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What's the difference?

RND

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If Ellen White's use was to point to the Bible that would not be a problem within or without the SDA church but that is not the case. Ellen is used as a divine interpreter of the Bible and that is the problem.

I just expressed how in my local church EGW isn't used to establish doctrine during the sermon or during Bible study, but is used to rather for clarification, emphasis or teaching.

I think you make a great mistake in "lumping" together all SDA churches into a particular "Ellen is used as a divine interpreter of the Bible" theology because it simply wouldn't be true. I have heard plenty of SDA sermons from churches other than my own where EGW is never mentioned, not even once.

Your generalities are not particularly accurate.
 
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Joshua J. Daigle

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I don't think he was lumping them all together. Perhaps he was just pointing out what is viewed, by many, to be a trend within the denomination...at least partly.
 
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RND

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I don't think he was lumping them all together. Perhaps he was just pointing out what is viewed, by many, to be a trend within the denomination...at least partly.

I appreciate your opinion JJD. However, having seen RC opinions on other matters I think he was lumping all SDA churches together. Maybe he can respond and clear things up for me. I think I may have been thrown off by his "but that is not the case" quote.
 
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RC_NewProtestants

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I did however give you an example in the thread I linked to and I cited in my article linked to earlier quotes from 2 famous SDA who held to the idea of Ellen as the divine interpreter of scripture. But to be clear I have no knowledge of your church and I was in no way naming your local church in particular.
If you want you can go to the website of Hope Iinternational publisher of our firm foundation or go to Greatcontroversy.com to see abundant examples of Ellen used as divine interpreter of Scripture.
 
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Joshua J. Daigle

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I'll have to go take a look see then.
 
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RND

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So you wern't lumping all SDA churches together?! Whew! That's great to know.

Maybe next time your posts will reflect that.
 
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RC_NewProtestants

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Here is what a new book published by Pacific Press that is directed at teens going over the SDA fundamental beliefs, What We Believe by Seth J Pierce says in the chapter on the Gift of Prophecy about Ellen White:
...In other words, her writings simply help us understand what is already in the Bible, and in our study the Bible is First and foremost. If we should get confused about something the Bible says, Ellen White's messages can help us understand.

Of course if you have ever read Ellen you know that she adds a whole lot to the Bible. Just start reading Patriarchs and Prophets and see how little of it is actually from the Bible.
 
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Joshua J. Daigle

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So, you think that her writings have too much, how should I say...liberal interpretation?
 
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RND

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Actually, I find Seth J. Pierce to be more open, honest and genuine from the short little piece you provided Ron, and much more in keeping with what I perceive is the majority view within the Adventism I have been exposed to, than anything I have seen come from your pen.

Having read Patriarchs and Prophets myself I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind showing us a few things from it that were taken from left field and not the Bible Ron. Thanks.
 
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RC_NewProtestants

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Here is an example of the extra Biblical nature of Ellen from Patriarchs and Prophets. Since it would take too much space to put her whole chapter in I will use the study guide that our church is using for the new project entitled Connecting With Jesus. Which would be more aptly titled connecting with Ellen White as it is just going over her books and then asking questions through these study guides.


Notice these are questions, however it is their feeling that these questions will be answered from the material in Chapter one of Patriarchs and Prophets. And if you believe Ellen White they would be correct as she does answer those questions which the Bible does not address. Specifically for people like RND who probably don't realize the difference between what the Bible says and what EGW says. Here are the problems.

1. In heaven, Lucifer began to insinuate doubts concerning God’s law that governed the angels. How does he continue to attack God’s law?

The Bible first of course does not equate Satan with Lucifer that is church tradition. Neither does the Bible say that Satan insinuated doubts concerning God's law that governed the angels.

2. What steps did Lucifer take that caused a spirit of dissatisfaction to grow among the angels? How did the loyal angels respond during this time?

Again the Bible records nothing of steps of this supposed Lucifer to cause dissatisfaction, nor does it say how loyal angels responded. A lot of this is taken from the verse in Revelation "there was war in heaven" however that is only one interpretation of that verse e.g. that there really was a war in heaven. The rest is taken from the Lucifer myth as put forth in the early church fathers. For more see:

Who is Lucifer (Satan Misidentified)


3. The counsel and entreaties of the loyal angels opened a door of hope to the angels blinded by Satan’s deceptions; had they heeded, they might have broken away from his snares. How does this encourage you to witness to those who seem to have fallen beyond hope?

