Thy throne, O God, (Jesus) is for ever.

IS CHRIST GOD?

In many places in the Bible Christ is called God. The Psalmist says: "The mighty God, even the  [10]  Lord [Jehovah], hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness; for God is judge Himself." Ps. 50:1-6

That this passage has reference to Christ may be known (1) by the fact already learned, that all judgment is committed to the Son; and (2) by the fact that it is at the second coming of Christ that He sends His angels to gather together His elect from the four winds. Matt. 24:31. "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence." No; for when the Lord Himself descends from heaven, it will be "with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God." 1 Thess. 4:16. This shout will be the voice of the Son of God, which will be heard by all that are in their graves, and which will cause them to come forth. John 5:28, 29.

Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 

Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

With the living righteous they will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, ever more to be with Him; and this will constitute "our gathering together unto Him." 2 Thess. 2:1. Compare Ps. 50:5; Matt. 24:31, and 1 Thess. 4:16. [11

2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him

Psa 50:5  Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 

Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first

"A fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him;" for when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, it will be "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 1:8. So we know that Ps. 50:1-6 is a vivid description of the second coming of Christ for the salvation of His people. When He comes it will be as "the mighty God." Compare Habakkuk 3.

Hab 3:1  A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. 

Hab 3:2  O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. 

Hab 3:3  God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. 

Hab 3:4  And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. 

Hab 3:5  Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. 

Hab 3:6  He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting. 

Hab 3:7  I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. 

Hab 3:8  Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? 

Hab 3:9  Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. 

Hab 3:10  The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. 

Hab 3:11  The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. 

Hab 3:12  Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. 

Hab 3:13  Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah. 

Hab 3:14  Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly. 

Hab 3:15  Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters. 

Hab 3:16  When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. 

Hab 3:17  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 

Hab 3:18  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

Hab 3:19  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. 

This is one of His rightful titles. Long before Christ's first advent, the prophet Isaiah spoke these words of comfort to Israel: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isa. 9:6.

These are not simply the words of Isaiah; they are the words of the Spirit of God. God has, in direct address to the Son, called Him by the same title. In Ps. 45:6 we read these words: "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter." The casual reader might take this to be simply the Psalmist's ascription of praise to God; but when we turn to the New Testament, we find that it is much more. We find that God the Father is the speaker, and that He is addressing the Son, calling Him God. See Heb. 1:1-8.

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 

Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 

Heb 1:4  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 

Heb 1:5  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 

Heb 1:6  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 

Heb 1:7  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 

Heb 1:8  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 

Christ And His Righteousness. 

E.J. Waggoner

*******

"The 'Times of the Gentiles' "

This is the title of the last article in a series of five appearing in the Review on the "Role of Israel in Bible Prophecy." (1)  The authority to be attached to these articles must be understood in the light of the fact that they had "grown out of research being done at the request of the Biblical Research Institute, Washington D. C., directed by Gordon M. Hyde." (2)  This Institute was established by an action of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This final article is given added authority since it was written by an Associate Editor of the Review. 

The first point that Elder Don F. Neufeld seeks to make is that nowhere in the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy does Sister White discuss "the times of the Gentiles". From this assertion he draws the conclusion that "it is hard to escape the suggestion that her silence means that, at least for us today, this sign is of lesser importance than the others she specifically relates to our day."(3)

Let us consider this argument briefly. In the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary Series, one volume -7A -brings together the combined Review Ellen G. White comments on the various texts of Scripture which appear in the seven volumes. Take, for example, the comments appearing under Isaiah 60:2 which is a quotation from her article in the Review & Herald, August 6, 1895. Nowhere in this article does she put in direct quotes -"darkness covereth the earth and gross darkness the people" -which is found in Isaiah 60:2. In fact, the whole article is setting forth the methods of Christ as a teacher when He came to reveal truth. And interestingly, she even quotes from the prophet Isaiah (chapter 53) and puts these references in direct quotes. But the Ellen G. White Estate in bringing these references together recognized that this quotation from the Review & Herald in 1895 did shed some light on the reference in Isaiah 60. In other words, a comment in the Ellen G. White writings can cast light upon a reference without directly quoting that specific verse.

Now the Associate Editor well knows that there is an Ellen G. White statement that does relate to Luke 21:24. He knew this was there when he wrote the article. He was (and still is) on the mailing list for the thought paper, "Watchman, What of the Night?", when this topic of the Times of the Gentiles was discussed, and the Spirit of Prophecy reference was used. Here is the reference: In the twenty-first chapter of Luke Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem, and with it He connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of this world just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.(4) 

Note carefully what the servant of the Lord is saying, and what she is not saying. She did not state -In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21-but only -"In the twenty-first chapter of Luke. .." And what only is different in Luke 21from the other

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parallel passages? -the prophecy concerning "the times of the Gentiles"! Further, what event was to "come upon Jerusalem" stated by Jesus in Luke 21that could be connected with the scenes to take place in the history of the world "just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven" save the fact that Jerusalem would be freed from Gentile control?

Consider also the context of this reference from the pen of Ellen G. White. (5)  After writing the above statement -she quoted Luke 21:34-36 in which is the warning that we should beware lest the day of Christ's return take us unaware. Now keep in mind that she attaches this warning to the fact of what was to come upon Jerusalem, and she comments on the warning in these words: This is a warning to those who claim to be Christians. Those who have had light upon the important, testing truths for this time, and yet are not making ready for the coming of the Son of man, are not taking heed. ..There is no period of time when spiritual slothfulness is excusable. 

