Expert: Anthony - 6/26/2009

Question
Hi Anthony. I don't believe SDA's are a cult. However some do come across as
arrogant, mainly due to the claim that they are the organization prophesied
in Rev 12:17. If christians believe that we are not saved by law (including the
10 commandments) but by grace alone, how come SDA's believe that law
keeping saves them? Do SDA's believe that Jesus is the only one who can
claim to have kept the 4th commandment? So why can't all christians claim
Rev 12:17 because of what Jesus did?  There are many christians who observe
the 7th day sabbath and yet do not belong to the SDA organization. Can they
claim Rev 12:17? Thanks Anthony. I look forward to your reply.

Answer
Hello Karl, thanks for writing all the way from New Zealand and hope you have an enjoyable Sabbath.  I don’t know who you talk to but anyone including SDA’s knowledgeable in the Scriptures know that law keeping does not save a person (Rom.3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:) Christ saves the person through what He accomplished, so if an SDA person or group tells you differently then they are confused.  As I mentioned at other times you will find the good and the bad in all religions.  There will be SDA’s that are lost and there will be non-SDA’s that are saved.  God looks on the heart.  We are responsible for what light we receive and for what light it is in our power to receive.  So yes, you will find arrogant SDA’s.  Some of the most arrogant person’s I ever met were at Andrews’ University. The description of Laodicea the last day church (our time) receives the sharpest and severest rebuke from Christ because of its pride and arrogance.  All other churches except Sardis receive some sort of commendation but not Laodicea. On the other hand you may meet some of the sweetest and sincere persons in so called “Scripturally incorrect denominations.” Well I guess that’s enough bashing but anyway maybe there is a miscommunication between faith and works.  True we are saved by faith (actually grace) but one cannot just sit back, do nothing and rely on faith to save them.  Just believing alone won’t save you because the Bible says that even the devils believe.  I guess James explains it best: James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?    2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  So then, you can’t be saved without faith but it is possible to be lost without works.  We should keep the commandments of God not to be saved but because we are saved and wish to please Him by obeying Him.  I don’t know if Christians believe the Jesus is the only one who kept the Sabbath.  He is the only One that kept it perfectly though.  Revelation 12:17 is not a claim but a description of the Christian church prior to Christ’s second coming.  God’s true church will have the testimony of Jesus (His example) and keep the commandments (all of them).  Many Christians today do not keep the 4th commandment.  Some out of ignorance some out of willful ignorance.  You can be assured that before every case is decided that all will have the opportunity to investigate the claims of the 4th commandment and then make their own decision.  Anyway I guess what I’m trying to say is that you find the good and bad, the sincere and rebellious in every church.  Sometimes this can be a discouragement but the solution is not to look at individual church members but to look at Christ.  Everyone, no matter who will always let you down at some point but not so with the Lord.  Thanks for writing and continue your close walk with the Lord, aa