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| Third Elijah Message |
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23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. It is important to recognize that being a part of the olive tree, the remnant or chosen people, is based on belief and practice, not genealogy. The entire chapter of Romans 11 is important for careful reading on this topic. I am a student, follower, and presenter of God's Law. I am an Israelite and a Hebrew, in essence, by practice of the Law of Moses and belief in all the Law of God. I am not Jewish by birth and I do not promote Judaism or Jewish culture. I do not wear a kippah because it is a Jewish tradition and not a command of God. I do not wear tefillin nor do I have a mezuzah on my house. I do wear tassels (tzitzit) because they are a command of God (Numbers 15:37-41). 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. This chart shows my evaluation of the relationship between obedience and tradition for various belief systems.
Please understand, there are healthy traditions, benign traditions, and malignant traditions. Healthy traditions are based only on the Word of God. These can be made malignant by the misinterpretation of men, which turns them away from the meaning of the Bible. Benign traditions are cultural customs, which are not contrary to the Bible unless they become malignant by attaching moral significance or inflated status above Bible truth. Malignant traditions are directly against Bible truth and contradict the Word of God. |
The Coming of ElijahOne of the healthy Jewish traditions is an expectation of the coming of Elijah before the coming of the Messiah. There is some benign confusion in whether they expect the original Elijah to return from heaven. This belief was prominent at the first coming and still exists today. We also expect an "Elijah" prophet before the second coming. The existence of this belief at the first coming is seen at the appearance of Elijah at the Transfiguration. 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?The end of a modern Jewish Sabbath is practiced with a traditional Havdalah ceremony, which ends with singing Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) in the hopes that Elijah the Prophet will come to herald the messianic age when the world will begin one long Shabbat. This is known by Christians as the millenium. In many traditions, the front door of the house is opened near the end of the Passover Seder. An open chair is kept at the table for the Prophet Elijah. The rabbis promote the idea Elijah's arrival would precipitate the coming of the Messiah, at which time all questions of the Law will be resolved. Some believe Elijah will visit each home on Seder night as a foreshadowing of his future arrival at the end of the days, when he will come to announce the coming of the Jewish Messiah. The Passover Seder is traditionally connected with the Messianic age. We believe part of the Messianic age began with the First Advent and the full crowning of the Messiah in power will occur near the Second Advent when all believers will be rewarded and all others will be destroyed with all traces of sinners. There are many other aspects of Jewish tradition, which are malignant because they contradict, overshadow, or are held up to the same level as God's truth. The Messiah warned of this danger: 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. I uphold the Law of Moses and practice it completely. I do not uphold or practice any Jewish tradition, which goes beyond or outside of the Law of Moses. |
Jewish CultureThe Jews have a rich cultural heritage going back about four thousand years to the birth of Abraham. During this time, they have created many national holidays, which go beyond the command of God. They have created philosophies and religious practices, which go beyond the Word of God. There is a great danger when moral significance is attached to Jewish tradition and culture. There is nothing wrong with Jewish culture, which does not elevate itself to become more important than God's Law. I have met many Adventists with no known Jewish blood who have recognized obedience to all of God's Law. These are often pressured to cease attending the Adventist church. Some of these begin associating with Messianic groups because of some shared values. Some fall under the influence and teachings of a Rabbi and become drawn into Jewish practices. I am a little disappointed when I learn that some are highly attracted to Messianic groups after experiencing rejection by the Adventist church. I was also interested at first in the Messianic faith because it seemed to be practicing all of God's law but I quickly learned it was also deeply steeped in past Jewish traditions and not present truth. I believe there is a danger in being distracted by Jewish culture and traditions. Satan can use an interest in traditions as a distraction from the greater present truths. The problem of tradition, whether Jewish or Adventist, replacing God's commandments was noted by the Messiah. 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. Paul has some comments about the dangers of tradition. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Peter mentions the distractions of tradition. 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;I suspect one of the traps of Jewish culture is a misplaced sense of the Jews as the chosen people and a desire to be part of such a group. I have observed a danger of traditions distracting from present truth. One way that this can occur is when more time is being spent studying and discussing traditions than the present truth for this time. Please do not get the impression that I condemn anyone for practicing Jewish traditions. My understandings, beliefs, teachings, and practices are not a standard to follow or a condemnation of anyone else who chooses to do something different. Each individual is responsible for following their best understanding of the Bible. It is my desire to do what God calls me to do. It is also my desire to avoid anything that distracts from that calling. The Bible is clear to me about those things that I am to teach to lead others to the Messiah and to help them to understand the Bible. My understanding is that the Word of God does not direct me to teach the practice of any traditions. Traditions add a sense of security and belonging when they are practiced with fellow believers. Too many traditions become the focus of religious practice and dilute the practice of religion as God specifies it. A revival of a simpler more basic and primitive religion and godliness is needed in this age. |
