#adventist

[takineko-arts]

I really like the Catholic anime mascot, Luce. I hope my Catholic friends don't hate me for copying their homework lol.

I'm designing a 7th Day Adventist one named Ellen. Yeah, I couldn't think of a better name, ok? Lol, I based her off Ellen G White a little too much, but she's meant to be a black girl with green hair, and I'm not sure about an eye color yet. Maybe they should be green too...?

[inhissteps777]

Every step of the way, when you fall, and you have your shortcomings, He’s right there. When you have your victories, He’s right there. Give yourself grace, give yourself time to grow and appreciate it, because He’s growing with you. Every individual out here is experiencing a human life, a human experience and God is experiencing it with you. So when you go through things, He’s going with it. He’s right there with you. He’s talking to you. All you gotta do is talk back. I’ve walked on the beach every day, and I’m talking to God, I’m just talking. Like He the homie, I swear to God, I put that on my grandmama grave, I talk to Him. Next to me, like the homie, just like the people that you grow with. I don’t care if you gotta curse, you gotta cuss, you talk to Him as if you known Him since you was born, the way He knows you. It’s the truth. It’s the truth. - Kendrick Lamar

[magicaldogtoto]

You've probably never heard of Seventh-Day Adventists, but you've probably eaten Kellogg cereal at some point. (Though Kellogg ultimately left the church.)

[messages4thelastdays]

Who is the Archangel Michael?

As many of us know, there is an angelic "hierarchy" in heaven, typically depicted as such:

The Archangel

Seraphim

Cherubim

Angels

You may wonder "why did he write 'The Archangel' instead of 'Archangels.' ? " There is a reason for that. You see, many different religions and Christian denominations have "created," or "self-appointed" their own archangels. The most common are: Michael (who is Biblically the Archangel), Gabriel (who is in the Bible but never mentioned as an Archangel), Raphael (a Catholic-made angel who has never appeared in the Bible), and sometimes, Lucifer (Satan; before he fell from heaven).

However, besides for Michael, there is no evidence of these other angels being Archangels. See, Lucifer was a "covering cherub" (see Ezekiel 28:14), not an Archangel. Gabriel is only mentioned in the Bible as "an angel," "the angel," or "the angel Gabriel." He is not once mentioned as an Archangel, nor is he called a "covering cherub" (as many believe he was given the role of Lucifer after his fall from grace. Raphael, on the other hand, was never mentioned in the Bible, so we can strike his name out.

"7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels."

This text is found in Revelation 12:7-9 (NLT). We will examine carefully the text. This is regarding the war in heaven, and it mentions two sides: heaven (led by Michael), and the rebellion (led by Lucifer, or the "dragon"). The possessive words (Michael and his angels; the dragon and his angels) makes this very easy for us to understand. Lucifer has full control and "ownership" over the rebellious angels (now, demons), while "Michael" has leadership, as well as "ownership" over heaven's angels.

Ellen G. White tells us in her book The Truth About Angels:

"Christ, as Commander of heaven, was appointed to put down the rebellion ... Then there was war in heaven. The Son of God, the Prince of Heaven, and His loyal angels, engaged in conflict with the arch rebel and those who united with him. The Son of God and true, loyal angels prevailed; and Satan and his sympathizers were expelled from heaven ... Angels were engaged in the battle; Satan wished to conquer the Son of God and those who were submissive to His will. But the good and true angels prevailed, and Satan, with his followers, was driven from heaven" (36.2-4).

So, back to the original question: "Who is the Archangel Michael?"

It must be the Son of God, Jesus Christ!

Ellen G. White tells us that heaven's prince, Michael, is Jesus Christ. Though not explicitly mentioned in the text, we can infer that Michael is the pre-incarnate Christ, the form He took before He became man ("Immanuel"). This makes perfect sense. Why would He already have the appearance of a human (specifically, "Jesus of Nazareth") if he was not born as a human yet? Also, Michael being titled as "heaven's prince" or "the prince of heaven," or the "ruler of the angels" must point towards Jesus, as He is the Son of God (who is God).

God Bless.

