The Shadow of the Stanton Controversy, part 3

Editor’s note:

In the first article, a brief history of the Stanton Controversy was given: In the early part of 1893 two brethren, one whose last name was Stanton, after attending the General Conference, published a pamphlet called the Loud Cry. In this tract the Seventh-day Adventist Church was denounced as Babylon (the great Spiritual Babylon of Revelation 18). This tract proclaimed the fall of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as Babylon and called upon the people to come out of her. This tract was widely circulated. Ellen White began writing pointed rebuttals against this pamphlet and the two men publishing and circulating it. Our first article gave some of the Ellen White definitions about who and what the church is as found in these “Stanton manuscripts.” The church was defined in these manuscripts as God’s chosen people who are keeping His commandments, especially the fourth commandment and are receiving the Holy Spirit, and who will give the final warning to the world. The church is that group of people breasting the opposition from the world and uplifting God’s down-trodden law. It has the added qualifying definition as those who are laborers together with God. These definitions of the church quoted from Ellen White in the first article are paramount if the rest of the manuscripts now to be discussed are to be understood.

In the second article we began to show, from the Stanton manuscripts, the “big picture” about what was really going on—the nine objectives of the devil to harass and eventually destroy the second advent movement. First, by an attempt to separate the true and faithful from the movement. The second article showed how this very same objective of the devil is being carried out today around the world.

Now, we turn to the even bigger picture, the overall focal point of attention in the Great Controversy, at the present time. This should also be our focal point in these closing days of earth’s history.

When we understand this bigger picture, we will be able to keep the rest of the picture in focus. We will not lose our bearings because there is some hard text of scripture or some statement in the Spirit of Prophecy that we cannot immediately understand. What is the really big picture? Here it is from the Stanton manuscripts: “In place of working with divine agencies to prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord, they have taken their stand with him who is an accuser of the brethren, who accuses them before God day and night.” Review and Herald, August 22, 1893. What are God and heaven doing today? “Oh, that you could see that you are doing nothing while all heaven is engaged in intense activities to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God.” The Signs of the Times, February 8, 1892.

Ellen White asked the following question of those teaching the message with Stanton about the Adventist church being Babylon: “Have they gone to those who are chosen of God to bear a living testimony, and given them evidence that this light would better qualify them to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God?” Review and Herald, September 5, 1893.

To understand the really big picture that emerges from the Stanton manuscripts we must understand what is involved in preparing a people to stand in the day of the Lord. This was the biggest concern expressed by Ellen White in the Stanton manuscripts.

One of the reasons why Ellen White always opposed any manner of time-setting was because of what the Lord showed her in regard to the magnitude of the task of preparing a people for the end. See Appendix #10.

Everything done or taught, every project big or small in the second advent movement, every significant development in the work of God in these last days, revolves around this one worldwide supreme objective. This is the big picture—everything else must fit into this picture. If we are going to pull all lines evenly we must see how everything else fits into the really big picture, for example:

  1. The reason why Adventists developed medical institutions and began to teach health reform was to prepare a people for the great day of God. See Appendix #1.
  2. This is the reason for developing an educational system. See Appendix #2.
  3. This is the reason for developing the restaurant work. See Appendix #3.
  4. This is the reason for preaching the Three Angels’ Messages, righteousness by faith. See Appendix #4.
  5. This is the reason for music in our worship services. See Appendix #5.
  6. This is the reason for all the reforms of belief and life that God has given the second advent movement. See Appendix #6.
  7. This is the reason for the importance of the sanctuary message that was given to us. See Appendix #7.
  8. Preparing a people for the day of God is the reason for everything in Adventism. See Appendix #8.

The big picture is that God is preparing a people for translation. He is bringing these people, whom He is preparing for translation, into the second advent movement. They are not being put to sleep by the new theology, but are learning the historic doctrines that our pioneers taught. Not only are they studying how God has taught us in our past history—the historic Adventist message, but they are also learning how God has led us in the past, and how God led us to New Testament organization. They are returning to the old landmarks both in terms of church organization and theology.

 

The Spiritual Temple Being Built

 

“The living church of God is individually a habitation of God through the Spirit, that man may become a well-built temple for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God, that the Lord Jesus Christ may dwell in his innermost being, ennobling and sanctifying his human nature by His divine attributes.” In Heavenly Places, 283.

This is the reason for the shaking we are presently going through—all defective members must either correct their defects of character or the angels will remove them from the spiritual building. If you are in earnest, God will perfect a spiritual experiment on you that will bring you to character perfection. (This is a major subject of the Stanton manuscripts.) See Appendix #9.

“One stone mislaid affects the whole building. This figure represents human character, which is to be wrought upon, point by point. There is not to be a flaw in it, for it is the Lord’s building. Every stone must be perfectly laid, that it may endure the pressure placed upon it.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, 340.

“ ‘Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.’ [1 Corinthians 3:9.] This figure represents human character, which is to be wrought upon, point by point. Each day God works with His building, stroke upon stroke, to perfect the structure, that it may become a holy temple for Him. Man is to co-operate with God. Each worker is to become just what God designs him to be, building his life with pure, noble deeds, that in the end his character may be a symmetrical structure, a fair temple, honored by God and man. There is to be no flaw in the building, for it is the Lord’s. Every stone must be perfectly laid, that it may endure the pressure placed upon it. One stone laid wrong will affect the whole building.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 173.

This is the temple that the Lord, “through His human agents, has been building up.” The devil is “full of anger because he cannot bind the people of God,” God’s “saints,” “the loyal people of God.” They are “the chosen ones whom he [the devil] cannot deceive.” They are not perfect yet. “The church of Christ on earth will be imperfect, but God does not destroy his church because of its imperfection.” They have turned “from disloyalty to God . . . and come back to their allegiance, standing to vindicate the holy law of God . . . a people in which all heaven is interested, and they are the one object on earth dear to the heart of God.” Through these people “will be made manifest the final and full display of the love of God to the world that is to be lightened with its glory. The prayer of Christ that his church may be one as he was one with his Father, will finally be answered. The rich dowry of the Holy Spirit will be given, and through its constant supply to the people of God, they will become witnesses in the world of the power of God unto salvation.” Some of the most wonderful promises in the Spirit of Prophecy are made to this group of people: “Jesus sees his true church on the earth, whose greatest ambition is to co-operate with Him in the grand work of saving souls. He hears their prayers, presented in contrition and power, and Omnipotence cannot resist their plea for the salvation of any tried, tempted member of Christ’s body.” (Quotations from the Stanton manuscripts: Review and Herald, July 22, 1893; August 29, 1893; September 5, 1893; October 17, 1893.)

