God, Sanctify Us Through Truth.

Deception.

We've talked about deception many times and the reason for that is because it is so easy to be deceived. Satan is a master at deception and he's trained many to take up the art he perfected. Deceptions are all around us in our lives and because of those deceptions we tend to believe lies easily because they ease our spirits. We stress a need to feel good in order to believe truth- it has to feel right. So then, because something doesn't feel right, it must be wrong. Something contrary to our current beliefs is upsetting to us and quickly shunned.  I'm no different, I have no special immunity to being deceived, none of us do. We need to cling tight to the prayer of Jesus where He asks His Father to keep us from evil.

Joh 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 

We need to desperately be kept from evil in all its guises. We can't pray to be taken out of the world, Jesus never instructed us to seclude ourselves away in order to protect ourselves from everyone and the deceptions that would abound. Jesus instructed us to live truth, to be sanctified by truth.

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 

Jesus instructed us to live in the world without being of the world.

Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

Joh 17:18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 

The world will hate those who are not of it…

Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

Satan has used deception perfectly to twist things so completely no one is safe from him as long as they refuse any truth ready to enlighten them.  A rejection of truth is a desire to be blind to truth and open to deception.

May we ALL seek the truth we must have to be sanctified by our God, the truth of His Word.

All through Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, now and forever and ever!!!!!!

*******

(Excerpt)

DANIELLS VERSUS FROOM

(The Mystery of 1888, D. K. Short Manuscript) -- Part 2

One of the sections of Elder D. K. Short's manuscript -The Mystery of 1888 - is entitled, "Daniells versus Froom."(1) It is this aspect of the historical review of 1888 which we wish to cover in this thought paper.

In the very first paragraph of Froom's foreword to his book, Movement of Destiny, Froom bases the first cause for writing the book on a mandate given him in 1930 by Elder A. G. Daniells. He, states that he was urged by Daniells to present a "comprehensive portrayal -one that would honor God and exalt truth." (2) Froom writes he was further "admonished" by Daniells "to be fair and faithful to fact, comprehensive and impartial in treatment, and to present the full picture in balance." He finalizes Daniells mandate in these words:

He charged me to take due note of the impediments, as well as the incentives, involved in our advance. A true and trustworthy picture was imperative. Truth, he insisted, is never-honored by shading or shielding. And only in candid portrayal can we really see the divine hand of God that has so clearly led us. So he urged me to plumb the depths, to record faithfully, and to evaluate the storms as well as the calms. He wanted the portrayal to be both comprehensive and trustworthy. (3)

Froom concluded his foreword with these words:      "Above all, I must not be unfaithful to God and to the Church, and the burden that had been placed upon me." This was his New Year's resolution of 1970, for the statement was dated, January 1, 1970. (4)

In the previous thought paper, we noted what Froom had to say about the General Conference of 1888. By way of review note the following observations:

It (1888) definitely introduced a new epoch. After its initial conflict a period of revival and heart searching followed. …1888 therefore came to mark the beginning of a new note and new day, the significance of which was

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not fully sensed at the time. ... 1888 was not a point of defeat, but a turn in the tide for ultimate victory. (5)

Froom in his foreword to Movement of Destiny also noted that Daniells had begun a "brief recital" of the events and reaction of 1888 in the book, Christ Our Righteousness. (2) But what does Daniells actually write in his book in regard to what Froom calls a "revival", "a new epoch", and "a new note and new day."? Observe carefully:   

How sad how deeply regrettable, it is that this message of righteousness in Christ should, at the time of its coming have met with opposition on the part of earnest, well-meaning men in the cause of God! The message has never been received, nor proclaimed, nor given free course as it should have been in order to convey to the church the measureless blessings that were wrapped within it. (6)

Daniells also wrote:

Who can tell what would have come to the church and the cause of God if that message of Righteousness by Faith had been fully and whole heartedly received by all at that time? And who can estimate the loss that has been sustained by failure of many to receive that message? (7)

Now if Elder A. G. Daniells is giving a fair and accurate summation of the 1888 Conference and its aftermath in regard to the message of Righteousness by Faith, then Froom has betrayed his mandate and perpetrated a deception on the Church. His New Year's resolution of 1970 constitutes a Jesuitical fraud of the darkest hue.

