- “One thing it is certain is soon to be realised,—the GREAT apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing stronger, and will continue to do so until the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout.” {Ellen White: Testimonies, Series B, No.7, S. 57 & NYI February 7, 1906, par. 1}
- “But the Lord will raise up men of keen perception, who will give these truths their proper place in the plan of God.”! {Ellen White: SpTB02 51.2}
Nowadays, those who warn that this belief has no basis in Scripture are sanctioned for “new heresy”, because they refuse to accept that God is a Trinity! It is the suffocation of the old trampled truth and the fulfillment of the prophesied state of the church! Heresy is actually teaching what has no basis in the Bible nor in the Spirit of Prophecy! Here, the official theology of the Trinity, which was included in our teaching in 1931, is taken as the correct belief and placed above the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy!
Why above? Because after presenting such strong arguments of the truth, it is stated that it is irrelevant because this new belief has already been accepted as our official belief. That is not the principle and teaching on which our church is based! What did Adventists believe before 1931? According to that view, the absolute majority of pioneering Adventists, together with Ellen White, should be expelled today for heresy! According to the fulfilled words of the Spirit of Prophecy, history is completely repeated, just as the fallen bearers of truth, the Jews, persecuted the Apostle Paul for “heresy”:
- “For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes“ {Acts 24:5}
Today’s untrue claims that the same belief existed during Ellen White’s lifetime, which was rejected by only a few pioneers, are the next step when the truth about the past is trampled on by the “winner determines history” principle. Many, reading these words, can believe how we, as God’s church, have gone so far from the truth, without anyone even noticing it.
- “I am charged to tell our people, that some do not realize, that the devil has device after device, and he carries them out in ways that they do not expect. Satan’s agencies will invent ways to make sinners out of saints. I tell you now, that when I am laid to rest, great changes will take place. I do not know when I shall be taken; and I desire to warn all against the devices of the devil. I want the people to know that I warned them fully before my death.” {Ellen White: Manuscript 1, Feb 24, 1915}
Since Ellen White announced that this apostasy would happen soon after her death (many Adventists today see the Omega as something “in the future”) and that it would cover almost the entire church, it is completely impossible to interpret otherwise. After the polarised debate, the only subsequently adopted and accepted by the majority is the teaching of the Trinity. The truth is that this decides whether we keep the first commandment or not! It is the Trinity that prevents the latter rain and delays the coming of Jesus, because it directly rejects Jesus’ sacrifice and death for us!
- “Thou shalt have no other gods before ME.“ {Exodus 20:3}
- “One thing it is certain is soon to be realised,—the great apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing stronger, and will continue to do so until the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout.” {Ellen White: Testimonies, Series B, No.7, S. 57 & NYI February 7, 1906, par. 1}
These words tell us that the Omega apostasy will grow stronger until the coming of Jesus. Strength and expansion come with the majority, because the opposition, due to its small number, does not achieve that same strength and power. Becoming stronger means that the majority will defend their “truth” more and more firmly, which is literally being fulfilled since the awakened witnesses of the truth began to fight for His church with God’s word.
Sadly, many have begun the literal persecution of those who, even if they were wrong, preach only the old Adventist teachings and no new heresies. They are threatened by the police and the court, and are expelled if they come to church. Below we can read a threatening letter from the president of an union, addressed to six believers who hold the faith of the Adventist pioneers:
- “….In order to maintain our tranquility and peace I am sending you this directive not to come to any of the Seventh-day Adventist Churches or their meetings in the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. We have a legal right to expect you to comply with this directive. We have no desire to be adversarial. But the reported behavior, as noted above, compels me to issue this instruction. Just so I am not misunderstood let me say it again. Do not attend our churches or their meetings or gatherings. This is not a request. It is a directive backed up by the fundamental rights as American citizens to enjoy the liberties of our nation.“ {J.G., President of the Michigan Conference: Letter to B. A, S. F., S. C, R. and M. J. and C. M. on March 7, 2016}
What does the Spirit of Prophecy say about such actions?
- “To lean upon the arm of the law is a disgrace to Christians; yet this evil has been brought in and cherished among the Lord’s chosen people. Worldly principles have been stealthily introduced, until in practice many of our workers are becoming like the Laodiceans–half-hearted, because so much dependence is placed on lawyers and legal documents and agreements. Such a condition of things is abhorrent to God.–Manuscript 128, 1903.” {Ellen White: 3SM 303.3}
- “The world and unconverted church members are in sympathy. Some when God reproves them for wanting their own way, make the world their confidence, and bring church matters before the world for decision. Then there is collision and strife, and Christ is crucified afresh, and put to open shame. Those church members who appeal to the courts of the world show that they have chosen the world as their judge, and their names are registered in heaven as one with unbelievers.” {Ellen White: Selected Messages Book 3, page 302, paragraph 3}
- “I call upon you in the name of Christ to withdraw the suit that you have begun and never bring another into court. God forbids you thus to dishonor His name. You have had great light and many opportunities, and you cannot afford to unite with worldlings and follow their methods.“ {Ellen White: 3SM 304.1}
- “I have written largely in regard to Christians who believe the truth placing their cases in courts of law to obtain redress. In doing this, they are biting and devouring one another in every sense of the word, “to be consumed one of another.” They cast aside the inspired counsel God has given, and in the face of the message He gives they do the very thing He has told them not to do. Such men may as well stop praying to God, for He will not hear their prayers. They insult Jehovah, and He will leave them to become the subjects of Satan until they shall see their folly and seek the Lord by confession of their sins.” {Ellen White: 3SM 302.2}
One interesting thought of one of our pioneers, and the question, at what stage of development of the described apostasy are we?
- “The first step of apostasy is to get up a creed, telling us what we shall believe. The second is, to make that creed a test of fellowship. The third is to try members by that creed. The fourth to denounce as heretics those who do not believe that creed. And, fifth, to commence persecution against such.“ {J.N. Loughborough, RH, October 8, 1861.}
This Text is part of the book First Commandment OR Trinity? – Encyclopedia of Evidences of the Old Trampled Truths of All Areas