This group of people will not apostatize when the National Sunday Law comes: “Will God’s commandment-keeping people be carried away with the prevailing iniquity? Will they be tempted, because universal scorn is placed upon the law of God, to think less of that law which is the foundation of his government both in heaven and in earth?—No. To his church his law becomes more precious, holy, honorable, as men cast upon it scorn and contempt.” Review and Herald, October 17, 1893.

This group of people receive the reproof, rebuke and chastening of God: “He reproves, he rebukes, he chastens; but it is only that he may restore and approve at last.” Review and Herald, October 17, 1893.

 

Hindering God’s Work

 

Those who try to cut off these true and faithful commandment-keepers from the second advent movement are doing a similar work to Stanton who received some of the most severe rebukes given in the Spirit of Prophecy. To attempt to cut off a true commandment-keeper from the second advent movement, is according to the Stanton manuscripts, “error,” “greatly deceived,” “is not bearing the message of truth. Receive him not, nor bid him God-speed; for God has not spoken by him,” “they will deceive the people.” “The Lord forbids us to proceed in any violent way against those whom we think erring, and we are not to deal out excommunications and denunciations to those who are faulty.”

Would to God that all who profess to be Seventh-day Adventists would heed this counsel from the Stanton manuscripts. It would bring a halt to the suing, the burning of churches, the stoning, the beatings of one professed Adventist by another, or by structure church officials. If it were carefully heeded, it would bring all Adventists to a position of greater humility and heartsearching than we have ever seen. Instead of having a judgmental attitude, if we would heed God’s counsel, it would force us to completely cease from all politicking, from all cover-up of sin or worldly policy.

The following experience, that the Adventist church structure had in 1893, as reported by the Stanton manuscripts, would be seen again. “Testimonies had been given correcting and counseling the church and many had made a practical application of the message to the Laodicean Church, and were confessing their sins and repenting in contrition of soul. They were hearing the voice of Jesus, the heavenly Merchantman, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ Review and Herald, November 8, 1956. (From Manuscript 21, 1893.)

This is the experience that every Adventist must have before the end, otherwise, the angels will separate us (as tares) from the true and faithful, not necessarily from the structure. We may call ourselves Seventh-day Adventists but that will not make any difference: “Shall Seventh-day Adventists walk in the same path as did the Jewish nation? . . . The true commandment-keeping people of God show to the world a character of unspotted integrity, testifying by their own course of action that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Thus the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, through His obedience to the law of God, exalted and made that law honorable. God will surely condemn every member of every church claiming to be a Seventh-day Adventist, who is not doing Him service, but through pride, selfishness, and worldliness, is showing that the truth of heavenly origin has not worked a reformation in his character . . .

“Will the churches heed the Laodicean message? Will they repent, or will they, notwithstanding that the most solemn message of truth—the Third Angel’s Message—is being proclaimed to the world, go on in sin? This is the last message of mercy, the last warning to a fallen world. If the church of God becomes lukewarm, it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are represented as having fallen and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. Only those that are sanctified through the truth will compose the royal family in the heavenly mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him and keep His commandments.

“ ‘He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him’ [1 John 2:4]. This includes all who claim to have a knowledge of God, and to keep His commandments, but who do not manifest this by good works. They will receive according to their deeds. ‘Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him’ [1 John 3:6]. This is addressed to all church members, including the members of the Seventh-day Adventist churches. ‘Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother’ [1 John 3:7–10].

“All who claim to be Sabbath-keeping Adventists, and yet continue in sin, are liars in God’s sight. Their sinful course is counterworking the work of God. They are leading others into sin. The word comes from God to every member of our churches. [Hebrews 12:13–17 quoted.]

“This is applicable to many who claim to believe the truth. Rather than give up their lustful practices, they venture on in a wrong line of education under Satan’s deceiving sophistry. Sin is not discerned as sinful. Their very consciences are defiled, their hearts are corrupted, even the thoughts are continually corrupt. Satan uses them as decoys to lure souls to unclean practices which defile the whole being.” [Hebrews 10:28–31 quoted]. Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 172–178.

Notice in the above statement, not everybody who claims to be a Seventh-day Adventist is acknowledged as such by God. As always, there is a difference between the professed church and the true church, “God is honored, not so much by the great number, as by the character of those who serve Him. He appreciates moral worth. He draws the dividing line between those who bear His name by profession, and those whose character shows them to be His children.” The Signs of the Times, June 30, 1881.

There are some intelligent and apparently very sincere people who cannot see the big picture that we have been looking at in these Stanton articles. They believe that these Stanton manuscripts are their strongest argument to prove that the structure of Adventism is the church and that it will for sure go through to glory. Of course one might wonder what such people think about the book of Romans, but truth can always afford to be fair and candid and look at every side of an issue. We have already seen in the first article how Ellen White defines who and what the church is in the Stanton articles, but we hope to look directly at these arguments or objections.

Is there any danger that former historic Adventists could overlook the serious warnings in the Stanton articles to the Seventh-day Adventist church, and souls be lost because of it, while they thought they had proved the historic Adventist position wrong (from the Stanton articles) and had salved the conscience of multitudes? Will the following prophecy actually be fulfilled among historic Adventists who decided to go back into fellowship with apostasy? “They mingled with the tares from choice. Like drew to like in transgression. It is a fearful assimilation. Men choose to stand with the first rebel, who tempted Adam and Eve in Eden to disobey God. The tares multiply themselves, for they sow tares, and they have their part with the root of all sin—the devil.” Testimonies to Ministers, 235.

In the past when the protest of the true and faithful could not keep open sin out of the church, then, “They saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the word of God. They dared not tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, and set an example which would imperil the faith of their children and children’s children. To secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war.

“Well would it be for the church and the world if the principles that actuated those steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of God’s professed people.” The Great Controversy, 45, 46.

 

Appendix:

 

  1. “The gospel minister should preach the health principles for these have been given of God as among the means needed to prepare a people perfect in character. Therefore, health principles have been given to us that as a people we might be prepared in both mind and body to receive the fullness of God’s blessing. The medical missionary work has its place and part in this closing gospel work. Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education, 43.

