Comment on New Adventist president envisions a church marked by prayer, revival by Steve Billiter.
Arlene,
While I realize there is lessons to learn from the past;righteousness by faith is not found in 1888 or 1901; it is found in the merits of Jesus Christ, found only in the Word of God. Those who profess righteousness by faith In Christ and yet deny Him by their actions will be found wanting. It may be helpful to study church history in some regards; but over and over I see persons and sub-groups in Adventism looking back in history for real answers and not focusing on God’s Word and the SOP. The 1888 MSC comes to mind.
It is more helpful to look back and see how God has led the Adventist prophetic movement and we can have confidence in the pillars of faith becoming sanctified through obedience to the Word of God:
John 17:17 Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.
John 14:15 If you love me, keep my commandments.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
“I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.” {CET 177.2}
Many Backsliders Will Return.–When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd’s voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together, and present to the enemy a united front. . . . The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401. (1900) {Ev 693.2}
The Loud Cry.–During the loud cry, the church, aided by the providential interpositions of her exalted Lord, will diffuse the knowledge of salvation so abundantly that light will be communicated to every city and town. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of salvation. So abundantly will the renewing Spirit of God have crowned with success the intensely active agencies, that the light of present truth will be seen flashing everywhere.–Review and Herald, Oct. 13, 1904. {Ev 694.1}
“None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast.†–Ev 234, 235 (1899). {LDE 225.4}
We have been told that the church will appear as about to fall, but praise God it doesn’t, it goes through to the end.In his Sabbath address to the GC last month, President Wilson stated that we need to revisit the events surrounding the 1901 General Conference, specifically referring to unbelief in the church having prevented the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.Our energies are better spent supporting our leaders who are focusing on understanding that most precious message of righteousness by receiving the faith of Jesus.That message will combine with those of all three angels to not only revitalize our church, but lighten the entire earth with the glory of God.
Steve Billiter Also Commented
New Adventist president envisions a church marked by prayer, revival
Ron,
The problem with this is Elder Wilson is not his father Neil; he is his own man and not in any way responsible for anything Neil Wilson said or did. I have not heard the “tithe and offering money for the latter rain” idea, but anyone who seriously studies the Spirit of Prophecy will know that the major portion of the latter rain will fall at the Sunday law.
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Elder Ted Wilson is the man who I believe will help put God’s church more solidly upon the platform of undivided, unadulterated, pure truth of God’s Holy Word. Many Adventist ministries such as It Is Written are in verity taking the 3 angels messages to the world even aside from the apostasy Ellen White said would come and is here now. A position of tearing down God’s true church will surely result in gross darkness for the participant.
“I was shown that if God’s people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” {CD 33.3}
Recent Comments by Steve Billiter
Biblical Interpretation and Credibility
Professor Kent: You have listed five supernatural events (virgin birth, resurrection of dead, future life in heaven, Noachian flood, and recent fiat creation of life) that cannot be validated empirically.
@Professor Kent,
There is scientific evidence for the flood, although not for Christs’ Resurrection, or His resurrection of Lazarus, etc. The remains of fossilized fish have been found buried at the tops of the highest mountains on earth–which by far precludes fairly recent climbing expeditions eating the fish, and burying the remains which would leave no time for fossilization. Please see Dr. Vieth’s Lecture # 102, http://amazingdiscoveries.tv/c/9/Science/ And I quote from the site:
“Science today denies a universal flood, as it would destroy the continuity of the fossil record in the geological column. In this video, evidence for precisely such a universal phenomenon is presented with fascinating video material from modern day catastrophes on a smaller scale.”
Moreover, we need not make Bible study so convoluted by presenting this or that theory which has no bearing on truth, or that just muddies the waters on how we are to understand the Bible. God has granted to each person a measure of faith, and we know that without faith it is impossible to please Him. How do we increase our faith? It is not wholly by considering the scientific evidence or the lack thereof:
Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So it is by diligent Bible study that our faith increases. We come to God humbly asking Him for understanding–after all, He gave the Word. It is that longing after righteousness and the doing of His will that reveals truth to us:
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
By and large, a secular/scientific education even at some Adventist colleges tends to undermine true faith in the Bible. I know from my own experience as a junior now at the University of Nevada, Reno–that if my own Bible knowledge and faith had not been so strong, then academia would have naturally destroyed what little faith I might have had under different circumstances. Many times I have questioned my present course as to its wisdom (Social Work) but its far to late to turn back. Every semester I deal with un-Biblical teachings in my classes. I’ve seen how Satan has moved on faculty and admn. who know not Jesus to attack me in different ways assaulting my character.
