Jourr October 1994

..zz..5S 717, c: crip IS Z.T 7:1Z, Letters

What is our primary mission? tions. Others get derailed in the one of the two biblical earmarks of After analyzing major streams of search for correct theology. our identification (Rev. 12:17 and thought in (April 1994), Uplifting Christ and teaching Rev. 19:10). It is obvious that the Ministry editor David Newman sound gospel and solid doctrine "evangelicals" and the "progres- invited reader responses to an will be seen at its best where the sives" are not with it. "Believe in important question: "What is the members love Jesus and are faith- the Lord your God, so shall ye be primary mission of the Seventh-day fully enthusiastic about Christ's established; believe his prophets, so Adventist Church today?" We commission (see Matt. 28:19, 20; shall ye prosper" (2 Chron. 20:20). publish here a sample of responses Rev. 10:11; 14:6-12; John 7:17). —Dunbar W. Smith, M.D., received.—Editors. —Don Fehlberg, pastor, Launceston Calimesa, California. SDA Church, Tasmania, Australia. ■ The Seventh-day Adventist ■ As a retired pastor and former Church came into existence through ■ Jesus commanded His disciples president of the East Africa Union, the providence of God. We are not to make disciples of others. If I am relieved to learn that I am not just one church among many. We making disciples was so important the only one concerned about an are a unique body in that God has that Jesus spent most of His minis- increasing loss of "focus, mission, called us to serve Him in a way that try doing this and then commanded and identity" in the church for no other organization can. Our those disciples to make other which I have spent my life's labors. mission is found in the words of disciples, why do we hear so little Are we losing our simplicity, our Revelation 10:11, "Thou must about disciple-making? As long as focus? I believe so. And the reason prophesy again before many we have baptismal goals instead of is simple: we have neglected to use peoples, and nations, and tongues, discipleship goals, the church will the prescription lenses provided by and kings." The immediate context likely continue to grow on the God to give us clear insight. I speak indicates that this "prophesying" basis of addition. When we take of the Spirit of Prophecy. would have as its primary focus the seriously Jesus' primary mission of Saul didn't like what God had to end-time prophecies of Daniel and making disciples we will see the say to him through Samuel and the Revelation. All of these end-time church grow on the basis of multi- priests. One he ignored; the others prophecies are encompassed in the plication. he killed. His only remaining three angels' messages of Revela- The fragmentation we witness in resource was a witch. Will we tion 14:6-12. We do not have the the Seventh-day Adventist Church repeat the mistakes of the past? option of picking and choosing must never consume our focus. Your editorial quotes one who what portions of this last-day Judaism was fragmented when Jesus claims to represent evangelical message we are to preach. Our was here. But Jesus never focused Adventism: "Our distinctive mission is to preach all of the three on that fragmentation. He spent His Adventist beliefs must never be angels' messages!—David H. time making disciples. If we follow allowed to eclipse the gospel." Sharpe, pastor, Paradise Valley His example, we will experience Surely, they cannot eclipse the SDA Church, Phoenix, Arizona. growth as explosive as that of the gospel. They are the gospel. apostolic church!—Vialo Weis, Simplified and focused through the ■ The primary mission of the pastor, Central SDA Church, Spirit of Prophecy, they provide Seventh-day Adventist Church is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. the very definition of the identity evangelism—sharing Jesus and His from which we are being seduced teachings with a perishing world. ■ Your question poses a problem by the illustrious Balaams amongst Wherever this is neglected or for a progressive, truly evangelical, us.—D. K. Bazarra, Kampala, replaced, the church is on the historical, mainstream Seventh-day Uganda. retreat. When souls aren't being Adventist. It seems to me that there won, members become discon- are only two streams of Adventists, ■ If all could consider just the tented. Inevitably they then start depending upon how they regard bare possibility that they might be finding fault with everything and Ellen White. The "evangelicals" wrong, only so slightly, about some anything, including the message, state that "they honor Ellen White things, what progress we could the minister, the church, and the as one of the founders of our make. Let no one, even the adminis- leadership. church," and that's all. The "pro- trative church, try to "take over" the When the church gets side gressives" seem to deny the validity whole body of Christ. It is His. If tracked from aggressive evange- of her work altogether. we are part of Him, how can we lism, some members end up in a The status of Ellen White as a possibly be superior to any other multiplicity of activities that are prophet in what we claim is the part of Him? little more than good public rela- remnant church of the end-time is (Continued on page 61)

