Solving
Our Church Crisis
by
Pastor
Vance Ferrell
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Dear Reader, Vance Ferrell has written a book entitled: Solving Our Church Crisis. In the conclusion of this document we will
explore the feasibility of Vance’s proposals for turning the church around.
First, we will review the crises. Here are excerpts from Vance’s book. Ron’s Commentary: This is one way that the church is
worse than Babylon. Even Mother Rome will not grant such no fault divorces.
This is very important in light of the following statements: "We must as a people arouse and cleanse the
camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and unholy practices are
coming in among us in a large degree...We are in danger of becoming a sister
to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become corrupted and filled
with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird, and will
we be clear unless we make decided movements to cure the existing evil? E. G.
White, Manuscript Releases No. 449, pp. 17, 18. (Letter 51, 1886 to Elder
Butler) Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, p. 193. Has the camp been cleansed, what with no-fault
divorces! Nay friend, NAY! Worse than Babylon -- "God's professed people
are selfish and self-caring....They are idolaters, and are worse, in the
sight of God, than the heathen, graven-image worshippers who have had no
knowledge of a better way." Testimonies,
Vol. 2, 441-442. Ellen White was merely agreeing with Ezekiel, to
wit: Eze 5:5 ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; This [is]
Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries [that are]
round about her. Eze 5:6 And
she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my
statutes more than the countries that [are] round about her: for they have
refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them. Eze 5:7
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the
nations that [are] round about you, [and] have not walked in my statutes,
neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments
of the nations that [are] round about you; Eze 5:8
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, [am] against
thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the
nations. Eze 5:9
And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will
not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations. Eze 5:10
Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the
sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the
whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds. https://members.tripod.com/omega77/divorceratesdaglobal.htm How does the following statement by Ellen White
accord with all of the above? "We must as a people
arouse and cleanse the camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and
unholy practices are coming in among us in a large degree...We are in danger
of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become
corrupted and filled with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and
hateful bird, and will we be clear unless we make decided movements to cure
the existing evil? E. G. White, Manuscript Releases No. 449, pp. 17, 18.
(Letter 51, 1886 to Elder Butler) Testimonies on Sexual Behavior,
Adultery, and Divorce, p. 193. The above statement was written 121 years ago as of
February, 2007. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy and unholy practices are still
coming in “among” the church in a large degree—in fact larger than ever. How
long does it take such a church to become corrupted and filled with every
foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird? How long can the
members of the church be cleared for not making decided movements to cure
this existing evil, especially in light of the following statement? "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. God holds His people, as a body [corporately],
responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them." Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 269. How does the straight testimony live in the church if its leaders
will NEVER AGAIN show the House of Jacob its sins? Begin at My Sanctuary -- "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
manifestation 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 judgment.
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 just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little
children all perish together." E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 211.
End comment: Excerpt #2: 1995:
Church adopts RU-486—The abortifacient, RU-486, is the latest way to kill
unborn children. In the early spring of this year, detailed “guidelines” were enacted, permitting our women to use this quick (but not always safe to the mother) method of killing their babies. “Guidelines Approved by the Administrative Committee of the General Conference” were published in the Review on February 23, 1995 (p. 16). In summary, the ruling stated that RU-486 may be used for contraception in order to prevent fertilization. It may also be used to induce abortions by terminating embryos in the fertilized ovum stage. It can be used both by individuals and our hospitals for
these purposes. The official statement
concludes with this sentence: “The cost [of RU-486] is minimal, and thus could be available to large numbers of women.” The babies slain would have been future Adventist believers, knowing our truths and with a greater likelihood of being saved. At the present time, we primarily only baptize our own youth. For more on this, see Church Adopts RU-486 [WM–631]*. It seems almost like a Jesuit
conspiracy: Encourage our
mothers—to kill our youth when they are little. Then, through keep-sinning
theology and lots of worldly entertainment, instill so much worldliness in
the youth who remain—that they will leave the church by the time they are
grown. Ron’s
Commentary: We know that even Rome is against abortion. So here once again it
is demonstrated that the SDA church is worse than Babylon. The true church
will keep all of God’s commandments and are thereby God’s commandment-keeping
people. It is not keeping God’s commandments to kill babies. End comment. Excerpt #3: 1995-1996:
Life at Walla Walla College— Someone sent us several
Collegian newspapers, published by WWC. In them, one student says he is going
to hell. Others demand rebellion against church authority. The faculty
has started a Sodomite Support Group. Intercollegiate sports competition is
the rage. Traveling heavy metal rock groups provide entertainment. (For more
on this, see Life at Walla Walla College [WM–676-679]* and Deepening Crisis
at Walla Walla [WM–811-813]*.) Send your precious son and daughter to Walla
Walla, and we assure you they will have a life-changing experience. Ron’s Commentary: When I was a student at Pacific Union College
and Southern Missionary College (now Southern University because the
objectives changed!), I knew SDA parents who were working their knuckles to
the bone to provide the proverbial “Christian education” for their students.
Any SDA parent who does that today is just not informed. SDA colleges and
universities are hiring non-SDA professors more and more and they teach their
bent on things. Also, because the church has accepted the Accreditation
Standards of the world, it must now teach the curriculum of the world. Not
too long ago there was a big kafuffle at Walla Walla College over this and
the local Accreditation Board (a Catholic agency), told them to teach the
Accreditation Standards or they would be shut down. End comment. Excerpt #4: 1996: First Adventist/Catholic merger—The first of several
mergers of Adventist hospitals with Catholic hospitals began in January of this year, as 3 of our hospitals
in central Colorado (including Porter) were merged into 19 Catholic hospitals
(Introducing the Three New Sisters of Charity Hospitals [WM–675]*). When there were protests, leadership declared that the Catholics did not control our hospital. Then someone provided the documentation that they do. (Porter Hospital Now Controlled by the Roman Catholic Church [WM–713-714]*.) Ron’s
Commentary: Ellen White clearly stated that we are not to be in business
partnership with non-SDA’s: Business Partnership
and Surety for Unbelievers I saw that God was displeased with His
people for becoming surety for unbelievers. I was directed to these texts:
Proverbs 22:26: "Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them
that are sureties for debts." Proverbs 11:15: "He that is surety
for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretyship is
sure." Unfaithful stewards! They pledge that which belongs to
another,--their heavenly Father,--and Satan stands ready to aid his children
to wrench it out of their hands. Sabbathkeepers should not be in partnership
with unbelievers. God's people trust too much to the words of strangers, and
ask their advice and counsel when they should not. The enemy makes them his
agents, and works through them to perplex and take from God's people. {1T
200.1} Some have no tact at wise management of
worldly matters. They lack the necessary qualifications, and Satan takes
advantage of them. When this is the case, such should not remain in ignorance
of their task. They should be humble enough to counsel with their brethren,
in whose judgment they can have confidence, before they carry out plans. I
was directed to this text: "Bear ye one another's burdens." Some
are not humble enough to let those who have judgment calculate for them until
they have followed their own plans, and have involved themselves in
difficulties. Then they see the necessity of having the counsel and judgment
of their brethren; but how much heavier the burden then than at first.