Daniells plainly stated that the cause of the rejection of the message of 1888 was due to the action of the leaders of the Church. Here are his words:

The message was not received alike by all who attended the Conference; in fact, there was a serious difference of opinion concerning it among the leaders. ...This difference of views among the leaders led to serious results. It created controversy, and a degree of estrangement which was most unfortunate. (8)

This Froom denies. He writes:

There is one contention that, regrettably, had periodically been brought forward that needs to be considered frankly in our quest for historic truth. Ever since the 1888 tensions there has been recurrent harpers on the note that the Church, and primarily its leaders, actually rejected the Message of 1888 - at and following that fateful hour of trial. (9)

In the Appendixes to the book, Movement of Destiny, Froom vigorously states the

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charge that the Message of 1888 was rejected by the leaders of the Church is an assumption without justification in historical truth or fact.(10) Then he concludes - "And it should be added that no defector or detractor, through the years, has ever produced any such E. G. White statements, or evidence, sufficient to convince unbiased scholars." (11)

Here again the deception of Froom surfaces, and his New Year's resolution takes the shape of a "cover-up" for the distortion of truth. The servant of the Lord has plainly placed the rejection of the message of 1888 on the "brethren"' in leadership. Here are her words:

An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions and to accept this truth, Lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord's message through Brethren Waggoner and Jones. By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to impart to them ... The light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the action of our own brethren has been in a great degree kept from the world. (12)

It is at this point that the mystery in regard to 1888 deepens. Elder Daniells noted in his brief presentation in 1926 that while -      No complete report of the presentation and discussion of the message of Righteousness by Faith at the Minneapolis Conference was published, …through subsequent writing of the spirit of prophecy information is furnished regarding developments in connection with the giving of the message and its reception and also its rejection, and it is quite necessary to become familiar with this inspired information in order to understand better our present situation."(13)

Then he wrote these key sentences:

It would be far more agreeable to eliminate some of the statements given in the spirit of prophecy regarding the attitude of some of the leaders toward the message and messengers. But this cannot be done without giving only a partial presentation of the situation which developed at the Conference, thus leaving the question in more or less of a mystery .(14)

As far as I have been able to ascertain in my reading of Daniell's book, Christ Our Righteousness, not one single statement to which he alludes in the above admission, appears in the book. The first published statement by the press of the Church,

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following the agitation created over the original research by Wieland and Short, was the statement found in Selected Messages, bk i, pp. 234-235, quoted above. This was in 1958. Prior to this date, the books, Life Sketches, and Testimonies to Ministers contained some references to the leadership rejection of the 1888 Message. (What has been done to mitigate the force of the statements in the last named book will be noted in the next thought paper.)

But at this point the mysterious question arises. Did Daniells actually believe -by his omission of such statements -that the cause of God would be best served if these statements remained forever covered, even though it would mean "only a partial presentation of the situation"? Is this the basis of Froom's assertion in his foreword to Movement of Destiny that -       Elder Daniells recognized the serious problems involved and sensed almost prophetically certain difficulties that would confront. He knew that time would be required for certain theological wounds to heal, and for attitudes to modify on the part of some. Possibly it would be necessary to wait till certain individuals had dropped out of action, before the needed portrayal could wisely be brought forth. (2)

Note that Froom does not use the words -although these words constitute the main thrust of his foreword - "honest", "truthful", nor "full" in describing the portrayal that could wisely be brought forth, but "the needed portrayal." Is this really what Daniells said to Froom, or is this Froom's deduction from what Daniells wrote? Did Daniells really believe that it would be best to hold back on these statements and by suggesting this belief to Froom, Froom went "overboard" to the point where he purposefully misrepresented the facts of our history? Both men are now dead, so we will never know, thus this phase of the 1888 presentation will forever remain a "mystery." It remains, Daniells versus Froom -and the only point where their polarity seems to verge is over what attitude was best to take in regard to what the servant of the Lord wrote. Even in this there is a gap - Daniells conceded "it would be far more agreeable" if such statements could be eliminated from consideration,

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while Froom emphatically denies their existence.

He that has eyes to read, let him read.

(1) D. K. Short, The Mystery of 1888, pp. 9-14

(2) L. E. Froom , Movement of Destiny, p. 17

(3) Ibid, p. 18

(4) Ibid., p. 23. Not only does Froom invoke Daniel1s' blessing, but he also calls to record three successive General Conference Presidents, Watson,_McElhaney, and Branson stating that each urged him "to be faithful and forthright in my searchings and presentations." (p. 19) He also evoked the "shades of the dead." He wrote that A. V. Olson "charged [him] straitly not to falter, but to get to the bottom of the facts, to reveal the resultant findings, and to be candid and undeviating in my presentations." (p. 22.) 

