Are Other Worlds Watching Us?
Hello friends, our friend sent a video to us this morning. It’s a “morning devotional” read from the book Maranatha! compiled from EGWs writings. The entire contents of the video are passages that say there are unfallen worlds filled with creations that are watching earth to see how the Great Controversy will play out. Each of these unfallen worlds has two trees: one corresponding to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and one corresponding to the Tree of Life.
Our friend said, “This is fantastic!!”
Please watch and tell us how we should respond if we should.
She listens to these videos from Amazing Word ministries all day long, by Pr. Emmanuel Nouggaisse from Bonners Ferry, Idaho. I believe he is originally from Jamaica. Have you ever heard of him? She sends these morning devotions to us often.
—VIA EMAIL
Response: This video articulates EGWs belief that is part of her Great Controversy worldview. The idea that there are watching worlds where the inhabitants have managed not to give in to sin is part of the background belief that shapes Adventism’s worldview. The Great Controversy supposedly being played out on earth is not only for humans but also—and perhaps especially—for the sake of those watching worlds. The idea that we have to vindicate God’s character and fairness and show that the law was fair is primarily about proving to those watching worlds that God really is right and we were wrong but, when we got on board with law-keeping, we began to confirm God’s fairness. In other words, we humans are here to show the entire universe of watching worlds that God is worthy.
You don’t have to say anything at all to your friend, but if you want to, I would lead by saying that the entire premise of the watching worlds and un-fallen beings on them is unbiblical. EGW directly “received” this idea, and Scripture does NOT support it. If Scripture doesn’t teach the idea, we have to resist it. It’s not enough to listen and say, “Maybe this is true…” We have to know that such an idea is unbiblical, and we can’t entertain unbiblical ideas that reflect unbiblical worldviews.
Here is an article by Martin Carey on the Adventist idea of watching worlds:
Do I Believe the Truth?
Hello. I am a current Adventist trying to find the truth about the Sabbath. I was introduced to the book Truth Led Me Out by Dale Ratzlaff, and although I don’t agree with everything said in the book, it did make me question if what I believe is the truth.
I have read some of your literature on the Sabbath online and have begun to see how possibly my belief in seventh-day Sabbath worship could be misguided. But I want to clear every avenue of doubt before I decide what the truth is, so I have a few questions and would greatly appreciate your help in guiding me to answers.
My first question is this: why was the Sabbath included in the 10 Commandments if it was just a ritual to be observed by Israel? Why were the other rituals and feasts not included in the 10?
Why did God have to “rest” on the seventh day of the creation week, and why did He “bless and sanctify it” (Genesis 2:1-3)? It wasn’t because He was tired from all the creating He had done, so was it an example for us to keep the seventh day holy and rest? God also blessed and sanctified that day, so is the seventh day special compared to other days? And the creation account of God resting on the seventh day happens a long time before the covenant and the law was given to Israel, so could it be that resting on the seventh day was meant for all man and not just Israel?
I hope you understand that these questions are not trying to attack your beliefs, but they are questions of a soul who is seeking the truth from the bible.
Thank you for your time and help. I look forward to hearing back from you.
—VIA EMAIL
Response: The key to understanding the role of the Sabbath is to understand the covenants. Adventism taught us that there was one everlasting covenant, that each covenant mentioned in the Bible more or less added to the previous ones but did not replace them.
What they did not tell us is that there are two kinds of covenants: conditional and unconditional. Unconditional covenants are those God articulated and keeps HIMSELF on the basis of His promises. For example, the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 15 is unconditional. Abraham was not allowed to participate in the ratification but was put into a deep sleep while two representations of God moved among the sacrificial animals. The Mosaic covenant, on the other hand, was CONDITIONAL between God and Israel. The terms were blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience. The new covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31–33 and ratified in Jesus’ blood, is UNCONDITIONAL. Jesus kept the terms of the Old covenant with the Father, and on this basis He inaugurated the new covenant in His blood. Now we who believe are credited with His personal righteousness (Phil 3:9). The books of Galatians and Hebrews explain that the old covenant was temporary, and the New Covenant replaces the Old.
The Sabbath was the sign of the Mosaic covenant. It also was fulfilled in Jesus along with all the other sabbaths contained in the law.
I will give you some links that will help explain this idea. The first set of links will be articles, and the second set of links will be videos:
Articles
- The Continental Divide of Biblical Interpretation
- Knowing the Covenants Puts Sabbath In Its Place
- Jesus Is Not an Old Covenant Priest
Videos
- Does Sabbath Continue in the New Covenant?
- Sabbath Arguments and Answers
- The Covenant of the Pure Gospel
- The Sabbath
I have a suggestion: Read the book of Galatians through (it’s only six chapters) and get a notebook and literally begin copying it into the notebook. Ask God to teach you what He wants you to learn from it. After you have done Galatians, move to Hebrews.
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Dating an Adventist
Hi presenters, I have been listening to your podcast and am almost finished with the series on the fundamental beliefs. I am now on the episode of Marriage and Family. You are doing a great job, and thank you so much.
Personally, I haven’t been a full-time Adventist; however my girlfriend is a second generation one and even dreams of marrying me one day as she also has high hopes that I will join Adventism.We have talked about this sometimes, but I don’t know what I should do now as I am intending to settle sooner than this situation could likely resolve. I know I cannot force her out of her faith to be with me, but I pity that even if I left her, she would remain in that darkness—probably to come to the light some years in the future. How would you recommend I approach this situation? Is there any material?
—VIA EMAIL
Response: Thank you so much for writing. You are in a difficult situation. Adventism masquerades as Christian, and many people get involved in relationships with Adventists before they realize what the differences really are. There is a great gulf between the Adventists and the Christians because their gospel is a different gospel, and their Jesus is a different Jesus.
I can assure you that your girlfriend really is attempting to get you to convert to Adventism. Adventists are told not to marry non-Adventists, and while many actually do end up marrying Christians, the reality usually comes into focus after the wedding. The Adventist nearly always refuses to change his or her commitment to the religion, and when the children come, the hard-core resistance begins in earnest. Adventists believe their children need to be raised Adventist if they are to be saved. Moreover, they believe that they themselves will be held responsible by God if their children are NOT Adventist. The guilt and the pressure are intense, and you would likely find yourself in a situation in which you feel forced by a nameless darkness that stands in the way of protecting your children. I don’t mean to be dramatic; I just know the struggle is very real.
I will give you some links to some articles we have previously published that may be helpful.
Finally, here is an article that will help you understand the underlying worldview of Adventism and how it differs from biblical Christianity:
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