| Author | Message | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 2025 Registered: 4-2000  |
Inflated Membership Statistics Again Just three days ago, before the Atlanta Session officially began, the GC president proclaimed that the worldwide Adventist family now stood at 25 million adherents (including unbaptized children). However, Adventist Today reporters now say that the SDA family has reached a membership of 30 million members (including unbaptized children). Wow! This reflects an increase in SDA worldwide membership of 5 million people in just three days (smile). Of course, we already projected that the SDA membership statistics would be dramatically inflated at this Session in Atlanta, but a five-million-member increase in just three days is most deceptive, preposterous, and utterly unbelievable. Moreover, an Adventist Today article further reported that the large gains in Russian membership, under the leadership of Ted N. C. Wilson in the l990s, has been "largely lost." I personally know of a Lutheran lady who was baptized by an SDA evangelist in a rented public auditorium who never followed it up by even stepping inside a local SDA church. She had no idea, at the time of her baptism, that her baptism supposedly meant becoming a member of the SDA organization. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Yenc Registered user Username: Yenc Post Number: 126 Registered: 6-2008 |
I can remember back to when, as SDAs, we never referred to ourselves as "Christians," because that implied we were too much like "Sunday-keepers." No, we were SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS! We had nothing to do with "those outsiders" and their teachings. After all, "WE" had the Spirit of Prophecy and they didn't. WE kept the Sabbath, and they had the Mark of the Beast (Sunday). How arrogant! How self-deceptive! How wrong! And to this day, how very sad that so many are so lost in the maze of blatant contradiction to the pure message of the Gospel!! Now I see these newer devious twists to further deceive honest seekers for truth. It makes me feel disgusted, angry, repulsed, sorrowful, and more determined than ever to oppose those deceptive and evil doctrines. Satan's work of deception will not cease until Jesus comes, but we who have come to understand have our own work cut out for us. Many of the early Christians were martyred for speaking the truths of God against the heresies of man. This has been true ever since, throughout the world. Martin Luther had the courage to speak out against the heresies he saw in certain doctrines of the powerful RC Church of his time. Christians of our time are openly persecuted and murdered in Islamic countries. Here in the US, proclaiming truth is despised by libertarians, atheists, evolutionists, liberal politicians, and anyone else whose toes get stepped on. A Spirit-filled person, one thoroughly familiar with God's Word and dedicated to proclaiming truth, will inevitably face opposition until the end of the world. But OH! Praise God! What a wonderful reward He has promised that His faithful believers will have when it is all over but the shouting! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 8271 Registered: 3-2004  |
Like Yenc I never referred to myself as an SDA Christian when growing up and being in the SDA church. I was always SDA. I do not remember being told anything about other Christians by name. I was taught that anyone not SDA would not go to heaven unless they kept the sabbath. "They" had the mark of the beast. I knew that was going to church on Sunday. I just thank our awesome God that I now belong to Him and NO ONE can take me out of His hands. Praise God for that. Diana L | ||
| Yenc Registered user Username: Yenc Post Number: 128 Registered: 6-2008 |
One way we can each contribute to reducing those inflated numbers is to request in writing that our names be removed from the church records and request a reply in writing confirming that it has been done. I simply didn't care for a long time, reasoning that I knew where I was and I didn't care about whether or not my name was there or not. The thing that spurred me was reading the data on church membership, and realizing they were counting ME in that inflated figure! (At the time it was 16 million.) After I got my confirmation letter, I told my friends, "Now they have 15,999,999!" So, to the rest of you guys still on the rolls, Get on the stick! Get those numbers down! | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 1095 Registered: 3-2009 |
Poor SDAs. What they are getting into. It seems like the organization instead of going ahead is crawling back. Here are a couple of quotations from www.zoominfo.com Talking about Ted N. C. Wilson, new GC president: "He believes very strongly that standing on principle is a must. However, the principles can become very literal at times. He ordered that mustard be removed from the Review cafeteria but not ketchup. (Adventist Church co-founder Ellen White speaks out against mustard but does not mention ketchup.) According to those familiar with him, Wilson is a consistent opponent of women's ordination and also opposes women being ordained as local church elders, even though women serving in that role is an official position of the Adventist Church. He chairs the church board of the Triadelphia Seventhday Adventist Church, to which many General Conference leaders belong, and opposes women serving as elders in that church (none serve)." Hec | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 2026 Registered: 4-2000 |
Apparently, Ellen White's condemnation of mustard, but not ketchup, had to do with the fact that ketchup was first marketed in 1876. She likely didn't know about ketchup when she wrote about mustard. However, as a self-proclaimed messenger/prophetess, she should have easily predicted a serious challenger to mustard as a condiment in American kitchens (smile). Wow! This is deep religious thought. Oh well, she also never imagined, in her wildest dreams and visions, that computers and the Internet would someday make it very easy to pinpoint her rampant plagiarism. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Yenc Registered user Username: Yenc Post Number: 129 Registered: 6-2008 |
And not only to identify the plagiarisms, but to spread the bad news far and wide to anyone the least bit curious about it! She knew what she was doing, and I believe she knew it was wrong--why else lie about it? But she thought she could get away with it and not get caught! HA! Isn't it great the way God can step in and say, "Enough is enough already! Thus far and no further!" Many of us--people on this Forum--never imagined we would leave the church. But when we learned that the Pillares were crumbling, and it could be proven, we had to get out of the way! Thank God for His awesome Providence, His way of escape! I have great sympathy for those still not understanding what has been done TO them in the name of truth. I have repented and asked forgiveness for my own sin of ignorance for so long, defending the wrong instead of trying to find out the truth of it, with the result that my own 3 children and 9 grandchildren are (to my great sorrow) still ensnared! Most of us here can identify with my grief, and we all must persevere in prayer for the deliverance of all those still in Satan's net. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 11345 Registered: 12-2003  |