(5) Ibid., p. 187

(6) A. G. Daniells, Christ Our Righteousness, p. 63 (1926 edition)

(7) Ibid., p. 55

(8) Ibid., pp. 56, 58

(9) Froom op.cit., p. 357

(10) Ibid., p. 685, Emphasis his.

(11) Ibid., p. 686

(12) Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, bk i, pp. 234-235

(13) Daniells, op.cit., Pp. 58-59

(14) Ibid., p.59.

A COMPARISON

One of the points which Froom seeks to make in regard to the acceptance of the message at the 1888 General Conference Session is the fact that the leadership of the Church was changed. Here are his words:

The elected leadership was changed at the '88 Conference by vote of the session, the absent president George I. Butler, and secretary Uriah Smith, being replaced by O. A. Olsen as the new president and Dan T. Jones as secretary. ...So the elected head, the responsible leaders of the movement from 1888 to 1897 did not reject Righteousness by Faith. (Movement of Destiny, p. 370, emphasis his.)

Working on this point, Froom presents Elder Olsen as a leader who adhered strictly, to the Testimonies received by the servant of the Lord. The comparison between what Froom states concerning O. A. Olsen, and what the Spirit of Prophecy indicates are

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two different pictures. From Elder D. K. Short's manuscript, Mystery of 1888, (pp. 21-22) we chart the following comparisons:

Froom - Movement of Destiny 1. " ..the record of Olsen's spiritual leadership is clear and loyal." p. 359 2. "He joined wholeheartedly with Ellen White…"p. 361 3. "Olsen … helped to bind the church together."p. 362 4. "Olsen … fostered the study of the Spirit of Prophecy." p. 363 5. "Olsen's tenure of office was a time of … growing acceptance of the message of Righteousness by Faith." p. 363. 6. "His was a healing, unifying, and helpful influence ..." p.362

Ellen G. White 1. " ... he has not acted upon the light given." (Letter to O. A. Tait 8/27/96) "... you have not regarded the warnings and instructions which have been given you." (Letter to O. A. Olsen 5/31/96) 2. "... he ventured on, directly contrary to the light which the Lord has been giving him." (Tait, op. cit.) 3. "He is leading other minds to view matters in a perverted light." (Ibid.) 4. "He does not regard the testimonies." (Ibid.) "Your practice has been contrary to these warnings, and this has weakened them in the eyes of men who needed correction." (Olsen, op. cit.) 5. "Unmistakably Elder O. has acted as did Aaron, in regard to these men who have been opposed to the work of God since the Minneapolis meeting. They have not repented of their course of action in resisting light and evidence." (Tait,op.cit.) 6. "The disease at the heart of the work poisons the blood. … The spiritual blindness which rests upon human minds seems to be deepening." "The whole body is sick." (Ibid.) "I have been shown that the people at large do not know that the heart of the work is being diseased and corrupted at Battle Creek." (Olsen, op. cit.)

This sickening portrayal of the rewrite of our Church history could go on. But the tragedy is compounded today. The laity are lulled into the acceptance of this distortion by the "disease at the heart of the work" in this our day. On this book has been placed the imprimatur of the President of the General Conference, Elder R.

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H. Pierson, who wrote concerning it -"Movement of Destiny is a must for every worker, every theological student, and every church officer -in fact, for every church member who loves this message and longs to see it triumph in the near, very near, future." (Movement of Destiny, p. 13) How can distortion of truth cause the Movement to triumph?

But this is not all. Froom wrote in his acknowledgment these two paragraphs:

When finally in manuscript form, it was read critically by some sixty of our ablest scholars - specialists in denominational history and Adventist theology. By experts in the Spirit of Prophecy. By key Bible teachers, editors, mass communications men, scientists, physicians. And by veteran leaders with vivid memories and extensive backgrounds.

Next, magnificent constant help from special consultants concerning key chapters, sensitive sections, and problems -particularly Administrator Neal C. Wilson, Seminary Dean W. G. C. Murdoch, Ministerial Secretary R. A. Anderson, Radio Veteran H. M. S. Richards, Sr., Denominational Researcher H. W. Lowe, Educator T. S. Garaty, White Publications Secretary A. L. White, Review Editor, K. H. Wood -and a dozen other experts. And protected by verifiers and copy editors.. (p. 8)

THINK - open your eyes, consider! Have any of these men -princes and ancient men of the house of Israel -publicly confessed that they were dupes -whether willingly or not so willingly -when they placed their approval on this vast distortion of truth? Have they confessed to the laity, and to God regarding their acquiescence to this rewrite of our history? To this date, to my knowledge not one -yea not a single one has placed in writing in the same media which advertised the book, Movement of Destiny, his rejection of this fraudulent deception. Well did Jeremiah write: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule with their means; and my people love to have it so:      [BUT] what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jer. 5:31).