Primitive GodlinessI have been accused by those who are caught up in following Jewish tradition, even though they are not Jewish, of being trapped by Catholic/Christian/Adventist tradition because I refuse to follow Jewish tradition. It is amazing that anyone who follows all of God's Law, including the statutes, can be described as bound by Adventist tradition. I have also been accused of legalism by those who do not wish to follow the command of God because I obey all of God's Law. God has called me to follow His word. I choose to do what God has commanded. God provides the desire to do His will. I do what God has given me the desire to do. God gives me the ability and skill to do what He asks me to do. I do what I can no matter what men may say. God is responsible for the results in my life and in the work I do for Him. If this is legalism, then I shall be happy to be a called a legalist. I stand with Joshua to follow God. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.I stand with Elijah to follow God. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. I stand with John the Baptist to follow God. 1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, I stand with obedience to the voice God. 4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. There are two ditches beside the straight and narrow road into which you can fall. If you choose to follow all of God's Law, Satan can try to push you into the ditch of also following Jewish tradition. If you choose not to follow all of God's Law and call it Jewish, Satan pushes you into the ditch of following Catholic/Christian/Adventist tradition. If you think to yourself that following all of God's law will save you, Satan has given you a flat tire. When I study the Bible and discuss biblical issues with others, I observe major disagreements between obeying what God says and following the traditions of men. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Many disagreements result from the philosophical reasoning and delusions of those who grab on to new fanciful ideas or cling to old established ideas instead of following and obeying simple Bible truth. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Primitive godliness is a return to knowing and following only the commands of God and leaving behind man's vain traditions. A primitive godliness is not defiled with allegiance to man's organizations in competition with allegiance to God. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. I believe Ellen White clearly associates the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Latter Rain with a revival of this primitive godliness. Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God's special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world. {GC 464.1} (Underlining added) Some believe the preceding quote only applies to other churches. Sad to say, I believe it applies to some Seventh-day Adventist churches. These quotes come from the chapter "Modern Revivals" in the Great Controversy. This chapter deserves careful reading for the many comments she makes about what is happening even more now than when she wrote. She clearly identifies the Law of God as critical to this revival. It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16. {GC 478.3} (Underlining added) God says the Law of Moses is His Law. 4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.Primitive faith and godliness is to follow a religion devoid of dependence on traditions, which follows the Word of God. |
Seventh-day Adventist TraditionI have been made keenly aware the tradition of the SDA church leads to a rejection of all of God's Law as embodied in the Torah. The law of God is restricted to an artificial, hypocritical, and ambiguous limitation to the Ten Commandments. I have been very careful to avoid controversy in the church and speak openly only to others who show an interest in more than the traditions of the church. The Adventist church increasingly labels the Torah and the details of God's Law as Jewish and anti-Christian. Adventists and Christians increasingly ignore or deny the roots of the religion. While it is true, Christianity has its origin in Judaism, it also correct to say it has descended from those origins. I use the word descended in the sense that Christianity has forsaken the lofty principles of the religion and adopted lower standards. It is also true, modern Judaism has descended from the lofty principles of the religion. They have included an increasing number of traditions that are extra-biblical in the teachings of their faith. The Saviour spoke of the dangers of this practice already 2000 years ago. These words apply as much to Adventism and Christianity as it does to Judaism. 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. This quote from Isaiah is from a chapter, which has many thoughts that are well to consider in these last days. 13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: A parallel passage and chapter in Ezekiel is also very valuable reading. 31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. Where are the modern children of Abraham to position themselves between modern Christianity which rejects and ignores Bible teachings including the law in Leviticus, versus modern Judaism, which rejects the Messiah, and Messianism which retains so much tradition as to reject or obscure the Three Angels' Message? 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. The modern children of Abraham are to hold to the teachings of the fathers of the faith. 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Note that there are commandments and statutes. The heart of the fathers of the faith is to be in us their modern children. 4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Note that we are to remember the law including the statutes. When there is too much time spent on extra-Biblical tradition or even prophetic interpretation, it creates the danger of distracting from the law of God. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; Failure in the church to follow the Bible completely and faithfully results in a moving away from more of Bible truth inside and outside the church and university walls. |