That aside, how can we presume to teach anyone how to understand the Bible without presenting a single Bible/EGW text as support in a comprehensive manner? Is this a denial of the Master? I believe so.
Mat_10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
We don’t need to guess–we don’t need to present speculations and theories, Christ tells us in John 7:17 (and elsewhere) precisely how we are to understand His Word.
God gives light to guide those who honestly desire light and truth; but it is not His purpose to remove all cause for questioning and doubt. He gives sufficient evidence to found faith upon, and then requires men to accept that evidence and exercise faith. {5T 303.1}
He who will study the Bible with a humble and teachable spirit will find it a sure guide, pointing out the way of life with unfailing accuracy. But what does your study of the Bible avail, brethren and sisters, unless you practice the truths it teaches? That holy book contains nothing that is nonessential; nothing is revealed that has not a bearing upon our actual lives. The deeper our love for Jesus, the more highly we shall regard that word as the voice of God directly to us. {5T 303.2}
The Heroic Crusade Redux
As a fledging writer myself still at the University of Nevada Reno, I highly object to the style of writing that Dr. Kime exhibits. While we note he is obviously highly educated and very intelligent to boot, this article reeks of me, me, me, look what I can do, see how clever I can write and spin these matters with my crafty words. I simply prefer a straightforward, no-nonsense style that presents my thesis or argument logically and systematically, while attempting to abide by the rules of good expository writing. Furthermore, his information is not correct concerning the scientific community. [edit]
Many other scientists such as Dr. Walter Vieth (http://amazingdiscoveries.tv/c/9/Science/) lectures on the flaws found in evolution, and on the scientific evidence for creation. The carbon-14 dating system has long been known by many scientists to be flawed—it is based on assumptions. Indeed, considering the scientific evidence, and the Bible evidence, for which a serious study of prophecy proves the Bible true—creationists have the luxury of solid, irrefutable evidence proving creation, while evolutionists must exist on blind faith, assumptions, and lies.
The crux of the matter is this: evolutionists have virtual control of America’s public school system aside from Christian Bible–based schools, and because they have rejected the claims of the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, found in Holy Writ–to simply come to Jesus and have eternal life—they have therefore rejected the entire Bible including the Genesis account. Because they have rejected the truth that will save them, God has given them over to the delusions they love (2Thess. 2:9-11). Through it all, evolutionary scientists have attempted the impossible, which is to apply the human measuring system to understand God’s creation—an impossibility. Sadly, the evolutionary scientific community will continue to suffer the results of misconceptions, false science, assumptions, blind faith, and quite simply, the most abject lies.
Job 11:7 Can you by searching find out God? Can you find out the Almighty to perfection?
Job 11:8 It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know?
Job 11:9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
LSU, Pacific Union Conference and North American Division Sued
Are not all professors, faculty and admn. staff SDA church members? I suppose anyone who teaches any form of evolution has no qualms concerning violating some other “selected” Bible concepts that they don’t accept. Once again, the church takes it on the chin;
1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1Co 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
1Co 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
1Co 6:6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
1Co 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
1Co 6:8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
My Goal for La Sierra University
“Bradley says he won’t undercut decades of peer reviewed scientific research in the interest of religious consistency.”
“I am not OK with getting up in a science course and saying most science is [b_s_],†he said.
Good article Sean. What I’m hearing from Dr. Bradley is that if given the chance, he will continue to teach the peer-reviewed “false science” as if it were true; and I’m sure he thinks it is true.
No one with Bradley’s beliefs should ever darken the door of a fully tenured (or otherwise) professorial study, much less receive a paycheck from the 7th Day Adventist Church for essentially teaching errors in origins.
Although it is true that Christ died for all of the worlds inhabitants, each person must decide whether he/she will have the Lord reign over the life or not. It was Christ Himself that laid down the foundations of the worlds, creating the earth and all that is in it in 6 literal days, and He rested the 7th. Nothing could be plainer than Genesis 1 and 2.
My suggestion for prof Bradley is to find himself a secular university to teach at–mine will do fine. However, I avoid all such classes and all my science is finished! Evolutionists are well aware of my position when I’ve been in their class.
LA SIERRA: Four resign after recording emerges
Ron Stone M.D.:
@Steve Billiter, Campolo (along with his wife) is also one of the most vocal “gay marriage†and “gay is A-OK†proponents in America.
Ron, I guess that Tony just names his poison that he likes. What does he say about gay’s who do contemplative prayer? Is he trapped?