Only by being clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness can we escape the judgments that are coming upon the earth. Let all remember that these words were among the last that Jesus gave to His disciples. ..In these sacred, solemn warnings the danger signal is lifted. It is this instruction that church members and the people of the world need; for it is present truth.(5)

Do not miss the point that this solemn warning quoted from our Lord is connected in the thoughts given to Sister White by the Spirit of God to what was to come upon Jerusalem in the last remnant of time. It was the sign to arouse us from our spiritual slothfulness and lethargy -a part of the instruction needed by the church and the world -verily a part of "present truth." Yet the Associate Editor would have us believe that it carries "lesser importance" than the other words of Jesus! How tragic and eternally dangerous is this attempt to lull the people of God into a fatal security.

In the article the Associate Editor admits that "the first part of Luke 21:24 clear-ly refers to the slaughter of the Jews at the time of the fall of Jerusalem to Titus in A. D. 70.(6) Yet in a few paragraphs, he is writing -"There is remarkably parallel language to Luke 21:24 In Revelation 11:2. Since both are prophetic passages the two ought to be compared." And from this comparison the conclusion is suggested that Revelation 11:2 and Luke 21:24 to refer to the same period of time, in other words to the 1260 years of papal persecution with 1798 being the date when the times of the Gentiles was fulfilled. But in so concluding, the basic rules of Scriptural Interpretation are violated. There can be no question but that Revelation 11:2 is written in prophetic symbolism, while the first part of Luke 21:24 had a literal fulfillment as admitted by the Associate Editor himself. On what grounds can it be justified to change interpretations in the middle of the verse from literal to symbolic representation?

In the preface to the 1897 edition of Thoughts on the Prophecies of Daniel, Uriah Smith wrote concerning the Protestant interpretation of prophecy as contrasted to the spiritualizing system invented by Origen -"Every declaration is to be taken in its most obvious and literal sense, except where the context and the well-known laws of language show that the terms are figurative, and not literal; and what is figurative must be explained by other portions of the Bible which are literal."(7)

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In 1974 a series of Bible Conferences were conducted in various parts of the United States with the emphasis on biblical hermeneutics -or, in other words, the interpretation of the Scriptures. Prior to this conference a group of research articles were brought together by Dr. Gordon M. Hyde of the Biblical Research Committee of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.(8) Keep in mind it is this same committee that has sponsored this special study on "The Role of Israel in Bible Prophecy." One of the authors in this edited book was none other than Elder Don F. Neufeld who wrote one "Biblical Interpretation in the Advent Movement." In this article he quotes the very reference from Uriah Smith to which we have referred in the above paragraph.(9) And then he sets forth in this article what he terms "General Hermeneutical Principles." Number six reads: The Bible must be interpreted according to the plain, obvious, and literal import unless a figure is employed.(10) 

He was not alone in emphasizing this principle. Another writer in the Symposium states: The basic principle of biblical interpretation is to take words always in their literal sense unless there is unmistakable contextual indication to the contrary. (11)

But what has now happened to the research procedures of the Biblical Research Committee of the General Conference? In order to avoid a conclusion unacceptable to the hierarchy of the Church are they willing to deny historic Seventh-day Adventist principles of Biblical interpretation? And then to palm off on the laity of the Church through the Review such interpretations of prophecy only compounds the tragedy! Let us face the facts of the Words of Jesus Himself. As the Associate Editor admitted, the first part of Luke 21:24 "clearly refers to the slaughter of the Jews at the time of the fall of Jerusalem to Titus in A. D. 70"(6) - so also the "Jerusalem" in the last part of Luke 21:24 is that very same literal city, that is, unless you wish to abandon the historical principles of Biblical interpretation that have been the heritage of the Seventh-day Adventist Church up until this present article in the Review.

One of the final objections which Elder Nuefeld raises to the fulfillment of Luke 21:24 in 1967 is that a "political or international event" is a precarious basis upon which to establish the fulfillment of prophecy. Here are his exact words: It is always precarious to present some political or international event of recent occurrence as a fulfillment of prophecy. The reason is that a political or international scene can change quickly. As a result an event that when it occurred seemed bright with promise as a significant fulfillment of prophecy, may turn out to be a minor, ephemeral incident when viewed in the later perspective of history.(12) 

Let us in our minds eye envision the community of Christians still living in Jerusalem in 66 A. D. Cestius had surrounded the city. What was to be the response of these followers of Jesus to this political event? Imagine one of the leaders of that church getting up and advising the Christians to hold on, since the scene might change quickly, and Cestius could possibly withdraw from the siege. You see Jesus had not said how long this compassing of Jerusalem with armies was to be; He had only given an event as a sign! And what if the Christians, when Cestius did quickly

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withdraw, had concluded that such a short -lived event could not possibly be the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus? The event that fulfilled the first part of the prophecy of Jesus concerning Jerusalem lasted but a few months, but now we have an event which fulfills this the last part of the same prophecy remaining before our eyes for nearly a decade, and we still in stubborn rebellion seek to mitigate its force and refuse to ascertain its meaning and significance to us as a church. Can we not see Jesus weeping over us and saying: 0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that makest of none effect the writings of the prophetess, and throwest "black balls" at them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold your house is left unto you desolate.(13)

(1) Don F. Neufeld, "The 'Times of the Gentiles"', Review, November 25, 1976, pp. 7-10

(2) "This Week", Review, October 28, 1976, p. 3

(3) Neufeld, op. cit., p. 7

(4) Ellen G. White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 23-24

(5) Ibid., p. 24

(6) Neufeld, op. cit., p. 8

(7) Uriah Smith, Thoughts on the Prophecies of Daniel, p. 6

(8) A Symposium on Biblical Hermeneutics, Gordon M. Hyde, Editor, pp. 273

(9) Don F. Neufeld, "Biblical Interpretation in the Advent Movement", A Symposium on Biblical Hermeneutics, p. 114

(10) Ibid., p. 119 (Emphasis his.)

(11) Gerhard F. Hasel, "Principles of Biblical Interpretation", A Symposium on Biblical Hermeneutics, p. 176

(12) Neufeld, Review, op. cit., p. 10

(13) Paraphrase of Matthew 23:37-38 based on Selected Messages, bk., i, p. 48, and Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 349, 353.