It is for this reason that the historic remnant have had to oppose the new teachings that have come in, which disagree with the health message and teaching, that health reform is not related to a person’s salvation. We still believe that it is heresy to teach that after the cross, eating unclean foods and drinking alcoholic drinks is all right. We still believe that any practice is wrong that harms, weakens or injures the body and is expressly prohibited in the Word of God. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17.)

  1. Adventist education was “to educate in spiritual things, to prepare a people to stand in the trying crisis before us; but there has been a departure from God’s plan.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 221. “The whole line of study in our schools should be to prepare a people for the future, immortal life.” Ibid., 383. When the educational program at Battle Creek did not fit the overall objective Ellen White could not advise parents to send their children there anymore. (See Testimonies, vol. 5, 21.)
  2. “The restaurant work should be made a means in the purpose of God to prepare a people to stand in the day of judgment.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 402.
  3. The focal point of Adventist preaching is the Three Angels’ Messages because this is the message that will prepare a people for the end. Ellen White states too many times to cite that the Three Angels’ Messages are to prepare a people for the end. A few references are, “These men . . . have been led by the Lord in the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These messages, received and acted upon, are doing their work to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. If we search the Scriptures to confirm the truth God has given His servants for the world, we shall be found proclaiming the first, second, and third angels’ messages.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, 111. “To you, as God’s servants, has been entrusted the Third Angel’s Message, the binding-off message, that is to prepare a people for the coming of our King.” Review and Herald, November 25, 1909. “The message of the third Angel is to prepare a people to stand in these days of peril. It is to be proclaimed with a loud voice and is to accomplish a work which few realize.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 94. “We need to wake up. The third angel’s message is to prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord.” Australian Union Recorder, July 28, 1899.

This is the big reason that historic Adventists have had to start home churches. The churches they were going to were not preaching the Three Angel’s Messages anymore (in name perhaps, but not in reality). Their families were not being prepared for the end of all things and to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. James White wrote, “I know you must be rooted, and built up in present truth, or you will not be able to stand ‘in the battle in the day of the Lord’ (Eze. 13:5).” ref??

  1. “The song of praise, the words spoken by Christ’s ministers, are God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that is impure, unholy.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 8, 1896.
  2. “To prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great work of reform was to be accomplished.” The Great Controversy, 311. “When their education there [at Loma Linda] is completed, they should be able to go forth and join the intelligent workers in the world’s great harvest fields who are carrying forward the work of reform that is to prepare a people to stand in the day of Christ’s coming.” Loma Linda Messages, 581.
  3. “All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful. By study, contemplation, and prayer God’s people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the sanctuary above from the sins of the people. Their faith will go with Him into the sanctuary, and the worshipers on earth will be carefully reviewing their lives and comparing their characters with the great standard of righteousness. They will see their own defects; they will also see that they must have the aid of the Spirit of God if they would become qualified for the great and solemn work for this time which is laid upon God’s ambassadors.” Testimonies vol. 5, 575. For this reason the historic remnant, for duty sake and conscience sake, had to raise a protest when the sanctuary message was and is opposed by many. The sanctuary message that God gave to us corroborates the New Testament teaching that we must overcome sin and perfect a character if we are to have eternal life. This is why it is opposed by those who want to preach a different gospel in Adventism.
  4. “I wish to speak about the relation existing between the medical missionary work and the gospel ministry. It has been presented to me that every department of the work is to be united in one great whole. The work of God is to prepare a people to stand before the Son of man at His coming, and this work should be a unit. The work that is to fit a people to stand firm in the last great day must not be a divided work.” Medical Ministry, 237.
  5. “Although there are evils existing in the church, and will be until the end of the world, the church in these last days is to be the light of the world, that is polluted and demoralized by sin. The church, enfeebled and defective, needing to be reproved, warned, and counseled, is the only object upon earth upon which Christ bestows his supreme regard. The world is a workshop in which, through the co-operation of human and divine agencies, Jesus is making experiments by his grace and divine mercy upon human hearts. Angels are amazed as they behold the transformation of character brought about in those who yield themselves to God, and they express their joy in songs of rapturous praise to God and to the Lamb. They see those who are by nature the children of wrath, converted, and becoming laborers together with Christ in drawing souls to God. They see those who were in darkness becoming lights to shine amid the moral night of this crooked and perverse generation. They see them becoming prepared by a Christ-like experience to suffer with their Lord, and afterward to be partakers with Him in His glory in heaven above.” Review and Herald, September 5, 1893.
  6. “I there stated in public that the Lord had been pleased to show me that there would be no definite time in the message given of God since 1844; and that I knew that this message, which four or five were engaged in advocating with great zeal, was heresy. The visions of this poor child were not of God. This light came not from heaven. Time was short; but the end was not yet. A great work was to be accomplished to prepare a people to be sealed with the seal of the living God.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, 73. [All emphasis supplied.] This was one of the problems Ellen White warned against in the Stanton manuscripts: “Let all our brethren and sisters beware of any one who would set a time for the Lord to fulfill his word in regard to his coming, or in regard to any other promise he has made of special significance. ‘It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.’ False teachers may appear to be very zealous for the work of God, and may expend means to bring their theories before the world and the church; but as they mingle error with truth, their message is one of deception, and will lead souls into false paths. They are to be met, and opposed, not because they are bad men, but because they are teachers of falsehood, and are endeavoring to put upon falsehood the stamp of truth.” Review and Herald, September 12, 1893.

 

The Shadow of the Stanton Controversy, part 2

Editor’s Note: 

In Part I of “The Shadow of the Stanton Controversy,” a brief history of the Stanton Controversy was given: In the early part of 1893, two brethren, one of whom was Stanton, after attending the General Conference (held during parts of February and March) published a pamphlet called the Loud Cry. In this tract the Seventh-day Adventist Church was denounced as Babylon (the great Spiritual Babylon of Revelation 18). This tract proclaimed the fall of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as Babylon and called upon the people to come out of her. This tract was widely circulated. Ellen White began writing pointed rebuttals against this pamphlet and the two men publishing and circulating it. Our first article gave some of the Ellen White definitions about who and what the church is as found in these “Stanton manuscripts.” The church was defined in these manuscripts as God’s chosen people who are keeping His commandments, especially the fourth commandment, and are receiving the Holy Spirit and who will give the final warning to the world. The church is that group of people breasting the opposition from the world, and uplifting God’s down-trodden law. The church has the added, qualifying definition, as those who are laborers together with God. These definitions of the church quoted from Ellen White in the previous article are essential if the rest of the manuscripts, now to be discussed, are to be understood.