One interesting thing Ted Wilson said in his first address to the delegates and attendees on Friday was that he wanted Adventists to find ways to relate (or words to that effect) to God. He suggested three ways of getting close to God, and these three were not necessarily to be done together. He said he wanted Adventists to find a way to relate to God either by Bible reading, prayer, or reading the Spirit of Prophecy (EGW). Isn't that interesting? Three different ways--and only ONE is the way God has revealed Himself objectively to humanity. We cannot know God intimately apart from His word. Prayer is necessary, to be sure, but it's not an alternative to Bible reading. If people only pray without studying Scripture, eventually they will be stunted, and their knowledge of God and truth will be limited or skewed. And people who never read but just pray may not be worshiping the REAL triune God at all. (Many people pray without knowing the gospel...but they are not all praying to God.) Of course, reading EGW just takes you down the wrong path from the get-go! Colleen | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 2027 Registered: 4-2000 |
Opening the Floodgates to Disillusionment Yesterday I spent about two hours talking to a former Catholic. He grew up in a devout Catholic family, and he faithfully prayed for the heathen babies struggling in limbo for many years. However, now the current Pope wisely declared limbo as nonexistent due to having no biblical support whatsoever. To him, this was like pulling the rug from under him. It totally shattered his confidence in Roman Catholic dogma. Now he claims to be an agnostic. His experience is so similar to that of many former Adventists. They don't want to be burned (deceived) ever again--even if that means rejecting biblical Christianity. Moreover, SDA apologists cannot admit biblical error about anything because that would open the floodgates to sudden disillusionment and apostasy. When an Adventist finds even one doctrinal pillar to be unbiblical, this creates immediate concern that the other SDA beliefs may not pass close scrutiny as well. So, the SDA hierarchy just keeps plugging along with a multitude of heresies. At least the Catholic Church should be applauded for making one important correction in their belief system. However, any correction of cultic views carries a price tag for the organization in error. Sadly, SDA leaders are unwilling to pay the price for doctrinal purity. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 2028 Registered: 4-2000 |
Newsflash! The SDA hierarchy at the Atlanta Session is being protected by 450 security personnel consisting of men and women. Even before Ted N. C. Wilson took the stage, he was first briefed by the security team. This looks alot like the Catholic hierarchy in action. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 8276 Registered: 3-2004 |
After I read Anderson's website about EGW and her plagiarism and having others write for her, then started reading the NT without any help, I then bought a Strong's Bible concordance and taking key words like sabbath, tithe, I looked each word up in the Bible to see what it really said. I read it all in context. So, what you say is true, for me, Dennis. I found out egw was false and was open to learning what else was false in adventism. Our awesome God taught me. Diana L | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 2029 Registered: 4-2000 |
It may be that the General Conference officers at the Georgia Dome would feel safer if they could ride around in a protective Pope-mobile like the Catholic Pontiff does (smile). Having an assortment of hundreds of guns, mace canisters, and/or night sticks amongst them hardly speaks well for a denomination that takes a stand against bearing arms. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Joyfulheart Registered user Username: Joyfulheart Post Number: 695 Registered: 10-2006 |
I'm wondering why they even think they need it. Have there ever been threats of violence against a GC official? Has there ever been trouble at General Conference before? I understand stuff like parking guides - but this is ridiculous. | ||
| Yenc Registered user Username: Yenc Post Number: 131 Registered: 6-2008 |
Who are they scared of? Maybe US???!!!  | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 811 Registered: 12-2007 |
Thats what I was wondering about the GC security .... WHY ? Why do they think they need all that security ? Is it pure and simple paranoia ? I mean,,,, the worst thing that would happen is that FAF members might stand at the door and hand out information informing people of the SDA errors... IMO where is the information on the GC session to be found ? | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 11354 Registered: 12-2003 |
Check out the Hope Channel online. They have news updates, interviews, and the evening services are broadcast. Also, Adventist News Network online has news bulletins reporting the business decisions, etc. Colleen | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 888 Registered: 1-2003  |
I have a question. What information do you have about details of the security personel? The way people are talking here, it is as if 20 security people are surrounding each GC official. I'm not so sure that the number you quote is that out of line for that large of a facility with 24/7 coverage. 3 shifts a day etc. It is not just the main meeting area but also the connected meeting areas. Often security involves just making sure people know where they should be going and crowd control. IF we are inaccurate just to make fun then it "cheapens" the very real and valid criticisms that can be stated. I just don't see all the officials being surrounded by an army of security. In fact most of the security is probably mandated to even rent the complex. I hope we can all keep our eye on the "main" thing, Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. (smile) | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 813 Registered: 12-2007 |
I agree that there is a certain amount of "Security" that is necessary in any public place,, even Hotels and Wal Mart have security guards... But 450 ? would there be that much "security" in one place even for the President of the United States ? Thats why I was wondering about where this information comes from. It just doesnt sound at all reasonable. | ||
| Joyfulheart Registered user Username: Joyfulheart Post Number: 696 Registered: 10-2006 |
You know - now that I think about it, at camp meeting the "security" people (actually pastors) really were just safety people. They were to make sure parking rules were enforced and that people knew where to go and get water if needed. They made sure that teenagers weren't out doing things they shouldn't be doing at 2 AM. I hope you're right Richard. Thanks for the perspective. | ||
| Seekinglight Registered user Username: Seekinglight Post Number: 496 Registered: 3-2009 |
I heard from a friend on FB that the Starbucks at the GC convention center was shut down b/c the SDA's were harassing the workers there, letting them know the dangers of coffee drinking. The "People of Hope" spread love & encouragement everywhere they go! |