(The discussion concerning the series of articles on the Role of Israel in Bible Prophecy will be concluded in the March thought paper.)

"What Are the Characteristics of a 'Real' Seventh-day Adventist?"

This question was asked and answered by an Associate Editor of the Review in the first issue for 1977. He suggested in answer to this question six "norms by which to identify a genuine Seventh-day Adventist.'. The editor also invited "concerned readers to express their thinking on this subject." We are expressing our thinking on Norm #5 which Raymond F. Cottrell stated in these words: Another essential characteristic of a genuine Seventh-day Adventist is loyalty, in spirit and in conduct, to the church and its leaders, as it and they speak and act for Christ. The church is a team, and every member of the team will play with the team and its leaders, not against them. The church and its

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earthly leaders are human; sometimes they make mistakes. This they themselves would be first to acknowledge. But as a member of the team the genuine Seventh-day Adventist will, even under such circumstances, continue to work in a positive way with the team and cooperate with its leaders. (Review, January 6, 1977, p. 13, col. 2) 

One's first reaction after reading this paragraph would be to say that the Associate Editor had been watching the football games that dominate the American scene this time of the year, and had been caught up in the "sports" syndrome that has taken possession of the world. But this idea that the church is a team and you either play ball with the team or else you are marked as not being a genuine Seventh-day Adventist is too real to be passed by so lightly.

One night from the past (circa, 1960) will never be forgotten by this writer. Following an evening service at the Camp Meeting on the campus of Indiana Academy all the workers were asked to meet on the rostrum. The Conference President, T. E. Unruh, stated that he was tired of the controversy on the campground over the book, Questions on Doctrine, and that the workers could either line up and play ball with the team or they could get off. He then announced that all workers were to go to the old chapel in the administration building immediately after being dismissed. That night two other workers and I withstood R. Allan Anderson to the face till one o'clock the next morning over certain heresies to be found in the book. This was the beginning of my being "benched" which in turn has led to the work which I am doing as Manager of Research and Publications for the Adventist Laymen's Foundation.

While still working in Indiana, I began research on the Holy Flesh Movement which engulfed that conference at the turn of the Century. One of the confessions of a conference worker involved in that Movement is vital in the light of what the associate editor termed a "norm" for a genuine Seventh-day Adventist. Elder F. M. Roberts confessed to the delegates assembled at the 1901 General Conference Session that "while [he] did not belong to the Conference Committee, [he] stood with the committee, and believed what they were teaching was the truth." (1901General Conference Bulletin, p. 358) This man Roberts was no novice. In the same confession he testified -"I am a firm believer in the Testimonies. I have studied them for years." Yet he got involved in a deadly heresy of which Sister White declared that there was "not a thread of truth in the whole fabric." (Document File #190, E. G. White Estate, G. A. Roberts) Why did Elder F. M. Roberts make this mistake -because in the judgment of the Associate Editor of the Review, he was following one of the "norms" of what makes a genuine Seventh-day Adventist. In other words, Roberts was playing ball on the team right or wrong!

This spirit of blind loyalty was a problem which the servant of the Lord had to meet as she dealt with problems which arose in the Church at the turn of the Century. She called it a "false experience." Here are her words: This message is spoken to our churches in every place. In the false experience that has been coming in, a decided influence is at work to exalt human agencies, and to lead some to depend on human judgment, and to follow the control of human minds. This influence is diverting the mind from God. God forbid that any such experience should deepen and grow in our ranks as Seventh-day Adventists. Our petitions are to reach higher than erring man - to God. (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 484)

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Here at the beginning of 1977, we are being told by one of the editors of the Review that this false experience is to be a "norm" by which a genuine Seventh-day Adventist is to be recognized. Even non-Adventist writers recognize this spirit which is permeating the masses, and call it by its right name. One such writer has analyzed the call for "loya1ty"thus: As totalitarianism increases -in a school, or a country, or a church -the use of the word, loyalty, increases. A strange and frightening word. The mob's word. The gang's word. A word people shout in unison -while honor and responsibility and integrity are words an individual can speak and act out.

How does one measure the quality of man's relationship with a large entity such as a church or school or government? It is an interesting fact, and one many of us have observed all our lives, that people demand loyalty of us only when they are doing something to us (or somebody else) of which we don't approve and cannot wholeheartedly participate in, and which weakens our love and admiration. Let's admit it: loyalty is a verbal switch-blade used by little and big bosses to force us quickly to accept a questionable situation which our intelligence and conscience should reject. (Lillian Smith, The Journey, pp. 223,224.)

May I suggest to the readers of this thought paper that they take another careful look at Chapter VI, "Lessons and Sidelights" in the manuscript, The Holy Flesh Movement, and then think carefully what it means to be a truly genuine Seventh-day Adventist, and not be mislead by the "false experience" which the Associate Editor is offering to the laity of the church.

Note - If you do not have a copy of the manuscript -The Holy Flesh Movement -1899-1901, you may (Irrelevant mailing information omitted)   You can find it here-- https://alfiowa.com/store/  (2019)

Feb. 1977  -  "Watchman, What of the Night? " Thought Paper.  Adventist Laymen's Foundation.  (Excerpt)

Christ- Before the World Was.

(Excerpt)

HOW SHALL WE CONSIDER CHRIST?

But how should we consider Christ?—Just as He has revealed Himself to the world; according to the witness which He bore concerning Himself. In that marvelous discourse recorded in the fifth chapter of John, Jesus said: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent Him." Verses 21-23.

To Christ is committed the highest prerogative, that of judging. He must receive the same honor that is due to God, and for the reason that He is God. The beloved disciple bears this witness: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was  [9]  with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1. That this Divine Word is none other than Jesus Christ is shown by verse 14: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth."