“At the time of the first advent of Christ to our world, the men who composed the Sanhedrin exercised their authority in the controlling men according to their will. Thus the souls whom Christ had given His life to free from the bondage of Satan were brought under bondage to him in another form.” Testimonies to Ministers, 361

“When error in one garb has been detected, Satan only marks it in a different disguise, and multitudes receive it as eagerly as at the first.” Great Controversy, 285

In these two perceptive statements Ellen White unmasks how the great deceiver works. When people have been delivered from a deception of the devil, he takes that very deception and masks it in a different dress and often it is accepted again by those very people!

In 1893, Stanton attempted to separate true and faithful Seventh-day Adventists from the second advent movement, by calling that movement Babylon. Through the agency of the Spirit of Prophecy this deception was unmasked.

“How is it that men can be so deceived as to imagine that the loud cry consists in calling the people of God out from a church that is enjoying a season of refreshing? Review and Herald, October 17, 1893.

The devil has taken the same deception and masked it in a different dress, and it has apparently now been accepted by the General Conference, and most local conferences and missions throughout the world! (We will give evidence for this later.) The thrust in the General Conference and the local conferences and missions throughout the world today is to separate the true and faithful from the second advent movement-the deception is the same, though masked in different garb.

 

The Devil’s Objectives

 

First we need to list, from the pen of Ellen White, how the devil was trying to destroy God’s church in Stanton’s day. We will then easily be able to see how the devil has taken the same deceptions and masked them in a different dress so that today they are almost universally accepted. All references are from the Stanton manuscripts, from the Review and Herald articles, only dates will be given.

The Spirit of Prophecy unmasks Satan’s deceptions. (This is a major reason why the devil and his agents hate the Spirit of Prophecy.) Ellen White stated the following objectives that the devil wanted to accomplish:

  1. Perplex, harass, and cause the people of God great distress. (Ibid. August 22, 1893)
  2. Accuse and claim that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is Babylon calling attention to the sins of those who are repentant. To make perverse accusations against those who keep the commandments of God. (September 5, 1893.)
  3. Bring persons who are not converted into the fellowship of the Seventh-day Adventist church and thus corrupt the people of God (Ibid.)
  4. Through specious deceptions and delusions, use the proud to break up the unity of the church (Ibid.) and create confusions. (September 12, 1893.)
  5. Tear down that which God is trying to build up, deriding the ministry, resulting in making of none effect the ministry of Ellen White and the Spirit of Prophecy, and leading people to believe that her message was not from God. (September 5, 1893)
  6. Advocate error and originate false theories and new devices to create a false excitement which will divert and deceive through false positions.(September 12, 1893; November 8, 1956, which is from an 1893 EGW manuscript.)
  1. Cause division in the church diverting their means into harmful channels and hinder the church from attaining perfection in unity. (September 12, 1893)
  2. Cast all the reproach possible on the chosen ones whom he cannot deceive, clothing repentant, believing, commandment-keeping people of God in the blackest and most filthy, defiled garments. (October 17, 1893; November 8, 1956)
  3. Hurl thunderbolts against the church of Christ militant in the hope of tearing it down, discouraging it and finally destroying it. (November 8, 1956.)

Ellen White makes it very clear in the Stanton manuscripts, that in 1893, Brother Stanton and his associates were being led by the devil, and doing his work. “In place of working with divine agencies to prepare of people to stand in the day of the Lord, they have taken their stand with him who is an accuser of the brethren. Who accuses them before God day and night. Satanic agencies have been moved from beneath, and they have inspired men to unite in a confederacy of evil, that they may perplex, harass, and cause the people of God great distress.” Review and Herald, August 22, 1893. “A work of this character is inspired not from above, but from beneath.” Ibid., August 29, 1893.

If we see the big picture of the great controversy, we will not so easily be misled by some sentence or paragraph in the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy that we do not understand immediately. What is the big picture? What was Satan accomplishing through the Stanton work? Ellen White makes that clear also. “The message that has been borne by those who have proclaimed the church to be Babylon, has made the impression that God has no church upon earth.

Stanton was broadcasting a message designed to separate the true and faithful Adventists from the second advent movement, leaving no movement at all! The same deception dressed in a different garb is worldwide today and it is having marvelous success. Instead of just two men, whole conference and mission organizations are dedicated to bringing it about.

 

The True and Faithful

 

We will now give evidence that illustrates the above. First of all, who are the true and faithful in the second advent movement? This is a question that the Lord will give an infallible answer to in the day of judgment. We are not to judge the heart or character of our brothers, but we are to judge the fruit on the tree-the outward life, words and actions. See Matthew 7:15-20. We have been given counsel in the inspired writings to help us see if we are in harmony with the true and faithful.

  1. They will bear faithful witness to the truth of the Third Angel’s message. See Appendix #1.
  2. They accept God’s message and messenger and give evidence of this by bearing fruit to God’s glory. See Appendix #2
  3. They are actively involved in missionary activity. See Appendix #3
  4. They are not only professors of the truth but doers. See Appendix #4
  5. They live out all the light they have. See Appendix #5
  6. True and faithful ministers will reprove sin and attempt to keep the church pure. See Appendix #6
  7. They bear a straightforward testimony. See Appendix #7

As show in the first article in this series, the true and faithful are the movement.

Everything else that clings to the truth as a parasite is still just a parasite, which God will separate through the shaking from the true and faithful who constitute the movement.

Satan’s objective is to make it impossible for the lost people of this world to find the truth, to find the true and faithful—the actual second advent movement. The only people that they can find the living truth from are the true and faithful, and if the impression can be given that there is no church of God on earth or if their identity can be obscured so that nobody can find them, then Satan will attempt and appear to triumph. This is what the devil was trying to do in the Stanton controversy, and that is what he is trying to do today. Only today, instead of having two men, he has thousands of professed Seventh-day Adventists who are attempting to separate the true and faithful Seventh-day Adventists from the movement and make it impossible for the lost of this world to find the living truth. Truth must not just be taught, it must be lived. The lost must be able to see it lived out, and only the true and faithful can demonstrate this. Against them the most bitter wrath of the devil is concentrated. Their life is one long series of trials because if what they teach and live is communicated to the world, the end of the world will soon come, Christ will triumph and the devil will be put out of business.

