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"Rome Said `Celebrate' and All the Churches Said `Amen'"

This concludes the documents by Bob Trefz.

This information from his book freedom's Ring is only the tip of the iceberg of many such topics such as: NLP, New Age Spiritualism, Hypnotic Cell Groups, The Papacy and many more pertaining to how they effect Adventism. There is also a bi-monthly booklet available called "Cherith Chronicle" that I would highly recommend. Mail your requests to: WRM, 1040 W. Kettleman Lane, suite #1 B-186, Lodi CA 95240.

"Lowering the Standards for numbers"

Even without all this evidence of the Celebration movement coming straight out of the Papacy we have more than enough evidence from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy to warn us to stay away from this Celebration type of worship.

The majority of the Christian world does not keep the Sabbath on the seventh day, yet the Bible is so clear about which day we are to observe as the Sabbath. The same correlation applies for the Seventh-day Adventist church organization. The truth is so plain and clear on this issue of Celebration liturgy (as you will soon see), yet the leadership is afraid to show the truth for fear of being accused of leading the people into apostasy, thus losing their hierarchical positions and their status in the eyes of men. The laity do not bother to open the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy in study for themselves to recognize apostasy, because they lack love for the truth. And yet there are others who have no idea of what is going on in their church, may God give them strength as their eyes are opened and may they stand on the side of truth.

When many see the truth they excuse it in some form or another. For example, they say, "times have changed, we need to meet the people where they are so that they will come back to church." And lets face it, the Conferences obviously do not care about the truth but care more about getting members into the churches, because more members mean more tithes and offerings. They are not ashamed of the fact that they are more of a corporation than they are an organization of God's remnant people. They should be organized for the purpose of presenting the plain and straight truth of the "everlasting gospel".

"If you lower the standard in order to secure popularity and increase of numbers, and then make this increase a cause of rejoicing, you show great blindness. If numbers were evidence of success, Satan might claim the pre-eminence; for in this world his followers are largely in the majority. It is the degree of moral power pervading the college that is a test of its prosperity. It is the virtue, intelligence, and piety of the people composing our churches, not their numbers, that should be a source of joy and thankfulness." 5T 31,32.

"Those who engage in the solemn work of bearing the third angel's message must move out decidedly, and in the spirit and power of God fearlessly preach the truth and let it cut. They should elevate the standard of truth and urge the people to come up to it. It has too frequently been lowered to meet the people in their condition of darkness and sin. It is the pointed testimony that will bring them up to decide. A peaceful testimony will not do this. The people have the privilege of listening to this kind of teaching from popular pulpits; but those servants to whom God has entrusted the solemn, fearful message which is to bring out and fit up a people for the coming of Christ should bear a plain, pointed testimony. Our truth is as much more solemn than that of nominal professors as the heavens are higher than the earth.

"The people are asleep in their sins and need to be alarmed before they can shake off this lethargy. Their ministers have preached smooth things; but God's servants, who bear sacred, vital truths, should cry aloud and spare not, that the truth may tear off the garment of security and find its way to the heart." 1T 248,249.

We are not to lower our standards in order to secure popularity and increase of numbers, we are to raise the people up to the standards that God has given us. If we want numbers than we must preach the plain and straight truth to our members and to the world the way we are instructed to present them. We need to be teaching members of the church how to give Bible studies, how to use what ever talents they may have to be a part in presenting the truth from God's holy Word. Lets face it, it takes effort, it takes a love for souls, it takes a deep love for Jesus Christ on an individual basis to do the work that needs to be done. How about you reader, how deep is your love? Jesus Christ is coming soon!

"Is It Time To Sigh and Cry or to Celebrate?"

According to the Bible it is very important to know where Jesus Christ is. The Jews rejected Jesus when He was on this earth and He was right among them. The leaders of the church at that time knew the prophecies and knew that the Messiah was to be there at that time. But because of their pride, selfishness and want of authority they rejected Christ for fear that they would lose their hierarchical positions and status in the eyes of the people.

Rejecting where Christ is today would be making the same mistake the Jews made. Prophecies and the first angel of Revelation 14 tells us that Christ is in the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary. To reject this message is as fatal for us as it was for the Jews when they rejected where Christ was in their time. However, there are many of our Seventh-day Adventist ministers and laity members who reject this foundation of truth. And the ones who are celebrating are the ones rejecting this message of Christ entering the Most Holy Place in 1844.

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 double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:8-10.

It is no time to be celebrating when a church is in apostasy. Those who are celebrating and making it their focal point of worship during this Antitypical Day of Atonement will not receive the seal of God. Just before the close of probation, the Bible says: "And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub (which are on the ark in the Most Holy Place; here we see Christ leaving the Most Holy Place, thus the close of probation), whereupon He was (since 1844), to the threshold of the house. And He called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; and the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity. Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary (the Seventh-day Adventists). Then they began at the ancient men (the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventists) which were before the house." Ez 9:3-6. "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, p.1303.

Here we see in Ez. 9 that while Christ is in the Most Holy Place we are not to be celebrating, but we are to do the exact opposite. We are to be sighing and crying for all the abominations that are done around us, not ignoring them and not making them an issue. Once again those who are NOT sighing and crying for the abominations done around them will NOT receive the seal of God.

"The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God's visitation has about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help. `The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.'

"The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world.

"The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them.

"The command is: `Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.' These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, 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 judgements, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentations 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, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth 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. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: `Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient of men which were before the house.'

"Here we see that the church - the Lord's sanctuary - was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestations of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgement. Thus "Peace and Safety" is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, little children all perish together." 5T 210,211. Are you and your family going to be among those who are celebrating instead of sighing and crying and receive the vengeance of God of Ezekiel nine? (I would strongly encourage you to read this whole section in 5T "The Seal of God" pages 207-216. Also the section "An Appeal" pages 217-235).

"History of the Past will be repeated"

This Celebration liturgy of today is not the first time this style of worshipping God has happened in the SDA church.

In the Indiana Conference, in about 1900, some of our churches were worshiping "God" with "a bedlam of noise," with drums, noisy exercises and et cetera. What makes this so interesting is that the conference evangelist, and the president of the Indiana Conference were prominently promoting this fanaticism along with most of the ministers of the conference.