Brethren should not go to law if it can be possibly avoided; for they thus
give the enemy great advantage to entangle and perplex them. It would be
better to make a settlement at some loss. {1T 200.2} Linking Up
With Unbelievers The Lord
has repeatedly instructed me to say to His people that they are not to bind
up with the world in business partnerships of any kind, and especially in so
important a matter as the establishment of a sanitarium. Believers and
unbelievers, serving two masters, cannot properly be linked together in the
Lord's work. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" God
forbids His people to unite with unbelievers in the building up of His
institutions. {6BIO 42.1} She laid
out clearly the involvements: One of
the dangers to be met if we should link up with unbelievers is that we cannot
depend upon the opinions and judgment, regarding the sacred interests of the
Lord's work, of men who, with the Bible open before them, are living in open
transgression of the law of God. We cannot depend upon them, because the
enemy of Christ influences their minds. {6BIO 42.2} They
may be ever so favorable to our work now, but in the future there will come
times of crisis, and then our people will be brought into a position of extreme
trial, if they are bound up in any way with the worldlings. Our people may
think that they can guard against these difficulties that would naturally
arise in their union with worldlings, but in this they will be disappointed.
{6BIO 42.3} In
connection with any combination with outside parties, there will be
disappointment. It behooves us to move very guardedly, for thereby we shall
save ourselves much burden and trouble, for the light given me is that to
link up with them and to lean upon them is folly and disappointment. {6BIO
42.4}
"Wait," she counseled. "Wait until the Lord shall
manifest Himself in a more distinct and striking manner than He has
done." {6BIO 42.5} She
reminded the two physicians: Our
health institutions are of value in the Lord's estimation only when He is
allowed to preside in their management. If His plans and devisings are
regarded as inferior to plans of men, He looks upon these institutions as of
no more value than the institutions established and conducted by
worldlings.--Letter 283, 1905. {6BIO 42.6} The Canon
City enterprise was reluctantly abandoned. Boulder Sanitarium survived. {6BIO
43.1} To place
in permanent form before church members throughout Colorado the history and
the testimonies concerning the Sanitarium matters, a pamphlet of eighty pages
was published at Pacific Press in the late fall of 1905. It carried the title
"Record of Progress and an Earnest Appeal in Behalf of the Boulder,
Colorado, Sanitarium." The pamphlet was designated as Special
Testimonies, Series B, No. 5. This made it a part of a growing series of
special testimonies, issued to meet special or local situations. The next
year, after some developments in the situation in Colorado, a second printing
was made with added material bringing the presentation up-to-date. {6BIO
43.2} God does not contradict Himself --God does not at one
time send a message of warning, and later another message, encouraging a
movement against which He had previously given warning. His messages do not
contradict one another.—E.G. White, Letter 287, 1905. “God
calls to His people, saying, "Come out from among them, and be ye
separate." He asks that the love which He has shown for them may be
reciprocated and revealed by willing obedience to His commandments. His
children are to separate themselves from politics, from any alliance with
unbelievers. They are not to link their interests with the interests of the
world. "Give proof of your allegiance to Me" He says, "by
standing as My chosen heritage, as a people zealous of good works." Do
not take part in political strife. Separate from the world, and refrain from
bringing into the church or school ideas that will lead to contention or
disorder. Dissension is the moral poison taken into the system by human
beings who are selfish. God wants His servants to have clear perceptions,
true and noble dignity, that their influence may demonstrate the power of
truth. The Christian life is not to be a haphazard, emotional life. True
Christian influence, exerted for the accomplishment of the work God has
appointed, is a precious agency, and it must not be united with politics, or
bound up in a confederacy with unbelievers. God is to be the center of
attraction. Every mind that is worked by the Holy Spirit will be satisfied
with Him.” {FE 483.2, 484} “The Lord
desires all who bear the message for these last days to understand that there
is a great difference between professors of religion who are not doers of the
word, and the children of God, who are sanctified through the truth, who have
that faith that works by love and purifies the soul. The Lord speaks of those
who claim to believe the truth for this time, yet see nothing inconsistent in
their taking part in politics, mingling with the contending elements of these
last days, as the circumcised who mingle with the uncircumcised, and He
declares that He will destroy both classes together without distinction. They
are doing a work that God has not set them to do. They dishonor God by their
party spirit and contention, and He will condemn both alike.” {FE 482.1} “The question may be asked, Are we to
have no union whatever with the world? The word of the Lord is to be our
guide. Any connection with infidels and unbelievers which would identify us
with them is forbidden by the word. We are to come out from them and be
separate. In no case are we to link ourselves with them in their plans or
work. But we are not to live reclusive lives. We are to do worldlings all the
good we possibly can. Christ has given us an example of this. When invited to
eat with publicans and sinners, He did not refuse; for in no other way than
by mingling with them could He reach this class. But on every occasion He
gave them talents of words and influence. He opened up themes of conversation
which brought things of eternal interest to their minds. And this Teacher
enjoins us, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." On the
temperance question take your position without wavering. Be as firm as a
rock. Be not partakers of other men's sins. Acts of dishonesty in business
deal, with believers or unbelievers, should be reproved; and if they give no
evidence of reformation, come out from among them and be separate.” {FE
482.2, 483} “There is a large vineyard to be
cultivated; but while Christians are to work among unbelievers, they are not
to appear like worldlings. They are not to spend their time talking politics
or acting as politicians; for by so doing, they give the enemy opportunity to
come in and cause variance and discord. Those in the ministry who desire to
stand as politicians should have their credentials taken from them; for this
work God has not given to high or low among His people. God calls upon all
who minister in doctrine to give the trumpet a certain sound. All who have
received Christ, ministers and lay members, are to arise and shine; for great
peril is right upon us. Satan is stirring the powers of earth. Everything in
the world is in confusion. God calls upon His people to hold aloft the banner
bearing the message of the third angel. We are not to go to Christ through
any human being, but through Christ we are to understand the work He has
given us to do for others.” {FE 483.1} “God calls to His people, saying,
"Come out from among them, and be ye separate." He asks that the
love which He has shown for them may be reciprocated and revealed by willing
obedience to His commandments. His children are to separate themselves from
politics, from any alliance with unbelievers. They are not to link their
interests with the interests of the world. "Give proof of your
allegiance to Me" He says, "by standing as My chosen heritage, as a
people zealous of good works." Do not take part in political strife.