The Word was "in the beginning." The mind of man cannot grasp the ages that are spanned in this phrase. It is not given to men to know when or how the Son was begotten; but we know that He was the Divine Word, not simply before He came to this earth to die, but even before the world was created. Just before His crucifixion He prayed, "And now, O Father, glorify thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was." John 17:5. And more than seven hundred years before His first advent, His coming was thus foretold by the word of inspiration: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity." Micah 5:2, margin. We know that Christ "proceeded forth and came from God" (John 8:42), but it was so far back in the ages of eternity as to be far beyond the grasp of the mind of man.

Joh 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 

Excerpt-

Christ And His Righteousness. 

E.J. Waggoner

*******

WWN (Excerpt)

EDITORIAL VERBAGE

A recent series of articles by the Editor of the Review has attempted to explain the Palmdale Conference Accord and thus assure the laity of the Church that there were no compromises with the historic truths of Adventism in the areas of righteous ness by faith and the Incarnation. (l)  But he did not tell the laity the background which necessitated this conference, and without this background no one can properly evaluate the statements of doctrine agreed to by the participants including the Editor and the President of the General Conference.

This conference resulted from the doctrinal agitation concerning the Incarnation and Righteousness by Faith In the Australian Division. The manuscript prepared and published by Mrs. Gillian Ford, wife of the head of the Theology Department of Avondale College, sets forth the position taken by the faculty of that department. Elder F. A. Basham in a paper presented to the Biblical Research Committee of the Australian Division established certain facts to show that the manuscript while bearing the name of Mrs. Ford was clearly the thinking of Dr. Desmond Ford and his cohorts. (2)   Further, Robert Brinsmead in a special "thought paper" which was not to be circulated among church members in which he confirmed his wholehearted agreement with the Ford position, stated that the manuscript prepared by Mrs.. Ford has "the endorsement of Dr. Ford and the Theology Department of Avondale College." (3)  The manuscript itself expresses "indebtedness" to each member of the faculty, and gives their names. (4)

The first paragraph of the "Introduction" of this manuscript prepared by Mrs. Desmond Ford presents the issue clearly as it can be stated. It reads: A correct understanding of the human nature of Christ is crucial for a balanced presentation of Righteousness by Faith. Although the central emphasis of this paper is not Righteousness by Faith, the main reason for attempting it is to lay a foundation for a right understanding of that very topic. It could be put this way. What you believe about Christ's humanity will have a very strong influence on what you believe about Christ's righteousness, and both in turn will influence your view of Christian perfection. (5)

This analysis between the Incarnation, Christ's Righteousness, and Perfection is absolutely true, and this is why the whole of this discussion is so critical, and this is why the pronouncements found in the Palmdale Accord are so spiritually dangerous in the compromise made in regard to the Incarnation.

Mrs. Ford stresses Six Propositions and gives what the Theology Department teaches on each, contrasting what they believe to be "The True and the False Gospels." We shall note two of these which were a part of the Palmdale Accord, and what the Accord had to say about them.

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In Proposition #1 on the Nature of Christ, the manuscript stated -"The True Gospel" says that "Christ took on Adam's sinlessness but not his strength." The "Other Gospel" says that "Christ was exactly like us in His human nature." And what does the Palmdale Accord say about these two positions? After quoting Romans 8:3, Heb. 2: 14, 17, and 2 Cor. 5:21, they agree that:    Not all Christians view these passages alike. For example, for some they mean that Jesus did not commit sin in either word, deed, or thought; for others they mean that Jesus not only committed no sin but was without the inherited tendencies to sin common to fallen humanity.

And what was the conclusion?

Whichever of these views Christians may hold of Christ's humanity, we believe that the central concept is to recognize Jesus as the Saviour of all mankind, and that through His victorious life, lived in human flesh, He provides the link between divinity and humanity.(7)

While the Editor of the Review in his attempt to explain away the Munich at Palmdale, admits "that the Palmdale statement does not label one view as orthodox and the other as heretical" he seeks to place his emphasis of belief on the side of the question which the faculty of Avondale labels as the False Gospel. But since he signed the Accord which permits either belief, he must charitably state that , "Christians who are humble and possess the spirit of the Master will be loving and charitable, not critical and harsh, toward church members and leaders who hold views different from their own." (8) This is a false charity, unless the doctrine of the Incarnation is unimportant. The faculty of Avondale do not consider it so, and drew a line clear and distinct from their viewpoint which is contrary to the historic teaching of the Seventh-day Adventist Church relative to the doctrine of the Incarnation. (9)  Evidently the Editor of the Review has not been reading the Great Controversy of late in which the charity he manifests is labeled - Satanic liberalism! Observe closely these words:

The position that it is of no consequence what men believe, is one of Satan's most successful deceptions. He knows that the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the soul of the receiver; therefore he is constantly seeking to substitute false theories, fables, another gospel. From the beginning, the servants of God have contended against false teachers, not merely as vicious men, but as inculcators of falsehoods that were fatal to the soul. Elijah, Jeremiah, Paul, firmly and fearlessly opposed those who were turning men from the word of God. That liberality which regards a correct religious faith as unimportant, found no favor with these holy defenders of the truth. (10)

The sixth proposition set forth by Dr. Desmond Ford's wife is in regard to "Righteousness by Faith". She writes that "The True Gospel" teaches "Righteousness by Faith is justification alone." "That Other Gospel" states -"Righteousness by Faith is both justification and sanctification." It should also be understood that in the explanation of this position which the Faculty of Theology at Avondale labels as "That Other Gospel", Mrs. Ford indicates that "Adventists in contrast to the New Testament have often used the expression Righteousness by Faith to include sanctification."(11) Thus the position of the Seventh-day Adventist Church -and this involves the messages not only of the servant of the Lord, but also those brought through Elders Jones and Waggoner -is declared to be in direct opposition to what·

p 3 -- is termed New Testament teaching.

