Expert: Sal - 5/25/2009

Question
1.  Who were the early Christian writers prior to Constantine?

2.  What information do you have on the Sabbath being only for the Israelites?

3.  What are the false prophecies and Bible contradictions by this Ellen G. White person?

4.  What info do you have to substantiate that the Adventists are wrong about their belief in "Soul Sleep"?

Answer
Dear Lisa:

1. The early Christian writers who recorded that Christians worshipped on Sunday prior to Constantine were Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Eusebius of Caesarea among others.

2. The Sabbath was first given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt (Ex. 16:22-30). God gave it only to the Israelites. “For remember that you too were once slaves in Egypt, and the Lord, your God, brought you from there with his strong hand and outstretched arm. That is why the Lord, your God, has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day” (Deut. 5:15). Only Israel were once slaves in Egypt. God made the Sabbath the sign of the covenant that he made only with Israel (Ex. 31:12-13. 16-17; Ez. 20:12, 20). The Old Covenant law, that the Sabbath was a part of, was not given to any other nation. “He proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them” (Ps. 147: 19-20). St. Paul explicitly stated that the Gentiles did not have the Old Covenant law which contained the Sabbath command. “When Gentiles who do not have the law keep it as by instinct, these men although without the law serve as a law for themselves” (Rom. 2:14). No one else besides Israel was ever commanded to keep the Sabbath. No one else bides Israel was ever condemned for not keeping the Sabbath. All this leads me to conclude that the Sabbath was only for Israel.

3. Some of the many Bible contradictions and false prophecies of Ellen White are   EGW says: The plan of salvation was made after the Fall (Selected Messages, vol. 1, pp. 231-232 [1879]; Great Controversy, p. 347 [1888]).
The BIBLE says: The plan of salvation was made “before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9; see also Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:18-20).

EGW says: When Eve was tempted by Satan Adam was not with her (Patriarchs & Prophets, pp. 53-54).
The BIBLE says: “So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” (Genesis 3:6).   

EGW says: Adam was deceived (Great Controversy, p. 352 [1885 ed.]; Evangelism, p. 598 [1900]).
The BIBLE says: “It was not Adam who was deceived” (1 Timothy 2:14).

EGW says: An angel spoke to Cain (Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 74 [1890]).
The Bible says: “So the LORD said to Cain…” (Genesis 4:6; see also vs. 9, 10, 13, 15, 16).

EGW says: An angel shut the door of Noah’s ark (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 68 [1864]).
The BIBLE says: “Then the LORD shut him in” (Genesis 7:16).

EGW says: Some species of animals were not allowed into the ark (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p.15).
The BIBLE says: “Of all the living creatures you shall bring two into the ark” (Genesis 6:19).

EGW says: Not everything outside the ark died (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, p.77).
The BIBLE says: “…everything on earth shall die” (Genesis 6:17).

EGW says: Noah ate only the flesh of clean animals (Patriarchs & Prophets, p.107).
The BIBLE says: “Every creature that is alive shall be yours to eat” (Genesis 9:3).

EGW says: The Tower of Babel was built before the Flood (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p.301).
The BIBLE says: The Tower of Babel was built after the Flood (see Genesis 11:1-9).

EGW says: Pharaoh’s magicians did not turn their rods into snakes (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, pp.205-6).
The BIBLE says: The magicians did turn their rods into snakes (see Exodus 7:8-12).

EGW says: Slaves cannot be saved (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, p.193; Early Writings, p.276).
The BIBLE says: Slaves may be saved (see 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28).

EGW says: The Ten Commandments were written on only one side of the tablets (Early Writings, p.32).
The BIBLE says: The Ten Commandments “were written on both sides, front and back” (Exodus 32:15).

EGW says: Jesus did not choose Judas (Desire of Ages, pp. 293, 294, 717 [1898]).
The BIBLE says: “Jesus replied, ‘Did I not choose the Twelve of you myself?’” (John 6:70).

EGW says: The Atonement was not finished at Calvary (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p.58 [1868]; Early Writings, p. 253 [1882]; Great Controversy, pp.422, 623 [1888]).
The BIBLE says: The Atonement was finished at Calvary (see John 19:30; Hebrews 10:12).