Separate from the world, and refrain from bringing into the church or school
ideas that will lead to contention or disorder. Dissension is the moral
poison taken into the system by human beings who are selfish. God wants His
servants to have clear perceptions, true and noble dignity, that their
influence may demonstrate the power of truth. The Christian life is not to be
a haphazard, emotional life. True Christian influence, exerted for the
accomplishment of the work God has appointed, is a precious agency, and it
must not be united with politics, or bound up in a confederacy with
unbelievers. God is to be the center of attraction. Every mind that is worked
by the Holy Spirit will be satisfied with Him.” {FE 483.2, 484} Isaiah 58
our work “I urge you to consider Isaiah 58, which opens a wide and
extensive vineyard to be worked upon the lines which the Lord has pointed
out. When this is done there will be an increase of moral sources and the
church will no more remain almost stationary. There will be blessing and
power attending their labor.”—Manuscript 28, 1900; 4 Bible Commentary, 1148. “My brethren, you need to study more carefully the fifty-eighth
chapter of Isaiah. This chapter marks out the only course that we can follow
with safety . . The prophet receives this word from the Lord—a message
startling in its clearness and force: “ ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and
show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.’
Though they are called the people of God, the house of Jacob, though they
profess to be linked with God in obedience and fellowship, they are far from
Him. Wonderful privileges and promises have been given to them, but they have
betrayed their trust. With no words of flattery must the message be given
them. ‘Show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their
sins.’ Show them where they are making a mistake. Set their danger before
them. Tell them of the sins they are committing, while at the same time they pride themselves on their righteousness.
Apparently seeking God, they are forgetting Him, forgetting that He is a God
of love and compassion, long suffering and goodness, dealing justly and
loving mercy. Worldly policy has come into their business and religious life. Their hearts are not purified
through the truth. God looks on their outward ceremonies of humility as a
solemn mockery. He regards all religious sham as an insult to
Himself.”—Letter 76, 1902; 4 SDA Bible
Commentary, 1149 [italics hers]. End comments. Excerpt #5: 1996: Church planting begins—In June of this year, a four-day
gathering of over 400 prominent church leaders met at Andrews
University—and launched “church planting.” To
encourage our people to view it favorably,
all through the fall of 1996, the Review repeatedly
carried articles by church leaders praising church
planting. Since celebration churches had
not brought in enough people off the streets
and were losing too many paying members, it was
decided that a new approach was needed. In order
to learn how to do it, from 1996 onward, large
numbers of our liberal pastors have been sent to one of the largest
Protestant churches—Willow Creek Church, near Chicago—to learn how to “plant
churches.” Over 17,000 people regularly
attend the four weekend services of that
immense Protestant church. They go there because they receive typical
“celebration-type” entertainment, complete with bands, women soloists, skits,
and a saved-by-grace sermon by Bill Hybels. What is it that makes Adventist
“church planting” different from its “celebration churches”? It was found
that when church leaders tried to get liberal pastors to change local
congregations into celebration churches, they met with so much opposition
from the few that were faithful, that they lost far more members than they
gained! The “church planting” pattern
cleverly involves starting a separate, new congregation, often in the same
town or city as an existing Adventist church;—but only liberal Adventists in
the area are invited to help it succeed. In this way, older, more
conservative congregations are not disrupted—and each new “planted church”
can bang on its drums, blare its band, use weird lighting effects,
present foolish skits, wave hands, and listen to free-grace preaching; this
is all in the hope of attracting people off the streets and getting them
dunked. Sounds pretty crude, but that is the way it is done. For the whole
story, read Truth about Church Planting*. It is all there. Church planting continues on down
to the present time, in spite of the fact that its leading organizer left the
denomination about 2005—and started a separate denominational organization. It is an intriguing fact that
every “planted church” is careful never to use the names, “Seventh-day” or
“Adventist,” in its church name. Our leading celebration churches never did
either. It is unclear why some leaders will spend millions of dollars in
church funds on lawsuits to limit which believers can use the name,
“Seventh-day Adventist,” when they themselves are embarrassed by it. Ron’s Commentary: I recall
back when the SDA Pentecostal Celebration Movement was first adopted, 1990 - 1999: Robert S. Folkenberg was the General
Conference President, and he said that we should wait and see if the
Celebration movement was the working of the Holy Spirit! That was blasphemy
friend, for why would the Holy Spirit come through Babylon? I immediately
knew that the Celebration Movement, long employed by the Pentecostal’s and
adopted by Rome at Vatican II in the 1960’s, was not of God. But SDA leaders
are still pursuing new members by that means.
But what folly, because Adventists cannot compete in the entertainment
aspect because Babylon has far more entertainers and are better at
copy-catting the world in this arena. Our mission and commission is the three
angel’s messages and no one can compete with that if it is faithfully carried
out. End comment. Excerpt #6: 1996: Week
of Prayer dropped from Review—For many decades, the Review would print a Week of Prayer
issue once each year, which carried a full week of printed sermons, calling
our people to repentance and renewed dedication to God and His work. By the 1980s, no
Spirit of Prophecy articles were included in the Review—except for that one Week of Prayer
article, once a year. But, in 1996 that once-a-year article—along with the
entire Week of Prayer issue—was dropped. So now the Spirit of Prophecy is
totally omitted from the Review.
Why was this done, when our people urgently need those precious counsels
continually? Omission of this special issue also means that many of our local
churches are no longer taking part in these weeklong readings. Why is taking
less time to read about God and pray together thought to be an improvement in
our church? The Week of Prayer readings were essentially the last devotional
study groups which had been continued by our denomination. Now they are gone
too. [Note by Ron: They are back currently as of March 23, 2007]. Ron’s Commentary: Yes, the counsel of the Bible and Spirit of
Prophecy is not heeded anymore by the New Movement SDA church, and where
there is no vision, the people surely fail: Pro 29:18 Where [there is]
no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law,
happy [is] he. And so New Movement SDA’s will perish
in another Ezekiel 9 debacle. Men, maidens and little children all perish
together: Begin at My Sanctuary -- "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
manifestation 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 judgment.