2 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994

First Glance

This month will mark 150 years since our spiritual forebears 2 Letters believed Jesus would come. Out of that "" sprang one of the largest and most successful missionary move- 4 Why are we still here? ments ever. While 1844 did not bring the second advent it did bring Martin Weber a new and greater appreciation for Christ's heavenly ministry. 5 Adventism at 150 George R. Knight The ancient Jewish sanctuary rituals long neglected by other Christian groups shed new and impressive light on what Christ 14 1844—is it biblical? accomplished at the cross and what He is doing for us now in Martin Weber heaven. While we must be careful not to make the a replica of the one on earth we must not go to the opposite 19 According to the pattern extreme and deny its existence and relevance for us today. Roy Adams Focusing on Christ, not ourselves We present this special issue on the sanctuary in heaven with 28 Norman R. Gulley the conviction that if we ever lose our prophetic vision we will have lost the trigger for our mission. That is why even though Knight's 34 The sanctuary and Adventist experience article is a long one, it is important in explaining why there is still P. Gerard Damsteegt a Seventh-day Adventist Church today. Weber clearly shows the biblical basis for the date 1844. 41 The full and final display The other articles each focus on different aspects of what the sanctuary message is all or not about. Use this material to preach a 44 The vindication of God and the harvest principle series on the practical meaning of the sanctuary today. After all, what is there better to preach on than Jesus crucified, risen, and coming again, which is what the sanctuary is really about. 49 The gospel of the sanctuary Alberto R. Treiyer Through the kind permission of the Ellen G. White Estate, we 51 Ministry Reports have duplicated on our cover their mural of the Advent experience. 52 Biblio File 59 Ministry Reports 63 Shop Talk

Cover art by Elfred Lee; Copyright 1991 The Ellen G. White Estate (see p 63).

Ministry is the international journal of the Sev- EDITORIAL SECRETARY: Johannes Mager, Euro-Africa ADVERTISING SALES: Melynie Tooley enth-day Adventist Ministerial Association. Dorothea Tone P.O. Box 219, CH 3000 Berne 32, Switzerland SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Larry Burtnett ASSOCIATION SECRETARY: CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Heikki Silvet, Euro-Asia James A. Cress Galen Bosley Isakovskogo St. #4, Korpus 1, Ministry, (ISSN Sharon Cress 0026-5314), the interna- Stroghino tional journal of the Seventh-day Adventist EDITOR: J. David Newman Joel Sarli 123181 Moscow, Russia James Zachary Ministerial Association © 1994, is pub- George Johnson, Far Eastern lished monthly by the General Conference ASSOCIATE EDITORS: 800 Thomson Road of Seventh-day Adventists and printed by John M. Fowler, Martin Weber CONSULTING EDITORS: Singapore 1129, Rep. of Singapore Ellen Bresee the Review and Herald® Publishing Asso- Jaime Castrejon, Inter-America ciation, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, SPECIAL ASSISTANT EDITORS: Floyd Bresee P.O. Box 140760 Hagerstown, MD 21740, U.S.A. Subscrip- Nancy Canwell Gerard Damsteegt Miami, FL 33114-0760 Raoul Dederen tions: US$22.00 for 12 issues worldwide, Miguel Angel Cerna William C. Scales, Jr., North America Robert Folkenberg air mail US$39.85. Single copy US$2.25. Eric C. Ward 12501 Old Columbia Pike Roland R. Hegstad Member Associated Church Press. Second- Silver Spring, MD 20904 Karen Holford class postage paid at Hagerstown, MD. This EDITOR EMERITUS: Alejandro Button, South America Herbert Kiesler publication is available in microfilm from J. Robert Spangler Caixa Postal 12-2600 Alfred C. McClure University Microfilms International. Call Leo Ranzolin 70279 Brasilia, DF, Brazil toll-free 1-800-521-3044. Or mail inquiry SEMINAR DIRECTOR: George W. Reid Gerhard Pfandl, South Pacific to: University Microfilms International, 300 Rex D. Edwards Angel Rodriguez 148 Fox Valley Road North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Ariel Roth Wahroonga, N.S.W. 2076, Australia PASTORAL ADVISORY: William H. Shea P. V. Jesudas, Southern Asia Editorial Office: 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Charles Ferguson Russell L. Staples SDA Complex, Post Box 2, HCF Silver Spring, MD 20904. Stamped, self- Dennis Fortin Richard Tibbits Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India 635110 addressed envelope should accompany un- Desmond Francis A. David C. Currie, Trans-European solicited manuscripts. Office telephone: 301- Robert Lloyd INTERNATIONAL EDITORS: 119 St. Peter's Street 680-6510. Larry Moore Walton Whaley, Africa-Indian Ocean St. Albans, Herts, ALI 3EY, U.K. 22 Boite Postale 1764 Postmaster: Send address changes to Eric C. Ward Abidjan 22, C8te d'Ivoire, W. Africa COVER DESIGN: Trent Truman Ministry, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Walton Williams Joel Musvosvi. Eastern Africa Hagerstown, MD 21740. P.O. Box H.G. 100, LAYOUT: Ann Taylor EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Highlands, Harare Ella Rydzewski Zimbabwe, Africa MARKETING: Mark Thomas Volume 67 Number 10