February 1976  -  "Watchman, What of the Night? " Thought Paper.  Adventist Laymen's Foundation.  (Excerpt)

Truth Seekers, Not Blind Followers.

Mat_15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Rev_3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked

Blind to the truth.  This condition will prevail over the 'many'.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Mat_7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Jesus' own words of truth. If, by any chance you are walking a life path that many are walking please stop right now and take stock of your life.  Pray a simple, powerful prayer asking for God to open your heart to only truth, and nothing but truth. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you always. Pray that you can comprehend the state of being, 'wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked'. Seek to buy of God 'gold tried in fire', 'eye salve', 'a white robe of righteousness'.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

We need our eyes anointed with the eye salve only our Savior can give to us.

Should we hold fast any truth that the 'many' hold, we need to take that truth to Jesus and seek the validity of that truth in its fullness. We can't take a sugar-coated truth and swallow it without wondering why it is accepted by the 'many' as something tasty and to be desired. We need to delve deep into each ingredient presented in any truth and note factually what our God has to tell us through His Word. If we can't look at each objection, or take every answer to an objection and analyze it under the microscope of God's truth, then it is very possible there is deceit mingled in with the truth, altering it into a hidden lie meant to deceive fully and ultimately cause eternal death.

You scoff and say that God doesn't demand we all become scholars. You shake your head and say that God anointed others to teach. You belief in your heart that God will not fault you for accepting as truth what liars have told you and that it is the liars who will be destroyed but you who will be saved through ignorance. 

Placing ourselves among blind leaders is to become blind, and the blind leading the blind both fall into that ditch.

Isa 9:16  For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 

We cannot follower leaders blindly, but we must seek truth for ourselves. Take each of your traditions you follow, every beloved act you commit under the beliefs you hold sacred and place them in the fiery furnace and see if they hold up in the fire or if they crumble to ash.  If we can't hold our truths to the tests, we may be caught up in deception and ignorance will be no excuse. We will not be able to point the finger at our teachers and say, blame them, they fed me these lies. If you eat those lies blindly, not caring what you are putting into your mouth, you are accountable to God.

2Pe 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 

2Pe 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 

2Pe 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 

2Pe 2:4  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 

2Pe 2:5  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 

2Pe 2:6  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 

2Pe 2:7  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 

2Pe 2:8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 

2Pe 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 

2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 

2Pe 2:11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 

2Pe 2:12  But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 

2Pe 2:13  And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 

2Pe 2:14  Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 

2Pe 2:15  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 

2Pe 2:16  But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 

2Pe 2:17  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 

2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 

2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 

2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 

2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

May we all be truth seekers, not blind followers.

All through Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior, NOW and FOREVER! Amen.

*******

(Excerpt)

A BENIGN OR MALIGNANT CONSPIRACY -WHICH?

(The Mystery of 1888, D. K. Short Manuscript -- Part 1)

To a committee - named "Historical Background of the 1888 Experience Committee", chaired by Vice President - Elder D. K. Short, also a member of the committee, submitted a manuscript entitled, The Mystery of 1888. In the introduction of this manuscript, Elder Short wrote: This compilation has been prepared by Donald K. Short, upon invitation as a member of a special committee authorized by the General Conference. It has been compiled for the Seventh-day Adventists and in particular leaders and ministers who should have a rather full knowledge of Adventist history and an understanding of the Spirit of Prophecy and the teachings that make "us" a people in the final generation of the world. (1)

In this document a question is asked. Has there been a "benign cover-up conspiracy … a kind of denominational Watergate" in regard to the 1888 experience? (Or do the facts indicate a "malignant conspiracy?" Observe the suggestion of a conspiracy in full context. Short wrote:

Seventh-day Adventist history has been written and no effort in all the universe can change it nor can any apology alter a single facet of it. But, is it possible -that an attempt is being made now to interpret and cover-up certain episodes in that history in order to make it fit a public stance that has been taken by the Church and published abroad? The amount of official material published since 1950 is considerable, totaling over 1200 pages in three books. The more that is published the greater the problem becomes. The confusion and anomalies developing are on the increase. There is a very sad credibility gap emerging. The last two publications by Olson and Froom, are serious misfortunes and present apologies which will not bear analysis. To have the Ellen G. White Estate approve and condone these publications is tragic enough. But to go even further and seek to interpret and to expound the "intent" of what Ellen G. White has said, presents a most solemn predicament. This is not to condemn any man or group of men. It only brings into focus a situation "we" face as a people! Pride is a terrible sin, as sacred history proves, rebellion grows out of it.