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 just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little
children all perish together." E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 211. 1Pe 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment
must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what
shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God? "Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be
literally fulfilled yet the time is passing, and the people are asleep. They
refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer
will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths
revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual
experience. The time is short. God is calling will YOU hear? Will YOU receive
His message? Will YOU be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon,
every case will be decided for eternity. Letter 106, 1909, pp. 2, 3, 5, 7.
(To "The churches in Oakland and Berkeley, September 26, 1909.)" E. G. White Manuscript Releases Volume
One, p. 260. End comment. Excerpt #7: 1996: Madison Hospital unites with the Baptists—This was only one
among a growing number of Adventist denominational hospital mergers with
Protestant churches; but because it was Madison, this November 15, 1996, merger deserves special mention as a sign of the times (Madison Unites with the Baptists [WM–745]*). In 2005, the hospital was sold to a secular hospital conglomerate. 1997: The secret Sabbath agreement—In October 1999, a General Conference
officer told two different believers (the first a Florida resident visiting
in upstate New York, in April 1999, and the second a Kentucky resident
shortly afterward) about this agreement. Each of those very surprised men
then shared what they learned with the present writer. The complete account,
including the name of the GC officer, will be found in Secret Interchurch
Planning Agreement [WM–906]* and Update on the Secret Interchurch Planning
Agreement [WM–914]*. The officer spoke with complete assurance that what he
said was true (he thought it was a good idea). In the second conversation, he
filled in additional details. Here is a brief summary of what he said: A meeting was held “in Switzerland” (probably at World Council of
Churches headquarters in Geneva, where we have had highly placed committee
members since 1965). Leaders from a number of important denominations were
present, including representatives from our own church. The meeting was held
in the late fall of 1997. At that ecumenical meeting, our church agreed to tone down its
public emphasis on the truth about the keeping of the Bible Sabbath. The
reason given for this, the GC officer said, was to help “bring us together”
and “bring us into unity” with the other churches. The other churches
expressed concern that the Sabbath was an obstacle to fuller unity with them.
(The truth is that the other denominations are deeply embarrassed about the
Sabbath truth, which is so Biblically unassailable.) Our leaders agreed to restrict the presentation of our message by
primarily holding meetings inside our own church buildings (such as “Net 98,”
etc.), rather than holding them out in public arenas and widely advertising
them. This would make our future evangelistic meetings more quiet, confidential,
and kept inside our own church buildings. Public notices of the meetings
would often not be printed; and, instead, church members would, if they
wished, invite their friends to come. There probably are many exceptions to this policy in some conferences
which choose to disregard it; yet this was the compact entered into at that
secret meeting. Ron’s
Commentary: Now you know what Ellen White meant when she prophesied that the
leaders would betray their sacred trust. The Sabbath is a sacred trust and
part of the three angel’s messages as testified by Revelation 14:12. It is
the great testing truth at the end-time, along with the final Loud Cry call
out of Babylon, and yet SDA leaders have made an agreement to tone down its
teaching of the Sabbath. Read in Selected
Messages, Bk. 1, 205, where Ellen White prophesied that a new movement
would think lightly of the Sabbath. Then read the following statement which
prophesied the outcome of New Movement Adventism: The
Prophesied Fall of The Professing Seventh-day Adventist Church "Jesus sends HIS
PEOPLE a message of warning to prepare them for his coming. To the
prophet John was made known the closing work in the great plan of man's
redemption. He beheld an angel flying 'in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to
preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred,
and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to
him for the hour of his Judgment is come and worship him that made heaven, and
earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters [Rev. 14:6, 7.]. The angel represented in prophecy as delivering this
message, symbolizes a class of faithful men, who, obedient to the
promptings of God's Spirit and the teachings of his word, proclaim this
warning to the inhabitants of earth. This message was not to be committed to
the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve their
connection with God, and had REFUSED THE LIGHT FROM HEAVEN therefore they
WERE NOT of the number described by the apostle Paul: 'But ye, brethren, are
not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the
children of light, and the children of the day we are not of the night nor of
darkness' [1 Thess. 5:4, 5]. The watchmen upon the walls
of Zion should be the first to catch the tidings of the Saviour's
advent, the first to lift their voices to proclaim him near, the first to
warn the people to prepare for his coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of
peace and safety, while the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw HIS CHURCH, like the barren
fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of precious fruit.
There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion, while the spirit of
true humility, penitence and faith--which alone could render the service
acceptable to God--was lacking. Instead of the graces of the Spirit, there
were manifested pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A
BACKSLIDING CHURCH closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did nor
forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail but they departed from him,
and SEPARATED THEMSELVES from his love. As they REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH
THE CONDITIONS, his promises were NOT FULFILLED to them." E.G.
White, The Spirit of Prophecy,
vol. 4, pp. 199-200 [The 1884 edition of The
Great Controversy, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH TESTIMONIES, VOL 4]. The “walls of Zion” would not be used to describe fallen Babylon.
