In Jesus' prayer, He prayed:

"This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent."

This is the first duty of mankind, to know God and His son Jesus, and above all, those who profess to be Christians should make it the most important duty of their life. However, the sad story of it is that they make great studies to understand the theory of Christianity, or the creed that they go by, but the deep study to know God's character, and glory is sadly neglected. This study, if carried through to learn His true attributes, plus the desire to be like Him, claiming His promises to bring this about in the life of those who are fully surrendered to Him, would bring a radical change amongst SdAs, particularly. They are the Christians who claim to keep the law of God, and to be waiting for His return, to deliver them from the beast and his image.

In this study we prayerfully plan to look into the overlooked attributes of God from His inspired writings. In view of the remnant people of God and their responsibility, collectively, and individually.

Israel at Sinai

In the `golden calf' incident God was very angry with His people. After Moses returned to the camp and beheld their apostasy, he was also full of anger toward them, and he broke the tables of stone, upon which God had written the Ten Commandments with His own finger. This was not selfish anger, but anger for the glory of God. Israel had given glory to the molten calf, or ox.

"God had given no manner of similitude of Himself, and He had prohibited any material representation for such a purpose. The mighty miracles in Egypt and at the Red Sea were designed to establish faith in Him as the invisible, all-powerful Helper of Israel, the only true God. And the desire for some visible manifestation of His presence had been granted in the pillar of cloud and of fire that guided their hosts, and in the revealing of His glory upon Mount Sinai. But with the cloud of the Presence still before them, they turned back in their hearts to the idolatry of Egypt, and represented the glory of the invisible God by the similitude of an ox!" {PP 315.3}

Israel had felt that they were worshipping God, but wanted some representation of Him. The first step in disobeying God led to such great apostasy, until they said, "These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." {PP, 317} Yet they claimed to be holding a "Feast to the Lord." {Ibid.} No matter how they looked at it, God counted it an insult, and if it had not been for Moses' pleading for God's mercy, Gold would have destroyed them as well as Aaron. Moses pled earnestly for God's great mercy, and continued to plead until God promised to restore them to His favor. However, it had been necessary to severely punish, and destroy those who had led out in the apostasy. It was all an insult to the God of Israel, and "with terrible severity the evil must be put away." {PP 324}

"In the name of "the Lord God of Israel," Moses now commanded those upon his right hand, who had kept themselves clear of idolatry, to gird on their swords and slay all who persisted in rebellion. "And there fell of the people that day about three thousand men." Without regard to position, kindred, or friendship, the ringleaders in wickedness were cut off; but all who repented and humbled themselves were spared.

Those who performed this terrible work of judgment were acting by divine authority, executing the sentence of the King of heaven." {PP 324 1,2}

Moses knew God and had talked to Him as to a friend, face to face, Ex. 33:11. But Moses wanted more of a revelation of God. He asked God to show him His glory after God had agreed to restore Israel to His favor, as the result of Moses' earnest pleading.

"God did not rebuke his request as presumptuous; but the gracious words were spoken, "I will make all My goodness pass before thee." The unveiled glory of God, no man in this mortal state can look upon and live; but Moses was assured that he should behold as much of the divine glory as he could endure. . . . . then the hand that made the world . . . . took this creature of the dust, this mighty man of faith, and placed him in a cleft of the rock, while the glory of God and all His goodness passed before him." {PP 328.3}

"And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation." Exodus 34: 6,7.

Moses had asked to be shown God's glory, and God answered that He would cause: All His "goodness" to pass before Moses; "proclaiming the name of the Lord", and, "my glory passeth by", Ex. 33:13, 19, 22.

God's glory, His name, and His goodness are all the same thing according to these references. These attributes are:

1. merciful, and
   
2. gracious,
   
3. longsuffering,
   
4. abundant in goodness and truth,
   
5. keeping mercy,
   
6. forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin

Then He says something that is often ignored, "... will by no means clear the guilty."

Our Situation Today

Who can be cleared from sin?

Who are not guilty?

God has in His mercy made a way of escape - for the freedom from guilt.

Jesus is the answer, of course.

But does not man have a part?

You say, accept what God has offered?

Let us turn to the inspired writings for the answer to this:

"Important truths concerning the atonement are taught by the typical service. A substitute was accepted in the sinner's stead; but the sin was not canceled by the blood of the victim. A means was thus provided by which it was transferred to the sanctuary. By the offering of blood, the sinner acknowledged the authority of the law, confessed his guilt in transgression, and expressed his desire for pardon . . . And what was done in type in the ministration of the earthly sanctuary, is done in reality in the ministration of the heavenly sanctuary. . . . As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin-offering, and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ, and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. . . . there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin, and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of his atonement." {GC 421, 422, 423}

"The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin; it would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement; . . . Then by virtue of the atoning blood of Christ, the sins of all the truly penitent will be blotted from the books of heaven." {PP 357}

It is quite apparent that it is possible for truly repentant sinners to be forgiven, and cleared from guilt before God. It is not only possible but God is anxious to forgive, although He cannot forgive unrepentant sinners.

God cannot clear the guilt, because:

With forgiveness by God comes cleansing from sin (1John 1:9), and while salvation is offered by our heavenly father, and Jesus, it is left to the choice of each person, whether he will give up his rebellion, or neglect (to give it up). God cannot cleanse a man from something he does not want to stop doing. Nor can He force a man to do something that he neglects to do - such as studying His word, and deep earnest prayer.

Repentance is to be sorry for sins to be willing to turn from all sin and stop doing them. This repentance must come from God. But man must want it and pray earnestly, not because God does not want to give it freely, but sin clings on without an earnest choice by the person. There is power in the gospel to overcome sin. God offers this power to those who fully surrender to Him, but Jesus and Satan do not occupy the same heart together (Gal. 5:17; TM, 160). God cannot and will not clear the guilty, for He cannot force anyone to surrender His will.

The results of sin would go on past the 3rd and 4th generation if God had not set bounds. So even God's wrath is merciful, just as His love is, but the unrepentant never feel that it is mercy. Just as Korah and his followers did not think of it as mercy, when God destroyed Korah and his followers (PP 325, 326, 404,405). In fact the fear of God is little heard of, in spite of the many verses that show that God is calling for this awe of His character. If Moses "did exceedingly fear and quake", it seems we all need a deeper insight into God's character.

