The IJ is one; we've had several discussions on that lately, and I just am not convinced anymore that the Bible supports the traditional Adventist interpretations of Daniel (especially Dan. 8:14) and Hebrews.
Well, not to digress from the thread, but remember that Daniel was a sealed book until the end times. At no point in history has Daniel (& Revelation) been studied with such intense interest. Whichever interpretation is 'correct,' the devil will attack so emphatically that, as the Bible puts it, '..hear ye indeed, but understand not.' It is interesting that there are so many Adventist/EGW-hate sites disproving this and that, but none really for pentecostal/evangelical/etc. Another important point is that most of these hate sites'
real motive, is simply to take Rome out of the equation in Daniel; no papacy etc. And we have now reached the point where even our own Adventist scholars are becoming wishy-washy as to whether or not Rome is even in prophecy. EGW predicts this also.
In regard to God's method of pre-advent judgement, consider this verse: "I will go down now, and
see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.' Genesis 18:21
I also disagree with some of the lifestyle standards that she wrote about. I do not believe that the Adventist prohibition of jewelry is biblical, for example. We have been very inconsistent on this as a church in light of the fact that EGW warned against spending any money on a ring to show that you are married, yet now the church allows people to wear wedding rings (not pastors, though, in most of our churches).
Hmm, good point. Even I've seen changes in regards to this since I was younger. But, just because the church seems to be drifting away from EGW's teaching on this point, does not automatically mean she was wrong on the teaching. The other side of the coin is simply that the church is drifting into error. And again, (if we take EGW's word for it), the Adventist church itself in the last days will go through an immense shaking.
I've always asked myself: what is the
need for jewelry? I know that when I get to heaven, God will give me a crown full of jewels, that I will not have to pay $5000 for
If I recall correctly there was an interesting point brought up by OntheDL about jewelry and why it has significance with respect to the sanctuary service, and Yom Kippur. Maybe you could ask him to tell you again, I can't quite remember specifically. But it did stick in my mind.
I don't see any blanket condemnation of jewelry in the Bible.
I do: "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing,
modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments." 1 Timothy 2:9
I also believe God wants you to hear this; literally just now as I am reading over some passages to do with jewelry, I come across Isaiah 3:13- 4:6. Not only do we see God standing 'to judge the people', but we see the women of Israel being stripped of all their 'bracelets, veils...' after which those who 'remain' (the remnant) will be called 'holy' - 'everyone who is recorded (in the books!) for life in (the New) Jerusalem'!!!! Wow! Can you see what I'm seeing?!
I agree with this, too. She left us no middle ground. I've said that in many posts in the Adventist forum. It's why I'm struggling so much with this issue. I don't want to declare her a false prophet without being sure one way or the other. And it is one or the other. You're right: she left herself no room for error and us no room to declare her in error.
And I am seeing many contradictions. I don't want to.
Where? Is there a link you could send me to?
And where would you suggest that I go? To another church where I disagree with other doctrines? I am not doubting Christianity, and I believe that it is important for Christians to be a part of a church. If I could find a church that I believed was more biblical, I would go there in a heartbeat. I haven't found one. If you think that I should go somewhere else, feel free to pray that God would show me where. I haven't heard an answer to my prayers on that yet.
That was not what I was getting at. It is pretty clear to me and I think to everyone else that you are earnestly searching for truth, and you have not turned your back on Adventism just yet. But there are specific individuals who
have made up their minds on certain topics, not only still professing to be Adventists, but
proclaiming their objections to the Adventist faith to other non-Adventists! This is what I am totally against.
Again to clarify: If yourself or anyone else comes to a
conclusive point in your search that
anything concerning Adventism is false, then in my opinion you should dismember immediately. If you feel God has revealed truth to you, then you cannot go on willfully attached to that which you know to be false.
Nothing but the sanctuary doctrine distinguishes us from the rest of Christianity. And of course, no other doctrine gets attacked more intensely; not even the Sabbath. Either we have a specific end-time message to bring to the world, or we do not, and we preach the same 'love love love' message that can be found in any other denomination.
I'm honestly praying for you that you will be reassured that the Adventist movement is the last ordained remnant movement of God. We may not have all the answers, but I feel what we
do have contains no Bible-contradicting error. There is just something
different about the Seventh-Day Adventist Church; that much I'm sure you'll agree.
God Bless
J