Again nothing in the Bible about this.
4. Why did God not destroy Satan, but see fit to allow sin to run its course?

Or this

So in the sense of being too liberal as in asserting a fictional version of things as being in the Bible, yes she is too liberal. She does not however say they are in the Bible hence the need for her input as a prophet. Not that much of this is new to Adventism it is not, she is merely taking traditions and codifying it for Adventism. with the imprimatur of the truth backed by the prophet whose writing are viewed as the Spirit of Prophecy.

Equally interesting is that this fictionalized version holds as the foundation of the Great Controversy. Held to tightly by even many who consider themselves to be progressive Adventists.
 
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RC_NewProtestants

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Yes I realize it is the majority view, you however where disputing that while I provided the quotes in my links that Adventism tends to view EGW as an inspired commentary on scriptures. At least I am glad to see you admit it finally rather then taking offense at supposed slights against your local congregation.
 
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RND

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Then what did Satan/Lucifer do to merit getting kicked out of Heaven? What generally causes doubts in the way people think about situations or people? Lies perhaps? Gossip?

Let's put our thinking caps on for just a moment and remember that God gave us heads for more than hat racks.

It is obvious that in the garden Satan/Lucifer lied to Adam and Eve about the nature and character of God and His Kingdom and Lordship (Gen 3:4). Is it impossible to believe or to even suggest that maybe, just maybe, Satan's tacits in Heaven were instituted here on Earth?

The Bible tells us that Satan, that nasty old Red Dragon, "drew" a third part of the angels with him when he was kicked out of Heaven (Rev. 12:9). Is it too much to believe that Satan's lying ways (He was a liar from the beginning, que no? John 8:44) were just as successful here on Earth as it was in Heaven?

If we use scripture, as I'm sure Mrs. White did, then we can accurately and correctly think for ourselves that yepper, the same tacits Satan used in Heaven are the same exact tacits he used on Earth to steal Adam's birthright away from him.

Satan continues to this very day to violate God's law by continuing to lie about the nature and character of God and His Kingdom. He sent Jesus to reveal the Father to us and to reveal God's Kingdom to us.

I say RC, if your gonna to use such feeble and weak arguments prepared to be blasted out of the water!

BTW, is anyone here mistaken by whom we are talking about when either the name Lucifer or Satan is used?

I didn't think so.

More slicing and dicing later.
 
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RC_NewProtestants

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Ah yes the response of someone so sure of themselves yet so lacking in knowledge. Once you learn some history you will understand, but simply pleading to traditions is not ever going to convince anyone.

Really come on is there one verse in the Bible that says a third of the angels were thrown out of heaven? All you do is hold to a tradition and assume that your tradition and your explanation must be correct despite the facts of the verses you are using.

And yes your reaction is slicing and dicing instead of reasoned debate or argumentation because you have to argument but tradition. It is sad to see.
 
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RND

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Ah yes the response of someone so sure of themselves yet so lacking in knowledge. Once you learn some history you will understand, but simply pleading to traditions is not ever going to convince anyone.

Ron, try using the Bible once in a while with your arguments. I find it rather helpful to avoid common baffoonery.

Really come on is there one verse in the Bible that says a third of the angels were thrown out of heaven?

You are kidding right Ron?

Rev 12:4
And his tail (who's tail Ron?) drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them (who's them Ron?) to the earth (who was cast to the Earth Ron?): and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

RSV-Rev 12:4 His tail (who's tail Ron?) swept down a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them (who's them Ron?) to the earth (who was cast to the Earth Ron?). And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth;

NASB-
Rev 12:4 And his tail (who's tail Ron?) *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them (who's them Ron?) to the earth (who was cast to the Earth Ron?). And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

ASV-Rev 12:4 And his tail (who's tail Ron?) draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them (who's them Ron?) to the earth (who was cast to the Earth Ron?): and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child.

Careful Ron, if it was a snake it would have bit ya! Oh, never mind, it was a snake! That ole' wiley serpent!

All you do is hold to a tradition and assume that your tradition and your explanation must be correct despite the facts of the verses you are using.

Yes, Ron I do. If you have any other verses that might point out this interpretation and understanding is wrong then please, by all means post them.

And yes your reaction is slicing and dicing instead of reasoned debate or argumentation because you have to argument but tradition. It is sad to see.