[frightenedfemme]

i left the church five years ago now but there is still something very odd about waking up at 11am on saturdays after spending every saturday of your entire life at church for worship service, sabbath school, and church potluck

[snapping-synapses-for-epilepsy]

Holiday Hustle, Epilepsy Juggle: Why Hospital Visits Don't Take a Christmas Break ⚡️

Holiday Hustle, Epilepsy Juggle: Why Hospital Visits Don't Take a Christmas Break ⚡️

Hey spoonie Fam,

It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Sparkly lights, cozy sweaters, and...hospital gowns? Unfortunately, for many of us with epilepsy, the holiday season can come with a hidden side effect: increased risk of seizures.

Here's why:

Holiday Hustle: Parties, travel, late nights, and altered routines can disrupt our sleep schedules and medication routines, all potential seizure triggers.

Sensory Overload: Flashing lights, loud music, and crowded spaces can be overwhelming for the nervous system, another potential trigger.

Emotional Rollercoaster: Holiday stress, joy, and even anticipation can throw our emotions into a whirlwind, which can also impact seizure activity.

So, what does this mean for us?

It doesn't mean hiding under the mistletoe and avoiding all the fun! But it does mean being extra mindful and proactive:

Prioritize sleep: Even with late-night festivities, try to stick to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible.

Plan ahead: Discuss holiday plans with your doctor and adjust your medication routine if needed.

Pack smart: Don't forget essential medications and emergency supplies when traveling.

Listen to your body: Take breaks, avoid triggers, and prioritize self-care amidst the holiday cheer.

Communicate openly: Let friends and family know about your epilepsy and how they can support you.

Remember, Rumble Fam, you're not alone in this. Epilepsy doesn't get a holiday break, but neither do we! Let's support each other, share our experiences, and make sure everyone has a safe and seizure-free holiday season.

Here are some ways to spread epilepsy awareness this holiday season:

Share this post: Let your friends and family know about the challenges we face.

Rock your epilepsy swag: Wear an epilepsy awareness ribbon or t-shirt with pride.

Start a conversation: Talk openly about epilepsy and break down the stigma.

Together, we can make the holidays a little brighter for everyone living with epilepsy. Sending you all love, light, and seizure-free vibes! ✨⚡️

#EpilepsyAwareness #HolidayEpilepsy #RumbleStrong #SeizureFreeHolidays

P.S. Don't forget to tag your epilepsy warriors in the comments!

Whoops I did it again! I'm back in the hospital for Christmas😅

Don't fret, the doctors here are amazing though

[exploresmallworlds]

Nano Day 24

Although I have often despaired over my time management and "follow through" I'm here, with the end in sight and I'm thinking that II might actually finish my work in progress. Okay, that's a filthy lie. And I realised that I am doing the second deconstruction of my upbringing. Having done the first version of this over seven years ago.

That's what writing Seventh Day Adventists as a space colonists will do for you.

I was affirmed in my process, when I saw the quote by Behrouz Boochani and basically in it he said he had different experiences he would have written a different book. And while there is a maxim about writing what you know and its trite now. But honestly I couldn't have written as much or with as much authenticity when I am describing things and people and ideas.

It also means that my experiences are valid and useful. This deconstruction is not figure out what I don't belief any more, this one is less about the beliefs and now, what the beliefs do. In the process of writing this book, I have made some significant revelations about my life that while they were hinted at, were exposed for more truth. They weren't any less truthful before but with time and experience and developing education in a number of realms I am able to make more interesting points.

It took me seven years gone to write this piece, but it took me all of my life to make these points and destroy them. Because although I know that there are good people of faith, all of them are involved more or less in upholding the other more unscrupulous parts of their faith and institutions. While a lot of institutions are failing for particular reason, it is this particular institution that has it's foibles exposed in a way that provides solace for other people who have left, those who are sitting inside services who are questioning.

I'm telling the story that I was looking for when I left. Because, although leaving religion and Christanity has plenty of stories there are less about leaving Adventism. I want a story that reminds them that they are not alone, especially when the questioning feels wrong and bad.

It's also the first time that I've publicly made it clear where I stand and that is refreshing too. And I have had discussions about how my behaviour is appropriate and also some people reach out to me to come back. Their behaviour earned them a place in some of characterisation of one of the characters in my wip.

