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Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 1905
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 10:09 am: |     |
I've been thinking a lot and praying about my own obligation to being truthful about Adventism, to being supportive and nurturing to the people I interact with--some of whom are struggling with leaving Adventism, some of whom are struggling to understand it from the outside, etc., and to my reaction to the fact that tens of thousands of Adventists will be convening in St. Louis on June 29 for the 2005 GC Session.
I'll share some of my reactions. First, I realize that the talk we've had on this forum recently about demonic influence and evil is deeply disturbing to many people. In fact, those of us who are former Adventists were essentilaly taught to fear demonic influence and evil. In reality, however, the fact that we are in the midst of a continuous battle between good and evil is a Biblical fact. Usually we just aren't aware of it.
A young 20-something woman from our church just returned last month for a visit home after spending her first 14 months as a missionary in India. She spoke to our women's Bible study and also gave a brief report in church. She said something I think I'll never forget. Since she has been in India, she said, she has become aware that wherever she goes, she takes the prayers of ther prayer partners with her. (He sending mission organization wouldn't allow her to go until she had well over 100 prayers partners covenanted to pray daily and weekly for her.)
She said that since she arrived, some progress has occurred with the young women with whom she's been working that apparently had not begun to happen previously. She said she was aware that the prayers from her supporters at Trinity were at work in her personal mission, and they were powerful and effecting results.
Further, she said that in India she has become acutely aware of being in the midst of spiritual warfare. There, she said, it's obvious. She further said that in retropsect she realizes that many of the things she observed happening at home in California were also spiritual warfare, but here it is more camouflaged and much less likely to be identified.
Yet Paul said we fight not against flesh and blood, "but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12). That's why we are to daily "put on the full armor of God" so that, in the face of evil, we can "stand [our] ground." (v. 13)
We shouldn't be surprised at all that when we leave Adventism, we struggle against all sorts of doubts, opposition, anger, slander, broken relationships, and personal shame. Whenever we take a stand for Jesus, we can expect opposition. And, according to Paul, even though it appears we're struggling with recalcitrant humans, we are REALLY struggling in a spiritual battle with forces of evil.
Peter said we should not be surprised at our painful trials as though something surprising were happening. Instead, we should be rejoicing that we are participating in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-13).
Similarly, we should not be shocked or fearful at the thought that the belief system from which Jesus has delivered us is evil--or at least has its roots in the evil of deception. This is completely "normal" in this world. We are all born into evil.
Frankly, if we fail to identify the true nature of Adventism, we persist in deceiving oursleves and limit our own surrender to the power of God working through us. We must know the true nature of Adventism, and we must be able to identify evil without fear. Otherwise we engage in struggling with Adventists on their terms--with intellectual arguments, with "text wars", with arguing facts against their distortions, etc.
In reality, the war we're in is not OUR war. Jesus fights the battle for us. He places us in strategic positions to represent Him, but He never asks us to directly fight evil. We are always to exericise our rights as born again sons and daughters of God to call on Him to fight the evil.
Have you ever noticed that the instruction in Ephesians 6 for donning the spiritual armor never says to become armed so we can fight? Rather, is admonishes us to be fully protected so we can STAND our ground, and after we have done everything "to stand." (Ephe. 6:13)
And what's the armor? It's the belt of truth, the breatplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace readying our feet, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.
We're expected to defend the gospel and preach it, but we go out knowing that our true enemy is the evil one. We are not called to fight him; Jesus has overcome the world and also Satan (John 16:33; Col. 2:15). We speak for Him; we stand confidently in our position in Christ, ready and alert and defensive against evil, but we allow Jesus to fight for us. We engage in whatever work God puts before us, and in all things we pray and give thanks.
We do not need to be horrified at the thought that Adventism has a satanic component. What wordly construct doesn't? We just have to be willing to recognize the reason Adventism is so "slippery" and unchangeable, why Adventists are so "blind" and resistant. There is an evil power involved. But Jesus has already overcome the power of evil. We have His resurrection power at work in us, and we can confidently march into the fray knowing that Jesus is fighting evil, and His power is equipping us to speak for Him and to intercede for those we know are in spiritual danger.
All of which brings me to the pending GC Session. While we must be ready to speak truth at a moments' notice, while we must be ready to educate the Christian community about the truth of Adventism, we must also realize that thousands of Adventists are coming to the USA--many from thrid world countries--who are expecting to find a spiritual high as they meet with the SDA dignitaries from around the world.
I have a friend who was born to missionary parents in Africa, and she told me she knows how depressing GC is to so many of the delegates who come from oversees. They do not find the spiritual feast they hope to find. Instead, they often face the financial discrepancies and the social/political "caste system" which reduces them to nearly voiceless faces instead of acknowledging them as "dignitaries" as their home churches had done.
If there was ever a time for us, who know better than anyone what lies behind this great show of pomp and power, to organize ourselves to pray, it is now.
I'm asking us to begin now to pray for all those who will be coming from other countries. We need to pray for the true nature of Adventism to become clear to those involved (as well as to those watching from the outside and from the Christian community). We need to pray for God to soften hearts and awaken a desire to know and accept the truth about Jesus and the truth of the Bible in those who will participate. We need to pray for God to expose and break the spirit of Adventism and to set free those deceived and held in bondage. We need to pray that God will call the dishonest to integrity and to a willingness to follow Jesus wherever He leads.
And we need to pray for each other, that God will protect us from evil (that's right in the Lord's prayer--"deliver us from evil") and that He will keep us faithful, honoring Him and surrendering to Him in whatever ways He convicts us.
We need to "stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose [us]. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that [we] will be savedóand that by God" (Philippians 1:27-28).