Yes, that true. The Bible light gets them everytime. Look Ron, be honest with yourself. If you want to argue at least use the Bible instead of flawed and failed human reasoning.

Oh, BTW Happy Sabbath!
 
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RC_NewProtestants

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So stars are angels in your opinion. Is that true also of the heavenly host brought down in the book of Daniel.

So all you have done is insert one particular meaning into a highly symbolic book. Then act like I don't know anything. I do expect that from those who have nothing but tradition but they should at least provide some evidence for their position then quoting verses which say nothing of angels. At least explain why stars are angels to you.

I will make two posts of the following information since it uses a lot of commentary material just to show that the assumption that RND uses are not actually all that widely held.



It is popularly thought in the SDA church, that the verse in Revelation which speaks of 1/3 of the stars being cast down is a reference to angels who rebelled with Satan.

Related to that is the concept that long ago there was rebellion in heaven and Satan and his angels were cast out. I have heard SDA sabbath school teachers deride Martin Luther because he did not believe in such a theory. At least in SDA circles it seems to be just an assumed fact that this war was in the ancient past and that 1/3 of the angels (or nearly 1/2 as Ellen White says) rebelled and were cast out.

What follows is sections from a several Bible commentaries which offer far different perspectives.. As we begin a new Quarter of lessons we should try and see what other views are, and perhaps realize that our particular view is not any more well validated then the alternatives. At the very least we should acknowledge there is not agreement in the Christian religions on these things.

What I would like to point out in particular in regards to the 1/3 of the stars is that they do not necessarily represent angels. In fact there seems to be a parallel with a verse found in Daniel. In any case as you read this you will see amazing diversity of opinions.


Rev 12:4
His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. (NIV)

Dan 8:10
It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. (NIV)

While many of us have been taught that the stars of Rev 12: 4 are angels, there is really little to base such an interpretation on. In fact if you were to Read Uriah Smith's Daniel and the Revelation we see that his interpretation did not arrive at such a conclusion: He says on page 546:"The third part of the stars of Heaven".--The dragon drew the third part of the stars from heaven. If the twelve stars with which the woman is crowned, here used symbolically, denote the twelve apostles, then the stars thrown down by the dragon before his attempt to destroy the man-child, or before the Christian era, may denote a portion of the
rulers of the Jewish people"....

A mere 2 pages latter on page 549 "Another symbol is here introduced, and John hastens to tell us what this symbol represents. It is the devil and Satan. But this is not the same as the dragon of verses 3 and 4...."

That Satan is behind the power he attests as do most all commentators.

Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible CHAPTER 12
4. drew--Greek, present tense, "draweth," "drags down." His dragging down the stars with his tail (lashed back and forward in his fury) implies his persuading to apostatize, like himself, and to become earthy, those angels and also once eminent human teachers who had formerly been heavenly (compare Revelation
12:1, 1:20, Isaiah 14:12). ..