As local congregations, conference and higher offices in Adventism have been progressively taken over by new teachings which are contrary to the historic Adventist message, it has been impossible for the true and faithful to remain silent, without giving a protest. It has become impossible for the true and faithful to financially support that which they know is apostasy. It has become impossible for the true and faithful to remain and listen to error being taught from the pulpit or in the classroom.

One of the most serious errors being taught by conservative Adventist pastors today is the teaching about the function and authority of conference church organizations. It is just the same as in Jesus’ day.

 

A Separation

 

For all of these reasons the true and faithful have found it necessary to establish churches not associated with this apostasy. This has not been a separation movement anymore than the advent movement in 1840-1844 was a separation movement. However, separation has occurred because professed Adventists were determined to cling to their apostasy and would not to the voice of reproof and the appeal to return to historic Adventist teachings based upon the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Professed Adventists have demonstrated a determination that the Third Angel’s Message not be given, and they have said that it was not time to distribute Great Controversy. (See what Ellen White said about this in Appendix item #8.) They do not want to endure the trouble that they know is sure to come from the Proclamation of the Third Angel’s Message. This is the reason that true and faithful Adventists were ostracized and finally beaten up and their church burned down in Papua New Guinea., all because they would not cease to preach and teach the Three Angels’ Messages. It is true that mistakes have been made in the way the message has been given, but the solution to the mistakes is not to quit giving the message. The same spirit has been demonstrated as by John and James when they forbade someone who was not part of their organization to communicate the gospel. (Mark 9:38-40)

Why are true and faithful Adventists around the world, who faithfully proclaiming the Three Angels’ Messages and attempting to live according to all the commandments, being threatened with lawsuits if they use the name “Seventh-day Adventist?” The big objective the devil has is the same as in the time of the Stanton controversy—to leave the impression that there is no true and faithful people who keep God’s commandments. For over 100 years the name “Seventh-day Adventist” has been a significant means used by those who keep the commandments of God, follow the Spirit of Prophecy and faith of Jesus, to identify themselves. But if this name is taken away from the true and faithful Adventists, then you have made it harder for the man on the street to find God’s true and faithful people described in Revelation 12:17 and 14:12. Many of God’s people for these last days—the ones who are true and faithful and not just professors, are being threatened with legal action over the name “Seventh-day Adventist.” Of course, the devil is smart enough to confuse the issue by having some of his own agents who are breaking the law of God, because the devil is a liar and the spiritual father of all those who do the same.

 

Steps into Apostasy

 

A thumbnail sketch of how this deception (the same as in the Stanton controversy, but in a new dress) developed, would be as follows:

  1. As Ellen White conditionally predicted, the apostasy in Adventism would increase. (See Appendix #9.) It has done so very rapidly in the last 20 years. True and faithful Adventists first had to endure the snaking of liberal Adventism and the introduction of new theology (that you will sin until Jesus comes), the invalidation of Ellen White as a prophet (along with the New Testament), the denial of the investigative judgment beginning in 1844, and also a two apartment sanctuary in heaven, as well as the disregard of the health message. All of the reforms that God had slowly brought to His people over a period of centuries were invalidated with a stroke during the seventies and eighties.
  2. Next began the shaking in conservative Adventism. The battle cry of the conservatives in the eighties and the nineties is very similar to the attitude described in Desire of Ages concerning the Pharisees—the organization has become the lord of the people. “From childhood He [Jesus] acted independently of the rabbinical laws…the requirement of society and the requirement of God were in constant collision.” Desire of Ages, 84. Adventist pastors and many Adventists were asked to do things (or not do things) that were contrary to their conscience. In many places it was not allowed to put open sin out of the church. The apostasy became so marked that children in understanding of theology, could tell that their families were being leavened by false teachings and practices.
  3. Although it began earlier, in the eighties the ostracizing and disfellowshipping of true and faithful Adventists began in earnest. First there was an attempt to stop their influence by taking away their church offices and not allowing them to teach, etc. Then censure followed and finally disfellowshipping. The majority were so far in apostasy that the only way they could see to stop the division in the church was to get rid of the true and faithful—the real Adventists. We have received telephone call and letters from around the world giving evidence of this. However, after the people holding to the historic Adventist faith have been removed from the church, their very presence, the very existence of their home churches is evidence of the apostasy.
  4. Now we are seeing true and faithful Seventh day Adventist being told to stop calling themselves Adventist because they have been call forced out of the structure for not going along with the apostasy. The final aim and goal, if you can see the big picture the devil is attempting to paint, is to make it impossible for the people of the world to find the true and faithful Adventist. A “non Adventist ” told me recently about how he wanted someone to teach him what Bible truth was. He said , “It is as hard as finding an alley  in New York City to find the truth today.” Thank the Lord, he heard an ad on the radio and we are helping find the meaning of the prophecies . Now he is keeping the Sabbath. How many other people like this are there? The devil is determined today , just as much as in 1893, to obscure or obliterate any knowledge of the existence of the faithful Adventist who still have the same theology and faith of as our pioneers.
  5. There are many on the Lord’s side, just like the 7000 in the time of Elijah, who are not protesting the apostasy. Even though they are not part of it they cannot be seen. Therefore,  they are doing little if any good for the controversy over Zion. In Christ day, those who submitted to the Jewish leaders could avoid trouble, but eventually go along with crucifying Jesus Christ to do this.  We always tried to be submissive to conference authority until the time came when we could not do this with a clear conscience. this same experience is happening to the true and faithful all over the world. (For a few examples see Appendix #10) We are still in the shadow of the Stanton  controversy, but the clothing of the deception has become more  deceitful; there is no living prophet among us to stop it. Instead of two men there are thousands of employees within the Adventist structure to push the delusion to the limit.  Who knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm and true may be the last who shall offer the gospel of peace to our unthankful churches?  It may be that the destroyers are already training under hand of Satan and only wait the departure of a few more standard bearer to take their places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry,  “Peace, Peace” when the Lord hath not spoken peace. I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write.  It may be that erelong all prophesying among us will be at an end,  and the voice which has stirred the people may not longer disturb their carnal slumbers. “When God shall work His strange work on the earth,  when holy hands bear the ark no longer, woe will be among the people . . . the church is corrupt because of her members who defile their bodies and pollute their souls . . . Things are far from being what the appearance would indicate . . . the prevailing spirit of our time is that of infidelity and apostasy — a spirit of pretended illumination because of a knowledge of the truth, but in reality of the blindest  presumption. There is a spirit of opposition to the plain word of God and to the testimony of His spirit ” Testimonies vol 5, 77-79. May the Lord help us to come to the standard pf the Lord and manfully give the message  of warning. May the terrible deception that has taken hold of God’s professed people once again be unmasked before it is forever to late.