Ellen White used this particular instance to predict and to stress, that this same type of satanic, noisy worship would be brought into our church again "just before the close of probation" and so it is today with the support once again of the leadership.

"It is impossible to estimate too largely the work that the Lord will accomplish through His proposed vessels in carrying out His mind and purpose. 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.

"The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January was represented to me would be brought into our campmeetings. The truth for this time needs nothing of this kind in its work of converting souls. A bedlam of noise 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." She goes on to say that, "No encouragement should be given to this kind of worship. The same kind of influence came in after the passing of the time in 1844. The same kind of representations were made. Men became excited, and were worked by a power thought to be the power of God..." 2SM 36,37.

"I will not go into all the painful history; it is too much. But last January the Lord showed me that erroneous theories and methods would be brought into our camp meetings, and that the history of the past would be repeated. I felt greatly distressed. I was instructed to say that at these demonstrations demons in the form of men are present, working with all ingenuity that Satan can employ to make the truth disgusting to sensible people; that the enemy was trying to arrange matters so that the camp meetings, which have been the means of bringing the truth of the third angel's message before multitudes, should lose their force and influence.

"The third angel's message is to be given in straight lines. It is to be kept free from every thread of the cheap, miserable inventions of men's theories, prepared by the father of lies, and disguised as was the brilliant serpent used by Satan as a medium of deceiving our first parents. Thus Satan tries to put his stamp upon the work God would have stand forth in purity.

"The Holy Spirit has nothing to do with such a confusion of noise and multitude of sounds as passed before me last January. Satan works amid the din and confusion of such music, which, properly conducted, would be a praise and glory to God. He makes its effect like the poison sting of the serpent.

"Those things which have been in the past will be in the future. Satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted. God calls upon His people, who have the light before them in the Word and in the Testimonies, to read and consider, and to take heed. Clear and definite instruction has been given in order that all may understand. But the itching desire to originate something new results in strange doctrines, and largely destroys the influence of those who would be a power for good if they held firm the beginning of their confidence in the truth the Lord had given them. 2SM 37,38.

"A Counterfeit Latter Rain"

Satan is going to present to the people a counterfeit out pouring of the Holy Spirit just before the real outpouring of the Holy Spirit comes. Could this Celebration be laying the foundation for such an occurrence? Heres the evidence: "...Before the final visitation of God's judgements upon the earth, there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His Word. (wouldn't this also mean people will leave the SDA churches where the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His Word?). Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great Truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power (those who reject the truth) he will make it appear that God's special blessings is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world." GC 464.

"Satan invents un-numbered schemes to occupy our minds" GC 488. He is deceiving those by keeping the minds so occupied that they do not have an interest in truth. Satan's goal is that we joyfully celebrate within our churches, until it is too late; probation's door is forever closed and we are unprepared.

"Going to Spiritualists to be Taught How..."

The SDA organization for nearly a century now has been losing more members in the U.S. than gaining and they have been looking for ways to make the numbers grow. Instead of going to God and by the power of the Holy Spirit turning to our own doctrines for instruction and preaching the plain and straight truth for a "revival of primitive Godliness" like we are instructed to do, they looked at the Pentecostals and saw how they were gaining multitudes. Did you realize that 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 spiritualism, and that this type of spiritualism along with other types of spiritualism would unite with apostate protestantism and Catholicism and that under this three-fold power America would "follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience." GC 588.

So, instead of separating ourselves from this spiritualism and exposing it from the Word of God with the love of Christ in our hearts, we join hands with, and celebrate with them.

"Those employed in any department of the work whereby the world may be transformed, must not enter into alliance with those who know not the truth. The world knows not the Father or the Son, and they have no spiritual discernment as to the character of our work, as to what we shall do or shall not do. We must obey the orders that come from above. We are not to hear the counsel or follow the plans suggested by unbelievers. Suggestions made by those who know not the work that God is doing for this time will be such as to weaken the power of the instrumentalities of God. By accepting such suggestions, the counsel of Christ is set at nought..." TM 463. Pretty plain and clear isn't it?

"We are not to be educated to work after a worldly policy, neither are we to educate others after this line of working. At every step we are to exercise faith to be much in prayer to feel dependence upon God, and manifest devotion to His work. Working after this order will bring large blessings in return: but dependence upon men, who make manifest that they are not in vital connection with God, but are moved by their own feelings, will end in placing us under another leader than Jesus Christ." 1888 Materials, Vol.4, p.1370. If we are under another leader other than Jesus Christ than who would be that leader? None other than Satan! So we are NOT "to be educated after a worldly policy, neither educate others after this line of working" we are NOT to depend on men "who make manifest that they are not in vital connection with God, but are moved by their own feelings". If you are in vital connection with God, than out of love for Him you DO as God says, not what you feel is right. If you follow men that are "moved by their own feelings" than you have chosen another leader other than God.

"Pentecostal Spiritualism"

What is spiritualism? It is the communication with an evil spirit. "Pentecostalism Spiritualism" is also a type of spiritualism, but it is the most deceptive type, because it is under the name of Christianity. These people do receive a spirit but they are not receiving the Spirit of God. They are receiving an unholy spirit and that is spiritualism.

Pentecostal spiritualism is hypnotic and deceptive. The people receiving the spirit are told that they are receiving the Spirit of God, so the people believe it, because something does happen. Because of the controlled atmosphere, feelings and emotions run rampid until they are possessed. They are deceived because they do not have a love for the truth and they do not search the scriptures for themselves but take the word of the preachers over and above the plain word of God.

Pentecostal spiritualism is a collection of "gestures". There isn't anything wrong with these gestures individually, but collectively these gestures are the external signs of Pentecostal spiritualism. You may have seen them, they are: hand clapping, swaying, raising of the hands, head back with eyes closed, shouting, jumping, running, dancing. Now, lets take a look at the music signs, they are: repetition, syncopation, planned progression of beat and pitch (faster and faster, higher and higher), heavy bass, and drums. All these items used together get the people in a state of mind to start receiving a spirit, eventually speaking in tongues which puts them in a state of mind to be easily influenced to accept whatever the preacher preaches.

An Adventist preacher wrote, "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 back-page 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 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."

