| Author |
Message |
Lynne
Registered user
Username: Lynne
Post Number: 50
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 6:05 pm: |     |
Correct me if I'm wrong. But the SDA church likes to overwhelm everyone with scripture. Knowing their audience, like good salespeople, they are divided by those who accept the Sabbath and those who don't. If you do accept it you are then taught to believe you must give that day to God and thus, where else is that done? In the church studies. Isn't this where the brainwashing/subliminal messages begin (for those of us who were not born into the church). Also, for those not born into the church, isn't the fire of the Holy Spirit kindled and then extinquished? That is what happened to me. The message in this church is that you are NOT SAVED.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the core of the SDA church is this and it comes from Ellen White. The Seal of God is the Sabbath, NOT the Holy Spirit. Believe in that Commandment and you will eventually be saved. The Catholic Church is THE BEAST of Revelation and all of Sunday keeping Churches carry the MARK OF THE BEAST because they worship on Sunday. The SDA Church is the REMNANT Church and these are the END TIMES. Plus, as an added bonus, the BEAST will hunt and kill the REMNANT. Isn't this WHAT ALL ADVENTISTS KNOW!
Isn't that where all the unique and thick biblical slants lead?
As Walter Martin was deceived and other pastors. He went to the deceivers and didn't realize that the master deceiver could transform himself to look like anyone, even Christ! And if Pastors and Evangelistic leaders are deceived, then how much more will unsaved people not knowing the gospel seeking Christ be deceived?
For me, the bait used was the health message. They had common sense I thought that other churches didn't have (this was back in the days when our culture was much more unhealthy). They had big hospitals and institutions in California, which is where I lived previously. They even had Loma Linda food on all of the grocery store shelves. How could this be a cult. Many educated people don't think so. After all, they are educated, arrogantly so, and the other denominations out there talking about being SAVED, they are SIMPLE.
But now, I think they are trying to use their version of the Left Behind message and its popularity as bait.
Indeed, it is simple. If that paragraph above that I see as the core of the church really is the core, then the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a satanic cult.
It is a dangerous church, like none other.
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Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 2825
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 11:50 pm: | |
Lynne, you have come to exactly the same conclusion I have. It is satanic--it was founded on lies and deception. There is no middle ground in the universe; either something is of God, or it is of Satan. God was not in those lies.
I know many will think I sound harsh, but I believe this to be true. I also believe we need to be open to know reality so we can act on what is real.
Praise God for revealing truth to all who desire to know Him!
Colleen |
Violet
Registered user
Username: Violet
Post Number: 295
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 4:52 am: | |
Colleen and Lynne,
I agree, I even called their orginization a cult in the letter I sent to remove my name from the books. Probably should not of done that, as I hurt alot of people I dearly love, but that was how repulsed I was when the "core" was exposed to me. |
Alnadean
Registered user
Username: Alnadean
Post Number: 10
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 6:53 pm: | |
Thanks all for that revelation. I have been pondering this for some time. I read another post that asked if Ellen White committed the unpardonable sin- it seems as if we are afraid of the issue.
I agree Lynne & Colleen- the church is either of the satan or of God- there is absolutely no middle ground. I asked this question in different words before but it seems everyone is more comfortable treading on safe grounds- I do understand that, but isn't that letting the 'cult' control you.
The Bible says that we are saved by faith. If you believe in Jesus then you should renounce Satan shouldn't you?
Ellen White was a deceiver and a false prophet who will cause many to be lost; not because many have not come to Christ through the SDA church but because they will miss the POINT- that its all about Jesus.
They'll focus all their energies on 'the health message'and when you think about it- again the subtle deception. The devil has them believing that eating the 'right foods' can somehow keep your temple clean- all that really does is extend your physical life- but it's really all about the spiritual isn't it?
Have they focussed on fornication, adultery and other 'vices'? No!
I have never heard that kind of sermon preached from a church I attended for 6 years (except once we had a guest speaker from Jamaica)
So if that's the case shouldn't we labor to get people out of the false system - if their spiritual life (the only one that really counts) depends on it???
Should we be skirting the issue.
Doesn't the Bible say that if it were possible he would deceive the very elect- so what of those who ARE deceived??? the non-elect ofcourse which included all of us at some point!
Again I have this question!
I still have not found another church- in the meantime I feel as dead as a nit as I sit through a laborious service where they sanctimoniously repeat the 4th commandment. I keep asking myself should I just stay home??
It is a FALSE GOSPEL! Paul warned about that.
On some level I am petrified- not because I think - Oh what if they are right and I am wrong. They are definitely not right, but its all the explanations- maybe if I just visit another church once then I won't be able to go back.That would be great!