Appendix:

  1. “I desire that you may be acknowledged in the heavenly courts as true, faithful witnesses for Christ, faithful witnesses of the truth of the Third Angels’ Message.” Manuscript Releases, vol 12, 47. What does it mean to be faithful the Three Angels’ Messages? The truth of the Three Angels’ Messages, in Revelation 14:6-12, involves the following beliefs and practices: 1. Belief in the 2,300 day prophecy as explained by the second advent movement  in the 1840’s, and that the hour of God’s judgement began in 1844. 2. Worship of God as the Creator—belief in the Sabbath which involves belief in the biblical account of a 6000 year old earth and a seven day creation. 3. Coming out of Babylon—the philosophies and practices of Babylon will be put away and discontinued. 4. No Images will be made to the beast—all will be allowed religious liberty. 5. No creature worship. 6. obedience to the commandments of God. 7. There will be the faith of Jesus. which is the faith that gives deliverance and an overcoming power over all sin.
  2. Sometimes the truth is best understood by anti-thesis—stating what is not. In the following statement several specifications are given of those who are not true and faithful , thus giving a clear description of what the true and faithful are like. “There is a lack of moral and spiritual throughout our conferences. Many churches do not have light in themselves. The members do no give evidence that they are the branches of the True Vine, by bearing  much fruit to the glory of God, but appear to be withering away. The Redeemer has withdrawn his light, the inspiration of His Holy Spirit, from their assemblies; for they have ceased to represent the self-denial, the sympathy and compassionate love of the world’s Redeemer; they have not love for the souls for whom Christ has died. They have ceased to be true and faithful. It is a sad picture,—the feeble piety, the want of consecration and devotion to God. there has been a separation of the soul from God; many have cut off the communication between him and the soul by refusing his messengers and his message” Review and Herald, December 23, 1890.
  3. “At the last great day, Christ will say to those who have been true and faithful, (Matthew 5:34 quoted). They will understand the meaning of His words; for they will have done the work that Christ gave them to do. They have cooperated with Him in the saving of those got whom he died, and they are prepared to share in His joy” Review and Herald, October 29, 1903.
  4. “The test of discipleship is not brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present themselves for baptism. It should be understood whether those who profess to be converted are simply taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists, or whether they are taking their stand on the Lord’s side, to come out from the world, and be separate and touch not the unclean thing. When they give evidence that they fully understand their position, they are to be accepted. But when they show that they are following the customs and fashions and sentiments of the world, they are to be faithfully dealt with. If they feel no burden to change their course of action, they should not be retained as members of the church. The Lord wants those who compose his church to be true, faithful stewards of the grace of Christ.” Special Testimonies to the Battle Creek Church, 22
  5. “The Lord will give His message to those who have walked in accordance with the light they have had, and will recognize them as true and faithful, according to the measurement of God. These men will take the place of those who, having light and knowledge, have walked not in the way of the Lord but in the imagination of their own unsanctified hearts.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 10
  6. God is not pleased with the slothful work done in the churches. He expects His stewards to be true and faithful in giving reproof and correction. They are to expel wrong after the rule God has given in His Word, not according to their own ideas and impulses. No harsh means must be used, no unfair, hasty, impulsive work done. The efforts made to cleanse the church from moral uncleanness must be made in God’s way. There must be no partiality, no hypocrisy. There must be no favorites, whose sins are regarded as less sinful than those of others. Oh, how much we all need the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Then we shall always work with the mind of Christ, with kindness, compassion, and sympathy, showing love for the sinner while hating sin with a perfect hatred.” 1888 Materials, 144.
  7. “It is by bearing a straightforward testimony in word and work, that we are counted as true, faithful witnesses for Christ.” Review and Herald, September 7, 1903
  8. The Great Controversy should be very widely circulated. It contains the story of the past, the present, and the future. In its outline of the closing scenes of this earth’s history, it bears a powerful testimony in behalf of the truth. I am more anxious to see a wide circulation for this book than for any others I have written; for in The Great Controversy, the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books.” Colporteur Ministry, 127. The Lord impressed me to write this book [The Great Controversy, in the 1884 edition it was called volume 4] in order that without delay it might be circulated in every part of the world, because the warnings it contains are necessary for preparing a people to stand in the day of the Lord. But men of trust have allowed this book to fall ‘dead’ from the press.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 239.
  9. “One thing it is certain to be realized,–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. We are to hold fast the first principles of our denominated faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith. Ever are we to keep the faith that has been substantiated by the Holy Spirit of God from the earlier events of our experience until the present time. We need now larger breadth, and deeper, more earnest, unwavering faith in the leadings of the Holy Spirit. If we needed the manifest proof of the Holy Spirit’s power to confirm truth in the beginning, after the passing of the time, we need today all the evidence in the confirmation of the truth, when souls are departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. There must not be any languishing of soul now.” Special Testimonies, Series B, 57.

Special Note: Notice in the above statement that it is the principles of faith that you hold fast to that makes you part of the denominated people or the denomination. The only people who are really part of the denomination are those who hold the historic faith of Seventh-day Adventists—those who believe in not only professing, but in actually keeping all of God’s commandments, living by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Ellen White explains who is denominational: “One stood up in the midst of us and pointed us back to the Israelites as an illustration of a distinct people, denominated of God. That which made them denominational was the observance of God’s commandments. In the twelfth to the eighteenth verses of the thirty-first chapter of Exodus their distinguishing sign is mentioned . . .We are Seventh-day Adventists. This is a fitting name, for we keep the seventh-day Sabbath, and look for the second advent of our Lord in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. Even with respect to the name indicating some of the peculiar points of faith distinguishing us from other Christians, we are denominational. In keeping the Sabbath that God declared should be kept holy as a sign between Himself and His people, we show to the world that we are His peculiar, chosen people-a people whom He has denominated. His people and His institutions are denominational . . . as for ourselves, we are strictly denominational. We are sacredly denominated by God, and are under His theocracy.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 38-40.

