Page 590 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM

writings. Are her writings—the ones the Adventist the “Investigative Judgment” doctrine and the “Third
church publishes and pushes—not reliable? (4) I Angel’s Message” of Revelation 14:9-12. The doctrine of
would come to the same conclusions about Adventist investigative judgment, as taught by the SDA Church,
belief and write virtually the same book by using only claims that in 1844 Christ entered into the heavenly
the so-called “official Seventh-day Adventist doctrinal holy of holies to begin investigating the records of
book,” Seventh-day Adventists Believe. The statements human works. It is supposed that this investigation will
of Adventist doctrine made in Seventh-day Adventists
Believe are more cleverly presented than in some of the decide the eternal destinies of all men. The “Third
other publications, but the same sad old heresies are Angel’s Message,” which is a warning against taking the
there. For these reasons I see no need to revise my mark of the beast and speaks of “they that keep the
book on the SDA. If the time comes wherein you reject commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Re.
the writings of Ellen G. White and her position as a 14:9, 12), was erroneously taken by the Adventists to
prophetess, and you reject the heretical ‘pillars’ of the refer to themselves, since they uphold the sabbath. A
Seventh-day Adventist church which were developed SDA publication relates these events as follows:
and promoted by White and other early Adventist Near the time of the expected advent in the fall of
leaders, I will then be glad to reevaluate your beliefs.” 1844, there was also given to Hazen Foss, a young
I repeat, the entire matter is a smokescreen. The Adventist of talent, a revelation of the experience of
Adventists are trying to veil some aspects of their the advent people. Shortly after the passing of the
doctrine and history in order to gain a wider hearing time, he was bidden to relate the vision to others, but
and to obtain proselytes, while holding to very things this he disinclined to do. He was warned of God as to
they are trying to veil. Seventh-day Adventism has not the consequences of failing to relate to others what had
changed at heart, but it is trying to put on a new face. been revealed to him, and was told that if he refused,
The History of Seventh-day Adventism the light would be given to someone else. But he felt
keenly the disappointment of 1844, and ‘said that he
Adventism originated with the disappointed Second had been deceived.’ After a severe mental conflict, he
Coming movement of the 1800’s. William Miller, a ‘decided he would not relate the visions.’ Then, ‘very
Baptist layman, concluded in 1818 that Christ would strange feelings came to him, and a voice said, ‘You
return to earth in 1843. When that was proven wrong, have grieved away the Spirit of the Lord’ (E.G. White
he changed the date to October 22, 1844. This belief Letter No. 37, 1890).
was based largely on an interpretation of Daniel ‘Horrified at his stubbornness and rebellion,’ he ‘told
chapters nine and twelve using the erroneous day/year the Lord that he would relate the vision,’ but when he
equation (one prophetic day equals one historical year). attempted to do so before a company of believers, he
Tens of thousands followed Miller’s conclusions, and could not call it to mind. In vain were his attempts to
many diverse, unscriptural adventist (advent refers to call up the scenes as they had been shown to him; and
then in deep despair he exclaimed, ‘It is gone from me;
Christ’s coming) groups sprang up within this excited I can say nothing, and the Spirit of the Lord has left
religious atmosphere. me.’ Eyewitnesses described it as ‘the most terrible
Until the end of 1844, Miller held resolutely to his meeting they were ever in.’
conviction that Christ would return to “cleanse the Early in 1845, Foss overheard Ellen Harmon relate her
sanctuary,” which he interpreted to mean the earth. first vision to the company of believers at Portland,
After the set dates passed, Miller wisely left off with Maine. He recognized her account as a description of
date setting, admitted his mistake, and no longer what was shown him. Upon meeting her the next
participated in the adventist movement. He did not morning, he recounted his experience, of which she
become a Seventh-day Adventist. had not before known, and encouraged her to
faithfully perform her work, stating: ‘I believe the
From the shambles of the confused and unscriptural visions are taken from me and given to you. Do not
date-setting movement, there emerged various groups refuse to obey God, for it will be at the peril of your
with various doctrinal peculiarities. Some of these soul. I am a lost man. You are chosen of God; be
groups were gradually formed into Seventh-day faithful in doing your work, and the crown I might
Adventism. The following history from Seventh-day have had, you will receive.’ On comparing dates, they
Adventist publications contains the major points in this discovered that it was not until after he had been told
formation. that the visions were taken from him, that Ellen
1. A group of Advent followers in New Hampshire Harmon was given her first revelation. Although Hazen
Foss lived till 1893, he never again manifested interest
adopted sabbath-keeping in 1844 and began to publish in matters religious (Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White—
their views through pamphlets. Among these were Messenger to the Remnant, revised to 1969, p. 30).
Joseph Bates and James White. ...in the year 1844 ... there was a group of Advent
2. Some of these sabbath-keepers accepted the believers among whom was manifested the gift of
visions of Hazen Foss and Ellen Harmon in relation to prophecy. The agent of this gift [Ellen Harmon] was

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