Also, Ellen White is speaking of a church which is backslidden from the
truth. Ellen White is speaking of the people, His church, to whom the
commission of the Everlasting Gospel was given. When Ellen White says “HIS
CHURCH,” she is not speaking of Babylon’s fallen churches whom she clearly
stated are controlled by Satan as a body, Early
Writings, p. 273. So those who try to apply the above statement to
Babylon are totally remiss in so doing. Excerpt #8: 1999: La Sierra rejects Bible Christianity— Beginning
with the fall term of the 1996-1997 school year,
LSU started a radically different program which required a “core curriculum”
of six classes, required for graduation which cannot be avoided by
replacement courses. Instead of Adventist beliefs, the six classes teach
non-Christian concepts. Students
had been complaining about these courses since their inception. The situation
came to a head on Friday, May 21, 1999, when nearly a fifth of the students
sent a signed petition to the LSU board of directors, demanding that the
courses be
stopped. At the same time, the nearby Riverside Press- Enterprise
(the largest newspaper in San Bernardino County) published additional
information. According
to the petition and the news report, this is what is taught in these six
“core courses.” They “attack what the school was founded on, which is the
Bible.” They have a “total lack of emphasis on Christ and the Bible,” and
“misrepresent the
Christian God.” Class instruction consists of “subtle, subversive
attacks on Christianity and monotheism,” teaches that
“all religions are paths to the same truths,” have “underlying humanistic
(versus Christian) values and foundation,” and have a “superficial and
liberal content.” In
response, Lawrence Geraty, university president, was quoted as saying that
the six required courses “gave the university greater control over the kinds
of classes students take.” “The approach is scholarly, not Bible study, as
some students may have experienced in high school.” “It’s not like Sunday
School. It’s not like family worship. I think it’s just a question of growing
up.” “Next year . . the course topics won’t change,”
he added (La Sierra Rejects the Bible, Christianity,
and God [WM–902]*). Ron’s Commentary: It really is
not a matter of what the students want and do not want. The clear facts of
the issue are that the church accepted the Accreditation Standards of the
world in 1930, and now it is reaping the results of that apostate coarse. And
there could not be a better way for Satan to marry the church to the world
than to teach is standards to our youth. And what did Ellen White say the
consequence would be if the world was brought into and married to the church? "The world must not be introduced into the church,
and married to the church, forming a bond of unity. Through this means the
church will become indeed corrupt, and as stated in Revelation, 'a cage of
every unclean and hateful bird.'" Testimonies
to Ministers, p. 265. The words “a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” are used to
describe Babylon in Revelation 18:2. So this is one of the ways in which the
church has become a sister to fallen Babylon. The Lord has shown this writer
that this position of Accreditation with the world will not be reversed by
the church. Thus, its end is predictable. In every generation God has sent His servants to rebuke
sin, both in the world and in the church. But
the people desire smooth things spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished
truth is not acceptable. Many reformers, in entering upon their work,
determined to exercise great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and
the nation. They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the
people back to the doctrines of the Bible. But the Spirit of God came upon
them as it came upon Elijah, moving him to rebuke the sins of a wicked king
and an apostate people; they could not refrain from preaching the plain
utterances of the Bible-- doctrines which they had been reluctant to present.
They were impelled to zealously declare the truth and the danger which
threatened souls. The words which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless
of consequences, and the people were compelled to hear the warning. Thus the message of the
third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with
greatest power, the Lord will work through
humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to
His service. The laborers will be
qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of
literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go
forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of
Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances
of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy
but rapid progress of the papal power--all will be unmasked. By these solemn
warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who
have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of
her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from
heaven. As the people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry,
Are these things so? the ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things[RB1] ,
to soothe their fears and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many
refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men and demand a plain
"Thus saith the Lord," the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of
old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will denounce the
message as of Satan and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and
persecute those who proclaim it. The
Great Controversy, p. 606-7. End comments. Excerpt #9: 2000: The Florida Trademark Trial— On March
13 to 16, the trial was held in Miami. Because it was a criminal case, if the
pastor of the small Adventist church was found guilty of using the name,
“Seventh-day Adventist Church,” he could be sent to prison for years.
Ultimately, he yielded to the decision of the court and removed the
“Seventh-day Adventist Church” part of their name from their church sign and
other identifying materials. Fortunately, in an earlier Los Angeles trademark trial (the 1991
Kinship Case), Judge Pfaeiszer issued a decision that it was illegal by the
First Amendment to keep people from calling themselves “Seventh-day Adventist.” This was a landmark victory for all advent believers in America!
However, she did not rule on “Seventh-day Adventist Church.” It was that
phrase which was contested at Miami, which the GC won. As a result, in the U.S. it is perfectly legal to call your group
a Seventh-day Adventist “association,” “group,” etc.,—but not a “church.” Ron’s
Commentary: Ellen White said that the faithful should hold forth the name
Seventh-day Adventist till the end of time. Thank God, we can do that. But
the church spent literally millions of sacred tithe dollars to try to
preclude that privilege. End comment. Excerpt #10: 2000: Important change at Toronto Session—Delegates came to the
Toronto Session, wondering whether the women’s ordination issue was going to
be raised again. They were relieved when one of the speakers told them it
definitely would not be on the agenda. Yet it actually was—hidden deep in
“agenda #203-00Ga,” which the delegates unknowingly approved. This change
gave the liberal North American Division leadership permission to make
changes in the Church Manual at Annual Councils, in years ending n 0 or 5
(2000, 2005, etc.)! Previously, that important book, which codifies all local
church standards, could only be changed at GC Sessions. But there is more. This carefully planned change had earlier been
preceded by another significant one: At the 1995 Utrecht Session, without
realizing what was involved, the delegates approved a special agenda
item—which, henceforth, gave the liberal NAD much greater voting power a
majority of the time! All Annual Councils in years ending in 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9
were held in the U.S. —Henceforth, by this new ruling, in each of those
years, the NAD could pack the meeting with all its conference and union presidents. This meant that, from
2000 onward, twice every ten years, the NAD would be able to make any changes
it desired in the standards and beliefs in the Church Manual. (See pp.