[bills-bible-basics]

SKEWED VIEWS -- a poem and song by Bill Kochman #Christian #Poetry #Poem To see other poems related to this one, and to listen to the actual song, go to: https://www.billkochman.com/Poetry/index.html#Deception-False-Doctrine To really understand this poem, please consider visiting the following links in your web browser: • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_MacDonald_(visionary) • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_MacDonald_(visionary)#MacDonald's_utterance • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nelson_Darby • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millerism • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Disappointment • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh-day_Adventist_Church • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futurism_(Christianity) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15, KJV ". . . we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." 1 Corinthians 8:1-2, KJV "As also in all his [Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16, KJV "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Timothy 3:13, KJV "Anointed and Unanointed Teachers" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse352.html "Puffed Up With Knowledge" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse265.html "Test Doctrines for Scriptural Validity" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse329.html "False Doctrine" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse016.html Article: "Humility in Our Understanding of God's Word": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/Humility-in-Our-Understanding-01.html "Led by the Spirit in Our Understanding" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse479.html "Taught by Revelation of the Holy Spirit" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse319.html "Taught by No Man" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse465.html Article: "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/ritediv1.html Article: "Speak the Pure Language of Truth: https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/purelng1.html "Spirit of Truth" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse294.html "False Prophets" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse017.html "False Brethren" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse015.html "Willful Ignorance" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse440.html Article: "Modern False Prophets and Worldly Ecumenism": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/ecumen-1.html Article: "Elijah: Where Are the True Prophets of God?": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/elijah-1.html Article: "The Misguided End of the World Predictions of Harold Camping": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/Prediction-Harold-Camping1.html "Wolves in Sheeps' Clothing" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse086.html "Mass Deception" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse186.html Article: "2012: New Age Deception And Psychobabble": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/2012bab1.html Article: "Age of Deception, Age of Delusion": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/deceptn1.html https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/skewed-views-a-poem-by-bill-kochman/?SKEWED%20VIEWS%20--%20a%20poem%20and%20song%20by%20Bill%20Kochman

[weireir]

Seventh-Day Adventism and Its Co-Founder Ellen G. White Exposed

False teacher plagiarism and confused writings:

[quasaur]

Don't You Realize...

...that by making Sunday obvservance the "Mark of the Beast" you are telling the world JESUS IS NOT ENOUGH FOR SALVATION and that everyone has to keep the Sabbath to be saved???

Have you lost your mind?!?!?!

[magicaldogtoto]

Was looking through some old stuff and found my family's copy of Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories.

In hindsight, maybe the fact that the bedtime storybook I had read to me as a kid ended with a story detailing the apocalypse explains a lot about me in the present. (I actually think I had this story read to me the least, if at all. I've never really been big on the end of the world, even when at my most conservative.)

[evangelistedissoncharles]

Good morning brothers and sisters! GOD DELIVERS THOSE HE LOVES, EVEN FROM DEATH.

John 5:21 CSB

[21] And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants.

Brethren, Jesus was given a cross before He was given a crown. He experienced defeat at the hands of His enemies. His body trembled with pain as the ground shook and rattled when He drank the full cup of God’s wine.

God’s rejection crushed Him to death. But God raised Jesus from the dead. And now Jesus stands in victory over death and will one day come to trample all His enemies. Like wounded soldiers, we can run for protection under Jesus’ battle flag because even in defeat victory is guaranteed. With Jesus, there is no loss that is not a prelude to victory.

[messages4thelastdays]

The Genesis account of Cain and Abel. After the couple (Adam and Eve) were expelled from the Garden of Eden (and "The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil"), they bore two children. The firstborn was named Cain (meaning Acquired; Craftsman; Spearer). This child was expected by the couple to be the promised Messiah. Little did they know, He would not be born for thousands of years (as Jesus Christ). Their second child was named Abel (meaning Transitoriness; nothing; temporary), as he was not looked upon as much as Cain, who was thought of as the Saviour. Alas, through the boys' lives, Abel was a shepherd who always prepared animal sacrifices for the LORD. However, Cain was jealous of this and decided he would set up an alter for his crops (for he was a farmer). The LORD did not accept this sacrifice as it was not what He instructed. Let us sidetrack for just a moment. The animal sacrifice WERE a prophetic symbol of JESUS CHRIST, not vegetable crops. Sure, if Cain were actually faithful and not just envious of his younger brother, God MAY'VE accepted it. But He did not. This made Cain FURIOUS. He ended up *murdering* his younger brother out of pure hatred and jealousy. Though the Bible does not explicitly tell us the murder weapon, it is suspected to be a jawbone of an "ass," or a donkey. However, Cain realized his sin and knew that he may be a target by others to kill. So "The Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him" (Genesis 4:15, paraphrased). This does not mean that Cain repented, which he didn't. Nor did he try to make amends.