Israelite NationSeventh-day Adventists in an increasing number are following the Laws of Moses. They are becoming devout to the religion of the fathers, as directed by the Third Elijah Message. There is an increasing awkwardness when reaching people outside of the church and leading them directly to the Third Elijah Message. One person I know is a Seventh-day Adventist but he refers to himself as an Israelite. He is concerned that people will be confused if he tells them he is SDA because the church does not completely practice the Law of Moses. I can appreciate the quandary because I have felt it many times myself. In my case, most of the people I talk to are SDA and have difficulty recognizing that I am also SDA. Many assume I am Jewish. In truth, I am more than SDA. The use of the term Israelite is appealing. I have repeated many times: 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. The children of Abraham are called Hebrews or Israelites. Those who return to the religion of Abraham should also be called Hebrews or Israelites. It suddenly strikes me as humorous that people sing the song "Give me that old time religion" but they are not going back far enough to the true old time religion. At the least, they should go back to the religion of the apostles who were Israelites and kept the Law of Moses. Ellen makes a very interesting observation about the nation of Israel. She uses the term Jews, which is applied to many people of many different beliefs. I believe it would be more accurate to refer to the nation that is born as Israelites. There will be many converted from among the Jews, and these converts will aid in preparing the way of the Lord and making straight in the desert a highway for our God. Converted Jews are to have an important part to act in the great preparations to be made in the future to receive Christ, our Prince. A nation shall be born in a day. How? By men whom God has appointed being converted to the truth. There will be seen, "First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear" (Mark 4:28). The predictions of prophecy will be fulfilled. The day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly, and men are asleep. Read Matt. 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Ms--75, 1905. ("Building the Waste Places," May, 1905.) {MR760 14.4} The nation born in a day has some interesting symbolism. I believe the day is Pentecost. The first Pentecost at Sinai saw the first birth of the nation of Israel who committed themselves to following the Law of God. The second Pentecost saw the birth of the nation of Israel, which added Gentiles who followed the true spiritual ancestry of the Israelites. The coming Pentecost will be the birth of the 144k who will be the renewed nation of Israel which will go on to draw in others to the church in the final time of sealing just before IAUShUO returns. |
Berean CommunityOne of the dangers, which occur with those who find themselves following all of God’s Law, is the tendency to draw away from Seventh-day Adventist fellowship. A balance is needed between studying by ourselves and studying with others. The most important place to study is within the Bible but there are other sources, which can add to our study of the Bible. These outside sources must be verified against what the Bible says and kept in balance. A careful study of all of II Timothy chapter 2 and 3 is very valuable to help us to understand how we are to interact with others. I believe it teaches Bible study is very important but we must not turn away from interacting with others. This was addressed directly in Hebrews. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) I think there is a hint here there were many disputes and arguments. When we "provoke" it should be to love and not contention. We need to share and discuss to promote growth and understanding. We do not work in a vacuum only studying the Word. We must interact with others who challenge us to think, learn, and grow. However, we must always test everything first by the Bible. 16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. There are times when specific important things in the Bible are apparently not complete in details sufficient for our understanding. God's Sacred Calendar appears to be one of those things. God has chosen for this vital understanding to be based in general on the Bible but where the Bible is not specific, we rely for understanding on rational explanations and the history preserved for us through other traditions. We must be careful not to focus exclusively on one tradition as our witness. This is also a Bible principle. 15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Our Saviour repeats the principle of guidance by multiple witnesses in His principles for resolving disputes. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Paul repeats this principle. 1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. Some things require careful research on the Internet, or in a library, often guided by others who have searched also. However, we must never rely on others to do our study for us. We may learn from others but we must verify for ourselves following the witness of the Bereans. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. The Bible is our primary source for truth but the design of God demonstrates that we must go beyond solitary study, which may lead us astray to a community of study to work with each other. The interactions of a community will restrain those who might fly off into a path of error. There is also the danger to be carefully considered that a community may resist the restoration of lost truth. That is why the conscience of the individual must never be trampled. Each stands personally accountable before God. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. I have also observed that while the Bible is an unerring guide to our salvation it leaves ambiguous holes of needed knowledge, which must be filled by participating in society rather than withdrawing into our own isolated cliques. The power of the Holy Spirit guides all these things for the one who submits to the will of God. (Book Contents) Next: All Truth |
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Revised 2015-08-21 |
