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Dec 1, 2004
“The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God.” Selected Messages, volume 1, page 48.
1. There are those who claim to be Seventh-day Adventists who openly declare their disbelief in the precious messages.
2. Some claim full loyalty to the Spirit of Prophecy but they rarely read to understand the messages or else they read but do not live them. “To disregard the light [the Testimonies] is to reject it.” Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, page 680.
3. Yet another group of Seventh-day Adventists declare that the Spirit of Prophecy has been given to us for counsel and advice, but not to give us clear statements concerning the great doctrinal truths which God has given to His church.
4. Other professors declare that the Spirit of Prophecy is to be used homiletically (for preaching), but not exegetically (for explanation or interpretation of a text). By this they mean that the Spirit of Prophecy cannot be used to give us fundamental insights into the understanding of the words of Scripture.
5. Still other people claim that the Bible is the greater light and the writings of Sister White are the lesser light, meaning her works are less important or reliable than the Bible. Yet, as we study the statements in the Spirit of Prophecy itself, we discover it does not mean that the Testimonies given to Sister White were inferior to those given to the prophets of the Old and New Testaments. It is referring to the fact that every prophet is a lesser light to lead us to the Greater Light, Jesus Christ our Saviour. “He [John the Baptist] was the lesser light which was to be followed by the greater.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 2, page 83.
Furthermore, in the most climatic moment of earth’s history when the destiny of the whole human race is at stake, would God give to us a minor prophet, or would Sister White be one of the greatest prophets of all time?
6. There is also an expanding group who is convinced that the Spirit of Prophecy after 1884 is greatly compromised by interpolations and changes which we should reject. This would include parts of volume five of the Testimonies for the Church and volumes six through nine. It includes Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, Desire of Ages, Acts of the Apostles, and Great Controversy (1888 and 1911 editions). It also includes Steps to Christ, Christ’s Object Lessons, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, Education, Ministry of Healing and many other wonderful truth-filled inspired books of Sister White.
Sister White used helpers in organizing her materials and sometimes they suggested to her ways of expressing her God-given messages more plainly and more effectively. But these literary assistants did not have any authority to change anything unless it was approved by the servant of the Lord. Beginning with the 1911 edition of Great Controversy, Sister White clearly stated that no changes whatsoever were made unless she had approved of them. She wrote about how pleased she was when this edition came off the presses. Elder M.L. Andreason, after personal research of her handwritten manuscripts, confirmed the authenticity of the Desire of Ages. See the book Russell and I wrote, Winds of Doctrine from Hartland Publications.
7. Other groups claim that none of the writings of Sister White before 1892 are relevant to our times, because it was not until 1892 that she first acknowledged that she may have to pass through the portals of the tomb. They conclude from this statement that Sister White shared no counsel that would be relevant to the times in which we now live.
The fifth volume of the Testimonies, pages 207-216, in the chapter entitled, “The Sealing,” pinpoints the apostasy which will take place at the end of this earth’s history. These false teachings about the Spirit of Prophecy are all designs of Satan to lead men and women from salvation.
May God keep us. How I pray that none of our readers will follow these deceptions!
Oct 1, 2004
This summer, Pastor Maurice Berry and I had the privilege of ministering in three South African countries. My meetings began in Paarl. One man I met, Mark Africa, had lost his job over the Sabbath. When he heard the Three Angels’ Messages, it was a difficult time for him and his family, but with God’s help he began a little industry. Within a few months he’d acquired three employees, and he is currently netting about three times the amount of income he received in his former job. Mark and his wife are currently preparing for baptism.
I also visited the town of Ceres. There has been no Seventh-day Adventist company in that place, but Brother Ashwell Beaton, a very strong lay leader, has worked to establish a community of believers there. He is hoping to purchase a property for the church congregation.
I then traveled to Nelson Mandela Bay, and once again we had a wonderful fellowship. One of the highlights was meeting Brother Martin Rensburg who was brought up in the Dutch Reform Church, has ministered in the Pentecostal Church for twenty-three years, and has served in the South African Air Force, as well. Twelve years ago he accepted the Seventh-day Adventist faith and currently ministers to eleven SDA churches not far from Nelson Mandela Bay.