However, the murder of Abel, too, leads us to the death of God, Jesus Christ. See, Abel is a type of Christ. He was an innocent boy who did what God instructed (animal sacrifices). However, he was murdered for doing what was right. Likewise, Christ was completely sinless, only doing what was right. The Jews, Christ's own Chosen people, rejected, despised, and murdered Him. Fortunately, we are reassured that Christ's death on that Cross saved us from "eternal" Perdition, so as long as we remain faithful to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who is God.

The earliest mention of Jesus Christ is actually found in Genesis 3:15, which reads "And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel” (New King James Version). Christ is "her offspring," who will strike "your head." Similarly, Satan, the Serpent, formally called Lucifer, is "your offspring," who will strike Christ's heel (His death on the Cross). Though Christ's raising from the dead was what struck Lucifer's head. Despite this, Lucifer is still alive and kicking, though "he knows his time is short." The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan is nearing its end. Are you ready?

I sincerely hope you have, or plan on, accepting Christ as your personal Saviour. Let us pray: "Lord, we thank thee for this beautiful morning, afternoon, evening, or night. We thank Thy blessings which You have bestowed on us and will continue to bless us. We thank You for sending Yourself, Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die that gruesome death on that Tree. We praise You for defeating Death that third morning, taking away our everlasting death, instead allowing us to partake in Your Kingdoms, eternal life. We pray for our loved ones, alive as well as sleeping, that we may see them when You return in the clouds, with the voice of the Archangel. We love and accept you as our God, and we ask You to watch over us in these crazy days before Your Second Coming. Amen."

God Bless.

[chasinghalebopp]

The Adventist Frontier Missions Crucible

For the last couple of years I have reflected much on what was once my beloved church. I look back, having left the Seventh-day Adventist church a year ago, and I still feel much trauma related to leaving. I have battled with the thoughts of staying silent or posting about my thoughts and experiences with the church. Being that I went through so much with the SDA church, I think it is important for me to tell my story, so that maybe someone else will be set free. The truth is, as hard as it was to come to terms with the fact that so much of Adventism was steeped in lies, nothing in my life felt as good as leaving it all behind. I have posted my story, “The Ellen White Cult” in which I discuss my past ten years as a missionary. Yet, there’s so much more to say about Adventism that it’s hard to keep it all in one book.

I served as an Adventist missionary in Ukraine, Egypt, and in the state of Washington. It was in Washington that I really started to see the dark side of Adventism. It was at Adventist Frontier Missions that I began to seriously research my way out of the church. I talk a lot about this in my book, but there is so much more to be said about it.

I have recently been ill, and for some reason I was flooded with thoughts of Adventist Frontier Missions and my time there. I thought about those who I went to class with and how, had they only took the time to look deeper into things, they too would have discovered the truth about the SDA church. It was when I was in training to become a missionary that I started to research those things we were told to never look at, namely, Ellen White and her inspiration. It took me a few months of research before I came to the obvious conclusion that she was a fraud (indoctrination will do this to you). 

It would have came quicker, but you have to realize that I had idolized Ellen White (as most of the SDA church does). We were told she was taken to Heaven, had insider knowledge of the ways of God, and could see how the world would be right before Jesus came back. She claimed to have the answers to every aspect of life, from health to how often one should be intimate. Every small faucet of life, no matter what, Ellen White had an opinion on. And the best Adventists, those who would be good enough for heaven, would follow her counsel. When I learned that she was a fraud, I was devastated, and I think there was a part of me that wanted to know that, just to be free of that prison I was in, but another part that didn’t want to, because it would mean realizing that I had wasted almost 10 years of my life—and my youth— on a religion that was a lie. 