7. In Job 1:6-11, 2:1-6, Satan appears among the sons of God, presenting himself before God in heaven, as the accuser of the saints: again in Zechariah 3:1,2. But at Christ's coming as our Redeemer, he fell from heaven, especially when Christ suffered, rose again, and ascended to heaven. When Christ appeared before God as our Advocate, Satan, the accusing adversary, could no longer appear before God against us, but was cast out judicially (Romans 8:33,34). He and his angels henceforth range through the air and the
earth, after a time (namely, the interval between the ascension and the second advent) about to be cast hence also, and bound in hell. That "heaven" here does not mean merely the air, but the abode of angels, appears from Revelation 12:9,10,12, 1 Kings 22:19-22. there was--Greek, "there came to pass," or "arose."
war in heaven--What a seeming contradiction in terms, yet true! Contrast the blessed result of Christ's triumph, Luke 19:38, "peace in heaven." Colossians 1:20, "made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; whether . . . things in earth, or things in heaven." Michael and his angels . . . the dragon . . . and his angels--It was fittingly ordered that, as the rebellion arose from unfaithful angels and their leader, so they should be encountered and overcome by faithful angels and their archangel, in heaven. On earth they are fittingly encountered, and shall be overcome, as represented by the beast and false prophet, by the Son of man and His armies of human saints (Revelation 19:14-21). The conflict on earth, as in Daniel 10:13, has its correspondent conflict of angels in heaven. Michael is peculiarly the prince, or presiding angel, of the Jewish nation. The conflict in heaven, though judicially decided already against Satan from the time of Christ's resurrection and ascension, receives its actual completion in the execution of judgment by the angels who cast out Satan from heaven. From Christ's ascension he has no standing-ground judicially against the believing elect. Luke 10:18, "I beheld (in the earnest of the future full fulfilment given in the subjection of the demons to the disciples) Satan as lightning fall from heaven." As Michael fought before with Satan about the body of the mediator of the old covenant (Jude 1:9), so now the mediator of the new covenant, by offering His sinless body in sacrifice, arms Michael with power to renew and finish the conflict by a complete victory. That Satan is not yet actually and finally cast out of heaven, though the judicial sentence to that effect received its ratification at Christ's ascension, appears from Ephesians 6:12, "spiritual wickedness in high (Greek, 'heavenly') places." This is the primary Church-historical sense here. But, through Israel's unbelief, Satan has had ground against that, the elect nation, appearing before God as its accuser. At the eve of its restoration, in the ulterior sense, his standing-ground in heaven against Israel, too, shall be taken from him, "the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem" rebuking him, and casting him out from heaven actually and for ever by Michael, the prince, or presiding
angel of the Jews. Thus Zechariah 3:1-9 is strictly parallel, Joshua, the high priest, being representative of his nation Israel, and Satan standing at God's fight hand as adversary to resist Israel's justification. Then, and not till then, fully (Revelation 12:10, "NOW," &c.) shall ALL things be reconciled unto Christ IN HEAVEN (Colossians 1:20), and there shall be peace in heaven (Luke 19:38).
against--A, B, and C read, "with."

Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible Chapter 12
(3.) As having ten horns, divided into ten provinces, as the Roman empire was by Augustus Caesar. (4.) As having seven crowns upon his head, which is afterwards expounded to be seven kings, ch. 17:10. (5.) As drawing with his tail a third part of the stars in heaven, and casting them down to the earth, turning the ministers and professors of the Christian religion out of their places and privileges and making them as weak and useless as he could....

From Matthew Henry's concise commentary:
Verses 7-11. The attempts of the dragon proved unsuccessful against the church, and fatal to his own interests. The seat of this war was in heaven; in the church of Christ, the kingdom of heaven on earth. The parties were Christ, the great Angel of the covenant, and his faithful followers; and Satan and his instruments. The strength of the church is in having the Lord Jesus for the Captain of their salvation. Pagan idolatry, which was the worship of devils, was cast out of the empire by the spreading of Christianity. The salvation and strength of the church, are only to be ascribed to the King and Head of the church. The conquered enemy hates the presence of God, yet he is willing to appear there, to accuse the people of God. Let us take heed that we give him no cause to accuse us; and that, when we have sinned, we go before the Lord, condemn ourselves, and commit our cause to Christ as our Advocate. The servants of God overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb, as the cause. By the word of their testimony: the powerful preaching of the gospel is mighty, through God, to pull down strong holds. By their courage and patience in sufferings: they loved not their lives so well but they could lay them down in Christ’s cause. These were the warriors and the weapons by which Christianity overthrew the power of pagan idolatry; and if Christians had continued to fight with these weapons, and such as these, their victories would have been more numerous and glorious, and the effects more lasting. The redeemed overcame by a simple reliance on the blood of Christ, as the only ground of their hopes. In this we must be like them. We must not blend any thing else with this.
Henry, Matthew. “Commentary on Revelation 12”. “Matthew Henry Complete Commentary
--------------------------------


John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible
The Book of Revelation Chapter 12