Because of the serious lack in the days we live, to know and understand the character of God, there is among God's people a lack of serious repentance. This ignorance of knowing the true character of God is well planned by Satan. Sin is taken lightly, and the error prevails that:

You need only accept Jesus, and do the best you can, for you cannot stop sinning anyway.

It has become an attitude that exists amongst even those who think they do not accept the "New Gospel" teaching that "Jesus did it all".

Coinciding with this is the neglect to understand the true character of the law. The Ten Commandment Law is a transcript of God's character. We will take time to look into the understanding of God's law which has in it the reflection of God's character and love. The best place to get this understanding is from revelations given to the Israelites at Sinai. God spoke His law to them amidst awful grandeur:

"From the thick darkness flashed vivid lightnings, while peals of thunder echoed and re-echoed among the surrounding heights. "And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly." "The glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount" in the sight of the assembled multitude. And "the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder." So terrible were the tokens of Jehovah's presence that the hosts of Israel shook with fear, and fell upon their faces before the Lord. Even Moses exclaimed, "I exceedingly fear and quake." Hebrews 12:21. {PP 304.2}

Our heavenly Father is so great a God, and so powerful, that it is very hard for human beings to fathom such greatness, and such power. Besides both of these facts, His purity, and holiness are beyond our comprehension. In fact all of the characteristics and attributes of our creator are far more than we can comprehend. That sinful, mortal man, should fear God is disputed today, and yet we have the record of the meekest man that ever lived, outside of Christ, and how he did exceedingly fear and quake, or tremble, at this manifestation of God's glory. He knew God's love, yet this was his response to God's greatness.

"Ten precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty of man to God and to his fellow man; and all based upon the great fundamental principle of love. `Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.' Luke 10:27.[50] In the Ten Commandments these principles are carried out in detail, and made applicable to the condition and circumstances of man." {PP 305.2}

Consider the inspired record which magnifies the law of God:

"`Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.' Jehovah, the eternal, self-existent, uncreated One, Himself the Source and Sustainer of all, is alone entitled to supreme reverence and worship. Man is forbidden to give to any other object the first place in his affections or his service. Whatever we cherish that tends to lessen our love for God or to interfere with the service due Him, of that do we make a god." {PP 305.4}

"The second commandment forbids the worship of the true God by images or similitudes. Many heathen nations claimed that their images were mere figures or symbols by which the Deity was worshiped, but God has declared such worship to be sin. The attempt to represent the Eternal One by material objects would lower man's conception of God. The mind, turned away from the infinite perfection of Jehovah, would be attracted to the creature rather than to the Creator. And as his conceptions of God were lowered, so would man become degraded." {PP 306.1}

What about certain symbols adopted by the modern churches of our day? Like the symbol of the fish, and other so-called Christian symbols? These appear quite often on literature. In the days of Elijah the professed people of God, were joining in with the practice of the day until they were actually worshipping heathen deities. Today we are apt to feel as though we would not sink to that, and yet we find some statements that say that we do the same thing in our own way.

"In rejecting the truth, men reject its Author. In trampling upon the law of God, they deny the authority of the Lawgiver. It is as easy to make an idol of false doctrines and theories as to fashion an idol of wood or stone. By misrepresenting the attributes of God, Satan leads men to conceive of him in a false character. With many, a philosophical idol is enthroned in the place of Jehovah; while the living God, as he is revealed in his Word, in Christ, and in the works of creation, is worshiped by but few. Thousands deify nature, while they deny the God of nature. Though in a different form, idolatry exists in the Christian world today as verily as it existed among ancient Israel in the days of Elijah. The god of many professedly wise men, of philosophers, poets, politicians, journalists,--the god of polished fashionable circles, of many colleges and universities, even of some theological institutions, -- is little better than Baal, the sun-god of Phenicia." {GC88 583.1}

"... Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian faith. The great facts of creation as presented by the inspired writers, the fall of man, the atonement, and the perpetuity of the law of God, are practically rejected, either wholly or in part, by a large share of the professedly Christian world. Thousands who pride themselves upon their wisdom and independence regard it an evidence of weakness to place implicit confidence in the Bible; they think it a proof of superior talent and learning to cavil at the Scriptures, and to spiritualize and explain away their most important truths. Many ministers are teaching their people, and many professors and teachers are instructing their students, that the law of God has been changed or abrogated; and those who regard its requirements as still valid, to be literally obeyed, are thought to be deserving only of ridicule or contempt." {GC88 582.3}

"From Elijah's experience during those days of discouragement and apparent defeat there are many lessons to be drawn, lessons invaluable to the servants of God in this age, marked as it is by general departure from right. The apostasy prevailing today is similar to that which in the prophet's day overspread Israel. In the exaltation of the human above the divine, in the praise of popular leaders, in the worship of mammon, and in the placing of the teachings of science above the truths of revelation, multitudes today are following after Baal. Doubt and unbelief are exercising their baleful influence over mind and heart, and many are substituting for the oracles of God the theories of men. It is publicly taught that we have reached a time when human reason should be exalted above the teachings of the Word. The law of God, the divine standard of righteousness, is declared to be of no effect. The enemy of all truth is working with deceptive power to cause men and women to place human institutions where God should be, and to forget that which was ordained for the happiness and salvation of mankind." {PK 170.2}

If you have thought that the second commandment could not apply in our days to SdAs, this should help broaden our concept about it. Idolatry does not only apply to those who worship before images.

We now come to the part of the Second Commandment that says basically the same things that God said about Himself at Sinai to Moses.

