The Confessing Seventh-day Adventist

What did Ellen White believe about the avowed enemies of the Adventist movement?

Ellen White wrote:

"The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us. The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges." Testimonies For the Church, Vol. 5, p. 463.

What is the difference between the avowed enemies of the Seventh-day Adventist movement and those Adventists that spend all their free time criticizing Ellen White and her prophetic ministry and writings, as if their striving to overthrow a principal founder of the Seventh-day Adventist church is a lucrative career path?

Eugene Shubert wrote:What did Ellen White believe about the avowed enemies of the Adventist movement?

There are many official church statements that acknowledge the foundational relevance and ongoing importance of Ellen White's prophetic ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist movement. Ellen White even claimed that recognizing her prophetic role is a part of the three angels' messages. As for what Ellen White believed about the enemies of the Advent movement, I believe that the following Ellen White quote provides yet another detail that answers my question:

Ellen White wrote:There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded. —Letter 40, 1890.

This prophecy prompts me to ask if the following statements are a fulfillment of prophecy:

FAF online, moderated by Dale Ratzlaff’s publishers, Colleen and Richard Tinker, continuously encourages statements that affirm the following:

1. The SDA Jesus is a Demon
http://64.226.233.122/discus/messages/1 ... 1177938150

2. The SDA church is a Satanic Cult (This statement can be found on multiple threads)

3. Ellen White was a Satan Worshipper and a Satanist, and demon possessed, and is currently burning in Hades
http://64.226.233.122/discus/messages/1 ... 1184877336

4. Doug Batchelor is demon possessed

The above statements have been made multiple times, and NEVER has the moderator or administrator of that discussion forum stepped in and moderated these statements. In fact, when some of us have challenged these statements, stern warning letters have been issued warning that those who protest this are being divisive, and if the challenges continue, then expulsion has been the promised result.
Quote taken from http://www.forthegospel.org/forum/viewthread/203/

I ask again: What are the practical differences between the avowed enemies of the Seventh-day Adventist movement and those Adventists that spend all their free time criticizing Ellen White and her prophetic ministry and writings, as if their striving to overthrow a principal founder of the Seventh-day Adventist church is a lucrative career path?

Expect to see a warm camaraderie between disparate factions

Eugene Shubert wrote:What did Ellen White believe about the avowed enemies of the Adventist movement?

Ellen White believed that the same kind of united confederacy of evil that came against Christ will also come against true Seventh-day Adventists.

Ellen White wrote:Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians joined to oppose the Son of God. Their rejection of the truth influenced many to turn from the Saviour. Those who cherish enmity to the pure principles of heaven, are acting in concert with the "rulers of the darkness of this world." When Christ met with success in his ministry, those who hated truth and rejected light manifested their spirit of opposition, and sought to silence him. The same spirit is apparent today, wherever the truth is brought in contact with long-established error of doctrine and custom. With mad prejudice, men bitterly condemn that which disturbs their preconceived opinions. Review and Herald, February 7, 1888.

Christ shows that without the controlling power of the Spirit of God humanity is a terrible power for evil. Unbelief, hatred of reproof, will stir up satanic influences. Principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places will unite in a desperate companionship. They will be leagued against God in the person of His saints. By misrepresentation and falsehood they will demoralize both men and women who to all appearances believe the truth. False witnesses will not be wanting in this terrible work. [Luke 21:16-19 quoted]. (MS 40, 1897).

Dear Eugene,

it´s time to express some public Thanks, to you, and to God above all.

About two weeks ago I came across your forum for the second time; the first time, about a year ago, had been helpful already; nevertheless this second time now it´s been a true revelation; it has been light and bred for my faith.

Both times I can see clearly God´s guidance, for both times I dropped into the forum it has been in moments of culmination of soul-troubleing questions and doubts, and of particularly deep mourning over the confusion and apostasy among God´s supposed people. My prayers have seldom been so desperate and at the same time so faithfull and "demanding", and both times the perfect response was given within days - and each time, part of it was making me drop into your page and by some providencial way get to the precise thread necessary.

I completely embrace your vision of the Omega of apostasy, and the same way I now almost immediatly embraced your view of the conditional nature of prophecy and your interpretation of Daniel and Revelation with multiple scenarios. I have read your book, I am still studying and rereading it. It truly has had a powerful spiritual, mind-clearing and faith-backening impact on me. Many of urgent questionsmarks have been swept away; but it is more than that: I find Ellen White´s call reflected in those studies: that we need more than knowledge: we need enlightenment. I have dived into your experience that the study of biblical prophecy is truly an encounter with the divine mind; and therefore a revelation in a much deeper and higher sense than one usually takes it for.

Also, I seldom have found such a realistic approach to Ellen White, recognizing and respecting her high calling and at the same time recognizing and "respecting" her human and sinful nature, not idolizing her as infallible prophet, but nevertheless clearly recognizing God´s solemn voice through her.
In this very moment, Ellen White is sharply questioned and attaqued by my closest brethren and friends, and so are the fundaments of the Sanctuary doctrine: the 2300 day/years and its beginning, etc. A sober study is not possible; they are convinced to be the only loyal to Scripture. Some minds now seem really inaccessible, driven by a spirit that makes these persons seem so far away; being like strangers all of a sudden.
I can´t describe the pain and worry I feel, I know you do know it perfectly; there is no need for words.

These are times that really burden the soul; watching brethren change the banners even without even recognizing it; and not only have them lead themselves astray but lead others, those weak in faith and vulnerables, into a faith-killing darkness and desperation.

I hear the question you posed in this thread ecoing in my mind:

What are the practical differences between the avowed enemies of the Seventh-day Adventist movement and those Adventists that spend all their free time criticizing Ellen White and her prophetic ministry and writings?

I fear there are none. Or rather: these adventists are worse enemies than those avowed opposers. For they destroy from within. And they destroy more than doctrine. They destroy brotherly ties and corporate power which we need so much in these times.

May God have mercy on them and may they find the way back.

God bless this forum.

From the old continent:

Anne

Dear Anni,

Thank you for your uplifting and encouraging words. Believers like you and I at the present time are such a small minority that we really need to come together often, to encourage one another.

I pray that God will richly bless you as you pursue the truth and regard it of greater value than anything on this earth.