Now what does the Palmdale Accord say? "We agree that when the words righteousness and faith are connected (by 'of', 'by', etc.) in Scripture, reference is to the experience of justification by faith." Then the Accord notes that the concept of the righteousness of God in the Bible encompasses more than merely justification as set forth by Paul in certain of his letters. "Therefore, although we are justified by the merits of the blood of Christ and through the instrument of faith, It is also true that works of loving obedience are the evidence of saving faith. ...Thus Seventh-day Adventists have often used the phrase 'righteousness by faith' theologically to include both justification and sanctification." (12)  It should be clear to anyone reading the Palmdale Accord with the knowledge of what the heretics of Avondale are advocating that the Church was sold out on two points: - I) That righteousness by faith is justification alone, and 2) That the Church is teaching contrary to the New Testament in their theological use of the phrase. We agreed to the first point as advocated by Avondale theologians, and acknowledged their charge against the teaching of the Church as correct!

Now let it be clearly understood by every reader of this thought paper there was no need to agree to the proposition that when the phrase "righteousness by/of faith" is used by Paul, he is referring only to what the heretics of Avondale call justification. Read Galatians 5:4-7; Hebrews 11:7; and then note also the faith of Abraham as recorded In Hebrews 11:8-12, 17, remembering that Paul In Romans 4:16 declared him to be "the father of us all." We do not need to make accommodations for the teachings of Evangelical Protestantism, which in reality is no more than a revival of apostate Protestantism. We need to understand the message of the Second Angel of Revelation 14 in its historic setting when the pronouncement went forth - "Babylon is fallen." (13)

What attitude should we, therefore, assume in this crisis over truth? We would do well to Review the lessons to be learned from the experience of the early church. So long "as persecution continued" the early Church "remained comparatively pure, but when it ceased, "converts were added who were less sincere and devoted." "When Christians consented to unite with those who were but half converted from paganism," the way was opened for Satan to use the compromisers to direct their "warfare against the most essential doctrines of Christ." (14)   Some of us can remember the time when it was difficult to be a Seventh-day Adventist because to keep a job, and to keep the Sabbath were in direct conflict. Converts to the Church were few compared to the number of baptisms reported today. Then came the change, and into the Church came affluence and numbers. The simple faith and Bible teachings which marked our departments of theology were not enough for those who wished to be like all the churches around about them. So we introduced men who had degrees In theology from the great universities of Europe -and the same results have followed that followed in the Early Church. Warfare has been made against the most essential features of the doctrines of Christ, that is, unless the Incarnation, and Righteousness by Faith through our Lord Jesus Christ are not essential doctrines of Christ!

The inspired commentary on what our attitude should be is given in the record of how those early Christians who wished to preserve their faith reacted to the apostasy they had to meet. Read with care and prayerfully these words:      After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free herself from

p ·4

falsehood and idolatry. They saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the word of God. They dared not tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, and set an example which would imperil the faith of their children and children's children. To secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference and even war. (15)

(1)  Kenneth H. Wood, "F. Y. I", Review, October 21, 28, November 4, 18, 1976

(2)  F. A. Basham, A Paper Presented to the Biblical Research Committee of the Australian Division on the Subject of "Righteousness by Faith", Feb. 3, 1976, p. 1

(3)  Robert D. Brinsmead, Thought Paper -"The Current Righteousness by Faith Dialogue", p. 1

(4)  Gillian Ford, The Soteriological Implications of the Human Nature of Christ, p. 3

(5)  Ibid., p. 2

(6)  Ibid., p. 8

(7)  Palmda1e Accord, Review, May 27, l976, p. 5

(8)  Kenneth H. Wood, "F. Y. I.", Review, November 18, 1976, p. 13

(9)  Adventist Laymen's Foundation, An Interpretive History of the Doctrine of the Incarnation oas Taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

(10)  Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 520

(11)  Ford, Op. Cit, pp. 9-10

(12)  Palmda1e Accord, Review, May 27, 1976, p. 4

(13)  El1en G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 380-381, 383

(14)  Ibid., pp. 44-45

(15)  Ibid., p. 45

DO YOU KNOW WHY?

Beginning with the October 28, 1976 issue of the Review, there appeared in consecutive issues a series of five articles on the "Role of Israel In Bible Prophecy." Do you know why these were prepared and published at this time? All that was told by the editorial staff is that these articles were a result of research done by the Biblical Research Institute directed by Dr. Gordon M. Hyde. (l)  The full story was not revealed as to why this research became necessary at this time. 

This past year, The Harvest Press published a book co-authored by Elders R. Allan Anderson, former Ministerial Secretary of the General Conference, and Jay Milton Hoffman, who established and directed the Times Square Evangelistic Center in New York City. It is entitled -All Eyes on Israel. The introduction to this book - six pages in all -was written by none other than Elder H. M. S. Richards, Sr. It is a glowing commendation of what is written in the book itself, and the reader is urged to study carefully some of thoughts expressed, even though they may be new to him. Dr. Kenneth Vine wrote the foreword. (2)  The thesis of this book is that Israel became a state in 1948 under the Providence of God, and has yet a part to play in the purposes and plans of God according to the Covenant made with Abraham and with his descendants. Several statements are quoted from the Spirit of·

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Prophecy to support this contention but a close reading of these statements in context indicates that they are not saying what the authors are trying to make them say. It is true that the servant of the Lord did indicate that a work was yet to be done for the Jewish people, and that many would respond. (3)  But these statements do not indicate that Israel as a nation would ever be the chosen people of God again after 34 A.D.