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 3 Editorial Why are we still here? Martin Weber

he devil has aimed some of his perfectionistic perversion of the sanc- Equally serious heresies remain to sharpest arrows at the heavenly tuary/judgment doctrine. haunt us; many Adventists seem ge- T sanctuary, with its 1844 judg- What a pity! Seventh-day Advent- netically incapable of believing our ment. This Adventist pillar, built upon ists have so much to teach the world. unique doctrines in the context of Christ, will nurture both assurance of There is nothing missing in our mes- orthodox . salvation and fervent commandment- sage; God has given us a complete keeping. Apart from the cross, how- package of truth. However, we've had The three angels' messages ever, the sanctuary/judgment doctrine a problem connecting Adventist doc- Some suggest: "Forget this discus- becomes a discouraging, faith-de- trine with Christian faith, compounded sion about the gospel. Get down to stroying heresy. by a desire to debate rather than to sit business and preach the three angels' Eternal torment is a terrible doc- at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him. messages!" trine of the devil, but at least it doesn't The 1888 episode was supposed to And what does that involve? The disturb the faithful with doubts about remedy all that. first angel's message proclaims "the their own damnation. The sanctuary/ But it hasn't. Seeking remedial everlasting gospel" in the context of judgment doctrine I was taught, how- revival, some Adventists want to lead the pre-Advent judgment (Rev. 14:6). ever, informed struggling saints not the church back to the good old days, How can we do this unless we are sure yet victorious that if their names had when most members believed basi- of what the gospel is? The second already come up in the celestial judg- cally the same thing and few chal- angel's message calls us out of ment and they had flunked the test, lenged our landmark doctrines. A com- Babylon, which represents organized they were going about their business pelling question comes to mind, how- righteousness by works, as symbol- already doomed. ever: If the good old days were all that ized by Rome's historic rejection of "What's the use?" many of my good, why are we still here? Think the gospel. If we haven't personally teenage friends lamented after Bible about it. Why have five succeeding repudiated a works-based religion, can classes. "Why even try to be like generations failed to fulfill our rem- it truly be said that we've come clean Jesus if we might already be damned nant mission, perishing in the wilder- out of Babylon? We had better clarify in the judgment?" No wonder some ness of parched possibilities? what it means to be saved by faith and stopped climbing the steep stairs to Earnest voices call us back to his- then know where works come in. the throne of grace in the heavenly toric Adventism, perhaps unaware that And what is the third angel's mes- sanctuary. Concerned pastors and no Adventist today believes exactly sage? Justification by faith "in ver- teachers redoubled their efforts to save like our earliest pioneers. For example, ity,' Ellen White says. But what is their youth from tuning out the church most of them ate pork—at least until justification? Ask several pastors, and and turning on with drugs. Mostly in the health visions of the 1860s. Along you might get several incompatible vain. with their unclean meat, they suffered answers. No wonder we often have People young and old have be- spiritual indigestion from unwhole- little power in our proclamation: "The come weary of shame-based, guilt- some Christology, soteriology, and thought that the righteousness of driven religion, and the tendency is pneumatology. Not until the 1880s Christ is imputed to us, not because of simply to give up. Loose living or a and 1890s did Adventists hear clear any merit on our part, but as a free gift lukewarm lifestyle often reflects teaching about the ABCs of Chris- from God, is a precious thought. The burned-out legalism. Some Adventists tianity: who Jesus was, what really enemy of God and man is not willing give up on God and the church; others happened on the cross, and the that this truth should be clearly pre- keep attending but divorce themselves personhood of the Holy Spirit. The sented; for he knows that if the people from the dysfunctional aspects of re- ancient heresy of Arianism lingered receive it fully, his power will be ligion that bring them pain—such as a with us into the twentieth century. (Continued on page 62)