The majority of the Adventist celebration books are nothing more than books that have been re-written straight from Pentecostal books and materials. If you were to compare a Pentecostal church with a "Adventist" Celebration church you would see many surprising similarities.

"Celebration - `Doing After the Manner of the World'"

One of the first things that you will recognize in the Celebration churches is that they do away with the standards. They do this in order to bring the people in so that they do not feel uncomfortable or feel as if they are being judged or condemned. You dress as you please, eat and drink what you please, go where you please, just about anything goes, but what are God's people doing at this time? "At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world." 5T 209. Has God ever lowered His standards? What about the principle of loving the sinner but hating the sin? If a person leaves the church because the standards are too high then they either do not fully understand the righteousness of Christ or they under estimate the power of God in helping them to overcome or they do not want to give up their vices. Their love for the vices is stronger than their love to God.

"Men will employ every means to make less prominent the difference between Seventh-day Adventists and observers of the first day of the week. A company was presented to me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the banner, or sign, which makes us a distinct people should not be held out so strikingly; for they claimed that this was not the best policy in order to secure success to our institutions. But this is not a time to haul down our colors, to be ashamed of our faith. This distinctive banner, described in the words, `Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,' is to be borne through the world to the close of probation. While efforts should be increased to advance in different localities, there must be no cloaking of our faith to secure patronage. Truth must come to souls ready to perish; and if it is in any way hidden, God is dishonored, and the blood of souls will be upon our garments." 6T 144. When you have blood on your garment your a lost man.(Ez.33) Is the plain and straight truth presented from Celebration services and in their Sabbath schools? No. What about their group studies? No. Read their Cell group Bible studies by Garrie Williams, its plain and straight pablum. Their definition for the Mark of the Beast is "false worship". Sunday worship, or the Catholic Church is never mentioned. For example on Revelation 17, it says, "the harlot is the church state which dominated Christianity through the middle ages". Never does it mention the Roman Papacy. A person can do their whole Bible study and still not know our doctrines.

"...God had separated the Israelites from every other people, to make them His own peculiar treasure.

"But they, disregarding this high honor, eagerly desired to imitate the example of the heathen! And still the longing to conform to worldly practices and customs exists among the professed people of God. As they depart from the Lord they become ambitious for the gains and honors of the world. Christians are constantly seeking to imitate the practices of those who worship the god of this world. Many urge that by uniting with worldlings and conforming to their customs they might exert a stronger influence over the ungodly. But all who pursue this course thereby separate from the Source of their strength. Becoming the friends of the world, they are the enemies of God. For the sake of earthly distinction they sacrifice the unspeakable honor to which God has called them, of showing forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9. PP 607.

"Men and women will arise professing to have some new light or some new revelation whose tendency is to unsettle faith in the old landmarks. Their doctrines will not bear the test of God's word, yet souls will be deceived... This spirit will not always be manifest in an open defiance of the messages that God sends, but a settled unbelief is expressed in many ways." 5T 295. The Celebration movement and its doctrines of pablum have unsettled the faith in the old landmarks. The doctrines of Celebration liturgy do not bear the test of God's word. It was not manifest in open defiance but sanctioned by the leadership of the church, and when the issue of Celebration was brought out by historic SDAs' they were disfellowshipped to discredit them and bury the issues. It has been brought in very subtly, and the result is that many souls are deceived. Thus, another reason for this document, to show the truth to the ones being deceived so that they will no longer be deceived.

"A new order of things has come into the ministry. There is a desire to pattern after other churches, and simplicity and humility are almost unknown. The young ministers seek to be original, and to introduce new ideas and new plans for labor. Some open revival meetings, and by this means call large numbers into the church. But when the excitement is over, where are the converted ones? Repentance and confession of sin are not seen. The sinner is entreated to believe in Christ and accept Him, without regard to his past life of sin and rebellion. The heart is not broken. There is no contrition of soul. The supposed converted ones have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus.

"The Lord desires His servants today to preach the old gospel doctrine, sorrow for sin, repentance, and confession. We want old-fashioned sermons, old-fashioned customs, old-fashioned fathers and mothers in Israel. The sinner must be labored for, perseveringly, earnestly, wisely, until he shall see that he is a transgressor of God's law, and shall exercise repentance toward God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ." 2SM 18,19.

"Correct Liturgy"

A few years ago I went to a large gathering that the Rocky Mountain conference had in a very large rented church in Denver. I went to the youth meeting where they had their own Sabbath school and church service and what I saw there really made me think and at the same time made my heart sink. There was continuous loud noise and confusion, drama skits that did not pertain to anything holy. In fact, they were like worldly advertisements you would see on television with a religious pun of some kind. For me it was very uncomfortable, yet the majority were having a grand ol' time, yelling, clapping, cheering everything that moved.... When I walked out of that church I was determined to find out if this type of "worship" was correct in the sight of God. I still had faith in the conference that they would not do anything that was not correct. But after using the indexes and looking up 5T 491-500 "Behavior in the House of God",(read and study this whole section for yourself, it is excellent!) I found that type of conduct in the sanctuary is an abomination in the sight of God and is not sanctioned by Him. This was the beginning of my eyes being opened to the many things that are going on in the church organization. These things are leading people like sheep down the broad path to perdition.

Here are some of the more prominent statements found in 5T "Behavior in the House of God" in relation to this document on Celebration. "There has been a great change, not for the better, but for the worse, in the habits and customs of the people in reference to religious worship. The precious, the sacred, things which connect us with God are fast losing their hold upon our minds and hearts, and are being brought down to the level of common things. The reverence which the people had anciently for the sanctuary where they met with God in sacred service has largely passed away. Nevertheless, God Himself gave the order of His service, exalting it high above everything of a temporal nature. 5T 491.

""When the worshipers enter the place of meeting, they should do so with decorum, passing quietly to their seats." 5T 492. Decorum means propriety and good taste in behavior, speech, dress and et cetera; an act or requirement of polite behavior.

"If some have to wait a few minutes before the meeting begins, let them maintain a true spirit of devotion by silent meditation... They should remember that heavenly messengers are in the house. We all lose much sweet communion with God by our restlessness, by not encouraging moments of reflection and prayer....