The first three articles of the series appearing in the Review were right on key and presented the relationship between the promises of God to Abraham, and how they will be fulfilled in the new "congregation of the Lord" who came into being in the New Testament as the "ecclesia", or called out church of Christ. (4)  The fourth article introduces the well-known smear technique -"guilt by association." In other words because certain modern day interpreters of prophecy, who teach the secret rapture and other futuristic concepts also Include Israel as a State in their order of last day events, then any study of the fulfillment of prophecy that would relate to Jerusalem is also labeled, "futurism." This is very poor scholarship, and should be beneath the use of the General Conference Biblical Research Committee headed by Dr. Hyde.

The book by Dr. Anderson and Dr. Hoffman takes the position that the fulfillment of Luke 21:24 -"the times of the Gentiles" -occurred In 1967. And this is absolutely correct. The last article of the five in the Review seeks to void this conclusion. The arguments are weak, and the rules of interpretation used by the associate editor of the Review violate the principles of hermeneutics which are set forth in a book edited by Dr. Gordon Hyde himself and which was used in the 1974 North American Division Bible Conferences. (5)  Because this last article not only strikes at the book by Anderson and Hoffman, but also strikes directly at the monograph prepared by the Adventist Laymen's Foundation -The Times of the Gentiles Fulfilled -we shall discuss this fifth article in detail in the next thought paper.

(1)  "This Week", Review, October 28, 1976, p. 3

(2)  Roy Allan Anderson & Jay Milton Hoffman, All Eyes on Israel, pp. 243 (The Harvest Press, Ft. Worth, Texas, 1976)

(3)  Ellen G. White, Review & Herald, June 29, 1905 

(4)  Walter F. Specht, "New Testament Israel", Review, November 11, 1976, p. 9

(5)  A Symposium on Biblical Hermeneutics, Editor, Gordon M Hyde, p. 176

DO THEY REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY VOTED?

The 1976 Annual Conference Action on Evangelism stated: It could well be that we are standing under a certain indictment of Heaven for not courageously and faithfully pursuing the finishing of God's work through direct evangelism, and that because of a "business as usual" attitude the calls for revival have not been followed with desired results as God has promised. (The Ministry, Dec. 1976, p. 4)

Did the hierarchy when they voted these words consider the Divine Purpose in Vol. 8, p. 247, par 2 in Testimonies for the Church? Could these men subconsciously

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know what Heaven's indictment is, and now they are going to attempt to storm the gates of Heaven for a reversal of the Divine Decree? Interestingly, this part of the action was omitted in the report to the laity of the Church through the Review. See December 2 ,1976, p. 14, col 2 -deletion marks after first paragraph of "The Real Issue". Thus for the laity the "real issue" was covered up!

THE ADVENTIST PROPERTIES & MORTGAGE TRUST

(See Special Report, September, 1976, "Observation #2" for Review of details.)

From very reliable sources, I have been advised that this planned Trust has been dropped like a "hot potato". I was further advised that two of the proposed Managers of this project could not be "bonded." A friend in California after reading the Special Report went to the State Capitol in Sacramento and checked "Corporations Record, a division of the Secretary of State Office." In a letter to me dated, September 29, he reported: I checked to find what legal status this Adventist Properties & Mortgage Trust has. I was surprised there is none. Nothing of this kind is registered. If it was, it would be to some extent regulated by the corporate laws. I then went to the Justice Department where Charitable Trust Companies are registered. I talked to the Deputy Registrar and showed him that portion of the paragraph on your page 2, Special Report, "Observation # 2". He said their records show no such entity. But he did want to pursue this further to find out by writing Adventist Properties why they are not registered and if they think that their church connection exempts them from registering, then to give their reasons.

The very reliable source also advised me that Elder George Vandeman of IT IS WRITTEN telecast was pushing hard for this adventure in a $3,000,000 loan to the Seventh-day Adventist Radio-Te1evision-Film Center by the Adventist Properties & Mortgage Trust. This latter fact may account for the irritation caused among the staff of IT IS WRITTEN when some laity after reading Special Report wrote directly asking about IT IS WRITTEN'S involvement, and the use made of their funds.

Jan. 1977  -  "Watchman, What of the Night? " Thought Paper.  Adventist Laymen's Foundation.  (Excerpt)

Christ's Righteousness.

Excerpt-

Christ And His Righteousness. 

E.J. Waggoner

In the first verse of the third chapter of Hebrews we have an exhortation which comprehends all the injunctions given to the Christian. It is this: "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." To do this as the Bible enjoins, to consider Christ continually and intelligently, just as He is, will transform one into a perfect Christian, for "by beholding we become changed."1

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

Ministers of the Gospel have an inspired warrant for keeping the theme, Christ, continually before the people, and directing the attention of the people to Him alone. Paul said to the Corinthians, "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2); and there is no reason to suppose that his preaching to the Corinthians was different in any respect from his preaching elsewhere. Indeed, he tells us that when God revealed His Son in him, it was that he  [6]  might preach Him among the heathen (Gal. 1:15, 16); and his joy was that to him grace had been given to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." Eph. 3:8.

But the fact that the apostles made Christ the burden of all their preaching, is not our sole warrant for magnifying Him. His Name is the only name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved. Acts 4:12. Christ Himself declared that no man can come unto the Father but by Him. John 14:6. To Nicodemus He said: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son

of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14, 15. This "lifting up" of Jesus, while it has primary reference to His crucifixion, embraces more than the mere historical fact; it means that Christ must be "lifted up" by all who believe in Him, as the crucified Redeemer, whose grace and glory are sufficient to supply the world's greatest need; it means that He should be "lifted up" in all His exceeding loveliness and power as "God with us," that His Divine attractiveness may thus draw all unto Him. See John 12:32.

Joh 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 

The exhortation to consider Jesus, and also the reason therefore,2 are given in Heb. 12:1-3: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set be-  [7]  fore us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." It is only by constantly and prayerfully considering Jesus as He is revealed in the Bible, that we can keep from becoming weary in well-doing, and from fainting by the way.