  1. Mass disfellowshipping in Hungary and ostracizing of the faithful in Romania and many other parts of eastern Europe. The necessary separation of the true and faithful from the structure in Zaire, because the structure had joined an ecumenical movement. The disfellowshippping of true and faithful in Australia, and the necessary separation of the true and faithful from sin which leaders refused to repent, confess or make right in Guatemala. The necessary separation of the true and faithful from apostate leaders who were the only ones the General Conference would recognize in Russia and eastern Europe (this goes back several decades), and similar problems in the church in Ghana, in the Philippines. As well as disfellowshippings in various places in the United States and other places because individuals would not submit their conscience to the organization.

Part III

The Shadow of the Stanton Controversy, part 1

Two brethren, one whose name was Stanton, after attending the General Conference in the first months of 1893, published a pamphlet called the Loud Cry. In this tract the Seventh-day Adventist Church was denounced as Babylon (the great Spiritual Babylon of Revelation 18), and it called upon the people to come out of her. This tract was widely circulated.

In Wellington, New Zealand, these pamphlets came to the post office with instruction to the postmaster to distribute them to Seventh-day Adventists. Ellen White who was there during this time began writing pointed rebuttals against this pamphlet, and the two men publishing and circulating it.

The Stanton manuscripts, if they may be called that, have been used far and near by people in the General Conference, in local conferences, and by some self-supporting ministries. It is concluded from these articles that special ministries do not have a right to exist, or at least do not have a right to promote and organize home churches, and that such people are condemned by God through the Spirit of Prophecy.

Some of these manuscripts, written in 1893, were published in The Review and Herald during August through October, 1893 and in November of 1956. Some of them were later published in Testimonies to Ministers (see the first 62 pages), and in various devotional compilations, in volumes two and three of Selected Messages and in Notebook Leaflets. As you can see, someone can quote to you, apparently from all over the Spirit of Prophecy writings on this topic, but when you look it up they are really quoting from these “Stanton manuscripts.”

 

A Weapon Against Historic Adventism

 

These articles have been used to try to persuade people of the following: it is wrong to start home churches, it is contrary to the Spirit of Prophecy not to be in a conference church, and you are listening to and following the devil if you are not subject to the conference, etc. Any series of articles, used this extensively in an attempt to prove the revival and reformation movement within Adventism to be a false movement, is certainly deserving of serious study. If we are deceived about the most fundamental issues of our faith, it is certainly time that we knew about it.

A number of attacks against historic Adventists, meeting in home churches, have been launched using statements from these articles. The authors and speakers apparently believed that these statements conclusively proved historic Adventists to be in error.

One of the main attacks against the revival and reformation movement within Adventism has been over the issue of who and what is the church. When observing arguments, which were intended to prove that Ellen White taught that the church was the “organization,” it is curious that some of the main statements quoted are from the Stanton manuscripts. Since these manuscripts are thought to be able to destroy our understanding of who and what the church is, and force us, for conscience sake, to submit to control by conferences, we need to find out exactly what Ellen White was teaching in these manuscripts.

 

Context

 

All Ellen White statements and Bible statements have a context. In her writings, Ellen White repeatedly urged that time and place be considered: “Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered. Nothing must be done untimely.” Selected Messages, vol. 1, 57. Part of the context is the time and the place, and part is the way that words are used in the paragraph (the linguistic context).

If the Stanton manuscripts teach that the organization is the church, or if they teach that historic Adventists are in error, we should find in them a “plain thus saith the Lord” to show us how to change our beliefs. (See Great Controversy, 595.)

 

Consistant or Conflifting?

 

If these manuscripts teach a different definition of the church than the explicit statements historic Adventists have already found in the inspired writings, then we are in dire difficulty. Truth does not contradict itself. Ellen White said: “All truth, whether in nature or in revelation, is consistent with itself in all its manifestations.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 114. The Bible also says, that “no lie is of the truth.” 1 John 2:21. If these manuscripts teach a different definition of the church than all other inspired writings, then we have a severe problem.

One of the reasons for the theological problems in Adventism today is that so many have tried to give Ellen White a rubber nose—force her writings to teach opposite and contradictory things. As a result, anyone who believes these distorted views eventually loses confidence in the testimonies of God’s Spirit. They are then ripe for the last delusion among God’s professed people, namely: “The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ Proverbs 29:18. Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony.” Selected Messages, vol. 1, 48.

For example, an historic Adventist quotes Ellen White’s statement that, “from the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth.” Acts of the Apostles, 11. This is an unrestricted definition statement. Its time context is universal, and it has no time limit. It states that it is that way now (perfect tense) and has been this way all the way “from the beginning” and refers to it “in every age.” Not only this but the context of the statement is unrestricted in regard to place. The church described is not local, but the church in the “world,” the “earth” and the church in “earth” and “heaven.” But a theological opponent tries to refute this universal statement by quoting a statement from the Stanton manuscripts, attempting to show that the church is something completely different than how it is defined in the first chapter of The Acts of the Apostles. Two things that are both true cannot be in opposition to each other. This problem has been recognized for a long time and many ministers and teachers have attempted to add qualifications to the definition statements of the church in the The Acts of the Apostles in order to force Ellen White’s definitions to agree with their definition statements. The most common way of doing this is to create models in which there is more than one true church.

 

Definition

 

It would be advisable for anyone who decides to tell historic Adventists that they are wrong about their definition of the church, and then attempts to prove it from the Stanton manuscripts, to first know how Ellen White defines the church in the Stanton manuscripts. Surely this would be the only fair course if we are searching for the truth. A prophet must be allowed to define the terms he or she is using, and certainly it would be utterly presumptuous for us to place our own preconceived definitions on terms that the prophet had explicitly defined.

Surprising as it may seem, in the Stanton manuscripts, Ellen White defines who and what the church is approximately a dozen times! Let us look at how she herself defines the church in these articles. The following quotations are all from the Stanton manuscripts. The actual definition statement is in italics.