"When the minister enters, it should be with dignified, solemn mien. He should bow down in silent prayer as soon as he steps into the pulpit, and earnestly ask help of God...." 5T 492.

"When the benediction is pronounced, all should still be quiet, as if fearful of losing the peace of Christ....

As parents we need to teach our children and have the attitude that, "God is here; this is His house. I must have pure thoughts and holiest motives. I must have no pride, envy, jealousy, evil surmising, hatred, or deception in my heart, for I am coming into the presence of the holy God. This is the place where God meets with and blesses His people. The high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity looks upon me, searches my heart, and reads the most secret thoughts and acts of my life." 5T 493,494.

"It is true that reverence for the house of God has become almost extinct. Sacred things and places are not discerned; the holy and exalted are not appreciated. Is there not a cause for the want of fervent piety in our families? Is it not because the high standard of religion is left to trail in the dust? God gave rules of order, perfect and exact, to His ancient people. Has His character changed? Is He not the great and mighty God who rules in the heaven of heavens? Would it not be well for us often to read the directions given by God Himself to the Hebrews, that we who have the light of the glorious truth shining upon us may imitate their reverence for the house of God? We have abundant reason to maintain a fervent, devoted spirit in the worship of God. We have reason even to be more thoughtful and reverential in our worship than had the Jews. But an enemy has been at work to destroy our faith in the sacredness of Christian worship."

".... The education and training of the youth should be a character that would exalt sacred things and encourage pure devotion for God in His house. Many who profess to be children of the heavenly King have no true appreciation of the sacredness of eternal things. Nearly all need to be taught how to conduct themselves in the house of God. Parents should not only teach, but command, their children to enter the sanctuary with sobriety and reverence.

"The moral taste of the worshipers in God's holy sanctuary must be elevated, refined, sanctified. This matter has been sadly neglected. Its importance has been overlooked, and as the result, disorder and irreverence have become prevalent, and God has been dishonored...." 5T 495-497.

"I am often pained as I enter the house where God is worshiped, to see the untidy dress of both men and women....They have no true idea of the order, the neatness, and the refined deportment that God requires of all who come into His presence to worship Him. 5T 498.

"Because of the irreverence in attitude, dress, and deportment, and lack of a worshipful frame of mind, God has often turned His face away from those assembled for His worship.

"There should be no display of the apparel; for this encourages irreverence. The attention of the people is often called to this or that fine article of dress, and thus thoughts are intruded that should have no place in the hearts of the worshipers. God is to be the subject of thought, the object of worship; and anything that attracts the mind from the solemn, sacred service is an offense to Him.... Let none dishonor God's sanctuary by their showy apparel. God and angels are there. The Holy One of Israel has spoken through His apostle: `Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

"When a church has been raised up and left uninstructed on these points, the minister has neglected his duty and will have to give account to God for the impressions he allowed to prevail. Unless correct ideas of true worship and true reverence are impressed upon the people, there will be a growing tendency to place the sacred and eternal on a level with common things, and those professing the truth will be an offence to God and a disgrace to religion. They can never, with their uncultivated ideas, appreciate a pure and holy heaven, and be prepared to join with the worshipers in the heavenly courts above, where all is purity and perfection, where every being has perfect reverence for God and His holiness. 5T 599,500. (please, please read this whole chapter for yourself!)

In many of the SDA churches that I have attended there was a "greeting time" in the sanctuary where the church members stand up and walk around greeting each other and visitors with a hand shake. This activity is to promote an illusion of a "friendly church" to attract visitors and promote more people to join their church. But what does God say about this type of activity in His sanctuary? "If when the people come into the house of worship, they have genuine reverence for the Lord and bear in mind that they are in His presence, there will be a sweet eloquence in silence. The whispering and laughing and talking which might be without sin in a common business place should find no sanction in the house where God is worshipped." 5T 492.

Some churches are trying to condition people to Celebration liturgy and in the Celebration churches you will find that the words of the music are projected on a large screen so that the hands are free while you sing. Some people will say, "that is being pretty picky about something so minor" but everything that is done by Celebrationists that may seem minor, has a purpose. The reason for the free hands during songs is so that you can raise them. Celebration researchers believe this is a loosening-up, desensitizing precursor to raising those free "holy" hands as practiced in the Pentecostal church services.

"The place that should be holy, where a holy stillness should reign, and where there should be perfect order, neatness, and humility, is made to be a perfect Babylon and a place where confusion, disorder, and untidiness reign. This is enough to shut out God from our assemblies and cause His wrath to be kindled, that He will not be pleased to go out with the armies of Israel to battle against our enemies. 3SM 257.

"Music for Church - Its Either From Heaven or From Hell!"

With what we know about how to conduct ourselves in the presence of God in the sanctuary, music in the Celebration churches destroys the dignity of the worship service. Music that is to glorify God glorifies the "performer" instead.

The music in the Celebration churches is music that will appease the world-lovers so that they will come. The Celebration music that they use is called "contemporary Christian music" or "gospel rock". The syncopated beat is the same as worldly rock music only the words are different, so lets face it, its still rock music from the same source, hell. The words are religious but the sound and beat are the same as worldly rock music. This type of music satisfies the world-lovers who's standards will never change in an atmosphere where the standards are already low and with time will only get lower.

What about our children? Should we expose them to music that is from hell? You may think these are strong words, but think about it. What is the one word that you could use to describe rock music? Look at the lifestyle of the rock band player, listen to their music. For that matter ask any rocker the question. It all says "rebellion". Wouldn't you say that would be a good word to describe it? Now, look at this passage. "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft". 1 Samuel 15:23. So why are we exposing ourselves and our children to "contemporary music" or "gospel rock" that is nothing more than rebellious rock music with religious words, putting ourselves in the position of being guilty of the sin of rebellion and witchcraft?

"The danger that threatens our churches is that new and strange things will be brought in, things that confuse the minds of the people, and give them no strength, at the very times when they most need strength in spiritual things. Clear discernment is needed that things new and strange shall not be laid alongside of truth as a part of the burden of the message to be given at this time. The very messages we have been giving to the world are to be made prominent. 2SM 14.