Again, we should consider Jesus because in Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Col. 2:3. Whoever lacks wisdom is directed to ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and upbraids not, and the promise is that it shall be given him;3 but the desired wisdom can be obtained only in Christ. The wisdom which does not proceed from Christ, and which does not as a consequence lead to Him, is only foolishness; for God, as the Source of all things, is the Author of wisdom; ignorance of God is the worst sort of foolishness (see Rom. 1:21, 22);

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools

 and all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ; so that he who has only the wisdom of this world knows, in reality, nothing. And since all power in heaven and in earth is given to Christ, the apostle Paul declares Christ to be "the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Cor. 1:24. There is one text, however, which briefly sums up all that Christ is to man, and gives the most  [8]  comprehensive reason for considering Him. It is this: "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30. We are ignorant, wicked, lost; Christ is to us wisdom, righteousness, redemption. What a range! From ignorance and sin to righteousness and redemption. Man's highest aspiration or need cannot reach outside the bounds of what Christ is to us, and what He alone is to us. Sufficient reason this why the eyes of all should be fixed upon Him.

(To be continued)

*******

(Excerpt)

Special Report -- OBSERVATION -- Part 1

A tape recording of a presentation by Geoffrey J. Paxton on "The Reformation and Adventism" came to my attention this past week - July 15, 1976 - and I listened to it with a great deal of interest. Not only in the naming of names, but also in the analysis of the theological atmosphere within the Church, the presentation was very acute. Mr. Paxton divided what he called the theological "mentality" of the church into three categories; namely, the "Liberals," centered at Loma Linda, the "Traditionalists" as represented by the Review and General Conference leadership; (Do not confuse the term used by Paxton as synonymous with "historic" Adventism) and the "Reformationists" as represented at Andrews University and Avondale College in Australia, as well as Brinsmeadism itself.

One professor at Andrews University - Dr. Raoul Dederen - recommended a book by Bernard Ramm entitled - The Evangelical Heritage - commenting as quoted by Paxton - "It could have been written by an Adventist" - and that except for a minor point here and there in the book, he "subscribed unequivocally" to the theology of the book. Paxton read the book, and couldn't figure out in the last analysis "why Dederen wasn't an Evangelical in the technical sense of the term", or why he himself wasn't an Adventist if that was what Adventists believed. (Paxton is an Anglican clergyman, and a traveling partner with Robert D. Brinsmead.) I cite this from the taped message only to show how we are selling out our Adventist heritage for a bowl of Evangelical porridge served up by the theologians we have imported from the seminaries of Europe. Remember these are the men who are teaching our young ministers, who in turn are feeding you, the Laity, with adulterated concepts which are passed off for the truth!

The Main thrust of the message of Paxton lies in what he is holding out to the leadership of the Church. He stated that the Adventist Church -if they are willing to accept the theology of Dederen and LaRondelle at Andrews, and Ford at Avondale College in Australia -was standing on the threshold of a spiritual breakthrough which could enable the Church to make a real contribution to the Christian church at large. He pointed out that "P. T." (Present Truth, publication by Brinsmead) whose theology was synonymous to the "Reformationist mentality" within the Church, was widely accepted on the seminary campuses here in America, including Andrews University, and was making a great impact on the thinking of the leading lights of Evangelicalism. Even the editor of Christianity Today is reading "P. T." from a theological point of view. Furthermore, Paxton indicated that "P. T." had such a wide circulation, and reading clientele that it could no longer be ignored by the Church. This latter evaluation is true.

p 2

The closest parallel that I could think of between what Paxton was saying and the Bible itself was the experience of Christ in the Wilderness of Temptation. You will recall that the devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and suggested that He cast Himself down. To assure the Son of man that it would be all right, he quoted Psalm 91:11-12. But by comparing the actual words of the Inspired Psalmist and what the devil said he wrote, one finds that the words, "at any time", were added. (See Matt. 4:6) Now Paxton would have us believe that the messenger of the Lord endorses his theory of "justification by faith" by quoting her statement as found in the Review & Herald, April 1, 1890. But he, too, adds a word! The statement reads, and I place in brackets the word Paxton supplied:       

Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith [alone] is the third angel's message, and I have answered, "It is the third angel's message in verity."

But while quoting Ellen G. White to give his position respectability, he also quotes Elder E. J. Waggoner and infers that he is teaching a false gospel in his presentation of righteousness by faith.

The second parallel between the Wilderness of Temptation and Paxton's appeal is that Christ was taken to a high mountain and shown the kingdoms of this world with the promise that if He would bow down to the devil, all could be His without the Cross. So Paxton suggests that if the leadership of the Church will bow down to Dederen, LaRondelle, Ford, Brinsmead, and Paxton, all the denominations and the glory of them could be the Church's. Tragically, this is what the leadership of the Church has envisioned the "loud cry" to be - the Adventist Church accepted by the religious world and exalted before the eyes of the men of this world. This was the basis of the Barnhouse-Martin sellout in the early fifties. We did not want to be considered a "sect" or a "cult". Paxton infers that this is still how we are viewed, by telling of a man he had interviewed who had written a book of the Cults which included Adventists. So now if we really want to get free from the stigma, join the cutting edge of the theology of Brinsmead, Ford, LaRondelle, Dederen, and all the churches will be ours. And because the Cross is too much of an offense to the administrative pride of men, we shall bow. Tragically, in the wrath of an offended God, "men, maidens, and little children all perish together." (5T:211).