Please, please pray for me
Al-Nadean |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1957
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 7:10 pm: | |
Al-Nadean,
Pray about what church God wants you to attend. This is what I did. When I decided not to rejoin the SDA church, I started visiting Christian churches on Sunday morning. After about 4 months and visiting many churches, God told me what church He wanted me to go to. He impressed on me to go to that big church off 95 on Russell road. I remember thinking, that big church and to my mind came the thought, yes, that big church. So I went the next Sunday. I entered the church and sat down and felt God's presence and felt like I had come home. I have been there more than a year now and it has been a blessing to me. The Bible is preached and Christ is lifted up in every sermon.
I thank God for taking me there.
He is truly awesome in how He takes care of us.
Diana |
Weimarred
Registered user
Username: Weimarred
Post Number: 113
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 9:03 pm: | |
I think that at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal salvation. Ultimately, I could give a hairy rat's patooty what the SDA church has to say, what the Catholics have to day, what Lutherans have to say, the Mormons, the Shi'ites, etc etc.
God speaks to us each in His own, personalized way. We all can "feel the wind" on our faces. It's what we do with it that counts.
Certainly, others can help and guide us on our journey. But ultimately, I'm responsible to know which direction I'm headed in.
I do think that some religous organizations are more full of bushwa than others. For example, the whole SDA scheme of things is bizarre, un-Bibilical, and distracts its members from the wind on the face. But then, so do many other organizations. Indeed, there is a constant battle going on to distract us. |
Lynne
Registered user
Username: Lynne
Post Number: 51
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 9:23 pm: | |
Al-Nadean - Perhaps not everyone will boldly speak the truth. Paul did and I will. I will also say, please correct me if I'm wrong. I know at times I might be wrong. But now, with this SDA stuff, it seems right for me to not convolute it. Colleen put some excellent information in the story section of this forum. It really helped my husband understand the differences in doctrine that the SDA church teaches. Colleen, you are very blessed and I appreciate your writing. I will pray for you Al-Nadean. They told me here in the forum recently to read Romans 10 verses 9 and 10. I read it and read it and read it until it sunk deeply into my heart. When I pray, I ask that the Holy Spirit will guide me. I feel that if I'm meant to do something, I ask in prayer first. If it is right, I will know. If I'm confused, it usually isn't the right thing to do. I am specific in my prayers. Give it to God, He will definately guide you because He loves you deeply and you will know that when you sincerely seek Him in prayer and accept Him into your heart. I listen to Christian music a lot and love to sing praise to Him. It does help me now to go to a church where the true gospel is taught. God is Mighty! He is Great! He loves you, not just in word, but in Spirit and in Truth! God is full of peace and wants you to live eternally with Him. He does Love You! Bless you and may God saturate you with his Love through His blanketing comforter, the Holy Spirit. |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 2830
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 11:50 pm: | |
Al-nadean, I will also pray that God will show you where to attend church. The writer of Hebrews says we should not forsake assembling ourselves together, and we've found how true that is. Attending a Bible-centered Christian church has taught us so much we would never have know. We've received a Biblical education we never imagined; we've experienced being part of the body of Christ; we've found mentors and teachers and people who seriously pray for us.
It's a wonderful experience to be part of a group of people who all honor Jesus and value His word.
Colleen |
Alnadean
Registered user
Username: Alnadean
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 6:42 pm: | |
Thanks for all the responses. I really appreciate it.
I do find it very hard to stay home from church and that's why I go- what is bothering me though is the thought of having to find a NEW church body. I am really daunted by that task.
Then when I look at all the people in my church that I will have to explain myself to- I just get depressed.
I am fairly new to my church here in CT, but already they want to get me involved. I have resisted but the thought of explaining without it getting controversial is not possible.
You can't begin to explain to these people.
Ok I'm going to pray real hard about a church as was suggested and also for the 'guts' to actually do it.
I know I sound confused and at times like a coward, but I just don't want to come off self-righteous to these people.
Bear with me for the moment. I don't have any other support system and really just prefer to be honest about how I am feeling.
The interesting thing is that there is a church exactly across the street from me. I have never actually seen the doors open for any long period. There isn't even a name in front; just announcements about youth services. Honestly I would feel very self-conscious about going over there to poke around because I happen to be surrounded- next door and directly above me by 2 members of my church- they also have full view of the church.
I am chuckling right now because I'm being so silly but in my defense I really prefer to tell people first than have them see me peeking into 'Babylon'.
I will let you know when I get the nerve. |
Lynne
Registered user
Username: Lynne
Post Number: 52
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 7:03 pm: | |
Alnadean - I will continue to pray for you. When you are ready, all of your confusion will go away. Pray, and when the Holy Spirit comes, you will have the answers. Jesus loves you and doesn't want you in fear. I've felt that fear shoot through me. But it is a lie from satan. |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1959
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 8:09 pm: | |
Alnadean,
You are in CT? When I lived in Westport I used to attend the SDA church in Bridgeport. Are you anywhere near there?