101-102 in Women’s Ordination in the Adventist Church*.) Unfortunately, the liberals had controlled NAD leadership for
over a decade; but, finding that the overseas delegates would always reject
their agenda items at GC Sessions, they deftly transferred control of the
Church Manual to the NAD! Henceforth, they would be able to bypass the GC
Sessions and rather easily change any personal, church, or worship
standards—so they could please the feminists and liberals, and provide us
with the same lack of conduct standards that are found in the mainline and
Pentecostal churches. Ron’s
Commentary: Yes, the church has been taken over by the liberals whom Satan
has used to form a New Movement, New Organization, Selected Messages, Bk. 1, 204-5. This New Movement is part of the
Omega of Apostasy, which Ellen White said would surely develop and wax
stronger until Jesus comes. God warned us
that women and children would rule His people, and so it has come to that
with the sanction of the dumb-dog leaders (Isaiah 56:10-12), who will NEVER
AGAIN show the House of Jacob its sins: Isa 3:1 ¶ For,
behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from
Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of
water, Isa 3:2
The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and
the prudent, and the ancient, Isa 3:3
The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and
the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. Isa
3:4 And I will give children [to be]
their princes, and babes shall rule over them. Comment: How? By children demanding
entertainment and the leaders who give them what they want to garner numbers
and filthy lucre. Ron. Isa 3:5
And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one
by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient,
and the base against the honourable. Isa 3:6
When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father,
[saying], Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and [let] this ruin [be]
under thy hand: Isa 3:7
In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my
house [is] neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people. Isa 3:8
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and
their doings [are] against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory. Isa 3:9
The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they
declare their sin as Sodom, they hide [it] not. Woe unto their soul! for they
have rewarded evil unto themselves. Isa 3:10 ¶ Say ye to the righteous, that [it
shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Isa 3:11
Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of
his hands shall be given him. Isa 3:12 [As for] my people, children [are] their
oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause
[thee] to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. Comment: Why would women even want
responsibility for such an apostate church? They do in the rest of fallen
Babylon. It is an issue of Satan’s inspiration that divides and conquers the
church. Isa 3:13 ¶ The LORD standeth up to plead,
and standeth to judge the people. Isa 3:14
The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and
the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor
[is] in your houses. The words
“ancients” and “princes” refer to the leaders. See Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211. Isa 3:15
What mean ye [that] ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces
of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts. Isa 3:16 ¶ Moreover the LORD saith, Because
the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and
wanton eyes, walking and mincing [as] they go, and making a tinkling with
their feet: Isa 3:17
Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the
daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. Isa 3:18 ¶ In that day the Lord will take
away the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet], and
[their] cauls, and [their] round tires like the moon, Isa 3:19
The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, Isa 3:20
The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the
tablets, and the earrings, Isa 3:21
The rings, and nose jewels, Isa 3:22
The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and
the crisping pins, Isa 3:23
The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. Isa 3:24 ¶ And it shall come to pass, [that]
instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent;
and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding
of sackcloth; [and] burning instead of beauty. Isa 3:25
Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. Isa 3:26
And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she [being] desolate shall
sit upon the ground. Excerpt #11: 2002: Sunday keeping Adventist church—The
February issue of the Pacific Union Recorder (our largest union paper in the
U.S.) proudly described how a planted church (in Los Vegas)—had hit on the
idea of holding its services on Sunday in order to attract more people off
the street. This was considered a wonderful new breakthrough. This is an ominous development. Only the slender thread of
Sabbathkeeping continues to make us what we are. When our denomination loses
that, it is fully modern Protestant. Please pray! (A couple years later, its pastor joined a Protestant church—and
now pastors a regular Sunday-keeping church.) Ron’s
Commentary: Ellen White said that we can hold meetings on Sunday or any other
day of the week, but that we should never hold church services that would in
any way give the notion that such would give sanction to Sunday sacredness.
Should Adventist leaders do that, as they have, there is a direct conflict of
interest with the call to come out of Babylon and the necessity of Sabbath
observance. Evidently, this is the effect it had on the pastor who became a
Sunday-keeping pastor. End comment. Excerpt #12: 2002:
Preparing our youth for Hollywood—Southern Adventist University
and Pacific Union College were, by this time, giving courses of study leading
to full degrees in theatrics and stage production,—so our young people could
be hired by Hollywood and the major TV drama producers (ABC, NBC, and CBS). It should be
obvious that graduates who go to such places to work
will probably lose their souls in a maze of worldly influences. It is
well-known that, in order to succeed in Hollywood, young women have to become
private mistresses to the influential men who can move them up toward success.
But anything goes now, including the souls of our youth. Many (many!) other developments and changes
have occurred and could have been mentioned here, but it was thought best to
keep this list short. The objective of this chapter is to help explain the
causes of our present crisis, a crisis that has become immense in scope.
Tragically, these events have threatened to overwhelm the efforts of those
faithful pastors and church officials who have been trying to uphold our
historic beliefs and standards. Surely, we earnestly need to pray! Ron’s Commentary: We need to pray for individual members of the
church, but the notion of turning the apostate church around, as Vance
proposes, is not in accord with either Scripture and/or Ellen White as I will
prove in the conclusion section at the end of this document. End comment. Excerpt #13: The New Theology—The effects of the new theology on our churches has been
heart-wrenching. Frankly, it is
something to weep over. Surely, the angels of heaven must be saddened by what
has happened. Think how it has hurt the heart of God! Church
growth has been reduced. It is well-known by Protestant church-growth experts
that churches which have no distinctive messages do not attract new members.
The members have nothing special to offer outsiders. We
now have little to offer outsiders; for that which is taught in many of our
pulpits is essentially the same as that preached in the other churches. As
for the Sabbath, it is easily perceived as a needless appendage—since obedience
to God’s law is said to no longer be necessary. Therefore it is simpler for
those who newly discover our church—to not bother with it, since they will
experience less disruption of their weekly pattern by attending a Sunday
church instead. The
doctrines have become confused; and, in addition, they are rarely mentioned,
much less taught. Members are not clear about their meaning or even the
necessity of believing them. Our present teaching, that it is not necessary
to obey the Bible— means that there is hardly anything in Adventist teachings
which is worth bothering with. The
best members—those who believe the message most deeply, are most loyal to the
church, and contribute the most—are frequently pushed out by liberal pastors.
Yet, unfortunately, all too frequently the conference office permits this
draining away of members most loyal to the best interests of the church. Those
who remain in the pews tend to be more apathetic, inactive, or worldly. The
conservatives who remain tend to be very quiet or very aged. One
thing that arouses many members is the opportunity to obtain “unworked-for
gain.” They are easily talked into putting their savings into doubtful
money-market speculations, which, when they collapse, cause great loss to the
investors. This has repeatedly
occurred since the early 1980s. Just
as no particular doctrines are promoted, other than free grace in sin and
forgiveness without obedience to God’s requirements, so no particular
standards of conduct are mentioned. Rings, jewelry, cosmetics, clothing,
entertainment; most anything can be worn or done. Anything can be eaten or drunk.