TODAY I WANT TO REFLECT ON THE CRUCIBLE AT ADVENTIST FRONTIER MISSIONS

The crucible. We were told to not say anything about it. Why? Perhaps it was due to insurance reasons. Someone could get hurt. I think back to the last activity, when we all were taken to a little stream of icy cold water and told to move these giant beams through the water without hitting the yarn that was put in place. It was a game to bring Bibles to some distant country under the possibility of death. 

Death figures prominently in Adventism, and it is a religion obsessed with the ideas of persecution, pain, suffering, death, and being perfect. The crucible fits well with it. 

Perhaps we were not supposed to say anything about the Adventist Frontier Missions Crucible because it was a way to keep people in suspense. It’s a bit abusive, and although my experience was said not to be “as bad,” I heard stories of missionaries having to crawl through puddles in pouring rain. It seems a bit sadistic to me. But under the guise of Adventism and hastening the return of Jesus, it is normalized. The abuse we put up with…

The crucible took place over a few days somewhere in Michigan. We were not allowed to have our phones, so it’s hard to say exactly where it was. During this time we built our own shelter and marched to and fro carrying heavy beams on our shoulders as if we were Jesus Christ himself. It is uncomfortable and painful, but we were reminded over and over again how westerners “idolize” comfort. Of course, nothing is said about the comfort that Ellen White lived in, how she had servants and lived in a mansion. But that was the prophetess, and we are not her. Our task is to take Adventism to the world and elevate her posthumously. 

At the end of the crucible, we sat in a circle back in Berrien Springs and discussed it. At the time, I enjoyed it. I like getting out of my comfort zone. I like games. I like strategy. I was asked what the meaning was, and I said, “the real crucible is going back to how things are.” I don’t know if anyone understood what I meant, but what I did mean was that the SDA church is a cruel and heartless organization where you are expected to be damn near perfect at all times. If you stray from this ideal, you will hear about it, and you will probably not be saved. That means no heaven for you. Ellen G White made this known in her many books, letters, and articles. 

At the beginning we were taken by bus to a grocery store and told to buy things with various groups we were placed in. Most of the food was basic, but some things we purchased were donuts and other treats. These were for the leaders, not for us. In fact, one thing that does stick out in my mind was how one of the leaders threw the donuts into the fire rather than letting us have them. I found this to be a waste of food and kind of rude, but some love such psychological games. Adventism itself is a psychological game, calculated to bring out feelings of fear and inadequacy. You are told you are “never good enough” and that heaven is always out of reach. Keep giving to the church and maybe, just maybe, you will have a hope of getting in (Did you know that the SDA church is one of the wealthiest denominations, and that’s not because it’s chosen by God as they would have you think).

So, if you are a part of Adventist Frontier Missions and you are about to embark on the crucible, here’s my advice: Study what you are getting yourself into. The crucible activity is not the worst part of what’s to come. It’s the religion that you have dealt with all your life. It’s finding out that what you were told isn’t true. Read and research the many sites that talk about who Ellen White really was, how she actually lived, and the holes that exist in the church. Learn about how the SDA church covers up child abuse by moving leaders around but kicks leaders out for questioning Ellen White. Look at the brokenness that comes from being a part of legalistic religion that strips you of your humanity. Ask yourself why the leaders live so well and why they push it all so hard. Learn the psychology of religion. Ask yourself, “if you were Conrad Vine, or another high ranking SDA leader, would you question anything if it meant giving up your livelihood?” The truth is, those at AFM live cushy and comfortable lives. They travel all over the world, have a ridiculously easy job, and a life of adventure that many can only dream of. They won’t question Adventism, because the cost of doing so is way too damn high. If Conrad Vine wasn't a part of AFM, where would he work? Walmart? (I mean… if he made it to assistant manager maybe he could travel to Bentonville AR once every coupe of years…but I can’t see him doing so well in the non-religious cult world) What about Laurence Burn? Culvers? Come on! They will say or do anything they can to keep the wheels churning. As for you, dear reader, now is your chance to think hard about things, to ask the big questions, and if you have time, to get the hell out of it! 

[addstory]

Adwentyści Dnia Siódmego: Poza szabatem

Wiedza większości ludzi na temat Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego ogranicza się głównie do informacji o ich nabożeństwach w sobotę zamiast w niedzielę. Jednak ta wyjątkowa wspólnota religijna ma o wiele więcej cech niż tylko dzień nabożeństwa.

