Page 602 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM

women, frequently even addressing, teaching, and There is no doubt that Ellen White’s visions added to
guiding groups composed mostly of men. Surely the the prophecies contained in the Bible. In just one vision
Lord would not operate contrary to His revealed will. tht was published in Early Writings, pages 14-20 she
[See Women Preachers.] says that Jesus’ hair is curly and shoulder length and
6. The true prophetic gift was to cease when its that His trumpet is silver. She says that it takes seven
purposes for this age were fulfilled (1 Co. 13:8-10). The days to ascend to heaven. She describes tree trunks of
context of 1 Corinthians 13 pertains to spiritual gifts. transparent gold, and fruit that looks like gold mixed
The entire section from chapter 12 to 14 deals with this with silver, and houses that have the appearance of
subject. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 refers to the revelation silver supported by pillars set with pearls, and shelves of
gifts of prophecy, knowledge, and tongues, through gold, and fields of flowers, and grass, and “little ones”
which God spoke to the early churches. These gifts were with wings, and tables of stone engraved with the
to pass away upon completion of their divine purpose, 144,000, and a silver table many miles in length. These
just as many other elements of God’s program for the additions fly in the face of God’s warning in Revelation
ages have passed away. 22. To teach that there is still a purpose for the gift of
1 Corinthians 13:8 promises that “prophecies ... shall prophecy and that the Scriptures are not sufficient for
fail.” Now, we know that the sure Word of prophecy faith and practice is to open the door to Satanic
contained in the Bible will never fail. It was the gift of deception. Those who refuse to accept the Scripture as
prophecy that would fail, or pass away. Again, verse the final Word of God for this age tend to receive
eight says “knowledge ... shall vanish away.” It is another word through erroneous visions and prophecies.
obvious that knowledge in general shall never vanish. It Seventh-day Adventism is the product of this error.
is the gift of knowledge that vanished with the 8. Ellen White’s prophecies did not come to pass (De.
completion of the New Testament Scriptures. This verse 18:22). In the book Seventh-day Adventism and the
also states that “tongues ... shall cease.” It is the gift of Writings of Ellen White, J. Mark Martin documents many
tongues that will cease. Since it is clear that at some false prophecies that were published by Mrs. White.
point prophecy will cease, when will this be? The These include the following:
answer is found in Ephesians 2:20. This verse groups Old Jerusalem Never Built Up
the prophets together with the apostles and says that “I also saw that Old Jerusalem never would be built
they laid the foundation for the church. They preached up; and that Satan was doing his utmost to lead the
the gospel, established the first churches, and wrote the minds of the children of the Lord into these things
New Testament Scriptures under divine inspiration. now, in the gathering time” (Early Writings, p. 75).
Their job was then complete. The foundation was firmly In fact, old Jerusalem has been built up extensively
laid, and they were no longer needed. Just as there are since the birth of the modern state of Israel in 1948.
no apostles today, in the early church sense, there are Mrs. White to Be Alive When Jesus Returns
also no prophets in the sense of receiving and imparting “Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small
revelation. In this sense, “prophecy” has “failed.” black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a
Ellen White did not have the New Testament gift of man’s hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son
prophecy, not only because her supposed gift operated of man. ... Then there was a mighty earthquake. The
contrary to divine revelation, but also because that gift graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with
ceased with the passing of the apostles and prophets immortality. The 144,000 shouted, ‘Alleluia!’ as they
that laid the church’s foundation. recognized their friends who had been torn from them
by death, and in the same moment WE were changed
7. Revelation for this present age is complete and not and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in
to be added to. Jude 3 says it was once delivered to the the air” (Early Writings, pp. 15-16).
saints. See also Revelation 22:18-19. Other Adventists Living in 1856 Would See Jesus
The faith was delivered once for all to the saints. It is Return
not to be added to or tampered with; it is to be In May 1865 Ellen White declared in a meeting in
contended for. The Holy Spirit has given everything Battle Creek, Michigan, that some present would
needed to make the “man of God perfect, throughly “remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of
furnished unto all good works” (2 Ti. 3:16, 17). This Jesus” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 131-132).
refers to the completed Scriptures, and a seal was England Would Attack the United States
placed in the last chapter of the Book, warning all men
against claiming to have some new or fresh word from “... when England does declare war, all nations will
God (Re. 22:18-19). have an interest of their own to serve, and there will
be general war, general confusion. ... this nation [the

602 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity