Seventh Day Adventists

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS

Many years ago I was in fellowship in an Assembly in Cardiff. One Lords' Day morning a gentlemen entered the Hall at the close of our Breaking of Bread meeting. Many of us remained after the "Supper" to take responsibility for Sunday School Classes. To the best of my memory he wanted money for a specific train journey. I gave him ten pounds, but I cannot remember if it was from my own pocket or that of another brother. Some weeks later I espied this gentleman on the central station wearing a suit of far superior quality to anything I possessed! So much for his plea of poverty! I don't believe we were overly upset, just felt somewhat naïve. But rather that than having refused him any help to later learn that something untoward had befallen him. The Lord will recompense us in a coming day, and no doubt already has done so! 

But on recalling this "visit" I was reminded of another "visitor" on a different Lords' Day morning. I met him in the Hall after the Remembrance Feast, and was unaware as to whether or not he had partaken of the emblems. He had befriended one of "our" brethren and either found us or was brought along to the Meeting. I engaged him in conversation during which he volunteered the fact that he was an S.D.A. I was dismayed and surprised. My knowledge of Adventism was very limited then, but I knew they were "law keepers," and placed the "writings" of the self-styled Prophetess, Ellen G. White on a par with the very Word of God! As soon I was able to "escape" from him I reported my findings to an Elder in whom I had real confidence to deal with the matter. He was alarmed and very soon had managed to "evict" the S.D.A. but not without honesty, tact and courtesy.

Some considerable time ago a number of well-taught and highly regarded brethren were deceived by Adventist doctrine, and were happy to have some fellowship with them. Even when remonstrated with over this issue, they declined the exhortation to sever links and publicly reject the false teachings of the Cultists.

There is NEVER any need to know what the Cults and their false teachers espouse; we only need to know what WE believe to safeguard our souls.

While I am only aware of one meeting place designated "Seventh Day Adventist, [in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, U.K.] their literature is both abundant and available. Furthermore it is relatively cheap and finely produced, giving a desirable quality aesthetically! They never mention "Seventh Day Adventists in their literature, and use a simple sounding publishing house. They deny the intrinsic Deity and impeccable Humanity of our Lord Jesus. They teach soul sleep and annihilation. of the lost. Their errors are a deadly poison, a thoroughly abominable system.

Beware of their insidious literature with its attractive presentation and binding. It hides a multitude of heinous error and false teaching.

Ellen G. White [1827-1915] wrote approximately 40 books, and over 5000 articles for periodicals. For more information, especially so as to recognise Adventist literature, may I direct you to the Wikipedia site.

May the Lord graciously garrison His own around with His powerful arm, protecting His people from deadly error in these "the last days."



The Mandrakes Yield Fragrance

"The mandrakes yield fragrance."

Song of Songs 7:13.

A sister recently said to me "I am not concerned about having little knowledge of the Bible, as I will know it perfectly, from cover to cover, when I am in heaven." I remain unconvinced, but that is not the main thrust of that upon my heart.

Nevertheless, if we are content to have scant knowledge of the Word of God, we will know real deficiency in our appreciation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is Centre, Sum, Subject and Object of the written Word, and that precisely and preciously for "His own."

The mandrakes, or "love apples," yield fragrant incense arising from the hearts' affections of the Lords' people. Exhilarated, intoxicated with the Lord Himself, in all His infinite beauty.Thus we further read, "And at our gates are all choice fruits, new and old:" Perhaps answering to the "treasure" brought out by the "instructed" child of God, [Matthew 13:52] from as it were his basket of first fruits, [Deuteronomy26:2] in anticipation of, and for, the sweetest purpose and highest privilege afforded to him, that of worship. "Things new and old" vouchsafed to us by Him; new wonders revealed, old meditations remembered, as day by day we peruse the Word. Solomon himself would teach us that "by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant substance." Proverbs 24:4.

Now, have we "kept," reserved these things for ourselves, for our enjoyment only? Or have we individually, "laid them up" for One who is Beloved? Choice fruits are to be found at "our gates," plural, or so it should be; but have we personally treasured them up for Him alone, the One who then we may call, "MY Beloved."

How precious those brief moments when gathered to His Name, and in remembrance of Him in His death for us, audibly and in silence we present our first fruits to Him, trusting that the Spirit of God will endue them with a savour of a sweet smell ascending to the very Throne of God.

May we be so freighted every time we draw nigh and enter in to the Holiest of all. 

[Quotations from JND New Translation]