4 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 Adventism at 150

he year 1994 marks the 150th setting sprang up periodically in their George R. Knight anniversary of the October 22 midst. The group's proponents even- T disappointment of Millerite tually gave up any firm belief in Adventism. Up to that date the Mil- Miller's prophetic scheme. Joshua V. lerites had been certain that Christ Himes and Josiah Litch (Miller's would return in 1844. But suddenly chief lieutenants) belonged to this their hopes were shattered; their cer- segment of Adventism, as did Will- tainties replaced by disorientation. iam Miller himself up to his death in In the aftermath of On October 23 the disappointed Mil- 1849. lerites found themselves in the midst A third group eventually concluded 1844, what caused of a sudden and unexpected identity that the Millerites had been correct in Seventh-day crisis. the dating of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 and that something of impor- Adventism to The Adventist denominations tance had happened on October 22, The subsequent months and years 1844, but the event was not the Sec- become a world- found those who remained faithful to ond Advent. Rather it was the begin- wide movement? their Advent hope in a search for ning of the cleansing of the heavenly identity. Who were they? What did it sanctuary. This group developed What are the perils mean to be an Adventist? around several key doctrines, includ- it faces today? The answer to these questions was ing a continuing belief in the near not obvious at the time. Further Bible advent of Jesus in the clouds of heaven, study and heart searching were in the sanctity of the seventh-day Sab- order. Between 1844 and 1848 three bath, Christ's two-apartment minis- major strands of post-Millerite Ad- try in the heavenly sanctuary, the con- ventism evolved) The first was the ditional nature of immortality, and Spiritualizers. This group gave up the the perpetuity of spiritual gifts (in- literal interpretation of Scripture and cluding the gift of prophecy). spiritualized the meaning of even con- These Sabbatarian Adventists crete words. Thus they could claim came to see themselves as the only that Christ had come on October 22— true heir of pre-Disappointment Ad- He had come into their hearts. That ventism, since (unlike the Spiritual- was the Second Corning. This group izers) its advocates continued to hold spawned a large amount of fanati- to a literal Advent and (unlike the cism. Albany Adventists) they continued to George R. Knight is a The second group was the Albany hold to Miller's principles of pro- professor of church history at the SDA Adventists, so called because they phetic interpretation. The foremost Theological organized along congregational lines leaders of the Sabbatarians were Seminary, Andrews at Albany, , in May 1845. and James and Ellen University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. Their aim was to distance themselves White. from the fanatics among the Spiritual- Between 1844 and 1866, six de- izers. They continued to look for the nominations arose out of the three cleansing of the sanctuary as the sec- branches of . The Albany ond coming of Christ. Further time- Adventists gave birth to four of those

