HOME / PROCLAMATION! MAGAZINE / 2013 / SUMMER / LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

S U M M E R • 2 0 1 3
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2

 

---

D E P A R T M E N T S

LETTERS to the Editor
 

 

Wonderful issue

What a wonderful Proclamation! issue! I especially appreciated Dale’s article on the central pillar—the Investigative Judgment. 

Also, Martin Carey’s article “Contemplating Prayer” was excellent. He very correctly details the history of mysticism in various forms. Some good books on the subject include Faith Undone, For Many Shall Come in My Name, and A Time of Departing. 

God bless you.

Dayton, OH.

 

Letter to Dale Ratzlaff

 I have been an Adventist pastor for 43 years now, and although retired, am still working full time. I did full time evangelistic work for 19 years and ministerial work the rest. The last three years I have been involved in teaching cross cultural and theology classes to Baptist pastors and seminary students. I have been invited several times to speak to Baptist pastoral groups and have been asked to discuss topics on the sanctuary and especially the investigative judgment.

I don’t claim to be a scholar, Dale, but I feel I may have a legitimate “basic” understanding of some of these issues. It may be homespun, but I would like to pass on to you something that has helped me a lot as I’ve moved from the known to the unknown in figuring out what the Lord would have us understand in His word. I have been a commercial fisherman in the past, and when I have had a tendency to become sea sick I’ve found that looking out at the horizon—the bigger view—gives my mind stability. It really works! I believe that, in a homely way, it is the same with understanding God’s word. If I get to pondering the close up details too long I get sick—when I look out at the overall bigger picture and plan of our Creator, the peace of understanding comes via the Holy Spirit. Everything fits and makes sense, and the Holy Spirit shows me how it all works together.

Yes, I can see that the investigative judgment deals with the minds of the whole universe and Satan’s accusations toward the weaknesses of God’s children. I see that God’s times are not man’s times and that the overall plan of our Creator’s taking care of the sin problem covers my life after 1844 like Christ’s death and over-all plan covers the lives of our old testament brothers and sisters.

I’m sorry that you have been hurt in the past by the actions of some of our Adventist brothers and sisters. You are so right about these being roadblocks to the working of the Holy Spirit on our hearts and minds. I’m so glad that we have the stability of Scripture to keep our minds at peace over the inconstancies of people’s weaknesses of humanity and influence. I’m just so grateful we have a Savior God Who, in His incredible love, has worked out a way for weak humanity to be saved eternally.

My concern and prayers follow you that maybe this “keeping our eyes on the horizon” will be a help.

Via email

 

Dale’s response: Thanks for your email. I have several comments. I assume that you may have read my article in the last Proclamation! Is my assumption correct?

You and many others speak of us as “hurt” by Adventists. That is not the case. We did not leave because we were hurt. We left to keep a clear conscience in obedience to the Word of God.

You speak of not focusing on the details but of keeping our eyes on the horizon. However, I believe that the Bible is very much focused on the words of Scripture—details if you wish.

What text do you use to show that the investigative judgment deals with the minds of the universe and of Satan’s accusations toward the weakness of God’s children? Do you believe that there are inhabitants on other worlds? What Bible reference do you use to prove that?

What texts do you use to go from Daniel 8:14 to get to October 22, 1844?

You say that the Creator covers you sins after 1844? Please explain how 1844 is significant.

Do you believe the door of salvation was shut in 1844 as Ellen White taught?

Do you believe that only those who come into the IJ are those who profess to believe in God?

Do you believe that no atonement was made at the cross as Crosier and Edson taught and as EGW endorsed?

Do you believe that Christ did not sit at the Father’s right hand immediately after the ascension?

Do you believe that there will be a time that Christians will have to live in the sight of God without a mediator?

You see, the details are important. The horizon is made up of the details. One cannot just skip over all the errors of Adventism—of which there are many—and visualize a beautiful sunset on the horizon.

The simple gospel says that if we confess that we are sinners and place our faith in Christ as our Substitute we have (present tense) eternal life and we have passed (once and for all time) out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.

May God help us to build our theology on the details of God’s revelation.

 

God is our example

I humbly want to ask you one simple question, Colleen. Do you believe God is our example and that we should follow God? If so, listen to the Bible.

Hebrews 4:4 says, “God did rest the seventh day from all His works.” Ephesians 5:1 says, “Be ye followers of God as dear children.”

If God rested on the seventh day, why don’t you follow God’s example as the Bible says and promote the seventh day Sabbath?

Hebrews 4:9 says, “There STILL remains for God’s people a rest like God’s resting on the seventh day.” The Good News For Modern Man Bible says the Sabbath rest still remains!

Will you follow God’s example?

Please give me one text from the Bible where God rested from all His works on Sunday, the first day of the work week.

You are a good woman. Please answer this letter soon!

Siloam Springs, AR

 

Editor’s response: First, God is not our example. He is our Creator and sovereign LORD. God is not a man; He cannot be our example. He can only be the One we worship.