Historia Kościoła Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego

Kościół Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego wywodzi się od Williama Millera, amerykańskiego kaznodziei i baptysty, który przepowiedział, że Drugie Przyjście Chrystusa nastąpi między 21 marca 1843 a 21 marca 1844 roku. Jego zwolennicy, którzy podzielali oczekiwanie na rychłe nadejście, otrzymali przydomek “adwentyści”.

Kiedy rzekome przyjście nie nastąpiło, Miller niechętnie poparł grupę swoich zwolenników znaną jako “ruch siódmego miesiąca”, która twierdziła, że Chrystus powróci 22 października 1844 r. (w siódmym miesiącu kalendarza żydowskiego).

Kiedy i ta przepowiednia okazała się błędna, Miller zrezygnował z prób przewidzenia daty Drugiego Przyjścia, a jego zwolennicy podzielili się na kilka konkurujących ze sobą grup. Miller nie chciał wiązać się z nowymi teoriami opracowanymi przez jego zwolenników, w tym tych, którzy starali się zachować część jego doktryny z 1844 roku.

William Miller, opierając się na swoich badaniach tekstów Daniela i Objawienia, argumentował, że Chrystus powróci w latach 1843–1844, aby przeprowadzić oczyszczenie “świątyni” (Dan. 8:11–14, 9:26), którą interpretował jako ziemię. Jednak po tym, jak oczekiwane wydarzenie nie miało miejsca w 1844 roku, kilku jego zwolenników zaproponowało inną interpretację. Jednym z nich był Hiram Edson, który podczas spaceru po polu kukurydzy rankiem 23 października 1844 r. poczuł, że otrzymał duchowe objawienie wskazujące, że Miller błędnie zidentyfikował sanktuarium jako ziemię. Wierzył, że sanktuarium znajdowało się w niebiańskiej świątyni Boga, a Chrystus, zamiast wyjść z niebiańskiego sanktuarium, aby oczyścić ziemskie sanktuarium, najpierw wszedł do niebiańskiego Miejsca Najświętszego w 1844 roku, aby je oczyścić.

Inna grupa zwolenników Millera, będąca pod wpływem Josepha Batesa, utrzymywała pogląd, że chrześcijanie powinni przestrzegać szabatu, żydowskiego dnia kultu, zamiast niedzieli. Doprowadziło to do wzrostu antykatolickich nastrojów wśród Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego, którzy oskarżyli Kościół katolicki o zmianę dnia kultu z soboty na niedzielę.

Te dwa nurty myślowe — wejście Chrystusa do niebiańskiego sanktuarium i znaczenie przestrzegania szabatu — zostały połączone przez Ellen Gould White, która twierdziła, że otrzymała wiele wizji potwierdzających te nauki. Wraz z Edsonem i Batesem stała się założycielką denominacji Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego lub Kościoła Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego, który oficjalnie przyjął swoją nazwę w 1860 roku.

Obecnie denominacja liczy 780 000 członków w Stanach Zjednoczonych i 7,8 miliona członków w innych krajach, w tym w krajach o katolickim dziedzictwie.

Siódmy Kościół Adwentystów — Propaganda

Ellen Gould White twierdziła, że pierwsza z wielu wizji ukazała się jej w grudniu 1844 roku. Jej status prorokini został uznany w kręgach adwentystycznych, a ona sama stała się ważnym duchowym przywódcą kościoła. Przez wiele lat udzielała instrukcji na temat różnych aspektów wiary i uwielbienia, będąc autorką ponad pięćdziesięciu książek. Jej zwolennicy uważają jej dzieła za autorytatywne w kwestiach doktrynalnych.

Do jej najważniejszych dzieł należą The Desire of Ages i The Great Controversy, które są często wznawiane przez wydawców Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego w różnych formatach. Książki mogą mieć różne okładki i tytuły, czasem z wymienionym nazwiskiem Ellen Gould White, a czasem bez niego. Pozwala to adwentystom na rozpowszechnianie dzieł White wśród niewtajemniczonych, bez podawania ich za publikacje adwentystyczne, dopóki czytelnicy nie zaczną czytać samego tekstu.