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 5 denominations—the American Evan- divisions and mutual suspicions Adventist denominations. By that time gelical Conference in 1858, the Ad- among the Adventist groups didn't the Seventh-day Adventists had vent Christians in 1860, the Church of make the task any easier.' achieved predominance, with 28,991 God (Oregon, Illinois) in the 1850s, The first Adventist census was members in the . The and the Life and Advent Union in published by D. T. Taylor in 1860. Advent Christians were next, with 1863. The Sabbatarian movement re- Taylor counted 584 ministers, with 25,816. Then came the Church of God sulted in two denominations, the Sev- 365 believing in conditionalism and (Oregon, Illinois), with 2,872, the enth-day Adventists between 1861 and annihilationism, 67 believing in con- Evangelicals, with 1,147, the Life and 1863 and the Church of God (Seventh sciousness after death, nine unde- Advent Union with 1,018, and the Day) in 1866. With their diversity, cided, and 143 not reporting. On the Church of God (Seventh Day), with individuality, and lack of organiza- day of worship, 365 held to Sunday, 647.6 tion, the Spiritualizer wing of Ad- 57 to the seventh day, with 162 not A century later only four of the six ventism formed no permanent bodies. reporting. Taylor estimated 54,000 Adventist denominations still existed. Various Spiritualizers eventually lay members, but did not attempt to In 1990 the Seventh-day Adventists gravitated to other "isms," more break them down according to belief. reported 717,446 members in the stable Adventist groups, or were ab- However, other sources indicate that United States, while the Advent Chris- sorbed back into the larger culture. somewhat more than 3,000 were tians claimed 27,590, the Church of Sabbatarians. Thus by 1860 the sev- God (Oregon, Illinois) 5,688, and the The changing shape of Adventism enth-day keepers represented a little Church of God (Seventh-Day) 5,749.7 While membership statistics are more than 10 percent of the advent- As noted above, the once-strong not available, it seems safe to suggest ists. The balance of them, presum- Evangelical Adventist denomination that the Evangelical Adventists and ably, were first-day worshipers.' had been the first to go. It had disap- the Advent Christians were the peared in the early twentieth most numerous in the early century. The Life and Advent 1860s, with the Advent Chris- Union had been the next to lose tians constantly gaining over the its separate identity. By 1958 Evangelicals. One reason for the "The tiniest of the the Union reported only 340 Advent Christians' relatively members. Six years later it greater success seems to be Millerite offshoot groupS merged with the Advent Chris- that they had unique doctrines tians.' that gave them something to was the one which Thus by the early 1990s the stand for. Their doctrines of would become by far Seventh-day Adventists, with conditionalism and annihila- their more than 700,000 mem- tionism provided a focal point the largest." bers in the United States and for their identity. Those teach- more than 7,000,000 members ings gradually even surpassed worldwide dominated the ranks their emphasis on the Advent. of the religious bodies tracing They became their distinctive doc- Taylor's census also gathered esti- their heritage back to Millerism. As trines and provided the Advent Chris- mates regarding the subscription lists Clyde Hewitt, an Advent Christian tians with a rallying point. of the various Adventist journals. The historian, put it, "the tiniest of the The Evangelicals, on the other Advent Christian World's Crisis led Millerite offshoot groups was the one hand, had only the premillennial Ad- the list with 2,900 subscribers. The which would become by far the larg- vent to separate them from the gen- Crisis was followed by the Sabba- est." 9 eral Christian populace. When a sig- tarian' s Review and Herald (2,300) nificant portion of conservative Prot- and the Evangelical's Advent Herald The "why" of success estantism also adopted forms of (2,100). Taylor went out of his way to At this point one is left with the in the decades after note that the promoters of the Review question of why? Why did the minute the Civil War, Evangelical Advent- and Herald, "though a distinct minor- Sabbatarian movement with its un- ism had little reason to continue a ity, are very devoted, zealous, and popular doctrines not only survive separate existence. By the early twen- active in the promulgation of their but prosper? One can only speculate tieth century it had ceased to exist as peculiar views of the Sunday and Sab- regarding the answer to that question, a separate religious body.' bath." The results of that zeal would but several respectable hypotheses can Statistics among the Adventist show up in the decades to come.' be argued from the historical data. groups were not easy to come by in The 1890 United States govern- Before exploring those hypotheses, it their early years. Some feared that ment census not only provides a more should be noted that closely connected "numbering Israel" might bring a accurate picture of Adventist mem- to the query as to why Seventh-day "curse." Others proved to be more bership but also indicates radical shifts Adventism succeeded is a second is- helpful, even though reluctant. The in the relative size of the various sue, that of why Millerism succeeded.