Pastor Berry joined me in Durban where we were blessed by the people’s enthusiastic response to the messages. It was then on to Botswana. The faithful people there are among the most inspiring of any I have found around the world. Led by young university graduates, these young people are far advanced in their understanding of Present Truth. They’ve opened a bookstore in the main mall of Gabarone, the capital. They are also producing an excellent bi-monthly magazine on Present Truth.
In Malawi the main meetings were held in Blantyre, the largest city in the country. Here, Pastor Kambwioi, who has been in self-supporting work since 1996, has taken a courageous stand on true Christian standards and has been a strong supporter of Present Truth. In Blantyre 160 people came to listen to the messages Pastor Berry and I preached on the Three Angels’ Messages.
Everywhere we went, the positive affect of Hartland Publications books and Last Generation magazine as witnessing tools could be seen. Every place we visited there were pleas for more of this literature.
In Malawi the believers have, by great sacrifice, begun a training college. Sadly, eight of the young people from the church in Lilongwi were disfellowshipped for attending the last Hartland extension school held at the training college. I met with all eight of these young people, and they are certainly fine young people. Some are powerful preachers.
Please pray for the ongoing work in Africa. Many souls will be in the Kingdom as a result of it. Of this we are assured.
Aug 1, 2004
“The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing….” (6T 81).
While ministering in the Dominican Republic I learned that some Seventh-day Adventists have been seduced by winds of doctrine. They have embraced the concept that the feast days kept by the pre-Christian Jews still must be kept after Christ’s death. The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy speak contrary to this. Christ was the anti-type of these ceremonial types.
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross….” Colossians 2:13-14.
Some believe that verse 14 declares the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross, yet the clear statement of that verse shows it was the ordinances which were nailed there. That is indicated by the phrase “handwriting of ordinances which was against us.”
A similar and confirmatory phrase is found in Moses’ writings: “And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, … that Moses commanded the Levites, …. Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.” Deuteronomy 31:24-26.
Moses plainly states that the commandments written by him in a book were put in the side of the ark. The Ten Commandments, written by the finger of God on stone (Exodus 31:18), were placed in the Ark of the Covenant, not in the side. The Ten Commandments were not fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus because they represent the eternal character of God. The ceremonial law, which included the statues and ordinances pointing to Christ and His sacrifice, were nailed to the cross. They no longer are to be kept by God’s faithful people.
By instituting the Lord’s Supper, “it was Christ’s desire to leave to His disciples an ordinance that would do for them the very thing they needed-that would serve to disentangle them from the rites and ceremonies which they had hitherto engaged in as essential, and which the reception of the gospel made no longer of any force. To keep these rites would be an insult to Jehovah.” RH, June 14, 1898.
I strongly recommend two books. In Winds of Doctrine, Russell and I take up many doctrines that have drawn faithful people away from the body of true believers. The second one, Adventism Proclaimed, is meant to instruct God’s remnant people in the messages of the three angels as well as the message of the fourth angel of Revelation 18.
Now is the time to focus on the everlasting gospel of the three angels, which God has given to us to carry to the world. If we are diligent now, then when the latter rain is poured out, we will have it enshrined in our minds, in our hearts and in our witness.
Jun 1, 2004
A few months ago, my weekend schedule took me to the Rio Linda Church near Sacramento, California. With the blessing of a free companion ticket, my wife accompanied me. We spent two days with our son, Nigel, a teacher at Weimar Academy, before the weekend meetings. While all weekend preaching appointments are rewarding experiences, this weekend was a mountaintop experience for us. We met many friends whom we had not met for many years, some whom we had not seen for more than twenty years since we left Weimar Institute to travel to Hartland Institute at its beginning.
memory_lane.jpgOne highlight of the weekend was to have two great warriors for the Lord present at the meetings. We were pleasantly surprised to meet Lowell Scarbrough, age 91, and Dr. Wendell Gibbs, age 82.
In spite of their advancing years, they are both as passionately loyal to God’s truth as they were a quarter of a century ago. During the latter part of the 1970’s they had been the leaders of a group of ten or twelve people who were responsible for establishing Historic Truth Publications. Their ministry began when they published the book, Conflicting Concepts of Righteousness by Faith in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, authored by two physicians, John Clifford and my brother, Russell. It was the first book written to challenge the rapid erosion of God’s truth in the South Pacific Division. Both Elder Robert Pierson, the president of the General Conference and Elder Kenneth Wood, the editor of the Review and Herald, were favorably impressed by this publication. They also published a book on righteousness by faith by Brother Scarbrough.