"Eternal things have little weight with the youth. Angels of God are in tears as they write in the roll the words and acts of professed Christians. 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. This I saw repeated a number of times all through the ranks of Sabbathkeepers, and especially in _____. 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. Anything will suit his purpose that will divert the mind from God and engage the time which should be devoted to His service. He works through the means which will exert the strongest influence to hold the largest numbers in a pleasing infatuation, while they are paralyzed by his power. When turned to good account, music is a blessing; but it is often made one of Satan's most attractive agencies to ensnare souls. When abused, it leads the unconsecrated to pride, vanity, and folly. When allowed to take the place of devotion and prayer, it is a terrible curse. Young persons assemble to sing, and, although professed Christians, frequently dishonor God and their faith by their frivolous conversation and their choice of music. Sacred music is not congenial to their taste. I was directed to the plain teachings of God's Word, which have been past by unnoticed. IN THE JUDGEMENT ALL THESE WORDS OF INSPIRATION WILL CONDEMN THOSE WHO HAVE NOT HEEDED THEM." 1T 505,506. "Frivolous ditties fit for the dance hall" is "one of Satan's most attractive agencies to ensnare souls." A danceable type of music should not even be played and sung in a Seventh-day Adventist "dwelling" and especially not in our church services and religious meetings.

"A view of one such company was presented to me, where were assembled those who profess to believe the truth. One was seated at the instrument of music, and such songs were poured forth as made the watching angels weep. There was mirth, there was coarse laughter, there was abundance of enthusiasm, and a kind of inspiration; but the joy was such as Satan only is able to create. This is an enthusiasm and infatuation of which all who love God will be ashamed. It prepares the participants for unholy thought and action." Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, 339.

"The Lord has revealed to me that when the heart is cleansed and sanctified, and the members of the church are partakers of the divine nature, a power will go forth from the church, who believe the truth, that will cause melody in the heart. Men and women will not depend upon their instrumental music but on the power and grace of God, which will give fullness of joy. There is a work to be done in clearing away the rubbish which has been brought into the church. Ev 521.

"Music is acceptable to God only when the heart is sanctified and made soft and holy by its facilities. But many who delight in music know nothing of making melody in their hearts to the Lord. Their heart is gone "after their idols." Ev 512.

Here is a description of music that offends God: "Display is not religion nor sanctification. There is nothing more offensive in God's sight than a display of instrumental music when those taking part are not consecrated, are not making melody in their hearts to the Lord. The offering most sweet and acceptable in God's sight is a heart made humble by self-denial, by lifting the cross and following Jesus.

"We have no time now to spend in seeking those things that only please the senses. Close heart searching is needed. With tears and heartbroken confession we need to draw nigh to God that He may draw nigh to us. Ev 510. Does that sound like we are to be celebrating to you? Just one more example out of many.

"Are God's people to stay in an Apostatized Church?"

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." 2 Thess. 3:6. Why are we commanded to leave? Because when you walk with a man who has a limp, you start limping also. We are all influenced by our surroundings, it can not be helped no matter how strong you might think you are. If you do not leave, you will eventually compromise and join them. You will think, "this is not so bad," but isn't that what Eve thought after she picked the fruit? If they go to hell, then so will you.

You may think, "I will go to that church so that I can show them their error". But how can you do that when your sitting in their pews listening to their sermons, watching their emotional drama skits and such? "Even though you may not be able to speak a word to those who are working on wrong principles, leave them. Your withdrawal and silence may do more than words." 4RH 42.

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness: From such withdraw thyself." 1 Tim. 6:3-5.

Once again lets look at Matt.15:12-14. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Did you realize that our Seventh-day Adventist leaders are going to urge Seventh-day Adventists to keep Sunday? And that they will also point out the conscientious Sabbath keepers as the ones who are bringing the wrath of God upon the world by their disregard of Sunday? Here is the proof: "The Lord has a controversy with His professed people (in the preceding paragraph she deals with Sabbath reform among Seventh-day Adventists) in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. There are calamities on sea and land: and these calamities will increase, one disaster following close upon another; and the little band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will be pointed out as the ones who are bringing the wrath of God upon the world by their disregard of Sunday." RH 03-18-84. Celebration liturgy that is being brought in by "men in responsible positions" is the first step towards conditioning peoples minds to Sunday worship. Are you going to follow what the leadership says when they encourage Sunday keeping? If you are compromising now with God's truth, then what makes you think you will not compromise when the real tests begin with Sunday keeping and spirit ualism?

"Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir the rulers against them." GC 608.

"No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those who have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be ringleaders in apostasy and examples in indifference and in the abuse of God's mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with them without mercy." 5T 212.

There are several quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy about the "high-hand power" or "domination" of the Conference, but for the sake of time and space I am only including this one. However, if you study the 1888 Materials you will see that this "high-handed power" was the biggest issue of that time, not the righteousness by faith issue like so many think, study it for yourself. "The high-handed power that has been developed, as though position has made men gods, makes me afraid, and ought to cause fear. It is a curse wherever and by whomever it is exercised. This lording it over God's heritage will create such a disgust of man's jurisdiction that a state of insubordination will result. The people are learning that men in high positions of responsibility cannot be trusted to mold and fashion other men's minds and characters. The result will be a loss of confidence even in the management of faithful men. But the Lord will raise up laborers who realize their own nothingness without special help from God. Age after age Jesus has been delivering His goods to His church. At the time of the first advent of Christ to our world, the men who composed the Sanhedrin exercised their authority in controlling men according to their will. Thus the souls whom Christ had given His life to free from the bondage of Satan were brought under bondage to him in another form." TM 361. A few more references are TM 366, TM 380, TM 362.

"It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed with great light and who have felt the power of the Word in ministering to others. They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they departed from Him and led others into error." 5T 212.

What does God say through His prophet to do when we and our children are exposed to apostasy? "There is little hope in one direction. Take the young men and women, and place them where they will come as little in contact with our churches as possible, that the low grade of piety which is current in this day shall not leaven their ideas of what it means to be a Christian." MS H-16F 1892, May 9, 1892. If she was telling the parents this over one hundred years ago do you think by what we see today in our churches and schools that things are better? It is time that we cry out for a reformation by the power of the Holy Spirit, but will it happen in the structure where they are disfellowshipping the very ones who do cry out?