OBSERVATION -#2

All comments made in this section, unless otherwise documented will be from a Preliminary Prospectus dated June 3, 1976, and issued by Morgan, Omstead, Kennedy & Gardner, Inc., members of the New York Stock Exchange. The page quoted from this Prospectus will be placed in parentheses following the quotes. For example, [(p. 3)]

In harmony with a Declaration of Trust dated March 18,1976, an Adventist Properties & Mortgage Trust was organized in California. This Trust was formed upon authorization by the General Conference Corporation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. (p.5) While it was stated by the General Conference that this Trust "be operated independently of the Church", nevertheless, they advised "the Trust that the Trust will have first right of refusal ... with respect to real estate financing transactions of entities owned or controlled by the Church." (p.5)

"The Trust has been formed to invest in properties or entities owned or controlled by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United States. Such properties include

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office buildings, industrial properties, shopping centers, hospitals and other medical facilities, multifamily dwellings and educational institutions." (p. 3) "The affairs of the Trust will be managed by seven Trustees of whom four are affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church", however, the non-Church members have veto power over all actions taken in regard to Church owned or controlled properties as such decisions must receive the majority vote of the "non-Church affiliated Trustees" (p. 3).

The Adventist Trust Management Company, which is a general partnership "will advise the Trust with respect to investments and investment policy and will administer the day-to-day operations of the Trust, subject to the supervision of the Trustees." In this partnership, only one of the partners is a member of the Church. (p. 5) The Adventist member of this partnership, Mr. DeVere W. McGuffin II, will serve on the board of Trustees itself, and be Secretary-Treasurer of the Trust. (p. 20) For these services, the Management Company will receive annually between $52,200 to $181, 800 depending on the amount of stock sold. (p. 5)

Other members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust include Elder Walter R. Beach, former Secretary of the General Conference and General Vice President. He will serve as Chairman of the Board. President of the Trust will be Elder Alvin G. Munson who is serving as President and Treasurer of the Adventist Radio-Te1evision-Film Center. His choice to serve as a Trustee is most interesting. To finance the organization of this Trust, and to cover the costs of offering the stock, the Seventh-day Adventist Radio-Te1evision-Film Center authorized a loan up to $150,000 at 8.5% interest. Then as its initial investment, the Trust will loan back to the Adventist Radio-Television-Film Center under a first deed of trust up to $3,000,000 for 19 acres of partially developed land located in Newbury Park California. This will be secured by a 30 year note bearing an interest rate of 9.5%, plus a loan fee of 2%. (p. 15) Now it is stated that Elder Munson "will abstain from voting as a Trustee with respect to such transactions and any subsequent modification thereof" as has been noted above. (p. 6) But he doesn't need to vote as a Trustee of the Trust, as he has used his influence as President and Treasurer of the Center itself!

For background, one needs to keep in mind that the Adventist-Radio-Film Center is a California Nonprofit Corporation which through its Television Operations Board controls Faith for Today, and It Is Written Telecast. Further through its interlocking Board Chairmen, it controls also the Voice of Prophecy operations. The Chairman, Elder F. W. Wernick, and three Vice Chairmen, Elders Neal C. Wilson, Cree Sandefer, and Alvin G. Munson are the same on all controlling Boards, and where there are any variations in subcorporations, Elder Munson is both chairman and president of the Board of Directors. (See Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, 1976, pp. 24-6)

In setting up this Trust, a minimum of $5,000,000 and a maximum of $17,000,000 in shares are being offered at $10.00 per share, with a minimum purchase being $1,000. These shares are being offered through the Underwriter, Morgan, Olmstead, Kennedy & Gardner, Inc., who "will receive a commission of 10% of the Offering Price upon the sale of the Shares." (pp. 32-33) This means simply that if the maximum offering is realized this company will receive $1,700,000. Besides this, Parker Dale who is Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing of this stock broker company is also one of the non-Church members of the Trust.

There is another interesting aspect to what this Trust plans to do. The Prospectus states -"Entities of the Church [Conferences, etc.] have interests in a wide range

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of real estate located throughout the United States. Such interests range from fee simple title to leasehold interests." (p. 13) This latter investment of trust funds and other funds given by the Laity to the Conferences lacks liquidity, and thus those Conferences who have these monies in leasehold investments cannot convert readily in case of emergency. Now this new Trust which has set 80% of the appraised value of the property as the basis of' mortgage loans, will give 100% in purchasing "lease back financing or other equity investments." (p. 3) As an example of' "leasehold interests", some Conferences have invested in the building of Federal Post Offices and then leased them to the government. "Equity Investments" are defined as "medical offices, shopping centers, office buildings, industrial buildings and multifamily dwelling units located on or near college and university campuses owned by entities of the Church." (p. 13)

The questions that could be asked in regard to what was the objective of' the General Conference Corporation in authorizing this Trust could only be answered by an impartial probe of all the financial maneuvering of the hierarchy of the Church. Perhaps another article in the Review by the President of the General Conference would be timely, if this time instead of dwelling on the mimeograph press, he would be specific, honest and forthright. Otherwise, those who are interested might wish to write to Adventist Properties & Mortgage Trust, Lemmon Bldg., 1500 East Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale, California, 91206. The response and material you might receive, we would appreciate copies of the same for further evaluations to share with our readers.

WHAT SAITH THE LORD?

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and "what communion hath light with darkness?" II Cor. 6:14

"This means in a special sense, marriage with unbelievers, but it covers more ground than this: it means in our instrumentalities ordained of God, in our institutions for health, in our colleges, in our publishing houses …

"You are not in any case to become contaminated with the spirit or influence of unbelievers. Be afraid of uniting or binding up in bundles with them. Be afraid of communicating the works connected with the Lord's cause, to those who have no part with God, or sympathy with those who love the truth of God." Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 271-2.

"The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given to us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is our work. The world is to be warned, and God's people are to be true to the trust committed to them. They are not to engage in speculations, neither are they to enter into business enterprises with unbelievers ; for this would hinder them in doing the work given them." Counsels on Stewardship, p. 38.

A Definition: "The word fellowship means participation, partnership. God employs the strongest figures to show that there should be no union between worldly parties and those who are seeking the righteousness of Christ." Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 476.

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