Wydawcy adwentystyczni unikają również używania terminów “dzień siódmy” i “adwentystyczny” w swoich tytułach. Wynika to z faktu, że terminy te mogą wywoływać negatywne skojarzenia wśród niektórych ewangelików, którzy czasami postrzegają adwentystów jako kult lub sektę. Niektórzy ewangelicy twierdzili nawet — niesłusznie — że adwentyści nie są chrześcijanami, mimo że podzielają wiarę w Chrystusa i używają trynitarnej formy chrztu.

Wierzenia adwentystów

Siódmy Kościół Adwentystów zgadza się z wieloma katolickimi doktrynami, w tym z Trójcą Świętą, bóstwem Chrystusa, Niepokalanym Poczęciem, pokutą, fizycznym zmartwychwstaniem umarłych i powtórnym przyjściem Chrystusa. Stosują tradycyjną formę chrztu i wierzą w grzech pierworodny. Odrzucają jednak ewangeliczną doktrynę o niezmiennym zbawieniu, wierząc, że człowiek może utracić zbawienie.

Niestety, adwentyści wyznają również kilka fałszywych i dziwnych doktryn. Wierzą, że Kościół Katolicki jest Nierządnicą Babilonu, a papież jest Antychrystem. Twierdzą, że w dniach ostatecznych niedzielne nabożeństwo stanie się “znamieniem bestii” i że w przyszłym tysiącleciu po ziemi będzie panoszył się diabeł. Wierzą, że dusza śpi między śmiercią a zmartwychwstaniem, a pod koniec czasów niegodziwcy zostaną zniszczeni, a nie potępieni na zawsze.

Adwentyści trzymają się również zasad sola scriptura (Biblia jest jedyną regułą wiary) i sola fide (usprawiedliwienie tylko przez wiarę). Jednak niektórzy protestanci, zwłaszcza konserwatywni ewangelicy i fundamentaliści, krytykują ich za to, wierząc, że nie przestrzegają tych zasad. Wszystko to wywołuje kontrowersje i spory w społeczności chrześcijańskiej dotyczące doktryn i praktyk.

Adwentystyczny antykatolicyzm

Katolicy mogą postrzegać antykatolicyzm jako charakterystyczny dla radykalnych skrzydeł adwentyzmu. Jednak pogląd ten nie jest całkowicie trafny. Chociaż istnieje pogląd na katolicyzm wśród Siódmego Kościoła Adwentystów, adwentyści, którzy są umiarkowani wobec katolicyzmu, stanowią mniejszość. Antykatolicyzm obecny w denominacji wynika z faktu, że znajduje on odzwierciedlenie w “natchnionych przez Boga” pismach White. Kilka cytatów może wyjaśnić tę kwestię:

“Babilon Wielki, matka nierządnic, jest później opisany jako ‘wielkie miasto panujące nad królami ziemi’. (Objawienie 17:4–6, 18). Potęgą, która przez wieki despotycznie rządziła królami chrześcijaństwa, jest Rzym” (The Great Controversy, 338).

“Jedną z podstawowych doktryn rzymskiego katolicyzmu jest nauczanie, że papież jest widzialną głową powszechnego Kościoła Chrystusowego i jest nieomylny. Wszyscy ludzie muszą oddawać mu cześć. To samo żądanie, które Szatan wysuwał na pustyni kuszenia, on [Szatan] nadal wysuwa za pośrednictwem Kościoła rzymskiego, a tłumy chętnie je akceptują” (The Great Controversy, 48).

“Kościół rzymski wykazuje się niezwykłym sprytem i przebiegłością. Jest w stanie przewidzieć przyszłość. Nie spieszy się, widząc, że kościoły protestanckie akceptują jego fałszywy szabat. Należy pamiętać, że Rzym szczyci się swoją niezmiennością. Zasady ustanowione przez Grzegorza VII i Innocentego III są nadal fundamentalne dla Kościoła rzymskokatolickiego. I gdyby miał taką możliwość, wprowadziłby je w życie z taką samą determinacją dzisiaj, jak robił to w przeszłości” (z The Great Controversy, 507–8).