There is one thing added, however, and it coincides with the statement in Exodus 34:14:

"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." This is enlightened by the SoP, saying: "The close and sacred relation of God to His people is represented under the figure of marriage. Idolatry being spiritual adultery, the displeasure of God against it is fitly called jealousy." {PP 306}

God wants to take care of us and He is greatly displeased when we turn to anyone or anything else, and His blessing is then often withheld. We also find the statement that does away with the `Original Sin' theory:

"Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me.' It is inevitable that children should suffer from the consequences of parental wrongdoing, but they are not punished for the parents' guilt, except as they participate in their sins. It is usually the case, however, that children walk in the steps of their parents. By inheritance and example the sons become partakers of the father's sin. Wrong tendencies, perverted appetites, and debased morals, as well as physical disease and degeneracy, are transmitted as a legacy from father to son, to the third and fourth generation. This fearful truth should have a solemn power to restrain men from following a course of sin." {PP 306.3}

`Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." This commandment not only prohibits false oaths and common swearing, but it forbids us to use the name of God in a light or careless manner, without regard to its awful significance. By the thoughtless mention of God in common conversation, by appeals to Him in trivial matters, and by the frequent and thoughtless repetition of His name, we dishonor Him. `Holy and reverend is His name.' Psalm 111:9. All should meditate upon His majesty, His purity and holiness, that the heart may be impressed with a sense of His exalted character; and His holy name should be uttered with reverence and solemnity." {PP 306.6}

This would necessarily include anyone who takes the name of being a Christian and does not live by the principles of God's holy law, living the victorious life. "For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain."

God has given men six days wherein to labor, and He requires that their own work be done in the six working days. Acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for; but unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided.

"If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words." Isaiah 58:13.

Those who discuss business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character." {PP 307}

"At the very beginning of the fourth commandment the Lord said: "Remember." He knew that amid the multitude of cares and perplexities man would be tempted to excuse himself from meeting the full requirement of the law, or would forget its sacred importance.

We are not merely to observe the Sabbath as a legal matter. We are to understand its spiritual bearing upon all the transactions of life. . . . Daily it will be their prayer that the sanctification of the Sabbath may rest upon them. Every day they will have the companionship of Christ and will exemplify the perfection of His character. . . . No duty pertaining to the six working days will be left for the Sabbath. . . . On Friday let the preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked and the baths be taken. It is possible to do this. If you make it a rule you can do it. The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun let all secular work be laid aside and all secular papers be put out of sight. . . . Before the setting of the sun let the members of the family assemble to read God's word, to sing and pray. There is need of reform here, for many have been remiss. We need to confess to God and to one another. . . . Many need instruction as to how they should appear in the assembly for worship on the Sabbath. They are not to enter the presence of God in the common clothing worn during the week. All should have a special Sabbath suit, to be worn when attending service in God's house. While we should not conform to worldly fashions, we are not to be indifferent in regard to our outward appearance. We are to be neat and trim, though without adornment. The children of God should be pure within and without." {6T 353-355.2}

We give this here as there seems to be a number who are unaware of how sacred and holy God's Sabbath is. It is not just another day to attend church. It is God's promise to sanctify us, and make us holy, and it is His sacred day for 24 hours.

The fifth commandment is what Paul calls the first commandment with a promise.

"Honor they father and they mother, that thy days may be long upon the land that the Lord thy God giveth thee."

"The fifth commandment requires children not only to yield respect, submission, and obedience to their parents, but also to give them love and tenderness, to lighten their cares, to guard their reputation, and to succor and comfort them in old age. It also enjoins respect for ministers and rulers and for all others to whom God has delegated authority." {PP 308.2}

"Thoud shalt not kill."

All acts of injustice that tend to shorten life; the spirit of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads to injurious acts toward others, or causes us even to wish them harm (for "whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer"); a selfish neglect of caring for the needy or suffering; all self-indulgence or unnecessary deprivation or excessive labor that tends to injure health--all these are, to a greater or less degree, violations of the sixth commandment. {PP 308.5}

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."

This commandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but sensual thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite them. Purity is demanded not only in the outward life but in the secret intents and emotions of the heart. Christ, who taught the far-reaching obligation of the law of God, declared the evil thought or look to be as truly sin as is the unlawful deed. {PP 308.7}

"Thou shalt not steal."

Both public and private sins are included in this prohibition. The eighth commandment condemns manstealing and slave dealing, and forbids wars of conquest. It condemns theft and robbery. It demands strict integrity in the minutest details of the affairs of life. It forbids overreaching in trade, and requires the payment of just debts or wages. It declares that every attempt to advantage oneself by the ignorance, weakness, or misfortune of another is registered as fraud in the books of heaven. {PP 309.1}

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."

False speaking in any matter, every attempt or purpose to deceive our neighbor, is here included. An intention to deceive is what constitutes falsehood. By a glance of the eye, a motion of the hand, an expression of the countenance, a falsehood may be told as effectually as by words. All intentional overstatement, every hint or insinuation calculated to convey an erroneous or exaggerated impression, even the statement of facts in such a manner as to mislead, is falsehood. This precept forbids every effort to injure our neighbor's reputation by misrepresentation or evil surmising, by slander or tale bearing. Even the intentional suppression of truth, by which injury may result to others, is a violation of the ninth commandment. {PP 309.3}

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's."

The tenth commandment strikes at the very root of all sins, prohibiting the selfish desire, from which springs the sinful act. He who in obedience to God's law refrains from indulging even a sinful desire for that which belongs to another will not be guilty of an act of wrong toward his fellow creatures. {PP 309.5}

This study is on the character of God, and why have we taken up so much time and space on the law of God? God's law is a law of love, and the Psalmist states what should be our attitude toward the law of God,

"I delight to do they will, O my God: Yea, Thy law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8.

Because of ignorance concerning God's character, as well as ignorance of the beauty of His law, which is a transcript of His character, there have been many false concepts and errors amongst SdAs (and other Christians) who profess to have the last day message to give to a lost world.

The law of God, from its very nature, is unchangeable. It is a revelation of the will and the character of its Author. God is love, and His law is love. Its two great principles are love to God and love to man. "Love is the fulfilling of the law." Romans 13:10. The character of God is righteousness and truth; such is the nature of His law. Says the psalmist: "Thy law is the truth:" "all Thy commandments are righteousness." Psalm 119:142, 172. And the apostle Paul declares: "The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Romans 7:12. Such a law, being an expression of the mind and will of God, must be as enduring as its Author. {Ps. 119:142,172}

The law of God is a transcript of the divine perfections. A man who does not love the law does not love the gospel; for the law, as well as the gospel, is a mirror reflecting the true character of God.

"The tendency of the modern pulpit is to strain out the divine justice from the divine benevolence, to sink into a sentiment rather than exalt it into a principle. From the habit of underrating the divine law and justice, the extent and demerit of human disobedience, men easily slide into the habit of underestimating the grace which has provided an atonement for sin.