Definition 1: This first definition is a definition by antithesis—Ellen White defines what the true church is NOT:

“The world was stirred by the enmity of Satan, and when asked to choose between the Son of God and the criminal Barabbas, they chose a robber and murderer rather than Jesus. The ignorant multitudes were led, by the deceptive reasonings of those in high position, to reject the Son of God, and choose a robber and murderer in his stead. Let us all remember that we are still in a world where Jesus, the Son of God, was rejected and crucified, where the guilt of despising Christ, and preferring a robber rather than the spotless Lamb of God, still rests. Unless we individually repent toward God because of transgression of his law, and exercise faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, whom the world has rejected, we shall lie under the full condemnation that the action of choosing Barabbas instead of Christ, merited. The whole world stands charged to-day with the deliberate rejection and murder of the Son of God. The word bears record that Jews and Gentiles, kings, governors, ministers, priests, and people, —all classes and sects who reveal the same spirit of envy, hatred, prejudice, and unbelief manifested by those who put to death the Son of God,—would act the same part were the opportunity granted, as did the Jews and people of the time of Christ. They would be partakers of the same spirit that demanded the death of the Son of God.” The Review and Herald, August 22, 1893. [All emphasis supplied] (A religious denomination can be defined as a sect.)

Conclusion: The church is not any group or denomination who reveals a spirit of envy, hatred, prejudice and unbelief; such as the Jews did at the time of Christ’s crucifixion.

Definition 2: “In the scene representing the work of Christ for us [the church], and the determined accusation of Satan against us, Joshua stands as the high priest, and makes request in behalf of God’s commandment-keeping people. At the time, Satan represents the people of God as great sinners, and presents before God the list of sins he has tempted them to commit through their lifetime, and urges that because of their transgressions, they be given into his hands to destroy. He urges that they should not be protected by ministering angels against the confederacy of evil. He is full of anger because he cannot bind the people of God into bundles with the world, to render to him complete allegiance. Kings, and rulers, and governors have placed upon themselves the brand of antichrist, and are represented as the dragon who goes to make war with the saints,—with those who keep the commandments of God, and who have the faith of Jesus. In their enmity against the people of God, they show themselves guilty also of the choice of Barabbas instead of Christ.” The Review and Herald, August 29,1893.

Conclusion: The church is the people of God who keep His commandments and have the faith of Jesus. (The faith of Jesus is a faith that is sufficient to give victory over sin.)

Definition 3: “However weak and compassed with infirmity the people of God may be, those who turn from disloyalty to God in this wicked and perverse generation, and come back to their allegiance, standing to vindicate the holy law of God, making up the breach made by the man of sin under the direction of Satan, will be accounted the children of God, and through the righteousness of Christ will stand perfect before God. Truth will not always lie in the dust to be trampled under foot of men. It will be magnified and made honorable; it will yet arise and shine forth in all its natural luster, and will stand fast forever and ever.” The Review and Herald,August 29, 1893.

Conclusion: The church keeps God’s commandments and is especially singled out in these manuscripts as keeping the Sabbath—it is those who keep the Sabbath commandment who are making up the breach. (See Isaiah 58:12–14.)

Definition 4: The church is “the people whom God is leading.” The Review and Herald, August 29, 1893.

Definition 5: “At the great heart of the work, men opened their treasures of light, and while the Lord was pouring out His Spirit upon the people, did these men receive of the heavenly anointing? While the deep movings of the Spirit of God were made manifest among the people, and souls were being converted, and hard hearts broken, there were those who were listening to the suggestions of Satan, and they were inspired with zeal from beneath to go forth and proclaim that the very people receiving of the Holy Spirit, who are to receive the latter rain and the glory that is to lighten the whole earth, were Babylon. Did the Lord give these messengers their message?—No; for it was not a message of truth.” The Review and Herald, September 5, 1893.

Conclusion: The church is the people who are receiving the Holy Spirit, and who are to receive the latter rain and give the loud cry of Revelation 18.

Definition 6: “God has a church on earth who are lifting up the down-trodden law, and presenting to the world the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The church is the depositary of the wealth of the riches of the grace of Christ, and through the church eventually will be made manifest the final and full display of the love of God to the world that is to be lightened with its glory. The prayer of Christ that His church may be one as He was one with his Father, will finally be answered. The rich dowry of the Holy Spirit will be given, and through its constant supply to the people of God, they will become witnesses in the world of the power of God unto salvation.” The Review and Herald, September 5, 1893.

Conclusion: The church are those exalting the law, presenting to the world the gospel and who will make a final and full display of the love of God to the world (the loud cry).

Definition 7: (Repeats the third definition) “There is but one church in the world who are at the present time standing in the breach, and making up the hedge, building up the old waste places.” The Review and Herald, September 5, 1893. This statement again points out God’s true church in the last days as being a Sabbath-keeping church.

Definition 8: (Repeats second definition) “Those who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus” The Review and Herald, September 5, 1893.

Definition 9: “The whole world is filled with hatred of those who proclaim the binding claims of the law of God, and the church who are loyal to Jehovah must engage in no ordinary conflict.” The Review and Herald, September 5, 1893.

Definition 10: “God has a church, a chosen people, and could all see as I have seen, how closely Christ identifies Himself with His people, no such message would be heard as the one that denounces the church as Babylon. God has a people who are laborers together with Him, and they have gone straightforward, having His glory in view.” The Review and Herald, October 17, 1893.

Conclusion: The church is a people who are laborers together with God.

Definition 11: “Beware of those who arise with a great burden to denounce the church. The chosen ones who are standing and breasting the storm of opposition from the world, and are uplifting the downtrodden commandments of God to exalt them as honorable and holy, are indeed the light of the world.” The Review and Herald, November 8, 1956.

Definition 12: “The church, His chosen people, who are keeping His commandments,” The Review and Herald, November 8, 1956.

 

The Spirit of Prophecy Vindicated

 

We hope to later look at a number of charges made against historic Adventists using the Stanton manuscripts. Always remember that Ellen White emphatically and explicitly defined what she meant by the word “church” in these articles, and our conclusions must never be based on a different definition of the church than the prophet was using.

We are also much relieved to find out that her definitions in these articles are precisely and exactly consistent with all her other definitions of the true church in her writings, and her claim to the gift of prophecy is not in jeopardy on this issue. She does not have a rubber nose, saying that the true church is one thing in one place, and is something completely different or opposite in another place. All sincere students of the Spirit of Prophecy may rest assured that Ellen White is consistent on this topic in all her writings. She says that “from the beginning faithful souls have constituted the church on earth,” and nobody need listen to false conclusions of those who try to give her a rubber nose saying, that the church includes both the faithful and the unfaithful, in direct contradiction to the Spirit of Prophecy. The Spirit of Prophecy is internally consistent and does not give conflicting and contradictory messages, like we erring men are apt to do.

PartII