“Słowo Boże ostrzega przed zbliżającym się niebezpieczeństwem; ale jeśli nie zostanie to zważone, świat protestancki pozna prawdziwe cele Rzymu dopiero wtedy, gdy będzie za późno, aby uniknąć pułapki. Rzym po cichu zyskuje na popularności. Jego doktryny wpływają na ciała ustawodawcze, kościoły i serca ludzi. Wznosi swoje wielkie budowle, w których powtarzać się będą prześladowania z przeszłości. Potajemnie i ukradkiem umacnia swoje pozycje, aby zrealizować swoje cele, gdy nadejdzie czas uderzenia. Wszystko, czego potrzebuje, to korzystna pozycja, która już została zapewniona. Wkrótce zobaczymy i poczujemy prawdziwe intencje rzymskiego kościoła. Ci, którzy wierzą i podążają za słowem Bożym, będą oczerniani i prześladowani” (z The Great Controversy, 508–9).

Cytaty te pochodzą z jednego z najsłynniejszych dzieł White, The Great Controversy.

Adwentystyczna eschatologia

Siódmy Kościół Adwentystów koncentruje się na koncepcji czasów ostatecznych. Wyrósł on z pozostałości ruchu Millerytów, który został zorganizowany w oczekiwaniu na koniec świata. Żydowski szabat i Kościół katolicki odgrywają szczególną rolę w nauczaniu White na temat dni ostatecznych.

Według White papiestwo reprezentuje siedmiogłową bestię z morza z Księgi Objawienia 13:1–10. Towarzyszy mu podobna do baranka bestia wychodząca z ziemi (Obj. 13:11–18). Zgodnie z jej nauczaniem, drugą bestią są Stany Zjednoczone (z The Great Controversy, 387–8) i sprawi ona, że ludzie będą czcić papiestwo poprzez “zmuszanie ich do przestrzegania pewnych obrzędów, które będą aktem papieskiego kultu” (tamże, 389). Obrzęd ten, według jej nauczania, jest kultem niedzielnym, a nie szabatowym.

White argumentuje, że papiestwo zmieniło dzień kultu z soboty na niedzielę, czyniąc tę zmianę znakiem swojego autorytetu. Wierzy, że nadejdzie czas, gdy Stany Zjednoczone będą miały “narodowe prawo niedzielne”, które zmusi obywateli do oddawania czci w niedzielę. To nie doprowadzi ich do przyjęcia katolicyzmu, ale do przyłączenia się do protestanckiego kościoła państwowego, który jest “obrazem” papiestwa, a tym samym “obrazem bestii” (tamże, 382–96).

Adwentyzm Dnia Siódmego nie może zmienić swoich poglądów na Kościół katolicki jako nierządnicę Babilonu bez porzucenia doktryny niedzielnego kultu. Nie może porzucić doktryny niedzielnego kultu bez zrewidowania swoich poglądów na temat żydowskiego szabatu. Adwentyzm Dnia Siódmego nie może przestać być antykatolicki, nie przestając być Adwentyzmem Dnia Siódmego.

Owszem, istnieje “umiarkowane” skrzydło w Kościele Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego, które jest bardziej otwarte na katolików jako jednostki i uznaje, że mogą być wśród nich zbawieni. Znajduje to odzwierciedlenie w stwierdzeniach Ellen White, że wśród katolików mogą być prawdziwi chrześcijanie, którzy pomimo przestrzegania niedzieli szczerze służą Bogu. Jednak, jak zauważyłeś, te tolerancyjne stwierdzenia często giną wśród wielu antykatolickich wypowiedzi w jej pismach.

Umiarkowani zwolennicy Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego mogą próbować podkreślać takie tolerancyjne aspekty nauk White, ale trudno im to robić w kontekście, w którym cały otaczający ich świat jest antykatolicki. Nauki eschatologiczne, takie jak domniemany okres prześladowań papieskich i pojęcie prawa niedzielnego, tworzą atmosferę, w której trudno jest przyjąć tolerancyjną postawę wobec katolicyzmu.

Chociaż Adwentyści Dnia Siódmego, poprzez swój chrzest i wiarę w boskość Chrystusa, są chrześcijanami, ich oddzielenie od kościoła założonego przez Jezusa Chrystusa naraża ich na różne nauki i aspiracje, w tym antykatolicyzm, co czasami uniemożliwia im osiągnięcie bardziej tolerancyjnej i otwartej postawy wobec innych wyznań chrześcijańskich.

[ohsosunshine]

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