Erroneous theories of sanctification, also, springing from neglect or rejection of the divine law, have a prominent place in the religious movements of the day." {GC 466, 469}

To Know God Well and Recognize Deception

The last two references show the result of neglecting to know God well, understanding His character and His law. It seems that these are the results that we are looking at among many of our people by and large. It seems that there was never a day among the remnant people of God, when there was so much confusion and wide variety of beliefs.

There is something that we are (sic)(not?) supposed to turn our head to, but it nevertheless exists:

In the experience of the author (1960-80's), in at least three churches within a radius of five miles there are Sabbath school classes which teach the "new gospel" and those which teach the "historical truths." We call attention to this sad state, because it shows confusion of beliefs, and all because we have fallen for Satan's deception. . . . We need to consider well his tactics and be watchful.

"With sublety gained through centuries, the prince of evil works under a diguise. He appears clothed as an angel of light, and multitudes are giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." {DA 257; 1Tim. 4:1}

"He who could appear clothed with the brightness of the heavenly seraphs before Christ in the wilderness of temptation, comes to men in the most attractive manner as an angel of light. He appeals to the reason by the presentation of elevating themes; he delights the fancy with enrapturing scenes; and he enlists the affections by his eloquent portrayals of love and charity." {GC 554}

How could Satan be recognized with such a deceitful approach? - `Elevating themes, enrapturing scenes, and enlist the affections by eloquently promoting love and charity? Have we been prepared for this? Perhaps, - if any have read this and taken it seriously, just as it is given.

However, it is the sad story that very often such a statement is brushed aside with very little serious thought, or application. Just a few pages over, there is given the way that such deception can be recognized, and it is alarming how the application is so close to us.

"But the Bible is interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction between good and evil. God's justice, His denunciations of sin, the requirements of His holy law, are all kept out of sight." {GC 558}

This shows us just what to look for and to test every sermon and teaching by:

1. Solemn and vital truths are not taught against, (then error would be easier to detect),
   
2. they are just made of none effect.

   That certainly would make it hard to recognize. But we are given more to go by in this deception:

3. Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but
   
4. is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction between good and evil.

   That might be easier to recognize, but we do like sentimentalism, don't we?

   There is more,

5. God's justice, His denunciations of sin, the requirements of His holy law, are all kept out of sight!

This is the key to recognize the other traits of this `angel of light', - using human beings to teach doctrines of devils, and so subtly!

After the `Second Angel's Message' had been given by those of the great `Second Advent Movement,' a vision was shown to Ellen G. White which is given in `Early Writings,' that could well be referred to, which adds to what we have given here about the doctrines of devils.

"I saw that since the second angel proclaimed the fall of the churches, they have been growing more and more corrupt. They bear the name of being Christ's followers; yet it is impossible to distinguish them from the world. Ministers take their texts from the Word of God, but preach smooth things. To this the natural heart feels no objection. It is only the spirit and power of the truth and the salvation of Christ that are hateful to the carnal heart. There is nothing in the popular ministry that stirs the wrath of Satan, makes the sinner tremble, or applies to the heart and conscience the fearful realities of a judgment soon to come. Wicked men are generally pleased with a form of piety without true godliness, and they will aid and support such a religion." {EW 273.1}

This is really hard to understand in the light of the prevalent teaching of the gospel. - The concepts that we have accepted as the gospel. - This was said of the churches that turned down the true message of the fall of the churches, but we can learn some important truths from their problem, and the problems they had as a result.

The statement of inspiration says the churches had been growing more and more corrupt since their rejection of the 2nd Angels Message, and mentions a list showing that "Satan has taken full possession of the churches as a body." The above mentioned problems of preaching need to be well considered. Nothing to "stir the wrath of Satan", "make the sinner tremble", "or apply to the heart and conscience the fearful realities of a judgment soon to come."

Is this kind of preaching the result of being "more and more corrupt"?

Stir the wrath of Satan?

Cause the people to be conscience struck by preaching of the fearful realities of a judgment soon to come?

Are sinners supposed to tremble when they hear the gospel preached? And is that preaching to cause Satan to be full of wrath? Satan's plans and devices really sound pretty good to us - an angel of light - an attractive manner. Appealing to the reason by presenting elevating themes, enrapturing scenes; even enlisting our affections by eloquent portrayals of love and charity.

Such seemingly good things!

A positive message to make people happy, and encouraged!

This is the message and preaching of Satan. Is this the rearing lion devil who is to come to us with doctrines of devils? ... with seducing spirits?

Is it so pleasant that we, the remnant people of God are falling for his deceptions?

Have we been noticing that the law was being kept out of sight along with God's justice, and the judgment?

Has it made you feel comfortable?

God's Message

God's message is:

1. Fear God, and give glory to Him, (and not anyone else - not even yourself),
   
2. for the hour of His judgment is come
   
3. worship Him, for He is the Creator of heaven and earth.
   
4. Come out of the confusion of Babylon, where a
   
5. cheap love, without the law and judgment of God, is offered,
   
6. for if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, shall suffer the wrath of God, without mercy.

Here is the patience of the saints. They keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Are you asking, `Where is the gospel in this?'

The first angel has the everlasting gospel, to preach, and that message is "Give glory to God" - It is the patience of the saints, for they keep the commandments the only way possible - by the faith of Jesus, "to them gave He power." (Jh. 1:12) Notice that the first angels' message is the gospel, and it is to be given with a loud voice: Give glory to God ... Rev. 14:6,7.

If we had lived the everlasting gospel which is Christ our righteousness, then our message to the world would never have failed to be the three fold warning of the judgment by the Creator, and the glory due to Him only. We would be filled with the urgency of giving the warning of the beast, his image, and his mark. We would never have absorbed the confusion of Babylon and the smooth messages of Satan, copied from the fallen churches.

"The natural heart has not been changed, and the carnal mind remains at enmity with God. They are Satan's faithful servants, notwithstanding they have assumed another name." {EW 273.2}

This alarming statement bears much thought. With the natural heart being changed each remains a servant of Satan, even though professing to be a servant of Christ. This would include all those who are deceived by Satan into thinking everything is fine, and continue to profess to have the love of God. The true Witness says, "Rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing." But know not, "that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Rev. 3:14-12.

