthly life they are to suffer torture as long as God shall live."
But hell, and then the lake of fire punishment, will last forever:
- And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
- Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)
- And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:43-48)
Some won't have a mediator in the future
Ellen says that some will stand before God without a mediator (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/12119.700):
"Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator."
Except He's promised to be there for us as our mediator:
- For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)
- ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15)
- Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
- [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)
Ellen claimed that Old Jerusalem would never be built up again (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/28.475):
"I also saw that Old Jerusalem never would be built up;"
That's something that we know isn't true by looking at Jerusalem today.
Ellen claimed that some people alive at her time would be translated at the coming of Jesus (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/12675.1):
"I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel, “Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.""
That, having been published in 1871, could, at best, be claiming that someone alive back then in 1871 will be translated (I believe that means raptured) today (presently 2019), putting them, at least, at 148 years old. I don't think I have to add this, but we know the oldest living documented person in recent times only lived to 122 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment).
In case it needs to be stated, God has a clear standard for a prophet that Ellen did not fulfill:
- But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
Lastly, and briefly, they believe you can lose your salvation (Arminianism). I have an article about that here:
Once we're saved will we always stay saved?
They include works in their gospel in many other ways, but that's almost to be expected with so much other error with so many other important things. Here's a glimpse at Ellen's view (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/150.730):
"A mere profession of discipleship is of no value. The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. “Believe, believe,” they say, “and you need not keep the law.” But a belief that does not lead to obedience is presumption."
As with many other works-based teachings, keeping the law (in the flesh) is a requirement for salvation. Please check out these pages on why that's not true:
What must I do to be saved?
Don't we have to repent to be saved?
What's the difference between our flesh and our spirit?
Because of the large disagreement between Adventist doctrines and the scripture, I have to call it out as I see it, a false religion created by a false prophet, or prophetess (as it happens). While I appreciate some of the teachings, like a belief in a literal Genesis, we aren't supposed to compromise on important doctrines, especially when it comes to the gospel.