6 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 I suggest that the two movements most successful years during World factors that led to the success of pre- experienced success for largely the War I. Likewise, Barkun notes that 1845 Millerism and post-1844 Sabba- same reasons. millennarian revivals took place not tarian Adventism. Social forces and Before moving to my analysis, we only during the economic depression contextual factors are important (prob- should look at the answers that others of the 1840s, but also during those of ably even essential) to the success of have supplied to the why of Millerite the 1890s and 1930s.' any religious movement, but they are success. Three helpful answers come Doan views one factor in the suc- not enough by themselves. The exter- from David L. Rowe, Michael Barkun, cess of Millerism to be its orthodoxy— nal factors are not the movement, but and Ruth Alden Doan—all non- its essential harmony with the other the soil for the successful planting Adventist scholars who have done religious forces of the day in terms of and development of a movement. Both extensive study in Millerism. doctrine, lay leadership in understand- the external and internal factors must Rowe points out that while many ing the Bible, and so on. Millerism's be in place for a movement such as "prophets" predicting the end of the one essential heresy was its view of Millerism or Sabbatarian Adventism world have arisen in American his- the premillennial Advent. But the to succeed. tory, none achieved a mass following movement's very orthodoxy in most We will now look at four internal like Miller's. Rowe then goes on to matters left the populace open to its factors that seem to have contributed explain the movement's success in one unorthodox message. Doan' s po- to the success of Millerism and Sev- terms of revivalism, millennialism, sition, which is currently shared by enth-day Adventism. and pietism. All three of those forces most non-Adventist scholars, is a re- met at the time of the Millerite move- versal from earlier views that treated A view of truth ment. Rowe argues that while Second Millerism as something strange (if First, it should be noted that apoca- Awakening revivalism provided the not weird) and out of harmony with lyptic movements often attract two method for spreading Miller- personality types. On one side ism, millennialism supplied the we find the rationalism that idea or dream of the future king- unpacks the biblical prophe- dom that gave direction to the cies and develops the apoca- movement, and pietism fur- Miller's message supplied lyptic scheme of events. On nished the temperament of faith the other side are the emo- that enabled individuals to re- hope in a world in which tional types that gravitate to- spond to the revival and accept ward the excitement of the the vision of the new world to human effort had failed apocalyptic expectancy and of- come. The three working to- to achieve the expected ten run into fanatical, irratio- gether developed a dynamic that nal extremism. thrust Millerism forward.'° results. Millerism had both types. Barkun calls attention to en- Thus although it was founded vironmental factors as contribu- upon the cool rationalism of tors to the success not only of Miller, it also had its Stark- Millerism but also of other millen- its culture.13 weathers (a fanatical leader in the narian and utopian movements of the It should be noted that the various pre-Disappointment period), Gorgases same era. Thus natural disasters (such suggestions for Millerism's success (R. C. Gorgas was mixed up in fanati- as changing weather patterns) and presented thus far are not mutually cism on October 22, 1844),' and economic/social crises (such as the exclusive. Each appears to supply a Spiritualizers. A movement disinte- panic of 1837) provided a climate in portion of the explanation underlying grates whenever the rational forces which people were looking for solu- Millerism's success (and, by exten- are not strong enough to stem the tions to their individual and collec- sion, the success of Sabbatarian centrifugal forces of irrationalism or tive stress. In such a context, Miller's Adventists). But even collectively emotionalism. It was in this area that message supplied hope in a world in they supply but a part of the answer to the Spiritualizer wing of Adventism which human effort had failed to our question. came to nothing. Its irrationalism achieve the expected results. There The suggestions put forth in the overcame its rationalism until at last seems to be a rule that the worse rest of this article should not be seen there were no controls on its belief things get in human terms, the more as being out of harmony with those structure. feasible millennial options appear to set forth by Rowe, Barkun, Doan, and One of the strengths of Millerism be.11 others, but as being complementary was its rational development of its In support of Barkun' s point, it is to them. But whereas their sugges- central doctrine. That element drew an established fact that millennial tions tended to focus on factors exter- believers to its cause through its very groups prosper in times of crisis. Thus nal to the Millerite movement, those logic. But Millerism at its best also Seventh-day Adventist and dispensa- developed in the rest of this article made room for religious emotional- tional evangelism had some of its look more carefully at the internal ism, and that emotionalism ideally

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 7 What the Bible Says About the End-Time uring Adventist history there Nso have been many attempts to set Da date for the . What does Scripture say about the end? Dr. traces the development of end-time thinking through Scripture, sharpening our view of last-day events and focusing on Jesus, who alone adds meaning to the end of time. Hardcover, 160 pages. US$14.95, Cdn$21.65.