Moreover, Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man, is not our example in the sense Adventists say He is. Adventism teaches that if we follow Christ’s example of praying and depending on the Holy Spirit, we, too, can avoid sin and keep the commandments. Jesus, however, did not come to show us how to keep the law. He came to fulfill the law and to be our Savior, the perfect sacrifice for sin who could bear the sin of the world because He was God, and who could pay the price of human blood because He was a man.

The only way Jesus was an example was in His showing those who were born again how to depend on their new Father. He was not an example for showing sinners how to live in order to be saved.

When Genesis 2:2-3 says that God rested on the Sabbath, the word underlying “rested” is a Hebrew word that means “ceased”. In other words, God finished His work of creation. He didn’t just stop in order to set apart a day and then take up His work again on the first day of the week.

God’s finished work of creation was perfect and gave Adam and Eve perfect rest.

There is no command for anyone to keep Sunday, but there are New Testament verses that command believers not to make holy days, including Sabbath, an issue (Rom. 14:6; Col. 2:16-17). Sunday is not a replacement “Sabbath”. It is the day our Lord Jesus rose from the dead and ushered in spiritual life now! It is the day the church was formed (that year the Day of Pentecost was on the first day of the week: Lev. 23:15-16). These events do not make Sunday a new holy day; they do give Christians good reason for worshiping on that day as a commemoration of the Lord Jesus and of His outpouring of His Spirit.

In short, God did not rest on the Sabbath as an example to us. Rather, we enter the rest of His completed work when we believe in the Lord Jesus (Heb. 4:3). “Christ is the end of the law for those who believe” (Rom. 10:4).

 

“Contemplating Prayer” issue excellent

Your last issue with the article exposing contemplative prayer was excellent. This, of course, has been received in the emergent church movement. It is the teaching of Hinduism, plainly stated. It is a Satanic invasion into the church where one can “recreate” Jesus, and it can be so beautiful to the partaker. But it is not true—therefore, it is a lie, and Satan’s greatest power is lying.

Thank you for being faithful to God’s word and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tom Adcock, president, Jesus People Info. Center

 

Letter requesting membership removal and pastor’s response

This is my second request to remove my membership from the Seventh-day Adventist church. When I joined the church, I took a vow, agreeing to the church’s doctrines. I no longer agree with these doctrines and thus can no longer in good conscience remain a member.

I am convinced that Ellen White’s writings are not the “Spirit of Prophecy.” Her views often contradict and undermine the Bible.

I do not believe that Jesus is Michael the Archangel.

I do not believe Christ began His work of investigative judgment in 1844. This doctrine is not biblical and denies the finished work on the cross and our assurance of salvation. I disagree with Ellen’s teaching that our sins will be placed on Satan (as scapegoat). The Bible teaches that Jesus already paid the price and suffered for our sin. 

I disagree with Ellen White’s writings where she claims that we should not say we are saved and that the Sabbath is the seal of God (Eph. 4:30, 2 Cor. 1:21, 22). The Sabbath was a sign between God and Israel (Ex. 31: 16, 17). The Gentiles coming into the church were never told to keep the Sabbath or how to keep it (Acts 15). The Mosaic/old covenant ended at Calvary. God made a new covenant based on faith and not on the works of the old covenant (Heb. 8:7-13).  The old covenant included the 10 Commandments (Heb. 9:1-4) and was replaced by a new covenant  (Heb. 8:7-13, Rom.10:4). We are no longer under the law, but under grace (Rom. 6:14, Gal. 5:18, 1 Cor. 9:20).

The Bible is clear that Christians are not required to observe the Jewish dietary laws, annual feast days, monthly feast days, or the weekly Sabbaths (Hos. 2:11, Col. 2:14-17).

I do not agree with the pro-choice stance the Adventist church takes regarding abortion. Many Adventist medical facilities perform abortions. See the following article from AdventLife which gives specifics about hospitals and numbers of abortions: (LINKED HERE)

I wish to let you know that in leaving the Adventist Church, I am not leaving Christ. My children and I have started attending another church where our lives are enriched and we are growing in Christ. I love Jesus and feel that I must follow truth as it has been revealed to me. I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and I have assurance of my salvation (1 Jn. 5:13). I would like a letter from the church confirming that my name has been taken off the church roll. I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.

Best Christian wishes to each of you.

Missouri

 

Pastor’s response: The church board has voted to honor your request; the board, however, does not have the authority [to remove your name], so it has been referred to the next business meeting which is in July.

If you stay close to Jesus you will be fine; I suspect from looking at the list, however, that you are studying under people who are trying to justify their own belief system. Keep studying, keep praying, keep looking to God for guidance; and someday my prayer is that you will look at things from God’s point of view instead of man’s. 

Best wishes, may God bless.

 

---

ESPANOL

HOME | PROCLAMATION! MAGAZINE | BLOG SITE | DEVOTIONALS | STUDIES | ABOUT US | RELATED WEBSITES

ONLINE DONATIONS

Proclamation! News

Send your email address to receive our weekly email of news and new content on the web at LifeAssuranceMinistries.org.

Email proclamation@gmail.com today!

Life Assurance Ministries

Mission

To proclaim the good news of the new covenant gospel of grace in Christ and to combat the errors of legalism and false religion.

Motto

Truth needs no other foundation than honest investigation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to follow truth when it is revealed.

Message

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9