They published the first seven books which Russell and I authored, commencing with Adventism Vindicated, in 1980.
We had completed the manuscript but did not have the funds to publish it. I had been invited to an afternoon meeting on the property of Lowell and Millie Scarbrough. About sixty people arrived and Dr. Gibbs took it upon himself to challenge the folk present to raise $5,000.00 to print 5,000 copies of the book. By the generosity of this small group that afternoon, the $5,000 was raised and Adventism Vindicated was published.
Months after Hartland Institute had begun, Dr. Gibbs suggested that it would be far better for an institution such as Hartland to take over Historic Truth Publications, which the administrative committee agreed to do. All the stock was transferred to Hartland plus more than $18,000 which was profits from the sale of the books.
We are grateful to Brother Scarbrough, Dr. Gibbs and the other dedicated volunteers who filled out all the orders weekly for six years. The books of heaven recorded the faithfulness of these pioneering publishers who laid the foundation for the worldwide work of Hartland Publications.
Apr 1, 2004
The servant of the Lord has made many statements that were considered inaccuracies in her day. For example:
(1) Germs cause cancer (Ministry of Healing, p. 313). In the 19th century, the scientific and medical establishment wholly rejected this. After all, they had firm evidence that germs, or as we would say today, “viruses” (a specific class of germs), could not cause cancer. On one hand, they noted that health professionals who were working with tuberculosis patients, (another infectious disease from bacteria, a second class of germs), were more likely than the general population to become infected with that disease, indicating the source of the disease was not viral. On the other hand, those health professionals working with cancer patients showed no higher incidence of cancer than the general population. This seemed to be irrefutable evidence for their position. However, today there is no question by medical science that germs in the form of viruses do cause cancer.
New layer…
(2) Sister White talks about malignant poison-meaning a poison that causes cancer (Ibid. p. 327). This was not accepted by the medical profession of the 19th century. Indeed, tobacco smoking was considered a therapy for people suffering from pulmonary problems, especially asthma. It took until the second half of the 20th century before irrefutable evidence showed a link between lung cancer and the inhaling of tobacco smoke, and that it causes certain other cancers, too.
(3) Sister White claimed that masturbation enfeebled the mind (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, p. 91; Ibid. vol. 2, p. 470). This was laughed to scorn. However, some medical personnel are beginning to accept the possibility. In 1978, Dr. Carl Pfeiffer of Harvard University indicated that insanity could be caused from frequent masturbation (Zinc and Other Micro-Nutrients, Keats Publishing, Inc., 1978, p. 45). In 1991, Dr. David Horrobin of Oxford University concurred, saying that masturbation could cause the stimulation of such mental illness as schizophrenia (Zinc, Vitabooks, Inc., 1981, p. 8).
(4) Sister White was also scorned for talking about the amalgamation of animals and men (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, pp. 64, 75). We don’t laugh so loudly today. A few years ago it was discovered that a laboratory in Massachusetts was seeking to insert a human sperm into a cow’s ovum. There was no intention to stop on ethical grounds. Indeed, when we looked at the process of today’s genetic engineering, we recognize that animal genes are being used for various reasons. They’ve been successfully inserted into plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, corn and soybeans.
Sister White did not live to see the scientific verification of what she had written, but we are witnessing it today. The fact that certain scientific studies at this point appear to contradict the Bible should be no concern to Christians, for we have the Word of the living God. I pray that we will understand that we have the sure Word of God.
Feb 1, 2004
While in Australia recently, I received a letter from an old friend. The letter asked if there could be some leeway for the findings of science, especially concerning the Bible teaching of the six literal, consecutive, twenty-four-hour days of creation about six thousand years ago. He included a very carefully crafted article in which he pled for his Seventh-day Adventist scientist friends to accept the apparent scientific evidence for a much older world and thus reinterpret Genesis chapters 1-9.