No wonder Jesus says , if we do not repent He will spew us out of His mouth! Has He already done so? After 140 years of pleading? and almost 100 years since He sent the most precious message by Jones and Waggoner, plus Sr. White? [300].

But you say, `We are the remnant church. We are God's people - His last day keepers of His truth.'

However, it does not take very much knowledge of the truth to know that it is not the profession to be God's Church, nor does the fact that one carries the name SdA, that gives them assurance of acceptance by God, or secure salvation for any one, or group of people, regardless of position or status. It is only the truth lived out in the life that brings salvation of one, or the church.

In the Laodicean message, Jesus is talking to the Laodiceans and if He is standing on the outside, He is not inside. He is only waiting to come inside, but Laodicea does not feel the need of repentance! She is doing fine, and everything is under control. With the rubbish of satisfaction in front of the door, it cannot be opened. This is the state that has remained for many years, and in the time just before the latter rain falls, when the seal of God is placed in the foreheads of those who have gained the victory, the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. {1T 181}

This is the chapter entitled, `The Shaking'. This is a much different shaking than the one we are or have often been hearing about, which was caused by the adopting of evangelical teaching of the fallen churches. The shaking presented here is one that is caused by the presentation of the counsel of the true witness.

"I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.[325] Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people." {1T 181.1}

This is the group who receive the seal of God and give the latter rain - the group who have been giving the straight testimony, and who have been weeping and praying in agony of spirit. In this time of shaking, just before the close of probation, the next paragraph reads as follows:

"The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified." {1T 181.2}

Why do we bring this out when we are giving a study on the character of God?

If His professed people are in the condition that Jesus says they are, - in the Laodicean message - then they truly are not keeping the commandments, nor living the character of God, They are taking His name in vain. Perhaps you are saying that there can only be individual repentance. It is true that repentance must come to the individual. But there must be corporate repentance for corporate sins violating the law of God. Notice what this prophetic message written in 1903 says:

"Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself. When she resists the evil and chooses the good, when she seeks God with all humility and reaches her high calling in Christ, standing on the platform of eternal truth and by faith laying hold upon the attainments prepared for her, she will be healed. She will appear in her God-given simplicity and purity, separate from earthly entanglements, showing that the truth has made her free indeed. Then her members will indeed be the chosen of God, His representatives." {8T 250.3}

It is quite evident that the church had not heeded the counsel of the True Witness by 1903, calling for zealous repentance. Has there been any account of such repentance of the entire church taking place since that time? Has the church separated from earthly entanglements, or have we become more and more involved with other churches? Has there ever appeared any article of such a repentance and a turning away from such involvements? [400]

Has there been a day or week of prayer devoted to such repentance by both laymen and leaders? Pleading with God to give us repentance and forgiveness? Have there been any changes in worldy policy?

Consider this in Laodicea

Brothers and sisters consider this well. We are Laodiceans and have been for at least all of our lives. Blame who you will, and there are many reasons, but we have all grown up, or brought into, a Laodicean Church. Those who have read the high standards given in the SoP, which call for deep spiritual experience and obedience to God's commandments, see many digressions from such. These people who believe there is a need of reform often feel that because they make certain changes, and expect some in others, they are not Laodiceans. But we are all in need of repentance, deep, and thorough. We are not even capable of knowing how great our need is. All we can do is to plead to God for His mercy, and to teach us our condition. Pleading for Him to give us that repentance that is not to be repented of. To think that we have professed to represent His character to the world when we have not even tried to understand what has been given in His word and the SoP. We as reformers have concentrated on the minutia of diet, dress and other neglected standards; and little know the notation under the asterisk, Zephaniah 2:1-3 is quoted in reference to those who are pleading and agonizing before God.

"Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." Zephaniah 2:1-3.

There are two other oath quotations given under the asterisks, Joel 2:15-17 and James 4:7-10.[435] They all indicate that there is a need for us to plead for our God to accept us after we have turned a deaf ear to Him for so long. We are living in the day when God has a controversy with His people! Not with the world only!

Those of you who have seen the apostasies among the leadership, have you written or spoken to them about these things? Have you protested or have you just criticized and complained because you were rebuffed on the level that you complained to? Have you never read what God said to Ezekiel?

"But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. . . . And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. . . . Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand." Ezekiel 3:7,11,20.

To our thinking it does not seem profitable to warn people whom God says will not listen, anyway. Our attitude is usually, why bother? If you read the entire chapter, you will find what to us would seem to be a lost cause. But our God does not want any to be able to say that there was not every effort made to save His people.

The question is, `Do we have a responsibility before God, to warn our SdA brothers and sisters, be they leaders, or laymen? Warn them that everything is not being taken care of, and things are not going along as they should be? - - Won't God take care of the things at the top, or at the head of the work?'

This has been said, `But how does God take care of everything? Does not He use men and woman? When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, how did God instruct things to be handled? - Did He just slay the wicked, or did He require the cooperation of those who had not been guilty? He not only required the ones who kept themselves free from idolatry to slay their loved ones and friends, but He held the whole camp responsible for what had been done. So much so that He wanted to destroy them and make Moses a great nation in their stead.

In the case of Achan:

"Achan's sin brought disaster upon the whole nation. For one man's sin the displeasure of God will rest upon His church till the transgression is searched out and put away. . . . When the church is in difficulty, when coldness and spiritual declension exist, giving occasion for the enemies of God to triumph, then, instead of folding their hands and lamenting their unhappy state, let its members inquire if there is not an Achan in the camp. . . . Of the millions of Israel there was but one man who, in that solemn hour of triumph and of judgment, had dared to transgress the command of God." {PP 497, 496}

Thirty six men had lost their life because of God's displeasure over the dishonesty of one man against Him. Is it because of God's displeasure with the church today that coldness and spiritual declension is so prevalent?

Because of so much apathy amongst church members?

Either indifference, neutrality, or waiting for God to take care of situations?

Could it be that we are not recognizing God's working?

"If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God." {3T 280.3}

How serious do you feel the situation is among us - of the remnant?