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For decades "we" have stood amazed at the way the world seeks every possible means to lawfully disregard the fourth commandment. The untenable, though sometimes plausible, excuses put forward are legion. The attempt to ignore and cover-up are distressing and ignoble.

The published positions "we" have accepted in recent years and the Historical Foreword as found in Testimonies to Ministers, and similar attitudes taken and promoted by the Ellen G. White Estate seem to be in the same vein.

Is it possible that "we" have fallen into some sort of benign cover-up conspiracy which "we" consider justified for the sake of the dead and the preservation of denominational pride and reputation, but which in reality is a tragic fall into a kind of denominational Watergate? (2)

This summary of certain implications from our history - and for that matter very recent history - demand our close attention. We shall in this thought paper note what is called "an emerging credibility gap" in relationship to the suggested "cover-up conspiracy". In so doing we shall follow closely the evidence presented in the manuscript - The Mystery of 1888 - but giving the primary source documentation where ever possible so that the reader may check for himself.

In the above quotes from Elder Short, he spoke of the "credibility gap emerging." His exact words are:      The amount of material published since 1950 is considerable, totaling over 1200 pages in three books. The more that is published, the greater the problem becomes. The confusion and anomalies developing are on the increase. There is a very sad credibility gap emerging. (2)

The first of these three books was written by Dr. Norval F. Pease, and was entitled By Faith Alone. The Foreword was written by the then president of the General Conference, Elder R. R. Figuhr, but not in his capacity as President. This book, according to Figuhr, was to be the answer to comments regarding 1888 being raised by various persons in the church, "especially in recent months" (1962). He wrote:

"This book sets the record straight." (3) What does Pease present in setting the record straight? Note the question he asks and answer he gives: Where was the doctrine of justification by faith to be found in 1888 and the preceding years? In the creeds of the Protestant churches of

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the day; hence from the Seventh-day Adventist viewpoint, "in the companionship of error." The same churches which were rejecting the Adventist message and the law of God were holding, at least in form, the doctrine of justification by faith. From such a doctrinal environment God "rescued" this truth, and placed it where it should be - in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. (4)

Consider the import of this. Sister White stated emphatically that the message of 1888 - Justification by Faith as taught by Elders Jones and Waggoner - " is the third angel's message in verity." (5) Now if this is inspired truth from the Lord's servant, and it is, then Pease is saying that the Third Angel's Message was not obtained by the Church until 1888, and that from 1844 to 1888 was held in the creeds of the Protestant churches. If so, then what was the unique position God assigned to the Advent Movement in 1844? To what lengths men will go to rewrite history simply to avoid the truth that history correctly written would reveal!

The second book was published for Elder A. V. Olson posthumously by the Ellen G. White Estate under the direction of Dr. A. L. White. It was entitled, Through Crisis to Victory, 1888 - 1901. The Foreword written by Dr. A. L. White stated that this work is "a stimulating historical review of a changing and perilous period in the development of a church movement." It was written with the avowed purpose of changing what was termed, "misleading conclusions." Those with these conceptions were accused of basing their judgment on "fragmentary bits of information." This period - 1888-1901 - was noted as "a period over which Providence could spell out the word,victory. (6)

From the very title it is suggested that the year 1901 marked the date when the crisis of the final decade of the 19th Century was resolved, and the hour of the triumph had arrived. It is beyond question that the very essence of the Advent Movement is the realization of the end of the world, and the ushering in of the Eternal Kingdom. Thus if "victory" was the judgment of God in 1901, and a proper evaluation of history verifies this, then we should not even be here at this time here

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to discuss what we are writing about. What a contrast to this theses projected by the Ellen G. White Estate are the words of the prophet herself - written in 1901:

We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children Israel, but for Christ's sake, His people should not sin to sin by charging God with the consequences of their own wrong course of action. (7)

Now if "insubordination" is "victory", then who wants victory? As Short points out - seeking to vindicate the leadership's rejection of the Message of 1888, and calling the year 1901, the year of victory, is "in the final analysis…to charge God for His delay in returning!" (8) - the very thing the servant of the Lord warned us not to do.