You may be asking, "what do we do if there isn't a church in our area that is preparing us for the times ahead and for the second coming that is 100% SDA? Also, what about our children?" The answer is, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and if you have to start your own home church, DO IT, BUT BE ORGANIZED. For the last several years because of the vast amount of apostasy that has been going through the SDA conference churches hundreds of home churches are being established, so look them up. But use caution there are small churches and home churches that also teach strong error. Some of the more prevalent errors are, feast days, time setting, conference or independent ministry idolitory to just name a few. And for your children, also pray for guidance, to know what school to send them to. And if there isn't one that gives glory to God then if you can, home school them or organize a group home schooling program. Call an independent ministry that you feel you can trust for any questions or help. Do not get discouraged, prophecies are only being fulfilled and the Lord is coming soon. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33. By seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness all your spiritual needs will be met.

For those who have been hanging on to the arm of the General Conference, like I did most of my life, these words may be hard to swallow, but you need to make a choice. Are you going to follow man in error to hell or are you going to follow Jesus Christ in truth to Heaven? I am not going to judge a man or condemn him if they do continue going, however I believe that the sincere ones who are convicted by the Holy Spirit would not be able to continue going to a congregation that is in apostasy.

"As the men in Israel witnessed the corrupt course of the priests, they thought it safer for their families not to come to the appointed place of worship...they at last determined to offer their sacrifices themselves, concluding that this would be as fully acceptable to God as to sanction the abominations in the sanctuary." 1ST 264, 2BC 1010.

"Do you have to cut loose from friends and relatives in deciding to obey the elevated Truths of God's Word? Take courage, God has made provision for you. His arms are open to receive you. Come out from among them, and be separate, and touch not the unclean, and He will receive you. He promises to be a Father unto you...if you make the sacrifice, if you have to forsake father, mother, sisters, brothers, wife, and children for Christ's sake, you will not be friendless...God adopts you...you become members of the royal household..." 1T 510.

Here is a small example of the many things happening in the SDA church organization: Worldliness, unholy, irreverent, noisy confusion, fund raising programs, entertainment shows; Catholic banners hung from the walls; SDA "Ministry" magazine of Aug. 1990 showing the "Ministry" magazine's commissioned painting of "The Return of the Cosmic King" picturing the New Age "Christ," Lord Maitreya along with 32 occultic symbols; hand clapping in the house of God; lewd, rhythmical self-glorifying god-defying music; dancing in the fellowship halls of our churches and school reunions; SDA churches performing Sunday sunrise services; Adventist author extolling the World Council of Church's social and humanitarian virtues with its accention of the Holy Spirit and the Eucharist and how they fit into the ambit of the three angels' messages; SDA college churches performing the "Stations of the Cross" and "Candle Lighting Services"; ordaining women to be pastors and elders; condoning gay and lesbian clubs at SDA colleges and universities; allowing homosexual teachers to teach our children and promote their lifestyle; teachers discrediting and influencing students not to use the obsolete Spirit of Prophecy; an SDA university church paper referring to God as "she"; participating in intramural competitive sports (read TM 84); school officials allowing to be printed in their university newspaper spoofs with photos of our prophet eating at a fast food restaurant with Elvis Presley; college leaders allowing to be printed an "out-of-the-closet" homosexual student and part-time teacher's treatise of atheistic views of God; religious rock concerts on SDA academy and college campuses; the SDA church organization advocating that the members "must demonstrate willingness to submit their doctrinal opinions and scriptural interpretations to those appointed by God to lead the church" (Roman Catholic Popery coming out of the mouths of SDA leadership); Catholic Mass on Sundays held in SDA church; the SD A church giving the Pope a gold medallion; Catholic white communion wafers being sold at SDA Book and Bible houses; ADRA and the Adventist Community Services organization are connected with the Red Cross and FEMA which is controlled by Rome. The SDA churches take up offerings for the World Budget which includes ADRA, these monies fill Rome's coffers for her soon control of the world and persecution of God's faithful people; Prominent SDA leader teaching the soon to be SDA ministers how to hypnotize their congregations and encouraging them to hypnotize them every Sabbath. And the list goes on and on and on. Does this partial list fall into God's definition of His last day remnant church?

"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 seeking wisdom that we may obtain a 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." EW 124,125.

One thing that I want to keep stressing here is that we do not hang on to the arm of flesh, but look to and hang on to the arm of Jesus Christ. "I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, "Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon." EW 73. And that fleshy arm especially includes the General Conference. Here is an example why, "Who can feel sure that they are safe in respecting the voice of the General Conference Association? If the people in our churches understood the management of the men who walk in the light of the sparks of their own kindling, would they respect their decisions? I answer, No, not for a moment. I have been shown that the people at large do not know that the heart of the work is being diseased and corrupted at Battle Creek. Many of the people (the lay people like you and I) are lethargic, listless, apathetic condition, and assent to plans which they do not understand." Paulson Collection, pp.422,423. This was written back in 1896, 100 years ago. Have things gotten better in the General Conference? Are we still not assenting to things by the General Conference that we do not understand? How about Celebration, NLP (Nero-linguistics programming - a type of hypnotism used by SDA ministers to hypnotize their congregation), drama, preaching saved in sin...

I believe in showing respect to leaders who are worthy of that respect, leaders who are humble and not selfish, who have a deep love for Christ enough to abide by His word given to us though His prophets. Leaders who give me a "thus saith the Lord" and not a bunch of opinions, pablum, and high-handed power.

"The people turned upon their minsters with bitter hate and reproached them, saying, `You have not warned us. You told us that all the world was to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was aroused. You have not told us of this hour; and those who warned us of it you declared to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us.' But I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater than that of their people." Maranatha, 271.

"Giving the Straight Testimony"

Over and over again we have been instructed to give 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 (if they are not God's shepherds than who's shepherds are they?). A fearful woe is upon them." 1T 321. So, does this mean that its time to celebrate and not make the testimonies and God's instructions for living a Godly life an issue? What was John the Baptists message to the Jews?

"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isaiah 58:1.

The straight testimony is going to be given to the world and to the professed church in the last days, here is a description of the results of the final struggle of God's remnant people when they "pour forth the straight truth". "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, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against Him. Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward. Angels of God had charge over His people, and as the poisonous atmosphere of evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the heavenly angels were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness.