Are we "mightily shaken ... pleading with God" with pale countenances, marked with deep anxiety, "epressive of their internal struggle." - "Calling upon God with perseverance." Or will we end up with the "careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prize victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness. . . " {1T, 180-183}

Are we stirred by the general tendency to turn the head at sin? Pretending that it will go away, and after all we must not be critical. This is really the greatest proof that we are not jealous for the name of our God. It shows a disregard for the righteous character of our God when we do not arouse and cry aloud over the disgrace that is done to His name, by those who represent Him.

Documentation

Perhaps some are thinking that there is not really that much to cry aloud and spare not about, therefore we will mention a few things, and will offer documentation at the close of this article.

We will first look at a quote from the inspired writings of the SoP, where we find the "Heavenly Teacher" quoted:

"Why is there so dim a perception of the true spiritual condition of the church? Has not blindness fallen upon the watchmen standing on the walls of Zion? Are not many of God's servants unconcerned and well satisfied, as if the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night rested upon the sanctuary? Are there not those in positions of responsibility, professing to know God, who in life and character deny Him? Are not many of those who count themselves as His chosen, peculiar people satisfied to live without the evidence that of a truth God is among them to save them from Satan's snares and attacks?" {8T 248.1}

"The heavenly Teacher inquired: `What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they are in need of everything.'" {8T 249.3}

"Then He said to me: `Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.' {8T 250.2}

When we consider that men in responsible positions were the ones in the denomination who were involved in the Davenport issue, using funds from the Lord's work for such unsecured investments, while receiving personal profit, it seems that the above inspired words apply. Also when the men involved were moved to another location and still retained in responsible positions as ministers in God's cause, it seems that the handling of Achan's sin was too sever. - Did God make a mistake? Have we forsaken principle for a Babylonian garment? - Policy of common practice? Greed for gain? [500]

"Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself." {8T 249}

There is another Babylonian garment of worldly practice of policy, and that is the thirst for titles and degrees for proof of knowledge obtained in studies of higher learning. Titles and authority were two things that Jesus battled with the Pharisees about. To their way of thinking He was uneducated, - so much so that they said, "How knoweth this man letter, having never learned." (John 7:15) Jesus always referred to His Father as the source of His knowledge, and His authority, and He spent several occasions discussing authority.

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:" Matthew 20:25-27.

"And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?" Matthew 21:23.
"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." Matth. 23:8.

It is true that we live in an age when there is much heavy competition in the world, but it seems that in the field of Bible Education and knowledge, the getting of higher education, and the receiving of degrees is being carried beyond the need to give the Three Angel's Messages. It has become sort of a must to keep up with "the fallen churches", and Rome itself. It really is a Babylonian custom, which has led to much glorification of self, - unlike our Saviour, also leading many to seek this `Higher Education' in the schools of Babylon, even at the Vatican. [550]

This leads us to something that we of the remnant church should be very concerned about. There has been an increasing friendliness toward the Roman Catholic power. Perhaps you will doubt the factual truthfulness of such a statement, but as you refer to the documents at the close of this article you can see the reason for such concern, which should lead each of us to `sigh and cry.' Just what does `sighing and crying' produce in action? In the chapter, `The Seal of God', we find this statement:

"These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking." {5T 210.2}

"In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church." {5T 210}

Reproofs, warnings, and entreating, is looked upon as criticism, and faultfinding today.

"Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years. In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. The time was when Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly purchased. They taught their children to abhor popery and held that to seek harmony with Rome would be disloyalty to God. But how widely different are the sentiments now expressed!

The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned, and the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement. Many urge that it is unjust to judge the church of today by the abominations and absurdities that marked her reign during the centuries of ignorance and darkness. They excuse her horrible cruelty as the result of the barbarism of the times and plead that the influence of modern civilization has changed her sentiments.

Have these persons forgotten the claim of infallibility put forth for eight hundred years by this haughty power? So far from being relinquished, this claim was affirmed in the nineteenth century with greater positiveness than ever before. As Rome asserts that the "church never erred; nor will it, according to the Scriptures, ever err" [570], how can she renounce the principles which governed her course in past ages?

The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility. ... Thousands in that church are serving God according to the best light they have. ... But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times." {GC 563.1-565.4}

Dangerous Trends

Has the SdA Church consigned this anti-RC viewpoint to the historical trash heap? This was stated in the US District Court Case # C-74-2025 CBR in a reply brief, given by the authority of a leading official of the SdA Church. [580]

There were two books authored by Dr. Samuel Bacchiocchi of Andrews University, advertised in S.D.A. publications, and highly recommended by nine leading Catholic publications and officials. Also three Lord's Day Alliance officials, one Church of Christ, and a number of other leading men of "the fallen churches" which do not agree that the seventh day Sabbath is the Sabbath, and who promoted the legislation of Sunday closing. The Lord's Day Alliance have long been known to be working for Sunday legislation, as well as persecution of violaters. The two books are titled, `From Sabbath to Sunday,' and `Divine Rest for Human Restlessness.' Dr. Bacchiocchi graduated from the Pontifical Gregorian University, `summa cum laude,' and received a gold medal from Pope Paul VI. According to the 1977 issue of Sabbath to Sunday, he was assisted by the SdA Church during his doctoral studies, at this leading university of the Papacy. [583] Two factors are mentioned by Vincent Monachino, "His profound religious and ecumenical concern."

What happened to the 2nd angel's message? And the call to come out of Babylon?

What about Revelation 13?

Revelation also says,

"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. . . . And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. 18:1,2,4.

Next we read,

"This scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14:8, is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844. A terrible condition of the religious world is here described. With every rejection of truth the minds of the people will become darker, their hearts more stubborn, until they are entrenched in an infidel hardihood. In defiance of the warnings which God has given, they will continue to trample upon one of the precepts of the Decalogue, until they are led to persecute those who hold it sacred." {GC 603}

"The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. . . . The papacy is just what prophecy declared that she would be, the apostasy of the latter times. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4. It is part of her policy to assume the character which will best accomplish her purpose; but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent. . . . There has been a change; but the change is not in the papacy. Catholicism indeed resembles much of the Protestantism that now exists, because Protestantism has so greatly degenerated since the days of the Reformers." {GC 571.1-3}

Have SdAs consigned their anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint to the historical trash heap, as well as the books GC and EW? - For `Ecumenical Concern'? Is the Pope no longer the "man of sin . . . who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God?" 2. Thess. 2:3,4?