When God shows you the church to attend, He will also give you the strength and courage to go to it, in spite of your neighbors watching you.
Father in Heaven, You are the I AM, The Almighty and I am asking you to be with Alnadean right now. I know you have a church prepared for this person and you know the right time to have him/her let go of Adventism. Be with him/her at this time. Send your Holy Spirit to teach this person. Take away the confusion. You are so awesome and I know you want this person in a church that teaches only about YOU. Thank you for answering this prayer.
Diana |
Melissa
Registered user
Username: Melissa
Post Number: 1163
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 8:45 am: | |
When I moved away from where I had gone to church for years, I asked God to guide me to the church he wanted, then opened the yellow pages. I visited church after church, until God spoke to me and told me that I was where I was to go. I got to see a lot of things, and believe me, it is difficult when you don't know what you're children are going to experience while you're "visiting", but I was just walking through doors looking for God's answer.
As difficult as it might be, perhaps you should consider going outside your comfort zone and just see what is available. You might be surprised with what you enjoy. The Lord will let you know, but you may have to try out a lot of "wrong" ones for you before you find the right one. |
Tisha
Registered user
Username: Tisha
Post Number: 155
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 12:53 pm: | |
When we started looking for a new Church, I went online and started reading about all the different denominations and then the specific Churches. It was real easy to rule out the ones not to visit - doctrines that add to the Bible, or legalism, etc. Then we started visiting around after we narrowed it down.
I spent time emailing one pastor and asking all kinds of questions - without telling him that I was coming out of the SDA Church. I wanted unbiased answers! After we viited that Church only once, I "knew" that was the place for us. We still visited around a bit more, and then kept coming back to this Church. After about 3-4 visits we just knew, without a doubt, that we were supposed to be there!
We attended weekly for about a year and then asked for membership. We were waiting for the "bait and switch" we were used to in the SDA Church! But they were open and up front with us from the start! There were no hidden agendas!
We are so blest to have found a wonderful Bible-only Church and a wonderful Christian community. When we finally admitted we were Formers, we found out there are several other Formers there also! And the Pastor has a special gift (I think!) of being able to minister to formers - having a good understanding of the heretical doctrines, and subtle and deep programming we have come out of. He is able to pick up on all of that when we ask a question and can address the underlying concepts that we might have that leads to our questions. I don't know if that makes sense, but the Good Lord knew just what we needed to heal from our past and grow in our Christian walk.
Like others have said - try visiting other Churches, study what they believe, pray about it. God will lead you to just the right place!
-tisha |
Seekr777
Registered user
Username: Seekr777
Post Number: 338
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 2:25 pm: | |
Tisha, you may have mentioned it before but I don't remember what part of the country you are in. Is the church you found non-denominational or ??
Richard
rtruitt@mac.com
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Lynne
Registered user
Username: Lynne
Post Number: 54
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 2:27 pm: | |
Alnadean - When you mentioned everyone being more comfortable treading on safe grounds, perhaps that is true to a certain extent. I think there are probably a lot of people here that don't want to hurt present SDAs. I know I was sensitive and very sincere about my religion and I would take anyone putting down my church as a personal attack. By all means, I am not speaking against people in the church. The church has a unique culture that many grew up in and leaving the church for many probably feels like leaving a country where you need to adapt, yet you never leave that part of you totally behind. But I also agree with you that the core of this church is not something to take lightly.
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Taybie
Registered user
Username: Taybie
Post Number: 96
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2005 - 8:37 am: | |
Good morning all...
Alnadean, hi there. I am sure there are plenty of people on this forum that can identify with where you are right now. I just want to encourage you to consider God's thoughts of you and not anyone else's. I read your initial post and wanted to respond to your saying..."Then when I look at all the people in my church that I will have to explain myself to-I get depressed"
When you walk away from unhealthy relationships, you do it to remain healthy or regain your health. The same applies in a church setting. I know how you feel. I was SO alone and scared for a long time, (though most of that had to do with my immense anger.) and I never thought I would again feel at peace with "church people". It took some time, but eventually, I began to pray for a church home.
I just wanted to be loved. I had been so deeply rejected by my former church family, that I never thought the wounds would heal. Praise be unto God!!! He is SO faithful!!!!!!!!! He blessed me with a loving church home! I, like Tisha did visit other churches, but this church truly compelled to me. It was like coming home. I have visited for over a year now, and am feeling led to join. I have walked thru their beliefs and though I do not agree with tithing, I DEEPLY agree with their focus on JESUS.