"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. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.

"I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people.

"I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified." EW 269,270. Notice that these people are not celebrating, but they are agonizing, pleading with God, their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety... and they were pouring forth the straight truth. Notice also that those who did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading and were indifferent and careless were shut in by the darkness and the angels left them and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. What group are you going to be in if your celebrating at this time?

"God cannot use men who, in time of peril, when the strength, courage, and influence of all are needed, are afraid to take a firm stand for the right. He calls for men who will do faithful battle against wrong, warring against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. It is such as these that He will speak the words: "Well done, good and faithful servant.

"God calls for men like Elijah, Nathan, and John the Baptist - Men who will bear His message with faithfulness, regardless of the consequences; men who will speak the truth bravely, though it call for the sacrifice of all they have. PK 142.

"The Dirty word to the Guilty - Reprove!"

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" 2 Tim. 4:34.

"When God has given us light showing the dangers before us, how can we stand clear in His sight if we neglect to put forth every effort in our power to bring it before the people? Can we be content to leave them to meet this momentous issue unwarned?" 5T 712.

"Satan is constantly seeking to deceive men and lead them to call sin righteousness, and righteousness sin. How successful has been his work! How often censure and reproach are cast upon God's faithful servants because they will stand fearlessly in defence of the truth! Men who are but agents of Satan are praised and flattered, and even looked upon as martyrs, while those who should be respected and sustained for their fidelity to God, are left to stand alone, under suspicion and distrust. GC 192,193.

"The worst enemies we have are those who are trying to destroy the influence of the watchmen upon the walls of Zion." 5T 294

"The spirit of hatred which has existed with some because the wrongs among God's people have been reproved, has brought blindness and a fearful deception upon their souls, making it impossible for them to discriminate between right and wrong. They have put out their own spiritual eyesight...Unless they repent...they will fall in the general destruction of the wicked." 3T 266,267.

Many, if not the majority of the Seventh-day Adventist churches fall into this next sentence. "They pervert the scriptures, even teaching that it is a denial of Christ to keep the moral law.(want an example? Look in the Adventist Review Aug. 96, p.11 at the article called "Gay Adventists - The Ultimate Oxymoron?" There should be no question mark after oxymoron, but a statement of fact). Error is cherished as precious light, while plain truth, so clear and pointed in the word of God marking out the course they should pursue, is regarded as an idle tale. They may be professedly serving Christ; but they have changed masters, and are wholly on the enemies side. The reason is given by the apostle, when he says: `The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel, of Christ who is the image of God, should shine unto them.' These false teachers manifest the same spirit toward those who keep the commandments of God that the scribes and pharisees manifested toward Christ." ST No.30,p.466, Aug.5,1886.

"We must put on every piece of armor, and having done all, stand firm. We are set as a defence for the gospel, and we must compose a part of the Lord's grand army for aggressive warfare. By the Lord's faithful ambassadors the truth must be presented in clear-cut lines. Much of that which today is called testing truth is twaddle which leads to a resistance of the Holy Spirit." 2SM 38.

When you are silent in the midst of apostasy in reality you are supporting that apostasy, "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 crises is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God." 3T 281.

"If wrongs are apparent among His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to them, they virtually sustain and justify the sinner, and are alike guilty and will just as surely receive the displeasure of God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the guilty. In vision I have been pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect on the part of His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among them. Those who have excused these wrongs have been thought by the people to be very amiable and lovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge a plain, scriptural duty. The task was not agreeable to their feelings; therefore they avoided it.

"The searching testimony of the spirit of God will separate those from Israel who have ever been at war with the means that God has ordained to keep corruptions out of the church. Wrongs must be called wrongs. Grievous sins must be called by their right name. All of God's people should come nearer to Him... Then will they see in the true light and will realize how offensive it is in the sight of God. The plain, straight testimony must live in the church, or the curse of God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon ancient Israel because of their sins." 5T 676.

In the bible a watchman was the sentinel that was placed on the walls of a fortified city, to keep an eye on everything that was going on, and to warn the people if an enemy was approaching. Every persons life in that city depended upon the vigilance and integrity of the watchman. From what I have studied every person that is baptized into Christ is a minister for Him in some sort or another according to their talent. In Ezekiel 33:1-7 the watchmen are ministers and the city, Zion, is God's church. Observe this analogy of the responsibility God has given us. "Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon the land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not the warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me." As watchmen we are to blow the trumpet and sound the warning of danger coming in the church, if we do not sound the trumpet and souls are lost we are lost also. But if we sound the trumpet of the danger coming in the church the ones who listen are saved and the ones wh o do not listen and do not take heed are lost, but their blood is not on us, we have done our part and we are found worthy and are saved.

It is also very important to know how to reprove. Even though we are to do this work knowing how to do it with the love of Christ and the Holy Spirit in our hearts is very important, so that the glory of God is revealed and not our own pride and selfishness. "Severity to a few will often prove mercy to many. Yet we must be careful to manifest the Spirit of Christ, and not our own hasty, impetuous disposition. We must rebuke sin, because we love God, and love the souls for whom Christ died." 1ST 407.

"The SDA Organization: Once Saved Always Saved?"

"Because they failed of fulfilling God's purpose, the children of Israel were set aside, and God's call was extended to other peoples. If these too prove unfaithful, will they not in like manner be rejected?" COL 304.

"Of those who boast of their light, yet fail to walk in it, Christ says, `But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgement, than for you. And thou, Capernaum (Seventh-day Adventists), which are exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgement, than for thee." RH 8-1-93.

"The Jewish people cherished the idea that they were favorites of heaven and that they were always to be exalted as the church of God. They were the children of Abraham, they declared and so firm did the foundation of their prosperity seem to them that they defiled earth and heaven to dispossess them of their rights." COL 294.

"As a people the Jews had failed of fulfilling God's purpose, and the vineyard was taken from them. The privileges they had abused, the work they had slighted, was entrusted to others." COL 296.

"The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the work of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities." Upward Look, 131.

"A Condition for Unity"

A question that you may have is, are we not to be in unity? Yes, but here are the guidelines for unity: "Christ calls for unity. But He does not call for us to unify on wrong practices. The God of heaven draws a sharp contrast between pure, elevating, ennobling truth, and false, misleading doctrines. He calls sin and impenitence by their right names. He does not gloss over wrongdoing with a coat of untempered mortar. I urge our brethren to unify upon a true, scriptural basis." 1SM 175.