Who are we to believe - a book published by the White Estate, who are to faithfully protect and project correctly the inspired heritage to the Church or are we to accept the verdict of the prophetess herself? Rather than "emerging", there has emerged a credibility gap in regard to the custodians of the spiritual gift to the Church. And another question, has the leadership of the White Estate conspired with the hierarchy of the Church to falsify our Church history? Is this just benign, or is it malignant?

The third book is none other than Movement of Destiny by Dr. LeRoy E. Froom bearing the imprimatur of the present president of the General Conference, Elder R. H. Pierson, in his capacity as President. In Froom's own preface - "From the Author to the Reader" - he stated that this book is a result of a charge given to him by Elder A. G. Daniells in 1930 to undertake a survey of the whole plan of redemption with its principles, provisions and divine Personalities "as they unfolded to our view as a Movement from 1844 onward, with special emphasis upon the developments of '1888', and its sequel." This book was to also to "round out in historical sequence what he (Daniells) had begun in 1926 in a comparatively brief recital of

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his epochal Christ Our Righteousness." (9)

Of this 1888 Session, Froom writes:

The epochal Minneapolis Session stands out like a mountain peak, towering above all other sessions in uniqueness and importance. It was a distinct turning point. Nothing like it had occurred before, and none has since been comparable to it. It definitely introduced a new epoch. After its initial conflict a period of revival and heart searching followed. And that which brought this about was the message Righteousness by Faith in Christ as "all the fullness of the Godhead" - an expression that became a vital keynote, stressed at the stormy session.

Christ was uplifted before the Conference as never before in our history, with a fullness that had not heretofore been envisioned or proclaimed. That was the crux of it all. 1888 therefore came to mark the beginning of a new note and a new day, the significance of which was not fully sensed at that time.

1888 was not a point of defeat, but a turn in the tide for ultimate victory. It was the beginning of decades of clarification and advance - despite struggles and setbacks. (10)

Of the same session the servant of the Lord wrote: But all the universe of heaven witnessed the disgraceful treatment of Jesus Christ, represented by the Holy Spirit. Had Christ been before them, they would have treated Him in a manner similar to that which the Jews treated Christ. (11)

How can we call Minneapolis a "mountain peak" which marked an new epoch, when at the session, the leadership rejected the Holy Spirit? How can we say that "1888 was not a point of defeat but a turn in the tide for ultimate victory?" Is spurning Christ in the Person of the Holy Spirit to be considered a victory rather than a defeat? Incredible! Indeed a "credibility gap" of the greatest dimensions.

We need to keep in mind that the men who wrote these books had access to the files of the Ellen G. White Estate. One author was chairman of the Board of the Estate at the time of his writing, and then after his death, the Estate itself in the person of Dr. Arthur White finished the material for publication. Froom, himself, claims that over sixty of the leading scholars of the Church approved what he wrote.(12) There is only one conclusion to draw - there has been a conspiracy to rewrite our church history, thus deceiving the laity in an attempt to keep the

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rank and file subservient to the leadership with unquestioned loyalty. How long are we going to accept this "blindness" foisted on us by such leadership? How long are we going to reject the eye salve of truth that we may see? How long are we going to be bound to the "comfortable pew" by the shackles of erroneous propaganda?

In the next thought paper we shall continue to note the mystery of 1888 and observe what Daniells wrote about 1888, which Froom professes to enlarge honestly and accurately. We shall note the extent that the Ellen G. White Estate has entered into the conspiracy to deceive the laity, and the rank and file of the ministry of the Church.

(1) D. K. Short, The Mystery of 1888, A Study of Seventh-day Adventist History in the light of the Minneapolis General Conference of 1888. Presented to the "Historical Background of the 1888 Experience Committee." April, 1974, p. i

(2) Ibid., p. 74

(3) Norval F. Pease, By Faith Alone, p. vii

(4) Ibid., pp. 138-139

(5) Ellen G. White, Review & Herald, April 1, 1890

(6) A. V. Olson, Through Crisis to Victory, p. 7, emphasis theirs

(7) Ellen G. White, Letter to P. T. Magan, dated December 7, 1901

(8) D. K. Short, The Mystery of 1888, p. 49

(9) L. E. Froom, Movement of Destiny, p. 17 (emphasis his)

(10) Ibid. p. 187

(11) Ellen G. White, Special Testimonies, Series A, No. 6, p.20

(12) See monograph The Times of the Gentiles Fulfilled, Exhibit B, p. 37. 

December 1975  -  "Watchman, What of the Night? " Thought Paper.  Adventist Laymen's Foundation.  (Excerpt)

It Is In God's Hands.