EGW says: The blood of Christ doesn’t cancel our sins (Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 357 [1890]).
The BIBLE says: “The blood of His Son cleanses us of all sin” (1 John 1:7; see also Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 13:12).

EGW says: On the way to Calvary Jesus fainted three times under the weight of the cross (Spiritual gifts, vol. 1, p. 57).
The BIBLE says: Nothing about Jesus falling even once. “As they led him away…They put a crossbeam on Simon’s shoulder for him to carry along behind Jesus” (Luke 23:36; see also Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21).

EGW says: Mary, the mother of Jesus, was led away from Calvary before the crucifixion (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, p. 58 [1858]).
The BIBLE says: “After the soldiers had crucified Jesus…Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother…Seeing his mother there…” (John 19:23, 25, 26).

EGW says: Jesus’ bones were broken during the Crucifixion  (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, p58).
The BIBLE says: Jesus’ bones were not broken (see John 19:33, 36).

EGW says: We are reconciled to God through obedience to the Law (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p.294).
The BIBLE says: “…we were reconciled to Him by the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10; see also 2 Corinthians 5:18; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).

EGW says: The only way to obtain God’s favor is to keep the Commandments (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 28).
The BIBLE says: “It should be obvious that no one is justified in God’s sight by the Law, for ‘the just man shall live by faith’” (Galatians 3:11).

EGW says: The seal of God is the keeping of the 7th day Sabbath (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p.117; Great Controversy, p.640).
The BIBLE says: The seal of God is the Holy Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).

EGW says: Satan will bare our sins (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p.475; Great Controversy, pp.422, 485).
The BIBLE says: Jesus bore our sins. “In his own body he brought your sins to the cross…”(1 Peter 2:24).


EGW says: “The man Christ Jesus was not the Lord God Almighty” (Letter 32 [1899] quoted in the SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1129).
The BIBLE says: “In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God” (John 1:1); “You will surely die in your sins unless you come to believe that I AM” (John 8:24, cf. Exodus 3:14); “I solemnly declare it: before Abraham came to be, I AM” (John 8:58).

EGW says: God will require a trespass offering from some people before He will forgive them (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 390; vol. 5, p. 339).
The BIBLE says: “But if we acknowledge our sins, he who is just can be trusted to forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrong” (1 John 1:9; see also Hebrews 10:12-18; Peter 1: 18-19).

EGW says: St. Paul learned the gospel message from men (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 430).
The BIBLE says: “I assure you, brothers, the gospel I proclaimed to you is no mere human invention. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I schooled in it. It came by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12).

EGW says: We are required to kneel when we pray (Selected Messages, vol. 2, pp. 311, 312).
The BIBLE says: “He [Jesus] advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer” (Matthew 26: 39); Jesus instructed, “When you stand to pray…” (Mark 11:25; cf. 1 Kings 8:22).

EGW says: Michael the archangel and Jesus Christ are the same being (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4, p. 58; Desire of Ages p. 99).
The BIBLE says: Michael cannot rebuke Satan (Jude 9), but Jesus can. “Away with you, Satan!”(Matthew 4:10). Jesus is worshipped by the angels (Hebrews 1:6).  


EGW says: We can know the exact day and hour of Jesus’ Second Coming (Early Writings, pp. 15, 34, 285).
The BIBLE says: “As for the exact day or hour, no one knows it, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).


EGW says: Vegetarianism leads to salvation. “Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God’s people to walk no more with them”  (Counsels on Diet and Food, p. 382).
The BIBLE says: Food has no bearing on salvation. “Do not be lead astray by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents” (Hebrews 13:9). “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

EGW says: The Sabbath saves. “It means eternal salvation to keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 356 [1901]).
The BIBLE says: Faith in Jesus saves. “I repeat, it is owing to his favor that salvation is yours through faith. This is not your own doing, it is God’s gift; neither is it a reward for anything you have accomplished, so let no one pride himself on it” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The BIBLE says: The Sabbath was a “mere shadow of things to come, the reality is found in Christ” (Colossians 2:17).