This was not new. The real question is: Can we believe that the Bible is the basis of our faith concerning salvation while also recognizing that the Bible may not always be scientifically sound? My answer is an emphatic, “No!” “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” 2 Timothy 3:16. Some seem to think that evidence for the “big bang” theory, for example, is not strong enough to cause Christians to waver from other literal understandings of the Bible. But my friend was also concerned that if we defend Bible stories as literal (such as the miracles of Christ), many young people trained in the knowledge of “science” would turn away from the Seventh-day Adventist faith, possibly from Christianity itself, because these stories could not be validated by science.
Copernicus, Galileo and others discovered that the earth was not the center of the universe, but that our solar system revolves around the sun. This fact was strongly opposed by the Roman Church during the 17th century. Galileo was brought before the Inquisition and sentenced to house arrest for the last eight years of his life for holding such heretical views.
The Catholic Church tried to use certain scriptures to buttress their opposition to Galileo. In frustration he proposed that astronomy should not be judged by the Bible, but should depend upon observation. That view means Scripture should be interpreted to support the scientific evidence. Inspiration makes some interesting comments:
“Science is ever discovering new wonders, but she brings from her research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation.” Education, p. 128.
“Inferences erroneously drawn from facts observed in nature have, however, led to supposed conflict between science and revelation, and in an effort to restore harmony, interpretations of Scripture have been adopted that undermine and destroy the force of the word of God.” Ibid.
Notice these important principles:
1) Science, properly understood, and the Bible are in complete harmony.
2) There is no inconsistency between science and the Bible.
3) The book of nature and the book of Revelation shed light upon each other.
Science can often change quickly and radically under further investigation. But the Bible does not change. Therefore, “The Bible is not to be tested by men’s ideas of science, but science is to be brought to the test of the unerring standard.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, p. 425. Many times, we have to wait for science to catch up to the Bible.
In the next Hartland Ministry Report, we will look at a few predictions of Ellen White that were thought to be erroneous and see if science has caught up.
God bless you.
Oct 1, 2003
It seems incredible, yet it is true, that with my twin brother Russell, I will reach the milestone of three score and ten, October 27. What thankfulness I have in my heart for God’s extension of His wonderful grace to me. Russell and I have lived a total of 140 years, being identical twins. What a privilege! As we both began teaching in January 1952 at 18 years of age in small one-teacher schools, we have served the Lord for almost 104 years.
As a youth, I had high ego-serving ambitions. At 14, excelling at sports was my idolatry. All I wanted was to represent Australia in international cricket matches. At 16, I wanted to be Prime Minister of Australia. At 18, I contemplated being a criminal lawyer. However, each goal was later abandoned because each would have likely violated Sabbath observance. My last selfish goal was to become an Australian Diplomatic Ambassador. I even began to fill out the application forms.
But I was retreating from God’s divine calling. Thank the Lord that He did not give up on me. When Russell and I were youth, our mother often talked to us about training to be pastors. We were much against that idea, but the Lord did not leave us alone. Though we never trained for the ministry, both of us were ordained-Russell while president of Bangkok Adventist Hospital in 1980 and I when president of West Indies College in Jamaica in 1971.
The Lord has led me from elementary and various college and university teaching positions to positions as academic dean and president of West Indies College and Columbia Union College, foundational Dean at Weimar College and now the foundational presidency of Hartland Institute. What a journey! Thank God. I believe all the previous experiences I have had were God’s way of preparing me for this, the greatest challenge and ministry of my life right here at Hartland.
As I reflect, I can confidently say God’s way is simply the best way. It is the only way. I am amazed and grateful for such a wonderful life with Him through all the many years! How I love my Lord for His mercy and patience with me.
I am still astonished that He would trust me with the most rewarding life I could imagine.
Aug 1, 2003
On August 29th my wife Cheryl and I will commemorate our fortieth wedding anniversary. We were married in Sydney on the worst day of 1963 – torrential rain and sixty-mile-an-hour winds. My groomsmen and I reached the church absolutely drenched and dried off with communion towels. But the inclement weather did not change the solemnity of our vows.
I cannot forget my vows. The simple words, “I do” live on in my memory. Never in forty years have I ever given any thought to separation or divorce. This vow is second only to the vow at my baptism in October 1950 to love, serve and obey my Lord.