12:3
And behold a great red dragon - His fiery - red colour denoting his disposition. Having seven heads - Implying vast wisdom. And ten horns - Perhaps on the seventh head; emblems of mighty power and strength, which he still retained. And seven diadems on his heads - Not properly crowns, but costly bindings, such as kings anciently wore; for, though fallen, he was a great potentate still, even “the prince of this world.”
12:4
And his tail - His falsehood and subtilty. Draweth - As a train. The third part - A very large number. Of the stars of heaven - The Christians and their teachers, who before sat in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. And casteth them to the earth - Utterly deprives them of all those heavenly blessings. This is properly a part of the description of the dragon, who was not yet himself on earth, but in heaven: consequently, this casting them down was between the beginning of the seventh trumpet and the beginning of the third woe; or between the year 847 and the year 947; at which time pestilent doctrines, particularly that of the Manichees in the east, drew abundance of people from the truth. And the dragon stood before the woman, that when she had brought forth, he might devour the child - That he might hinder the kingdom of Christ from spreading abroad, as it does under this trumpet.
12:7
And there was war in heaven - Here Satan makes his grand opposition to the kingdom of God; but an end is now put to his accusing the saints before God. The cause goes against him, verses 10, 11, Revelation 12:10,11 and Michael executes the sentence. That Michael is a created angel, appears from his not daring, in disputing with Satan, Jude 9, to bring a railing accusation; but only saying, “The Lord rebuke thee.” And this modesty is implied in his very name; for Michael signifies, “Who is like God?” which implies also his deep reverence toward God, and distance from all self - exaltation. Satan would be like God: the very name of Michael asks, “Who is like God?” Not Satan; not the highest archangel. It is he likewise that is afterward employed to seize, bind, and imprison that proud spirit.
12:8
And he prevailed not - The dragon himself is principally mentioned; but his angels, likewise, are to be understood. Neither was this place found any more in heaven - So till now he had a place in heaven. How
deep a mystery is this! One may compare this with 10:18; Eph 2:2; 4:8; 6:12.

12:9
And the great dragon was cast out - It is not yet said, unto the earth - He was cast out of heaven; and at this the inhabitants of heaven rejoice. He is termed the great dragon, as appearing here in that shape, to intimate his poisonous and cruel disposition. The ancient serpent - In allusion to his deceiving Eve in that form. Dragons are a kind of large serpent. Who is called the Devil and Satan - These are words of exactly the same meaning; only the former is Greek; the latter, Hebrew; denoting the grand adversary of all the saints, whether Jews or gentiles. He has deceived the whole world - Not only in their first parents, but through all ages, and in all countries, into unbelief and all wickedness; into the hating and persecuting faith and all goodness. He was cast out unto the earth - He was cast out of heaven; and being cast out thence, himself came to the earth. Nor had he been unemployed on the earth before, although his ordinary abode was in heaven.
 
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Clarke's Commentary:
Verse 4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heavens It is not unusual in Scripture, as Dr. Mitchell observes, to call the hindmost of an enemy the tail, as in Joshua 10:19: Ye shall cut off the hindmost of them, which is literally in Hebrew, µtwa µtbnzw “Ye shall cut off their tail.”

War in Heaven
Verse 7. There was war in heaven In the same treatise, fol. 87, 2, on Exodus 14:7, Pharaoh took six hundred chariots, we have these words:“There was war among those above and among those below, µym�b hqzj htyh hmjlmhw vehammilchamah, hayethah chazakah bashshamayim, and there was great war in heaven.” Of Michael the rabbins are full. See much in Schoettgen, and see the note on Jude, Jude 9. The dragon-and his angels The same as Rab. Sam. ben David, in Chasad Shimuel, calls wytwlyyjw lams Samael vechayilothaiv, "Samael and his troops;" fol. 28, 2. Verse 7. And there was war in heaven As heaven means here the throne of the Roman empire, the war in heaven consequently alludes to the breaking out of civil commotions among the governors of this empire. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon Michael was the man child which the woman brought forth, as is evident from the context, and therefore signifies, as has been shown already, the dynasty of Christian Roman emperors. This dynasty is represented by Michael, because he is "the great prince which standeth for the children of God's people."
Daniel 12:1. And the dragon fought and his angels Or ministers. Verse 8. And prevailed not Against the cause of Christianity. Neither was their place found any more in heaven. The advocates of the heathen idolatry were prevented from having any farther share in the government of the empire. The wonderful success of Constantine over all his enemies, and his final triumph over Licinius, correspond exactly to
The symbolical language in this verse. Verse 9. That old serpent The rabbins speak much of this being,
sometimes under the notion of [rh rxy yetser hara, the evil principle, and sometimes Samael. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. This is very like a saying in the book Bahir, in Sohar Gen., fol. 27, col. 107: "And God cast out Samael and his troops from the place of their holiness."
Verse 9. And the great dragon was cast out, etc. By the terms Devil and Satan mentioned in this verse, Pareus, Faber, and many other commentators, understand literally the great spiritual enemy of mankind.
But this view of the passage cannot be correct, from the circumstance that it is the dragon which is thus called. Now, if by the dragon be meant the devil, then use are necessarily led to this conclusion, that the great apostate spirit is a monster, having seven heads and ten horns; and also that he has a tail, with which he drags after him the third part of the stars of heaven. The appellations, old serpent, devil, and Satan, must, therefore, be understood figuratively. The heathen power is called that old serpent which deceived the whole world, from its subtlety against the Christians, and its causing the whole Roman world, as far as it was in its power, to embrace the absurdities of paganism. It is called the devil, from its continual false accusations and slanders against the true worshippers of God, for the devil is a liar from the beginning; and it is also called Satan, f� , which is a Hebrew word signifying an adversary, from its frequent
persecutions of the Christian Church. The dragon and his angels are said to be cast out, which is more than was said in the preceding verse. There mention is made of his being found no longer in heaven, or on the throne of the Roman empire, here he is entirely cast out from all offices of trust in the empire; his religion is first only tolerated, and then totally abolished, by the imperial power. This great event was not the work of a reign; it took up many years, for it had to contend with the deep-rooted prejudices of the heathen, who to the very last endeavored to uphold their declining superstition. Paganism received several mortal strokes in the time of Constantine and his sons Constans and Constantius. It was farther reduced by the great zeal of Jovian, Valentinian, and Valens; and was finally suppressed by the edicts of Gratian, Theodosius I., and his successors. It was not till A.D. 388 that Rome itself, the residence of the emperor, was generally reformed from the absurdities of paganism; but the total suppression of paganism soon followed the conversion of the metropolitan city, and about A.D. 395 the dragon may be considered, in an eminent
sense, to have been cast into the earth, that is, into a state of utter subjection to the ruling dynasty of Christian emperors.