"A Church for the Unchurched"

Concerning this point, I want to stress that I have no animosity against the people of whom I am going to expose. I know for a fact that Jesus Christ loves these people, He loves them enough that He died for them. I know many of these people and I also love and care for them, but public error must be exposed publicly for the sake of the souls who could be misled. They have not sinned against me, so Matthew 18 does not apply here. "When men endanger the work and cause of God by their own wrong course of action, shall they hear no voice of reproof? If the wrongdoer only were concerned, and the work reached no farther than him, he alone should have the words of warning; but when his course of action is doing positive harm to the cause of truth, and the souls are imperiled, God requires that the warning be as broad as the injury done." 2SM 153. I pray that they will see their mistakes and will make them right in the eyes of God and to the ones they are leading astray.

In the Outlook magazine, which is the magazine for the Mid-American Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists there was an article in the August, 1996 issue on page 4, called "A Church for the Unchurched". In this article was a description of the new church coming to the Loveland, Ft.Collins, Colorado area. They may want to deny it or they may be proud of the fact that this church is a "Celebration" church. They fulfill every description of a Celebration church according to this researched document, which also exposes the apostasy of this new church. They are in apostasy to the Seventh-day Adventist doctrines according to the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, however obviously not to the man made commandments of the Seventh-day Adventist Conference.

An example of the mind set of this church is found in this article on page 4 where it is in direct opposition to the inspired Word of God and barely even tells a half truth that can only appeal to a sin loving heart. "We believe that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing! The main thing is the GOSPEL. We are committed to keeping the Gospel central. The Gospel is the simple New Testament proclamation of the good news that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ's finished work on the cross - period. We can never earn salvation or add to it. When we accept Jesus as our forgiver and leader, we have eternal life. Christians will experience deep personal security and assurance of salvation. The life of discipleship is lived working from victory, not toward victory." (underlining is mine). There are alot of half truths in here that sound very good, but yet are very deceptive. A correlation as an example could be, if God said there were 10 steps to heaven and you only took 5 would you be in heaven?

Now, here is an example of what the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy says on this issue, "The sanctification now gaining prominence in the religious world carries with it a spirit of self-exaltation and a disregard for the law of God that mark it as foreign to the religion of the Bible. Its advocates teach that sanctification is an instantaneous work, by which, through faith alone, they attain to perfect holiness. `Only believe,' say they, `and the blessing is yours.' No further effort on the part of the receiver is supposed to be required. At the same time they deny the authority of the law of God, urging that they are released from obligation to keep the commandments. But is it possible for men to be holy, in accord with the will and character of God, without coming into harmony with the principles which are an expression of His nature and will...?

"The desire for an easy religion that requires no striving, no self-denial, no divorce from follies of the world, has made the doctrine of the faith, and faith only, a popular doctrine; but what saith the word of God? Says the apostle James: `What doeth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?...Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?...'

"The testimony of the word of God is against this ensnaring doctrine of faith without works. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions upon which mercy is to be granted, it is presumption; for genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.

"Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become holy while willfully violating one of God's requirements. The commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God...."He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." (1 John 2:4,5). Maranatha p.232.

I pray that eyes will be opened by the power of the Holy Spirit to the truth and that according to the truth changes will be made. Is it possible, or have we gone too far?

"A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work." 1SM 121.

THE 12 BIBLICAL TESTS OF A TRUE PROPHET

Some people try to "play it safe" and reject all prophets in order to make sure they are not fooled by a counterfeit. This is wrong! God simply says to test them by His word. Then "hold fast" to the genuine. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)

TEST No. 1. Deuteronomy 18:21, 22.

All the predictions of a true prophet come to pass. If a prophet's predictions do not come to pass they are not of God.

TEST No. 2. Numbers 12:6.

They receive their messages from God in the form of visions or dreams.

TEST No. 3. Numbers 24:4 and 16.

When they are in vision, their eyes are open and they do not blink.

TEST No. 4. Daniel 10:7.

When a true prophet is in vision he/she does not breath.

TEST No. 5. Daniel 10:18.

A true prophet receives supernatural strength while in vision.

TEST No. 6. Jeremiah 28:9.

A true prophet's predictions will be 100% correct. There is no margin for "human error"

TEST No. 7. 2 Peter 1:20.

A true prophet does not give his own private interpretation. He only interprets what the Lord

reveals to him/her.

TEST No. 8. 2 Peter 1:21.

A true prophet only prophesises in the name of the Lord. He/she is not concerned about glorifying himself, only the name of the Lord.

TEST No. 9. 1 Corinthians 14:3-4.

A true prophet helps and strengthens the body of Christ, his church, and works to uplift it.

TEST No. 10. Isaiah 8:20; 1 John 2:4, 5.

A true prophet keeps God's law and abides by the testimony of the prophets in God's Word. If a person claims to be a prophet of God, but does not keep God's commandments and does not follow all the testimony of the scriptures, he/she is a false prophet.

TEST No. 11. 1 John 4:1-3; Heb 2:16.

A true prophet believes in the incarnation of Jesus Christ: that Jesus is God, that He came to this earth and took on humanity in order to redeem this lost race.

TEST No. 12. Matthew 7:15-20.

A prophet of God will manifest good works; his/her ministry will produce abundant spiritual fruit.

If we reject God's prophets we reject God! God manifests Himself to us through His chosen messengers. (Read Amos 3:7, Hosea 12:13 and 2 Chronicles 24:19)

As far as we know there has only been one person who has lived since John the Revelator that passes all the 12 biblical tests of a true prophet. It was a godly woman that lived from 1827 to 1915. Her name was Ellen Gould White, and her life and visions are well documented.

God's Word says that His true church in the last days would be keeping all of His commandments and have a true prophet to guide them. (Revelation 12:17 and 19:10). Ellen White was God's prophet to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The fifty-five volumes of writings continue to point the church to God's Word today.

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." Joel 2:28-29.

"Believe in the Lord Your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets,

so shall ye prosper."

2 Chronicles 20:20