Sadly, even within the ranks of God’s church, many take marriage vows lightly. Separation, infidelity and divorce are epidemic. I am convinced that it takes two to sustain a happy marriage; but it only takes one to create a divorce. In many cases in which I have tried to help, usually one is determined to break that solemn vow, while the other, in great anguish of soul, is seeking to save the marriage. Rarely do the best and noble efforts of the faithful partner succeed in holding the marriage together. In one instance I felt the terrible anguish of the wife and the three children. Yet the husband, a childhood friend, was so determined to separate, that even two hours of dialogue made no impact on his decision.
Why is there so much divorce in our church?
1. We are not training our youth concerning proper reserve between men and women. Too often frivolity and familiarity with the opposite gender is permitted.
2. Dating around is pervasive but is contrary to God’s principles. Youth are encouraged to cast their affections on a number of different individuals, a habit which will greatly compromise their marriages. One young lady said to me, “On our honeymoon he was looking at other women.” Young men often get their “kicks” by the number of ladies they can lead to immorality.
3. Parents often give a poor example by inappropriate actions with members of the opposite gender. Sadly, many youth come from broken homes. Statistics show that these children are more likely to fracture their own marriages. Unfortunately, society today condones and often encourages divorce. It is no longer considered an act of shame to be responsible for a divorce.
4. The laws of the land have made divorce very easy.
5. Especially painful was the 2000 General Conference vote by only a handful of delegates, widely opening the door to unbiblical divorce.
6. The large number of unconverted church members are easy prey for Satan in the matter of immorality.
My plea is that parents and church leaders will train their children against familiarity by precept and example. Teach them the dangers of dating around and to wait for God’s clear leading. Finally, let all church members stop “matchmaking,” and let the Holy Spirit guide the youth.
Jun 1, 2003
“South Africa will never be the same after your visit,” said Elwyn deBeer as we prepared to leave the Republic of South Africa. In March, brother deBeer, a faithful worker for the Lord, arranged a six-city preaching tour for Russell and me. Brother deBeer has a passion to spread present truth to South Africa’s 42 million people. The meetings were often full and the response was very enthusiastic.
debeers_sa.jpgKimberley is in the diamond mining area. The first Adventist church was established there in 1890. We spent a very profitable time there with two of the pastors of the churches who earnestly desired to feed their flocks with the special message for this time. One night we were interviewed on a radio program with about 80,000 listeners. What a privilege it was to share a small segment of the everlasting gospel with these unseen listeners!
In Cape Town we spoke at Paarl and at Helderberg College (Adventist senior college). We were surprised at the number who attended, including college staff and quite a number of the theology students. We had some very nice talks with these students who were eager for more present truth messages. They commented that they had really been blessed by the meeting, but also that they were discouraged by the material they were getting in their Bible classes. We pray that we were able to help them become faithful ministers for Christ.
A most thrilling brainstorming meeting was held in Paarl Sunday morning with several enthusiastic lay leaders who are determined to do something about soul-winning. They asked us to help them initiate planning for an extensive literature program around South Africa, a training school using videos from Hartland College, and an evangelistic crusade ministry to reach the multitudes. One brother said, “What we have started today is just the beginning. With much greater energy now, we must go to the masses!” And another gentleman who is a high education official in that province said that he was willing to leave his high paying and prestigious job and get into this self-supporting ministry full time. We were thrilled with this kind of spirit.
We also preached in Port Elizabeth and Durban to receptive congregations. Everywhere we went there was a plea for literature with the great truths of the Seventh-day Adventist message. South Africa is waking up to the inroads of the New Theology, but the flames of truth were strengthened through souls dedicated to sharing the Three Angels’ Messages. We were greatly impressed that from all races, black, colored, white and Indian there were lay leaders who are vigorously sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Please pray for our brethren and sisters in South Africa. Already the beginnings of conference opposition is seen against these faithful lay leaders. But there is courage and commitment, which will be a great asset to these faithful soldiers in the cause of Jesus Christ.
Apr 1, 2003
The 20th anniversary of Hartland Institute is a most appropriate time to review the leading of God in its ministry. I have just completed writing the book entitled The Vision and God’s Providences. The book should be available from July of this year, coinciding with the special anniversary camp meeting July 29-August 3. Little did I realize the deep emotions and memories which would overwhelm me as I was writing. I lost count of how many times I said to myself “What hath God wrought?”
vagp_cover.jpg I had been serving as Dean of Weimar College. In late 1982, at 48 years of age, my whole life was re-focused on the greatest, most challenging, and yet the most rewarding experience of my life. Establishing Hartland has been the culmination of all the experiences the Lord has given me during my lifetime.