------------------------------

The 1599 Geneva Study Bible Chapter 12
(3) For this is the barren woman who had not given birth; (Isaiah 45:1; Galatians 4:27). She cried out with good cause, and was tormented at that time, when in the judgment of all she seemed near to death, about to die because of her weakness and poverty.
12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; 4 and behold a great red dragon, having 5 seven heads and ten 6 horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
(4) That is the devil or Satan, see (Revelation 12:9), mighty, angry and full of wrath. (5) By this to withstand those seven churches spoken of, that is, the catholic church, and that with kingly objects and tyrannical magnificence: signified by the crowns set on his heads, as if they belonged to him by the proper right, without controversy: as also he boasted to Christ; See (Matthew 4:9; Revelation 13:1). (6) More than the horns of the Lamb, or than the churches are: so well equipped does the tyrant brag himself to be, to do all manner of wickedness.

12:4 (7) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon (8) stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for 9 to devour her child as soon as it was born.
(7) After the description of Satan follows this action, that is, his battle with the Church partly to that which is visible, in which the wheat is mingled with the chaff, and the good fish with that which is evil: its good part, though in appearance it shined as the stars shine in heaven, he is said to thrust down out of heaven, and to pervert: for if it were possible he would pervert even the elect (Matthew 24:24) and partly to the elect members of the holy catholic church in the second part of this verse. Many therefore of triumphed on them. (8) He withstood that elect Church of the Jews which was now ready to bring forth the Christian Church and watched for her to give birth. For the whole Church, and whole body is compared to a woman: and a part of the Church to that which is brought forth, as we have noted in (Solomon 7:6). (9) Christ mystical (as they call him) that is, the whole Church, consists of the person of Christ as the head and of the body united to it by the Spirit, so is the name of Christ taken on (1 Corinthians 12:12).

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The Expositor's Bible Commentary:

4 So great is the dragon’s power that his tail can even sweep away a large number of the stars and cast them down to the ground (for “a third,” see comments on 8:7). This should probably be understood simply as a figure to represent the dragon’s power and not as a reference to Satan’s victory over some of the angels. In any event, the stars cast down would, after the analogy of Daniel 8:10, 24, refer to the saints of God who were trampled by Satan and not to fallen angels. Satan has placed himself before the woman, thus expecting certain victory over the messianic child. As Lilje (in loc.) notes, it is through this figure that the church shows her awareness that Satan is always threatening the purposes of God within history. Although the attack of Herod against the children of Bethlehem and many incidents during the life of Jesus—such as the attempt of the crowd at Nazareth to throw him over the cliff (Luke 4:28-39)-must also be included, the greatest attempt to devour the child must certainly be the Crucifixion.