EGW said concerning her writings, “There is one straight chain of truth without one heretical sentence in that which I have written” (Selected Messages, vol. 3, p.52 [Letter 329A, 1905]). Nothing could be further from the truth as we have seen from a mere sampling of her contradictions with the Bible (for further information see www.truthorfables.com/EGW_Contradicts.htm and www.ellenwhiteexposed.com). One thing that EGW said that I completely agree with is “If (my) testimonies speak not according to the Word of God, reject them” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p.601). Amen, Ellen, amen!

PROPHECY: “Old Jerusalem would never be built up” (Early Writings, p.75).
REALITY: Since 1948, Old Jerusalem has been greatly built up by the Israelis.

PROPHECY: EGW will be alive at Jesus’ Second Coming. “Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man’s hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son of Man…Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted, ‘Alleluia!’ as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air” (Early Writings, pp.15-16).
REALITY: EGW died on July 16, 1915.

PROPHECY: Some alive in 1856 will see Christ’s Second Coming. She declared that she had seen in vision that of those at a meeting with her in May of 1856 some would become “food for worms,” others would be “subjects of the seven last plagues,” and others would “remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus”  (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp.131-132).
REALITY: All from 1856 have died.

PROPHECY: The Civil War is a sign that Jesus is about to return. “The signs of Christ’s coming are too plain to be doubted, and in view of these things everyone who possesses the truth should be a living preacher…All heaven is astir. The scenes of earth’s history are fast closing. We are amid the perils of the last days” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 260).
REALITY: Jesus did not return.

PROPHECY: England will attack the U.S. during the Civil War. In 1862 she predicted that “when England does declare war, all nations will have an interest of their own to serve, and there will be general war, general confusion” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p.259).
REALITY: England did not attack.

PROPHECY: The earth will be depopulated soon after 1864. “The human family was presented before me, enfeebled. Every generation has been growing weaker, and disease of every form visits the human race…Satan’s power upon the human family increases. If the Lord should not soon come and destroy his power, the earth would soon be depopulated” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p.94).
REALITY: The earth’s population has increased greatly.

PROPHECY: Jesus will return to the earth before the abolition of slavery. “I saw that the slave master will have to answer for the soul of his slave who he has kept in ignorance…the master must endure the seven last plagues and then come up in the second resurrection and suffer the second, most awful death. Then will the justice of God be satisfied” (Early Writings, p. 276).
REALITY: Slavery was abolished February 1, 1865. Jesus did not return.

PROPHECY: Moses Hull, an SDA, was leaving the faith. EGW warned him, “If you proceed in the way you have started, misery and woe are before you. God’s hand will arrest you in a manner that will not suit you. His wrath will not slumber” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 430-431).
REALITY: Moses Hull left the SDA church & lived a long, happy life as a Christian (see Canright, D.M., Life of E.G. White, chapter 15).

PROPHECY: Mr. C. Carlstedt, an SDA, was seriously ill with Typhoid. EGW predicted that he would recover.
REALITY: Mr. Carlstedt died several days later (see Lee, Charles, Three Important Questions for Seventh-Day Adventists to Consider [1876]).

PROPHECY: The Fox sisters’ rapping “was not the result of human trickery or cunning” (Great Controversy p. 553).
REALITY: Margaret Fox admitted the “rapping” was a result of human trickery and cunning (New York World Newspaper, October 21, 1888).

The Bible warns against “Prophets” like EGW. “Beloved, do not trust every spirit, but put the spirits to the test to see if they belong to God, because many false prophets have appeared in the world” (1 John 4:1).  

For further evidence see Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Ezekiel 13:6-9, 17-23; Jeremiah 23:32; Matthew 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1-3.

4. Soul Sleep.

In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) we read of the dead being conscious. In the face of this obvious contradiction to their theology, the SDA claim that this story is a parable; therefore, they do not have to consider what Jesus says as literally true. Even if one accepts this story as a parable, does it follow that one can dismiss what it says? The answer is: no. In what other parable does our Lord use a falsehood to teach truth? The answer is: none. So whether this story is a parable or not the fact remains that Jesus speaks of the dead as conscious, and he never used a falsehood to teach a truth.  