Are the Protestant Churches no longer Babylon, and in need of the loud cry?

What of the 3 angel's messages, which include the warning against the beast and his image, and his mark, has there been a change in SdA, as well as Protestantism? -- since the days of the reformers? As well as the days of the Great Second Advent Movement? It is possible that there has been a change since then, but not in the truths of God's Word, nor for those who follow what He says.[600]

There is a growing ecumenical concern evident by the growing desire and ecstasy at being treated nicely and being involved with the "fallen churches". There are too many to dwell upon them in this work, except to mention some and supply a few documents at the close.

We are alarmingly involved with the image of the beast in the form of the National Council of Churches, and the World Council of Churches. It was through our involvement with the Latter that a gold covered medallion was given to Pope Paul VI, May 18, 1977. [615] Both of these groups are promoters of Sunday closing legislation, and we offer a quote from GC about this:

"We may disguise poison by mingling it with wholesome food, but we do not change its nature. On the contrary, it is rendered more dangerous, as it is more likely to be taken unawares. . . . The leaders of the Sunday movement may advocate reforms which the people need, principles which are in harmony with the Bible; yet while there is with these a requirement which is contrary to God's law, His servants cannot unite with them." {GC 587,588}

There are two documents that show Sunday promotion of these two organizations with the other documents, as well as other reasons for not associating.[630]

Another involvement of SdAs that draws us in line with the image to the beast was well stated in the R&H, November 27, 1975, by the editor at that time:

"At the 1972 Annual Council, held in Mexico City, the North American Division Committee on Administration adopted a new policy on church-state relationships in the US. That policy established guidelines under which church-operated educational institutions could accept government aid, . . . It is difficult to see how we can accept government funds and not be in violation of the First Amendment." [Editors viewpoint. Emphasis supplied.]

Funds had been accepted by various schools, before this, but it became a church involvement when it was officially voted by this committee.

This article is Titled, `The Character of God, and the Remnant Church'; and you are likely thinking - Why does there need to be so much given of what is termed `a negative' nature in such an article? We have tried to give you thoughts from the inspired records that would show how merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, our dear heavenly Father is. However, our finite minds of clay can only understand by comparison, and there is certainly no possibility of comparing this marvelous character of God with any other goodness. We can only look at the marvelous demonstration of it, but without the facts it would not be possible. Our dull minds cannot begin to comprehend the marvelous demonstration of the cross, and only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we begin to appreciate this demonstration. Laodicea is little touched by the greatness of the magnitude of the cross. She appears not to see her responsibility, and behaves as though, "Jesus did it all." It is true that God has done all that He can do, and leave man free choice; but when man's cooperation is lacking, there is no more H can do. We must see that we have a great responsibility to expose and denounce the ways of Laodicea which insult, and defame the name and character of God. Especially those sins that are done in the name of SdAs. God has laid upon those who carry that name to give the Elijah Message, which us no palliation of sin, and if those who are to give a call to prepare to meet our God, defame His name and principles, especially in the area of honesty, failing to warn of its impending doom, the world and the Church must be told! The Elijah Message, - John the Baptist's Message and Isaiah's and Jeremiah's, and all of the rest did not spare any because of position, nor cover anything up because it involved leadership of God's Church.

If there is sin in your life, take it to Jesus and He will clean it up; if you are repentant, and put on the armour of God, and defend His cause in the earth, as well as His name and character. Otherwise where will you be when the Seal of God is placed in the foreheads of all who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land, but more especially "In the Church". Do not forget! That the seal of God is placed "only" upon the heads of those who sigh and cry! The others are left without the seal of God, see Ezekiel 9:4-6.[700]

My Brothers and my Sisters! we are very near that time when no more can repent! Let us truly put on the whole armour of God, and prepare to meet God in the judgment. Plead with God until you have victory over the self inside of you, and work to glorify Him, and not any man.

Far too long we have neglected to accept what God offers, because we do not take upon us the responsibility for our own souls, as well as the souls of our brethren. We must pray and study deeply, for ourselves, and not through the mind of another.

Turn away from Satan's counterfeit love message. he is preaching the `love' of God these days, and keeping denunciations of sin out of sight, as well as the judgment all must face. Stop living the `new gospel', when you do not believe it, and denouncing it as `Ford Doctrine'. Prove that you love God by defending Him in His cause.

CIAS comment: A most riveting and timely article we all ought to take to heart even though some years passed since its publication in the 1980's. We like to draw the readers attention especially to the first part of the document dealing with the character and God and how we treat God and have us be willing, denomination wide, to come to repentance before the Lord.
We made a few changes by adding subtitles and in 2 or 3 instances carefully editing awkward sentence constructions without changing their meaning. We also loosened up some longer paragraphs since space is not a concern and are using hot buttons for references.

[50] See also Deuteronomy 6:4, 5; Leviticus 19:18.

[300] See `1888 Review' by Marie Patterson which we do not have on file.

[325] The phrase "exalt the ..." occurs in 1.Sam. 2:10; Ps. 99:9 and Isa. 13:2. The phrase "the standard" occurs in a number of meaningful way similar what our paragraph emphasises in Numbers 2 and 10 several times, Jeremiah 4:6,21; 52:12.
The phrase "the straight ..." occurs in 1.Sam. 6:12 in the account of the transportation of the ark of the covenant.
Lesson learned: There may be a number of lessons we can learn from this, suffice it to say that the standard is something which shows us to belong to the Lord who the standard bearers exalt in the way the obey, live and carry on their work. The `straight truth' is something which allows no deviation from it in order to be regarded as truth.

[400] Tow books were published which caused quite a commotion in those days, `Questions and Doctrines' and `Movement of Destiny,' which were written for the purpose of being accepted by the fallen churches.

[435] 2:15 "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:"
2:16 "Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet."
2:17 "Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" Joel 2:15-17 and James
4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
4:9 "Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness."
4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:7-10.