In 1982, God gave us the concept of establishing a health and educational institution on the east coast of the United States. Critical to the initial thrust was the vision of Brother Hal Mayer, then a 26-year-old graduate of Weimar College. His vision was to establish a health center on the East Coast. As we talked together in February 1982, that vision expanded to include a college. How wonderfully God worked from that beginning. It was soon evident that there was great interest in such an institution. Hal and his wife, Betsy, worked diligently in every phase of the search for property, raising funds, and preparing plans for the new institution. Many others joined in this fine work. The book tells many incidents of divine intervention, which have resulted in one of the most fascinating stories of modern times.
Hartland Publications will publish a hardback edition of The Vision and God’s Providences. Many will count this as a great treasure as they understand Hartland’s importance. It is not merely factual details; it is a sacred odyssey. Each step reveals unique and fascinating ways in which God’s unfailing providences can change lives.
There has been no attempt to ignore or whitewash the mistakes. We saw the powerful attacks of Satan. We felt the plight of almost unbearable financial difficulties. We experienced the sad alienation of our brethren. We saw how God brought those not of our faith to help. But above all, we have seen the right hand of God in bringing thousands to the Seventh-day Adventist faith as a result of Hartland’s ministry.
Every year, tens of millions of pages of truth-filled literature are scattered far and wide. Every year, Hartland graduates add to the increasing number of faithful workers. Many times as I prepared the chapters of this book, I was brought to tears. I took the job seriously, knowing that this is part of God’s sacred history.
Copies will be available at camp meeting or can be obtained from Hartland Publications at 800-774-3566, ext. 298, www.hartlandbooks.com, or P.O. Box 1, Rapidan, VA 22733.
May God bless you all and strengthen you day by day in the faith.
Dec 1, 2002
While speaking at camp meetings in Great Britain, Czech Republic, Germany, and France this summer, I was again reminded how the winds of doctrine continue to capture many conservative Seventh-day Adventists. Most Laodicean Seventh-day Adventists have little concern about doctrine at all, let alone winds of doctrine. But Satan uses them effectively to get some off track. Like a prairie fire, winds of doctrine have scattered to almost every country where faithful Seventh-day Adventists are to be found. We have found them vigorously being promoted in South America, as well as Europe and America.
In Britain I heard yet another wind of doctrine. Sister White indicates only one final test for the world at the end of time. That is the keeping of the Sabbath. “The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted.” The Great Controversy [1888 edition], p. 605.
One person said that the Sabbath test was for non-Seventh-day Adventists and the “mind of Satan” was the test for Seventh-day Adventists (whatever that meant). Another said that the mind of Satan was a “test within” and the Sabbath was a “test without.” We have no need to concern ourselves whatsoever with the mind of Satan. If we truly have the mind of Christ, there is no way that Satan cancontrol our minds. There is no way he can deceive us or hypnotize us. I pray that all our readers are daily asking God for the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5); for it is only through the impartation of the divine nature that we can escape “the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4.
In the Czech Republic, a man and his wife came to try to convince us that we could only use the Hebrew names of God. We found that they had fallen into other deceptions such as the keeping of the feast days and the two-person godhead. They also claimed that the communion could only be held once a year, at the time of the Passover. The words of Paul meant little to them:
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:26.
It seems that such people become totally hypnotized. They ignore the plain words of Inspiration. None of these winds of doctrine are established upon plain, clear passages of Scripture or Spirit of Prophecy. Every heresy down through history has followed this common pattern. Those promoting a wind of doctrine discover a text or two that are not clear statements, but can be wrested to rationalize away the plainest words of Scripture. Sister White says we are to take the plain Word as it reads. “A great work can be done by presenting to the people the Bible just as it reads.” Review & Herald, July 10, 1883
As a minister of the gospel, I urge all earnest Seventh-day Adventists to beware, for Satan and his agents are trying to “deceive the very elect” (Matt 24:24). We must stand upon clear, plain, unequivocal statements of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy and make sure that the less clear statements are understood in the light of the clear ones.