(Excerpt)

 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD --

 (The Times of the Gentiles)

"The sovereignty of God involves fullness of blessing to all created beings."(1) As the Sovereign of the Universe, He is "working salvation in the midst of the earth."(2) In His hands are "the times" and "the seasons.".(3) He reveals that which is necessary to take place in an ever quickening pace.(4) Man's relationship to this Divine Sovereignty is elemental to his redemption. The enemy of God has suggested that because the father and mother of our race yielded to the invitation offered in Eden, that mankind has "chosen him as their sovereign."(5) To question the sovereignty of God has "become the purpose of the prince of angels."(6) Thus every human being must choose to whom he will yield full and complete allegiance. This is more than verbal; it is reflected in life's decisions that result in action.

To Nebuchadnezzar was revealed the history of the world from his day till the stone kingdom which was to stand forever would fill the whole earth. In this divine order of events, Nebuchadnezzar's place was simply "the head of gold."(7) But this did not harmonize with his personal ambitions, so he erected an image all of gold.(8) Still not having learned the lesson of God's sovereignty, he boasted - "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built."(9) The divine decree went forth taking from him his kingdom, and his rationality "until [he should] know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will."(10) After seven years, upon the return of his understanding, he confessed the confession of life: I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from

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generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?(11)

In this same book of prophecy, sealed -set apart - for the time of the end, we find a lesson in the life of Daniel which speaks to the very present issues confronting us today. To Daniel was revealed the course of human history. In the first year of Belshazzar, Daniel had depicted for him in beastly symbols the succession of empires from Babylon's day till the Son of man should receive His kingdom.(12) In the third year of the same king's reign, Daniel was no longer at Babylon but "at Shushan in the palace, which was in the province of Elam." To him again was revealed the course of empires, but Babylon was not included. The inference was very clear - its days were numbered!(13)

Soon the Medo-Persian armies began pushing southward and westward. Daniel could have given himself over to the Persian forces, and asked for political asylum. He thus could have remained at the palace that was to become the royal capital of the Persians.(14) Was not one of the coming personalities among the Persians - Cyrus ? But Daniel did not do so. Even though no longer in the government, nor under obligation to the head of State, he retreated with the Babylonian forces, and returned to Babylon. God had not yet spoken. Circumstances indicated a change was imminent, but until God should speak, Daniel maintained a loyalty in harmony with God's original guidance in his life.

In the final days of the tottering Babylonian Empire, Belshazzar made a feast and drank wine to the gods of gold, silver, and brass. Suddenly God speaks forth - a Hand writes - "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. Terror seizes the drunken king and his guests. When Daniel is brought to interpret -he reads the Hand of God as the Sovereign of the Universe. The hour had now come -the kingdom of Babylon had been weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and had been found wanting.(15) Daniel could now

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move freely, for God had moved. Though clothed in the garb of the third ruler of the kingdom the night of the Medo-Persia take-over, within days, he was appointed one of the three presidents of the realm of the new kingdom, and the king sought to make him the first.(16)

Here was a man greatly beloved of Heaven, whose life moved with the unfolding of the Scroll of Prophecy. Until God - the Divine Sovereign -indicated a change, Daniel was content to wait, but once the indication was given, he moved forth fearlessly. God could use him. .He continued until the third year of Cyrus, and saw the decree issued which fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning "the desolations of Jerusalem."(17) In this action, Daniel played a part in the Divine purpose because his life was governed by the sovereignty of God, "who doeth His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth: and none can stay His hand, or say to Him, "What doest Thou?"

We today would not find ourselves in such doubt and perplexity if we too, would simply recognize the Sovereignty of God. Through the servant of the Lord, God has plainly spoken: In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence, "Found wanting." By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged.(18)

This is not a conditional prophecy, the Church is to be weighed. The conditional aspect is the decision to be rendered. God does not make an arbitrary judgment. We make the decision by our actions prior to the judgment.

When the Ancient of Days began the Investigative Judgment He set up a corresponding Movement on earth to work in harmony with His purposes and objectives. This Movement was entrusted to the Church. "In a special sense Seventh-day Adven-

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tists have been set in the world as watchmen and lightbearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning message for a perishing world. …The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us to proclaim to the world."(19) This calling of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as the instrument entrusted with these truths was an act of the Sovereignty of God. And until God moved no man had a right to declare otherwise, or to dispute that Sovereign decision.