We do not need to fear or deny the fact that we have been called from the darkness of satanic deception into the light of God's glorious grace and truth. We can, instead, praise God for His faithfulness and mercy and ask Him to strengthen us, to clothe us with His armor, and to keep us obedient and faithful to Him.
Jesus is everything! |
Leigh
Registered user
Username: Leigh
Post Number: 110
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 11:00 am: | |
As I was reading your post Colleen, I remembered this chapter from Psalms.
Psalm 5
1Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction;
Their throat is an open tomb;
They flatter with their tongue.
10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!
Let them fall by their own counsels;
Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,
For they have rebelled against You.
11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
12 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
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Hrobinsonw
Registered user
Username: Hrobinsonw
Post Number: 151
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 12:20 pm: | |
Great post Colleen. Add my name to the prayer list.
Oh, and "Have you ever noticed that the instruction in Ephesians 6 for donning the spiritual armor never says to become armed so we can fight? Rather, is admonishes us to be fully protected so we can STAND our ground, and after we have done everything "to stand." (Ephe. 6:13)
" - That was classic |
Pw
Registered user
Username: Pw
Post Number: 423
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 12:26 pm: | |
I was on a missionary trip 2 months ago in the very rural and primitive mountains of northwest Haiti. And wouldn't you know it, passing by a very rustic building, there was a Seventh Day Adventist church in the middle of nowhere. I couldn't believe it. It's bad enough these people live under the bondage of poverty, yet here is the SDA probably adding more chains of hopelessness onto their despair. I couldn't help but to think of what that type of teachings reflects the way many outsiders would view Christianity if this was all there was for them to hear in this region. Be it voodoo or another form of demonic deception of the SDA, I could only pray for that area. |
Thomas1
Registered user
Username: Thomas1
Post Number: 176
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 2:13 pm: | |
Great post Colleen. I think we spend to much time bashing and not enough time supporting the SDA's. Don't get me wrong, it is such a natural reaction when we first realize the deception and legalism that enslaved us and usually our parents, for so long. But, we follow Jesus. He is the one who admonishes us to pray for them, to love them as we would love ourselves. HE is the way. HE is the truth. HE is the light that we point all to. All of the "text wars" don't mean a whole lot. Paul told Titus not to get into discussions about the Law. Such things are meaningless and useless, He said. When you meet them, point them to Jesus. When they want to argue or misquote, point them to Jesus. The story of God's grace is so wonderful and unbeleivable that it stands alone.
It is my prayer that they will see the Cross in St. Louis. It is my prayer that through the pomp and show, the really true in heart will see Jesus and only Jesus, and that the GC session will be the start of the greatest exodus in history, since the days of Moses.
In HIS service!
<><
Thomas |
Belvalew
Registered user
Username: Belvalew
Post Number: 404
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 2:27 pm: | |
And everyone said "Amen." |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1453
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 4:45 pm: | |
AMEN. AMEN.
Diana |
Dennis
Registered user
Username: Dennis
Post Number: 378
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 5:02 pm: | |
I wholeheartedly endorse the call to prayer in regard to the upcoming GC Session in St. Louis. Colleen, your post was timely, factual, and biblically-sound.
Sylvia and I are currently reading Wallace Slattery's book entitled, "ARE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS FALSE PROPHETS? A Former Insider Speaks Out." I highly recommend this 60-page booklet to all who truly want to know the facts about Adventism. The setting for some of his experiences took place right here in Lincoln, Nebraska USA. It is an easy-to-read and well-documented book.
In awe of His grace,
Dennis J. Fischer |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1455
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 5:18 pm: | |
I thought of this after I signed off above. Why not make this a part of our weekly prayer chain, plus each of us mention the upcoming GC session in St. Louis in our daily prayers.
Dennis, where can I get the W. Slattery book you mention above?
Diana |
Jeremy
Registered user
Username: Jeremy
Post Number: 634
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 6:22 pm: | |
Hi Diana,
You can order it from Life Assurance Ministries right here: http://www.ratzlaf.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1001732439
Jeremy |
Lindylou
Registered user
Username: Lindylou
Post Number: 48
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 9:52 pm: | |
Wow, Colleen! Thank you for your post! It was inspiring. The Gospel of Jesus dispels all darkness and fear!
Since leaving the SDA church officially( and even while in it) there have been times I have felt a literal pressing down of darkness on my soul. In fact, soon after declaring my "independence" from the SDA church and my total dependence on Christ - I have had a couple of very real attacks on my spirit from the evil one.(This has happened after being involved in intense discussions about religion with SDA family members.) But the one thing that gets me through such times and helps me cling to the light are the oft spoken words of Jesus or His angels, "Have no fear!"
Your concisely worded thoughts spoke to my heart tonight. Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration to keep my eyes on the glorious light of Jesus! I, too, send up my prayers with the others.
Linda 
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Riverfonz
Registered user
Username: Riverfonz
Post Number: 258
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 07, 2005 - 10:29 am: | |
I would like to add my AMEN! to the above posts. Thomas, I like what you said about sometimes we spend too much time bashing SDAs rather than supporting them. At the same time, I agree with Colleen, we have to recognize that Satan is the father of all lies, and the SDA gospel is a different gospel. It is also a more subtle deception, than the other cults, because there is so much that sounds right, but when you examine it carefully, you realize how similar it is to many of the other cults. I will add my prayers and support for the efforts LAM will be making in St. Louis. Stan |
Dennisrainwater
Registered user
Username: Dennisrainwater
Post Number: 116
Registered: 8-2000
| | Posted on Monday, May 09, 2005 - 2:43 pm: | |
Amen!! And I will be praying, as well...
So thankful to be free, and still longing for others to be, as well!
Den <>< |
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