Another passage that shows that Jesus believed that the dead were conscious is found in the story of the Good Thief (Luke 23:39-43). Jesus indicates the consciousness of the dead with his statement, “I assure you: this day you will be with me in paradise” (v. 43). So strong and clear is this statement of our Lord that the SDA tries to manipulate the very words of our Lord. They make a slight, but important change. “I assure you today: you will be with me in paradise.”  It may be informative to know that no Bible scholar translates v. 43 in that manner. Firstly, it would be ridiculous of our Lord to be informing the Good Thief that he was speaking to him this day! Secondly, Jesus uses the phrase, “I assure you” (also translated as “Verily, verily”, “Truly, truly”, or “Amen, amen”) over 70 times in the gospels. Never once does he add to the phrase what day it is that he is speaking. He always uses the phrase followed by a promise or statement of fact. Therefore, the SDA has no legitimate grounds for changing the traditional rendering of this passage.

The two greatest Apostles, Peter and Paul, both believed in the consciousness of the dead. St. Peter tells us what Jesus did while his body lay in the tomb.

“He was put to death as far as earthly existence goes, but was given life in the realm of the spirit. It was in the spirit also that he went to preach to the spirits in prison” (I Peter 3:18b-19).

Peter relates that Jesus went to preach the gospel to those spirits in Hades who had died before his saving ministry began (see also 4:6). St. Paul believed that he would be with the Lord upon death. “I repeat, we are full of confidence and would much rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:7). The nonsense of the SDA’s position on soul sleep is highlighted by: “If on the other hand, I am to go on living in the flesh, that means productive toil for me-and I do not know which I prefer. I am strongly attracted by both; I long to be freed from this life and be with Christ, for this is a far better thing, yet it is more urgent that I remain alive for your sakes” (Philipians 1:22-24).

Could anyone truly believe that St. Paul would consider it “ a far better thing” to be unconscious rather than to be preaching the saving message of his Lord? St. Paul is clear that he believed that upon death one would be “ at home with the Lord” not unconscious.

Even in the Old Testament that did not have the complete revelation (see Hebrews 1:1-2) we still see indications of knowledge of the consciousness of the dead. Isaiah relates how the dead in Hades react to the death of the King of Babylon. “The nether world below is all astir preparing for your coming…All of them speak out and say to you, ‘You too have become weak like us, you are the same as we’” (Isaiah 14:9-10).   Ezekiel relates a similar scene, “Then from the midst of the nether world, the mighty warriors shall speak to Egypt” (Ezekiel 32:20). Further, he tells us that the deceased Pharaoh sees and is comforted (v. 31).

An amazingly clear account of the consciousness of the dead occurs in I Samuel 28. Here the deceased Samuel appears to King Saul. This passage is so clearly opposed to the SDA position that they have taken to saying that Samuel really wasn’t Samuel, but a demon. The text, however, does not even remotely support such an interpretation. The inspired author is extremely clear in his belief that Samuel was Samuel. For example, “When the woman saw Samuel…” (v. 12), “Samuel then said…” (v. 15), “To this Samuel said…” (v. 16), and “…shaken by Samuel’s message” (v. 20). Since the inspired author is so clear we dare not hold a contrary opinion.

A later writer commenting on I Samuel 28 wrote, “Even while he (Samuel) lay buried, his guidance was sought, he made known to the king (Saul) his fate, and from the grave he raised his voice as a prophet, to put an end to wickedness” (Sirach 46:20).

One more passage which disproves Soul Sleep is Matthew 17:1-8. Here Jesus appears on the Mount of Transfiguration speaking to Elijah and Moses. While Elijah may not have died (see II Kings 2:11; I Maccabees 2:58), Moses certainly did. “So there, in the land of Moab, Moses, the servant of the Lord, died…” (Deuteronomy 34:5). Yet we read, “Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with him” (Matthew 17:3). Once again the evidence is so strong against them that the SDA church resorts to an illogical, unbiblical attempt to keep their doctrine. They state that Moses must have been resurrected! This is nowhere found in the Bible.

I believe that these passages make it abundantly clear that the Bible doesn’t support the SDA doctrine of Soul Sleep.

God Bless,
Sal