Tobacco is one of the few things still frowned upon. Sabbath
standards are null and void. Recreation and eating at restaurants are
acceptable. Television, sporting events, and shopping are also acceptable. Good
pastors tend to become discouraged. They have learned not to upset the
wealthy worldly members. If concerned pastors are seen by the conference
office as too much of a problem, they are eased out. Liberal
pastors are frequently protected by the conference office, when faithful
members become disturbed by their teachings. Unfortunately, many, many
faithful members have left local churches as a result! Tragically,
when conference presidents are liberal, they tend to fill vacancies in the
conference office with fellow liberals who, seated on committees, will agree
with their decisions. Since
there are fewer members to support the entire organization with its large
office staff, the local pastors which remain are overworked and frequently in
charge of several area churches. This heavily reduces the instruction and
guidance given to members. A
lack of growth of the members in their understanding of our historic beliefs,
standards, and objectives leads to reduced church growth. Members have little
interest in finding baptismal interests or doing missionary work. Members
have been trained to prefer entertainment: talks, music, potlucks, outings,
conventions, and personal problem clinics. Unfortunately, many who have
little interest in taking part in a Bible study are crazed over sporting
events. Those
who continue to attend celebration-type gatherings inevitably become
fascinated by their clown shows, pantomimes, puppet skits, bands and drums,
women singers swaying in tight clothing, overhead screens with jokes on them,
shallow sermons with funny illustrations, and raised hands. Cheap
gimmicks used to attract our youth to attend meetings include gift teddy
bears, stick lights, candles, processions, awards, junk food, coffee,
doughnuts, and soft drinks. Also acceptable is wild rock music with a few
“Christian words” tossed in, gyrating musicians and singers, and weird
downward or
upward lighting amid partial darkness—in order to simulate nightclubs and
discos. There
are seemingly no prohibitions. Almost anything can be tried or done—as long
as it is not forbidden by police codes. Everything is entertaining; very
little is useful. Bible/Spirit
of Prophecy study groups by the members are frowned upon by some pastors as
dangerous. The principles which fill those books get people to begin
thinking. Few
attend midweek prayer meetings, and fewer still given Bible studies. Not many
conference Bible workers are employed any longer. There are only a limited
number of conference evangelists. Instead, “Net 2006,” etc., is broadcast
into local churches for a week or so once a year; and members come and watch
that. Whether
they be great or small, our committee meetings no longer open the Word of God
during discussions in order to obtain guidance in making decisions. Yet the
decisions voted have far-reaching effects. Humble reliance upon God, earnest
prayer, and study of the inspired writings are urgently needed. Otherwise,
serious blunders will be made. Ingathering
is essentially gone. Mission funds given to ADRA are, by agreement with the
federal government, used totally for non-missionary purposes. Yet our members
contribute heavily toward the support of this worldwide project which brings our
message to no one. Lowered
standards and “down with the law” mentality—lowers morality. One financial
scandal follows another; most of them are quickly covered up. Some officials
steal funds, pyramid swindles occur, wasteful management is overlooked,
excessive salaries
are given to some board members. Sexual scandals cost the church millions in
lawsuits. Whether
it is diet, medicinal drugs, clothing, ornamentation, standards,
or doctrinal beliefs—we have become a “look-alike” church, essentially like
all the other churches. About all that is different is the day we go to
church, and our belief about the grave
and hellfire. Everyone
knows better than to mention the Spirit of Prophecy. It is erroneously taught
that those books should not be used in any church meeting or gathering. That
error is a master stroke of the devil! Those books—which, if read could solve
so many of
our problems—are no longer read in the pulpit or printed in any church
periodical. The
Review and union papers frequently discuss nonessentials (keeping the hair
beautiful, my grandma’s favorite cat, local church gatherings, or weight loss
seminars). Nothing is ever printed about good nutrition, vitamins, the use of
herbs, how to care
for the sick, how to give hydrotherapy treatments, how to prevent strokes, or
the serious physical and spiritual aftereffects of having an abortion. Unfortunately,
our periodicals are frequently very self-congratulating.
Men and their works are considered important,
while God’s Word is rarely quoted. We tend to praise one another instead of
pleading with God for forgiveness and help in becoming genuine overcomers, so
we can truly be identified with the faithful named in Revelation 12:17 and
14:12. Ron’s
Commentary: Laodicean’s as a body are very self-congratulating. They are
rich, increased with goods, in need of nothing, especially truth that reveals
their utter nakedness. End comment. Our
temperance work is hardly functioning. Our medical work consists in doing
what the world does. We
are now closely connected with the other churches, the medical union, and the
educational accrediting agencies. We
are accepted by the world and grieved over by the angels. In a word, we are Laodicean.
And the warning of Revelation 3 and the pleadings of the Spirit of Prophecy
apply to us. Our
situation is extremely dangerous. Yet few are concerned. Oh, my people, I
plead with you to return to God’s Word while there is still time! All
aside from what others choose to do,— please, individually, decide to change
right now! Pray,
repent of your sins, plead for forgiveness. Get out the Bible and some Spirit
of Prophecy books and start reading. Cry over what you read—for it applies to
you. Repent all the more deeply; and, in the strength of Christ, begin making
needed changes. God will help you! You
must keep your mind filled with truth. It will be your safeguard in the days
ahead. Keep reading and praying, and obeying! Your eternal future depends on
your decisions now. You cannot wait for another to make your decisions for
you. May
our kind Father bless and keep you. May He send His angels to guide you as
you study His inspired writings. We want to meet later in heaven. —vf Ron’s Commentary—Conclusions: Vance says that
he is not calling in or out. What kind of double-speak is that? God says to
let our word be yea or nay. Ellen White says anything else is of the devil. Concerning
fixing the church, God says that it is not fixable:
If Vance Ferrell’s hope that the church
could be turned around is valid, how does that hope accord with the following
questions: · Is that why she said that Ezekiel 9 would
be literally fulfilled again BEGINNING AT HIS SANCTUARY, THOSE WHO HAD BEEN
PRIVILEGED WITH GREAT LIGHT, THE HOUSE OF JACOB? · Is that why she said in a number of
different places that Seventh-day Adventists would be brought down to hell? · Is that why she said that Laodicea was
the foolish virgin state of the church? And we all know the foolish virgins
are not saved? · Is that why she said she had hoped that
there would not be the need of another coming out? · Is that why she said that the leaders
would change leaders and know it not? · Is that why she said the church would
imbibe the Omega of Apostasy and that it would wax stronger until Jesus
comes? · Is that why she said every uncouth thing
would come into our campmeetings JUST BEFORE THE CLOSE OF PROBATION. Every
uncouth thing has been coming into Babylon's campmeetings for centuries! · Is that why the tares (dross) is gathered
into the midst's of Jerusalem, the professing, apostate, SDA church, Ezekiel
22:17-31? · Is that why God and Ellen White said
that Jeremiah 11:9-15 was written more for us than the Jews? · Is that why God said all who associate,
counsel and confederate with His enemies will be broken in pieces and the
definition for slaughter weapon in Ezekiel 9:2 is "a weapon of his
breaking in pieces? · Is that why Ellen White said that the
leaders had betrayed sacred trust and were in unbelief? 5T 211? · Is that why in the same reference she
says that the leaders would NEVER AGAIN show the House of Jacob its sins and
cry only peace and safety? · Is that why Ellen White reapplied Isaiah
56:10-12, in 5T 211? · Is that why Ellen White said that when
the danger to the church was greatest that its MEMBERS would be doing
after the manner of the world, but there would be a little company standing
in the light who evidently are not members otherwise they too would be doing