To so recognize that Sovereignty of God does not declare that the Church, or its leadership was perfect. In many instances -far from it! Voices of reproof and warning were to be sounded. But who had a right, no matter what the provocation to divorce themselves from the institution ordained by God until such time as God would indicate that the Church had been weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and what the verdict of this investigation was? In our finite judgment, we might conclude the answer long before the heart of Infinite Love would so declare. God bore "long with the sins and transgressions of His people in this generation."(20)

However, prophecy does picture a time when God arises from the "cherub, whereupon He was", and calls for the sealing of His people to begin -those who had been sighing and crying for the abominations that were being committed in the Church.(21) This is described as "the last work," "the closing work for the church."(22) And lest there be any mistake, when this work began, God permitted a sign to be fulfilled that declared clearly the verdict of the Judgment in regard to the Church. The times of the Gentiles -the nations of earth to whom the Church was to give its entrusted message -was fulfilled. Thus "the closing work of the church"(23) had ended. That sign of Luke 21:24 came to pass in 1967. As clearly as the letters were penned on the wall of Belshazzar's palace, so clearly did God let history speak to this generation, -and to the Church! 

We who are now living this side of 1967 can be just as guilty of disputing the sovereignty of God in relationship to the Church, as have those who prior to

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1967 anticipating the decision of a sovereign God, and went about establishing their own earthly spiritual kingdom. Lest this conclusion be interpreted as a call to establish now an earthly "city" this side of 1967, keep in mind Paul states that "here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come."(24)

When God arose from the cherub, whereupon He was, He took things into His own hands. It is He who ordered the sealing of the sighing ones of "Jerusalem." It was He who ordered the name "New Jerusalem" placed upon their foreheads, denoting their new citizenship.(25) Our present ties, connections, and support tell where our allegiance is, and whether indeed we have noted the sovereign will of God as it has spoken to us in history. Have we joined in the "closing work for the church" or are we still supporting the work which God has removed from the Church, considering this still to be the work of God?

May we have the same divine insight that Daniel had, and move as the Hand writes His purposes in history -in the unfolding of the times and seasons which He "has put in His own power."(3)

(1)   Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 33

(2)   Psalm 74:12  Psa 74:12  For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. 

(3)   Acts 1:7 Act 1:7  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 

(4)   Revelation 1:1 Greek Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 

(5)   Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 114

(6)   Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 36

(7)   Daniel 2:38 Dan 2:38  And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 

(8)   Daniel 3:1 Dan 3:1  Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 

(9)   Daniel 4:30 Dan 4:30  The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 

(10) Daniel 4:25 Dan 4:25  That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 

(11) Daniel 4:34-35

Dan 4:34  And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 

Dan 4:35  And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 

(12) Daniel 7:1-28

Dan 7:1  In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. 

Dan 7:2  Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 

Dan 7:3  And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 

Dan 7:4  The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. 

Dan 7:5  And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 

Dan 7:6  After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 

Dan 7:7  After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 

Dan 7:8  I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. 

Dan 7:9  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 

Dan 7:10  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 

Dan 7:11  I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. 

Dan 7:12  As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 

Dan 7:13  I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 

Dan 7:14  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. 

Dan 7:15  I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 

Dan 7:16  I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. 

Dan 7:17  These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. 

Dan 7:18  But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 

Dan 7:19  Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 

Dan 7:20  And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 

Dan 7:21  I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 

Dan 7:22  Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 

Dan 7:23  Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 

Dan 7:24  And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 

Dan 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 

Dan 7:26  But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 

Dan 7:27  And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 

Dan 7:28  Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart. 

(13) Daniel 8:1-4, 20

Dan 8:1  In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. 

Dan 8:2  And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 

Dan 8:3  Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 

Dan 8:4  I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

Dan 8:20  The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

(14) Esther 1:2 Est 1:2  That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

(15) Daniel 5:25-28

Dan 5:24  Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 

Dan 5:25  And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 

Dan 5:26  This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 

Dan 5:27  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 

Dan 5:28  PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

(16) Daniel 6:2-3

Dan 6:2  And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 

Dan 6:3  Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 

(17) Daniel 9:2; 10: 1 Dan 9:2  In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. 

Dan 10:1  In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 

(18) Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, p. 247

(19) Ibid., Vol. 9, p.19

(20) Ellen G. White, Letter 106, 1897 (Faith I Live By, p. 288)

(21) Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 266-267

(22) Ibid. p. 266

(23) Ellen G. White, Spirit of Prophecy. Vol. IV, pp. 271-272

(24) Hebrews 13:14 Heb 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 

(25) Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 15.

December 1975  -  "Watchman, What of the Night? " Thought Paper.  Adventist Laymen's Foundation.  (Excerpt)