I am concerned, however for those that remain SDA. I once believed that not being offensive was right, and for the most part, it is. But Jesus said,
Mat 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Mat 10:35 "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law';Mat 10:36 "and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'
I believe that Jesus was saying that in essence, there will be MANY that will not agree with how I do things. There will be times when you will have to sever ties with people you love deeply, but if I am your Lord, I must be obeyed, not traditions, emotions or even familial ties, (includung church family). We have to be willing to follow Him alone, if we are to be used to draw others to Him.
Mat 10:37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Mat 10:38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Mat 10:39 "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Mat 10:40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
So, I am convinced that though my words bring offense, they are Jesus' words. He once told His disciples that they would experience offense because of Him. (Mat 26:31) How different are we?
I am open to correction, though my flesh despises it. I really want to please Him in all that I do and I have learned that it is MUCH better to please the Father than to be concerned with what people think. (Psalm 118:8)Please know that you are in my prayers and I in no way am trying to tell you what to do, only to share my experience of where I was and where I am now.
I appreciate this forum. I thank you all for enduring my rants and rages and when something is said that I don't like, you listen and respond in love. I am still quite sensitive to the racial issues, but God is healing me even in that sense. He certainly is awesome!
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Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 2843
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2005 - 2:57 pm: | |
Shontay, I really resonated with your post above. Thank you for sharing your chaninging views and for sharing Jesus' words.
I have alway tended to avoid direct confrontation, but more and more I am seeing that God wants me to speak truthóalbeit from a redemptive stance, not an argumentative one. His Spirit give us authority we don't have on our own, and He convicts us and gives us words.
Sometimes truth offends, but God redeems all we submit to Him.
Colleen |
Alnadean
Registered user
Username: Alnadean
Post Number: 12
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2005 - 8:47 pm: | |
Hi Diana,
Thanks for your prayer.It really gave me peace. You made me smile however because there seems to be some gender confusion?
I am female. I just take it for granted that everyone knows that. I tried putting up my photo twice to no avail- anyway, no I do not live near Bridgeport at all. I live in Hartford.
Melissa:
You are absolutely right. I do like my comfort zone. I had started to look into different denominations via the net, but I am still studying so I got a little side tracked- its only on friday evenings that I think about church and then realize that I have done nothing about it.
Tisha:
It would be great to find a church like that where people understand where you are coming from. I realize more and more as I interact with non-adventists for the first time that they have no clue about my issues. It is a lonely feeling.
Lynne:
I realize that I assumed that there are no adventists on this forum. My apologies.
Honestly I am a kind of a 'black and white' person. There is hardly any gray area in my thought process- I'm not sure how much of adventism caused that kind of thinking- a part of it is my personality too I guess.
I understand about not wanting to hurt other people's feelings, but the truth is the truth. I firmly believe that if it doesn't matter where we go then we should leave everybody as is, but if there is an error that could cause souls to be lost then the last thing I want to think about are people's feelings because they will get over it when they realize what they have to gain. Again that view is very black and white, but using myself as an example: If I knew for sure that I could NOT be saved, if after knowing the truth I still attended the adventist church; I would never go back- period.
Based on my studies however, I have not yet come to that conclusion though at times I lean to it - though my church does nothing for me at the moment. I still continue to suffer through it because I just haven't found the right way to do it with as little harm to others as possible. If its not a salvation issue then I must tread very carefully. If it is, then I pretty much would suggest others get over it- for salvation's sake. That's what I would want others to do for me; not in a confrontational way but to gently plant a seed.
I hope that made sense to you.
Taybie:
Thanks so much for those encouraging texts.
ON some level I think God was preparing me for this change in my life. I came from a church where I was so active. A couple years ago I began to feel like I was tired of creating programs and directing etc.I was too busy doing what I called the 'Lord's work'. I started to feel like we were focussing on the wrong things and not enough was done about witnessing not to mention I was spiritually dead.
When I moved I was determined not to get caught up again, and thankfully I made that pact with myself because I would have started that vicious cycle once again.
When I moved and didn't get a job right away (yes I know that's backwards but even then I was big on faith)I had time on my hands;It was a kind of unfortunate incident that led me to the net but, it was during this time that I discovered to my shock the beginning of a revolution in my life.
I have to thank God for giving me that time otherwise I might never have heard his still small voice.
As always thanks all
If I forgot anyone in response - forgive me. I am not used to responding a lot since I can never find where I last posted, but I got lucky on this thread 3 times in a row- yeah!
Al-Nadean (girl/female) |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1964
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2005 - 9:02 pm: | |
Al-Nadean,
Thanks for clearing up my confusion.
You will be surprised, as I have been, how much some other Christians know about Adventism. I have met a couple people in my church who know of the falsehoods that Adventism teaches. I was surprised when I found that out. They have been very kind to me and understand when I say anything about where I came from. It is much more exciting, though, to talk about where I am right now. I am in Jesus arms and it is so comfortable and so awesome.
Diana |
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