after the manner of the world, 5T 210. · Is that why Isaiah said that a remnant
would go forth out of Jerusalem, Isaiah 37:31, 32? · Is that why God said not to even pray for
the Jews when they did exactly what New Movement Adventism has done? Jeremiah
11:9-15. · Is that why Ellen White said Isaiah wrote
for our time and his prophesying is in force for us and he said that a
remnant goes forth OUT OF JERUSALEM, Isaiah 37:37-32? · Is that why Ellen White said Ezekiel
wrote for our time, and he says in Ezekiel 5:1-3 that the church is destroyed
after a small number (remnant) are taken in his skirts, meaning those who are
married to Christ, the bride, the 144,000? · Is that why Ellen White said on four
different occasions that Seventh-day Adventists would be brought down to
hell? · Is that why Ellen White said that if the
church became married to the world that it would become the hold of every
unclean and hateful bird, language used to define Babylon in Revelation 18:2? · Is that why Ellen White called A.D. 70 a
PREFIGURE, beginning at His Sanctuary, GC p. 24, and 5T 211 respectively. · Is that why Ezekiel said of end-time
spiritual Jerusalem, thou art the land that is not rained upon (outpouring of
the Holy Spirit in the latter rain)? · Is that why God said that at the
end-time, He sought for A MAN among His people (spiritual Jerusalem) but
found NOT ONE? · Is that why God showed Ellen White and this
writer that the entire chapter of Ezekiel 22 applies to God’s people, once spiritual Jerusalem, at the end: King James
Version (KJV) Ezekiel - Chapter 22 Eze 22:1 ¶ Moreover the word of the LORD
came unto me, saying, Eze 22:2
Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody
city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations. Eze 22:3
Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the
midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to
defile herself. Eze 22:4
Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast
defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy
days to draw near, and art come [even] unto thy years: therefore have I made
thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries. Eze 22:5
[Those that be] near, and [those that be] far from thee, shall mock
thee, [which art] infamous [and] much vexed. Eze 22:6 ¶ Behold, the princes of Israel,
every one were in thee to their power to shed blood. Eze 22:7
In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee
have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the
fatherless and the widow. Eze 22:8
Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths. Eze 22:9
In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat
upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness. Eze 22:10
In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have
they humbled her that was set apart for pollution. Eze 22:11
And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and
another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath
humbled his sister, his father's daughter. Eze 22:12
In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and
increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and
hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD. Eze 22:13 ¶ Behold, therefore I have smitten
mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which
hath been in the midst of thee. Eze 22:14
Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that
I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken [it], and will do [it]. Eze 22:15
And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the
countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee. Eze 22:16
And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the
heathen, and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD. Eze 22:17 ¶ And the word of the LORD came
unto me, saying, Eze 22:18
Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they [are]
brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are
[even] the dross of silver. Eze 22:19
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross,
behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. Eze 22:20
[As] they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into
the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt [it]; so will I
gather [you] in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave [you there], and
melt you. Eze 22:21
Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and
ye shall be melted in the midst thereof. Eze 22:22
As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted
in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my
fury upon you. Eze 22:23 ¶ And the word of the LORD came
unto me, saying, Eze 22:24
Son of man, say unto her, Thou [art] the land that is not cleansed,
nor rained upon in the day of indignation. Eze 22:25
[There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring
lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the
treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst
thereof. Eze 22:26
Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things:
they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they
shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their
eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Eze 22:27
Her princes in the midst thereof [are] like wolves ravening the prey,
to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. Eze 22:28
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered [morter], seeing
vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when
the LORD hath not spoken. Eze 22:29
The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery,
and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger
wrongfully. Eze 22:30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and
stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I
found none. Eze 22:31
Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have
consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed
upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. This list of
questions is FAR from exhaustive! Evidently, Vance
Ferrell and like ilk do not believe God. Vance is like the old man described
in The Great Controversy, Chapter 1, who decried all the abominations of the
apostate church of his day, but never told the people to leave. He died in
the same debacle he prophesied against. He was not one of the faithful
prophets like Christ and His disciples who gathered out from the apostate
church and informed the folk as to when to flee to the mountains, while the
apostate church hired false prophets to tell the people to remain at the
temple, saying that since it was God’s church, the Romans would never
penetrate the 20ft. thick gates to the city. May God have mercy on your
unfaithful soul, Vance Ferrell. Vance says in
his autobiography that he removed himself from being a credentialed minister
in the SDA church because he felt he could not follow principle and remain in
that office. That upshot of that begs the question: If Vance could not be a
minister because that would involve sacrificing principle, how could he
instruct his many patrons to go to hear unprincipled ministers. If there are
principled ministers, then why could Vance not be one of them?! But it gets
worse than that! Elder Robert Priebe, uncle of Elder Dennis Priebe, told me
personally at a seminar I conducted in Sacramento, California a number
of years ago for an SDA surgeon there,
that he went to meet with Vance personally. He said that Vance applauded him
for his stand as a staunch separationis, yet Vance would not take that stand. He went on to
say that he noticed many mail bags full of money in the room and he could
begin to understand what might be keeping Vance from taking a clear stand on
the issue of separation, for the Lord knows that the money would not flow
like it has to Vance if he called folk out of the church. Vance is a smart
man. He knows that the money would drop off significantly if he gave a
separation message. That is why I say again, God have mercy on your soul,
Vance Ferrell. The Lord will not accept your forked-tongued double speech in
saying that you are not calling in or out. Neither will God accept your
double-dealing in implying that there is hope for a church organization that
has committed unpardonable sin because it has done all the iniquities of
Jeremiah 11:9-15 plus. God bless the
faithful and let’s us remember to pray for INDIVIDUALS who do not know of the
apostasy of New Movement Adventism, a New Movement formed “among,” WITHIN,
which we were never to join, Ron Beaulieu |
[RB1]Do SDA Leaders prophesy smooth things—peace and safety?
Begin at My Sanctuary -- "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 manifestation 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 judgment. 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 just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together." E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 211.