SAYS the leading man among those who profess to adhere to the views taught by Wm. Miller, when, in fact, they have given up many of those strong points of difference between Wm. Miller and his opponents.
But what has called out this new sect, or a class of believers from which this sect has been formed, which claims, and glories in the name of Adventists? We answer:- First, the doctrine of the second Advent as taught by Wm. Miller, or the announcement of the first angel, [Revelation 14:6, 7,] the hour of Gods judgment come. Second, that strong movement in 1844, occasioned by the proclamation of the words of the second angel, [Verse 8,] which brought them away from the different churches to which they belonged.
These two great movements called out the Advent people from the different churches, and a portion of them now claim the name of Adventists. But - strange to tell - they regard the very movements that called them from the churches, and made them a distinct people, decidedly wrong!! Most of them call the doctrines they then held errors, and the influences which moved them to separate from their brethren of the several churches, delusive! Then why have they not like honest men and women, retraced those steps they took in errors path? Why not frankly confess to their former brethren of the churches who stood so nobly (?) against the Advent movements in 1843 and 1844, that those movements were delusions?
Now those movements were either wrong, and a complete delusion, or they were under the special providence of God, and, as a whole, right. If they were wrong, then those who were influenced by them to leave the churches, should at once go back to those churches, confess their errors, and unite with them again. Is it not perfect folly to glory in the distinguishing name of Adventists, then turn round and curse the very means that made them a distinct people? If those movements were right, then it is right to remain separate from those churches, which the Advent people separated from to enjoy their freedom; but let such highly prize those angels messages [Revelation 14:6-8] which made them a distinct people.
Now if it be right for any people to claim the name of Adventists (but we doubt the propriety of claiming any such ists.) certainly that class who have given up the strong points of the original Advent faith as taught by Wm. Miller, and now regard as error and delusive, the very messages and influences which called them from the churches and made them a distinct people, should be the very last to claim the name of Adventists!
We claim to stand on the original Advent faith, therefore do not reject the past movements on this great question, which have called out a people to prepare for the coming of the Lord. And as to the great fundamental doctrines taught by Wm. Miller, we see no reason to change our views. We claim all the light of past time on this glorious theme, and cherish it as from Heaven. And we cheerfully let the providence of God, and plain Bible testimony correct our past view of the Sanctuary, and give us a more harmonious system of truth, and a firmer basis of faith.
While the ADVENT REVIEW occupies its present position, it may be expected that its columns will be enriched with spirited articles upon the Second Advent from the pens of Wm. Miller, Litch, Fitch, Hale, Storrs and others, written ten or twelve years since.
(THE ADVENT REVIEW, AND SABBATH HERALD, APRIL 18, 1854 JAMES WHITE)
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Date:
RE: WHAT IS THE DISTINCTIVE TRUTH WHICH SEPARATED THE ADVENTISTS FROM THE FALLEN CHURCHES, MAKING THEM A PECULIAR PEOPLE
The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God's people upon the earth, [also] the first and second angels' messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God's law. The nonimmortality of the wicked is an old landmark. I can call to mind nothing more that can come under the head of the old landmarks. All this cry about changing the old landmarks is all imaginary. {CW 30.2}
The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God's people upon the earth, [also] the first and second angels' messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God's law. The nonimmortality of the wicked is an old landmark. I can call to mind nothing more that can come under the head of the old landmarks. All this cry about changing the old landmarks is all imaginary. {CW 30.2}
Tanks for your reply! So, your answer would be: the Sanctuary + the Sabbath + the non-immortality + the 3AM with the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. Is that correct?
Yes, the quote that I posted (CW 30) contains the best short statement of what makes Seventh-day Adventism unique.
It's worth noting here that some of the distinctive beliefs have broad implications.
For example, one implication of the sanctuary doctrine is the idea of character perfection, as manifested in the 144,000, and this in turn has to do with the theme of vindicating the divine government.
The quote below is an example of this theme.
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A transformation has taken place, and you are a different man. You are not the same passionate man that you used to be. You are not the same worldly man that you were. You are not the man that was giving way to lust and evil passions, evil surmisings and evil speakings. You are not this man at all, because a transformation has taken place. What is it? The image of Christ reflected in you. Then you are bearing in view that there is a company to stand by and by on Mount Zion, and you want to be one of that company, and you are determined that you will form a part of that company. Let me read: [Revelation 14:1-3, quoted.] {1SAT 72.2}
Why were they [the 144,000] so specially singled out? Because they had to stand with a wonderful truth right before the whole world, and receive their opposition, and while receiving this opposition they were to remember that they were sons and daughters of God, that they must have Christ formed within them the hope of glory. They were ever keeping in view the great and blessed hope that is before them. What is it? It is an eternal weight of glory. Nothing could surpass it. {1SAT 72.3}
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