7 All agree that the section beginning with this verse, which describes the battle in heaven between Michael and the dragon (vv. 7-12), provides the explanation as to why the dragon has turned on the woman and caused her to flee into the desert for protection (vv. 6, 13 ff.). The account is in two parts: (1) the battle in heaven between Michael and his angels and the dragon and his angels, which results in the ejection of Satan from heaven to the earth (vv. 7-9), and (2) the heavenly hymn of victory (vv. 10-12).
As elsewhere in the book, the narrative material can be interpreted only in the light of the hymns. This principle is especially important in vv. 7-9, where the victory takes place in heaven as the result of Michael’s defeat of the dragon. Were this the only thing told us about the “war in heaven,” it might be concluded that the dragon’s defeat was unrelated to Jesus Christ. But the interpretative hymn (vv. 10-12) says that it was in fact the blood of Christ that dealt the actual death blow to the dragon and enabled the saints to triumph (v. 8; cf. 5:9). Does this not suggest that the redeeming work of Christ is here depicted by the cosmic battle of Michael and the dragon as it is elsewhere seen as a loosing from sin (1:5), as a washing of our garments (7:14), and as a purchasing to God (5:9)’? The time of the dragon’s defeat and ejection from heaven must therefore be connected with the incarnation, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus (v. 13: Luke 10:18; John 12:31). Christ has appeared in order that he may destroy the works of the devil (Matt 12:28-29; Acts 10:38; 2Tim 1:10; 1John 3:8).
Expositor' Bible Commentary continued:
Early Jewish belief held the view that Michael would cast Satan from heaven as the first of the last-time struggles to establish the kingdom of God on earth. John, in contrast, sees this event as already having taken place through Jesus Christ’s appearance and work. Only the final, permanent blow of Satan’s ejection from earth remains (Rev 20:10; cf. Charles, Commentary on Revelation, 1:324). The fact that the battle first takes place in heaven between Michael, the guardian of God’s people (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9), and the dragon shows that evil is cosmic in dimension (not limited merely to this world) and also that events on earth are first decided in heaven. By way of contrast, in the DSS the decisive final battle takes place on earth, not in heaven (1QM 9.16; 17.6-7). The single intent of the passage is to assure those who meet satanic evil on earth that it is really a defeated power, however contrary it might seem to human experience (Ladd, Commentary on Revelation, p. 171).

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RND

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So stars are angels in your opinion.

Depending on the context yes, Heavenly Angels are referred to stars.


Is that true also of the heavenly host brought down in the book of Daniel.

Is the Heavenly Host specifically referred to as stars Ron?

So all you have done is insert one particular meaning into a highly symbolic book.

Um, that's kinda the idea isn't Ron?


Brother, I provided you scripture to support the position I was making. Now you have another querry as to why stars are referred to as angels.

Job 38:7
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Who was doing the singing here Ron, celestial bodies such as suns, which are commonly referred to as stars or angels?

I will make two posts of the following information since it uses a lot of commentary material just to show that the assumption that RND uses are not actually all that widely held.

Ron, you are now on a different course and tangent. Can I assume you've cried uncle and issued your mea culpa regarding the first point you made in your first point?

I have to assume so.


Ron, as a Christian, should I base my beliefs on the popular viewpoint (the wide path) or the viewpoint less traveled?


In relation to Daniel 8 Ron, what context is it being used and what discusion is evolving?

In other words, what is Daniel 8 discussing and is it on par with what is discussed in Revelation 12?

What parallel is there in these chapters other than these verses?



Um, wasn't this the answer given in relation to you first point? I think it was.


Um, wasn't this point already made in my first comment to you?


If Jesus made all things (John 1:1-4) and made Adam in the garden, is it possible that Jesus "saw" Lucider/Satan "fall" from Heaven? That is lose favor and grace? Is it possible that even before that, as Micheal, Jesus went to war in Heaven with Satan and as a result of this war Satan lost his place in the Heavenly Kingdom?


A preterist viewpoint? Please, give me a break!
 
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RND

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The Bible first of course does not equate Satan with Lucifer that is church tradition.

That isn't SDA tradition Ron, that's the whole of Christendom.

To take any other position is to suggest that the serpent in the garden wasn't Satan.

Buffoonery.

Neither does the Bible say that Satan insinuated doubts concerning God's law that governed the angels.

Then what did Lucifer/Satan do to deserve being kicked out of Heaven Ron?

If you are going to bring up ridiculos points expect to be theologically hacked to death Ron.
 
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