Oct 1, 2002
Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world, has by far the most Roman Catholic adherents as well as the most Seventh-day Adventist members. Hartland, Hope and Remnant Ministries conducted evangelism there during June and July 2002. A team of five-Elders Ron Spear, Clark Floyd, Russell Standish, my son Nigel and I worked in Fortaleza (Fifth largest city of Brazil, pop. 3,000,000), Sao Paulo (Second largest city in the world – population near 20,000,000), and Poa, (population 110,000).
The leaders of each group were very faithful Seventh-day Adventists. Yet all had been disfellowshipped for righteousness sake. We were greatly impressed with their Christ-like spirit in spite of what had happened to them. They nobly resisted bitterness and hostility to those who had illegally cast them out of their Seventh-day Adventist churches.
The SDA church in Poa is in a relatively poor area near Sao Paulo. Many faithful members decided to publish and distribute tracts on the three angels messages. On a Friday evening in July 2001, near sundown, twenty five policemen and six security guards arrived at the church to keep it locked so that Sabbath meetings could not take place there. The conference had unilaterally and without proper procedures decided to disband the church. Their key reason was that some members had been ordered by conference officials to stop distributing the tracts, but had continued to do so. We were assured that these were not strongly worded tracts, nor were they making thrusts at Catholics.
Later, to the members great horror, the Conference Association hired bulldozers to destroy their beloved church which the members had built and paid for through much sacrifice. But they had made the mistake of surrendering the title to the Conference Association. To their amazement, the Association built a much larger church, at least three stories high and bigger in every way. Some of the construction was even done on the Sabbath day. Of course these faithful people were not permitted to worship there, so they now have a regular self supporting congregation of about forty people in a rented building, at the cost of $450 per month (very large amount for these poor people).
Yet they continue to move forward in faith and confidence. By the time we were there, this little group had published over 30,000 tracts and had distributed over 20,000. Out of this effort, they were conducting 250 Bible studies with precious souls. Some of those people attended the evangelistic meetings. These faithful members are now starting to reap the rewards of their regular Sabbath afternoon literature distribution. When they soon finish distributing all their leaflets they will urgently need funds to reprint. I pray they will receive it.
I have included more information on illegal disbanding of churches in one of my letters to our faith partners. There is a mighty work to be accomplished in Brazil. We have been urged to return in October to a much larger gathering. We need your prayerful support of our work in this important country. We cannot leave these precious souls without support.
Jun 1, 2002
While in Australia in December, I took my family for their first visit to the University of Sydney, where I had studied and taught. To my surprise, a graduation was taking place with several hundred students graduating that day. I was interested to observe the graduation exercises. I was impressed by the masterly playing of the grand pipe organ in the Great Hall. As I gazed upon the students about to receive the diplomas, I could not help but wonder how many of these young people would find their work in ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ. Graduates came from many different countries.
But I was especially interested in the oration given by the woman chosen to be the speaker. She was a State Parliamentarian. I was struck by the emptiness of the message, the hedonistic principles which were interwoven into her address. I heard no challenges to service even of a humanistic nature, let alone those made by a devout servant of our Savior. The focus was upon selfish exaltation and achievement. It was disappointing at the least.
My thoughts reverted to the solemn, deeply spiritual nature of Hartland graduations as students are committed to the care and keeping of their Savior. I was reminded again of the sacrifice of Jesus on behalf of all humanity and the great claims that He has upon our lives and service. I reflected upon the solemn testimonies of our graduates before they launch into the full field of service for the cause of Christ and for the salvation of souls. The contrast between secular and Christian education could not have been more clearly witnessed. One institution is greatly honored by its prestigious reputation in Australia, with a huge student body, and a much revered tradition, along with famous graduates. Contrast this with a small college of dedicated, self-sacrificing staff, and a small student body who are committing their lives to sacrifice in the service of the King of kings. Through Hartland College, vastly more will be accomplished of eternal consequences than that mighty university.
Please continue to pray daily for these young people who, under the Holy Spirit, are dedicated to turning the world right side up and presenting the everlasting gospel to its inhabitants.
Yours in the blessed hope, Colin Standish
Apr 1, 2002
During my recent visit to New Zealand and Australia for camp meetings, I was strongly impressed with the importance of the work placed before our young people and laity. At the camp meetings I was greatly encouraged by the quality of presentations made by both. Many were younger men who presented in-depth messages which showed how much God can use those who, in their own personal study of the Word, have allowed the Holy Spirit to minister to them. It reminded me of the prophetic utterances of Sister White, which showed that men and women will be moved not so much by the learning of literary institutions, especially worldly institutions, but rather by the moving of the Holy Spirit.