[500] Document #1:
To the Editor:
I was greatly distressed to read the report of President N.W. in the March 24, 1983 Review notifying the church of the decision of the GC leadership not to publish the names of those involved with Davenport disclosing their acts of malfeasance while in office as was recommended by the President's Review Commission (PRC). Those church officials who profited from "finder's fees" or high interest rates on personal investments in consideration for which they voted to invest church monies with Davenport would be guilty of receiving a Bribe, a felony in most jurisdictions, were they public officials. Bribe receiving is usually defined as the receiving of a benefit by a public servant in consideration for that servant's decision, vote, recommendation, or other exercise of discretion. Clearly, receiving a "finder's fee" or a higher rate of return would be a benefit.

While these individuals could not be presecuted [sic] by a State for Bribe Receiving, since they are not "public" servants, yet they are servants of the Adventist public. Their offenses against the Adventist public are every bit as egregious to us the members as would be such conduct by a public official. As one who specializes in the prosecution of official corruption cases, I am shocked that our church leaders would so minimize the wrongful conduct of their fellow officers as to shield their conduct from the Adventist public. How can the Adventist public hold their officer-servants accountable if they are not informed how their public trust has been compromised and betrayed.

Publich shame, which accompanies public disclosure, is unavoidable but it is also beneficial. It must not be forgotten that we are talking about violations of public trust as dinstinguished from private wrongdoings like adultery, or even crimes like shoplifting, income tax evasion or assault. While these are crimes against the public order, they do not amount to a betrayal of the public trust reposed in the official by those he serves. It is always a serious offense to abuse one's official position for personal gain since it is usually done in secret with the victims, the Adventist public, having no knowledge of the liberties being taken with the funds they have entrusted to their servants. The admonition of scripture is particularly appropriate in this context:

"You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality; and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God gives you." Deut. 16:19-20 RSV.

The action of the GC leadership, while sounding compassionate and decent, amounts to complicity. Were I, as a public prosecutor, to treat public officials accused of wrongdoing such as that alleged to have been done by certain church officials, I would be removed from office and rightly so. The GC leadership is itself accountable (or should be) to the members and, as such, owes a duty to the church members that far outweigh any compassion they may feel towards their fellwo officers.

I am further saddened by the trend of having local conference and union executive committees and constituents voting on discipline as it means that those church officers involved with Davenport have not acknowledged their wrongdoing nor have they shown any remorse or contrition for what they have done. The honorable things for them to do is to confess their error and voluntarily resign their offices thus sparing their compatriots and friends from an uncomfortable and difficult task. Forcing church members or fellow officers to have to publicly vote to discipline shows a contemptible arrogance and attitude on the part of the wrongdoer that, were he accused of a crime, would weigh heavily against him at the sentencing. We have a right to expect more of ministers of the work. This continued attitude of arrogance is every bit as frightening to the members as the original offenses. We indeed have much to fear fro the future should they succeed in "getting away with it."

As a lawyer, I cannot avoind making comment in President W's. point that he had the benfit of oral testimony from those accused of wrongdoing which was not available to the PRC. Unsworn statements, not subject to cross-examination, made by persons who have an obvious interest in the outcome of the investigation are inherently unreliable. Such statements are suspect and certainly less trustworthy than documentary evidence. It is indeed unfortunate that the commission (PRC) did not take testimony. If at all possible, the Commission should take the testimony of those who it is charged committed serious acts of misconduct.

All of us involved in the practice of the law understand that our arguments and viewpoints may not carry the day. We accept that so long as the system and procedures followed give confidence that the ultimate decision was fairly arrived at after careful consideration of all relevant factors, including the gravity of the offense. For the reasons set forth above, I do not have confidence that the decision of the GC leadership was proper, nor after careful consideration of all relevant factors, including the gravity of the offenses, was adequately given.

Very truly yours G.E.C., Chief Trial Attorney. [Image of the original letter available.]

[550] Document #2:

Article in the `Pacific Union Recorder,' Dec. 1, 1980. - A Best Seller! A delightful and insightful presentation of the good news of the Sabbath for contemporary needs.

Written to grip the learned and to delight the unsophisticated.

Designed to enrich your understanding and experience of the Sabbath.

Illustrated by a gifted Italian artist.

Ideal for personal devotion ... Enough is enough.

[570] John L. von Mosheim, Institutes of Ecclesiastical History, book 3, century II, part 2, chapter 2, section 9, note 17.

[580] See Document #5.

Equal Employment Opportunity Case: page 4. 2. "Although it is true that there was a period in the life of the SdA Church when the denomination took a distinctly anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint, and the term "hierarchy" was used in a pejorative sense to refer to the papal form of church government, that attitude on the Church's part was nothing mre than a manifestation of widespread antipopery among conservative protestant denominations in the early part of this century and the latter part of the last, and which has now been consigned to the historical trash heap so far as the SdA Church is concerned." Authority to make the above statement given to: (Attorney) by NCW., March 30, 1975, Page 0345.

[583] Two factors are mentioned by Vincent Monachino, S.J., Chairman of the Church History Department, Pontificial Gregorian University; "His profound religious and ecumenical concern." (p. 8); See also #2, p. 1-5]

[590] Document #2, p. 2.
Charles Fecher. The Catholic Review, January 9, 1981. `Tracing roots of the Sabbath;' / `Divine Rest for Human Restlessness,' by S. Bacchiocchi. Image available.

[600] For documentation refer to Document #2, p. 1-5; See also Document #5 above.

[615] See Document #1.

[600] Document NCC1/WCC1:

`National Council of Churches of Christ,' January 29, 1960, .... "The SdA Church does hold voting membership in several of our program units and in addition has non-voting or associate membership in other units. In 1959 the GC of the SdA Church sent a total of $6700 toward the support of these program units to which it has one relationship or the other. This amount divided as follows: Broadcasting and Film Commission $1,200; Church World Service (Asia) $1,400; Foreign Missions $4,500; Total = $6,700.

[630] GC of SdAs; January 25, 1963; "... SdAs are not members of the National Council of Churches. we are cooperating members in certain areas - for example, there are Commissions studying the work of the Christian church in various geographical areas of the world field. And they have asked us to appoint representatives to these commissions. For example, the Secretary in the GC who is in charge and looking after our work in the Far East is on the Commission of the National Christian Council studying the problems with others regarding the changing needs of such areas. ..."

[700] Read 5T 207-212-216, the entire chapter.