A Counterargument to Bishop Emmanuel for the Rise of the SDA Movement.

 

The Rise of the SDA Movement 

SDA Addresses Bishop Mari Emmanuel’s False Claims About the Seventh Day Adventists.

When Sunday becomes legislated then people who reject the Sabbath will receive the Mark of the Beast.

“the mark of the beast.” And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive “the mark of the beast.” { GC 449.1} 

The Adventist Church was birth out of the Restorationist Movement. 

• The Task was to complete the unfinished Reformation.
• They were anti-creedal, held to no creed but the Bible itself.
• It fostered an attitude of getting back to the Bible. 
• Adventists were highly influenced by Methodistists, Anabaptists, Puritans, and the Christian Connexionists. 

Date Setting Was a Common Practice During the Time. 

• Jonathan Edwards had set dates for the beginning of the millennium. (1703-1758)

• Cotton Maher (1663-1728) had set date 1697 then 1716, and finally 1736. 

• The concept of the end of the world on the mind of many ministers during this time.

There were some prophetic fulfillments which set the stage for date setting. 

• Knowledge shall be increased. - Daniel 12:4
• The first industrial revolution (1750-1840) 
• 3 mayor prophetic fulfillment had taken place. (Rev 6:12-13)
• Lisbon Earthquake (Nov 1, 1775) 8.4 magnitude. 
• The great dark day, and blood moon (May 19, 1780)
• The great leoniods showered. (Nov 13, 1833)
• The war of 1812 was fought and won by the US.
• The second great revival had (1800-1850)

The Facts about Hiram Edson’s vision. 

• He had the vision on October 23, 1844
• He shared this with O.R.L Crosier, and Dr. F.B Hahn
• They went to study their Bible on the subject. 
• Edson, Hahn, and Crosier arrived at their conclusions independently of any contact with Ellen Harmon. 
• Crosier eventually published their findings as “the Law of Moses” in the Day-Star extra on Feb 7th, 1846.
• A year later Ellen White penned a letter to Eli Curtis stating the Lord had shown her in vision the Bro. Crosier had the true light on the cleansing of the sanctuary. 

What Did Ellen White had to say about the Bible?

“I exalt the precious Word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, ‘Sister White said this,’ and ‘Sister White said that.’ Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands.” ((White, Ellen G., Selected Messages, Book 3, p. 33 ))

“I recommend to you, dear reader, the word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the ‘last days;’ not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth.” ((A Sketch of the Christian Experience and View of Ellen G. White, p. 64 ))

In His word, God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience.((White, Ellen G., The Great Controversy, p. vii ))

The Spirit was not given—nor can it ever be bestowed—to supersede the Bible; for the Scriptures explicitly state that the word of God is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. ((White, Ellen G., Counsels for the Church, p. 92 ))

She moved away from the desk and started to her seat, then turned and came back, picked up the Bible from which she had read, opened it, and held it out on extended hands that trembled with age. She admonished, ‘Brethren and Sisters, I commend unto you this Book. ((Spicer, William A., The Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent Movement, p. 30 ))

What are the principles of interpretation of the Spirit of Prophecy. 

• Begin with a healthy outlook. 
• Focus on the central issues. 
• Emphasize the important. 
• Account for problems in communication. 
• Study all available information on a topic. 
• Avoid extreme interpretations.
• Take time and place into consideration. 
• Study each statement in its literary context. 
• Regconize Ellen White’s understanding of the ideal and the real. 
• Use common sense. 
• Discover the underlying principles. 
• Realize that inspiration is not infallible, inerrant, or verbal.