“Under the showers of the latter rain the inventions of man, the human machinery, will at times be swept away, the boundary of man’s authority will be as broken reeds, and the Holy Spirit will speak through the living, human agent, with convincing power. No one then will watch to see if the sentences are well rounded off, if the grammar is fault-less. The living water will flow in God’s own channels.” (Selected Messages, Bk. 2, pp. 58, 59)
I could not but help contemplating that these younger men demonstrated a far greater insight into the saving truths of God than many of our trained ministers, who week by week, preach tame homilies to the needy, thirsty members of their congregations. Many of us are waiting for some charismatic leader to rise up to bring revival and reformation to God’s church. Yet it is time for the laity to stop waiting and to act themselves. It may well be that a primarily lay movement will complete the gospel commission.
So often, we wring our hands when we see the impotency of the ministry, or perhaps even worse, the abject failure of the ministry to preach truth. It is often ministers who lead their church members to eternal destruction. But now is the time for the laity to rise up and say, “Lord, you have called us.” It was laymen that God called in times past-men like Samuel, Isaiah and Jeremiah, John The Baptist, and even the Apostles to carry the bur-den of presenting the messages of reform to God’s people.
Should we expect anything different at the end of earth’s history? I think not. We cannot hide behind the failures of others. God is calling every one who names the name of Christ, every one who has been called to the Three Angels’ Messages to rise up and take his or her place in the final climactic message that will be given throughout the world.
Let us encourage our young people especially. Some are inclined to discount them. They are the hope of finishing God’s work. This church began largely under the fire of youth, and its mission will be completed largely by young people who have surrendered their all to Christ. Not only are we ourselves to move forward, but we are to encourage the youth to take up the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel at a time when so many in our churches are defecting to the apostate banner of Satan. The deeper the apostasy becomes in our church the stronger should be our commitment to Jesus Christ and to the mission that He has placed before us. If laymen fail in this work, we will almost certainly fall short of God’s kingdom. This is the time for every sincere member of God’s church to say, “Here am I, send me.”
Yours in the blessed hope, Colin Standish
Feb 1, 2002
November 1951, I graduated from the Theological Normal Course (The Christian Education Course) at Avondale College. As a mere lad of eighteen, I was launched into the Lord’s service. Well I recall the hopes and the fears that I had as I said goodbye to my father and boarded the train for my long journey to the far north coast of New South Wales, Australia to take up my first teaching appointment. I had a class-room of fourteen children. So remote was the school that there was no electricity or telephone. But there was a group of SDA banana growers who had accepted the Lord’s instruction to take their families to the country, whose children I was to teach.
I started teaching in the pre-television age of Australia. Indeed, it would be more than four years before TV came and cast its hypnotic spell across Australia. Computers were not even considered in the minds of ordinary people. Air transportation was still largely limited to the rich and famous. It was to be another five years before I would own a car (the first car owned by any member of my family).
What a difference half a century makes. As I reflect I weep when I contemplate how irresponsible I have been in answering the call of my Savior. Sadly, that is true of most of my generation. We have failed the Lord. We have not turned to the Lord with our whole hearts fervently. We have not crucified self. We have not allowed Christ to wrench the world from our lives. And now we are seeing the beginning of the carnage that will transpire on this planet just prior to the coming of our Lord.
Dear brethren and sisters, I have committed myself to a deepening and fuller experience with my Lord. Nothing matters now other than our own salvation, that of our families and of the men and women on this planet. This must be the all consuming focus of our lives. I pray that you will join me in unwavering loyalty to Jesus and respond to the fullness of the call that He has placed upon our lives and service. May we not with even one word or action dishonor Him or lead people to turn from Jesus because we fail to represent His character.
I was told when I was young that time was short. But now I know that it is short! Christ is surely even at the door. There is only one event that is retarding the return of Jesus. We have not surrendered our lives fully to Him. “When the character of Christ is perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” (Christ’s Object Lessons p. 69) May this year be the year that we are ready to meet Jesus and may we have wonderful fruitage to present to Him.
May God bless you all, Colin Standish
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