The Apparent Delay t's been 150 years since the Great IDisappointment. Why hasn't our Saviour returned? Is there something we can do to hasten His return? Or are we thwarting His plan? Arnold V. Wallenkampf looks at what Scripture and Ellen White's writings have to say about the timing of the Second 111.1.11 Ro'c Po \1, 71.i\ Advent. Paper, 11 111 !IQ Of It N,I• 128 pages. US$8.95, Cdn$12.95. Ilcrald of I he Hosed hop. MARKING 150 YEARS OF ADVENT HOPE 1844 and the Rise of Sabbatarian Adventism eproductions of original Rdocuments providing insights into the rise and significance of ELLEN 6. W111TE Millerism and Sabbatarian Adventism. Includes William Miller: Herald Promises for letters and articles of the Blessed Hope the Last Days by such notables as ompiled from Ellen his collection of William Miller, White's writings, this comforting promises Charles Fitch, Hiram Cstory traces William Tfor these special times Edson, Joshua V. Miller's contribution to the of need was drawn from Himes, Joseph Bates, early Advent movement and more than 40 different Ellen and James and Ellen depicts his followers' sub- White sources. Compiled White. Compiled and sequent discovery of what by J. R. and Phyllis Bailey. Reproductions of original historical documents edited by George R. Compiled and edited by George R. Knight really happened on October Hardcover, 160 pages. Knight. Paper, 208 22, 1844. Paper, 96 pages. US$11.95, Cdn$17.30. pages. US$14.95, US$7.95, Cdn$11.50. Cdn$21.65.

These Review and Herald books are available at your ABC. Call 1-800-765-6955. Note: Canadian prices do not include GST and may change according to currency fluctuation. took place within the bounds of ratio- flies against the wind, so there is a other hand, Seventh-day Adventism nality. That combination gave both dynamic in religious movements that (like Millerism) is close enough to life and stability to the movement and is vitalized by differences and even orthodoxy in most central doctrines heightened its appeal. opposition. Being different gives in- to get a hearing among other Chris- Seventh-day Adventism has par- dividuals and social groups meaning. tians. taken of much that same balance, al- And being different develops corn- though it appears at times to wander mitment to a cause, especially when it Organizational structure too far toward the purely rational pole. entails bridge-burning as one joins a A third element that led to the Both Millerism and its Sabbatarian religious subculture.'5 evangelistic success of Seventh-day offspring, of course, have had their In Millerism that bridge-burning Adventism was an organizational excitable and fanatical elements, but dynamic took place when people were structure sufficient to carry on the the stability of their success can "cast out of Babylon" for espousing mission and meet the challenges of its largely be attributed to their ability to premillennial beliefs. An example of perceived message. At first glance it appeal to the rational element in that dynamic in Seventh-day Advent- might seem that Millerism's success people. Thus they have aimed at con- ism takes place in family and work and that of Seventh-day Adventism verting people to "the truth." struggles that involve the keeping of might vary here. In a sense it does. the seventh-day Sabbath in a culture But the variable appears to be time The content of truth that sees Saturday as a workday. rather than organization as such. My A second element that ap- essential point is that Millerism, pears to have led to the evange- given its brief existence, had listic success of Millerism and sufficient organization through Seventh-day Adventism is the its conferences and periodicals content or doctrinal factor in The Seventh-day Adventist to give direction to its mission their view of truth. Thus Church was the only for its few intense years. But Millerism had what it consid- such a nebulous organizational ered to be an important Bible one of the Adventist pattern would not have been truth to offer to individuals denominations to place sufficient to direct the move- searching for meaning. For ment's mission over an ex- Millerism, that doctrinal factor significant authority at tended period of time. was the premillennial return of It was the lack of sufficient Christ. Millerism was not just a any ecclesiastical level organization that spelled the part of the ecclesiastical wood- above that of the local demise of the Spiritualizers and work; it stood for something the lack of growth for the two distinctive from other religious congregation. Church of God Adventist de- groups. Thus it had a message nominations. Without sufficient to preach. Many responded to organization they could not con- that message. centrate their resources for mis- As noted above, one of the reasons Seventh-day Adventists have es- sion or maintain unity. Costly schism that Evangelical Adventism died out tablished several doctrinal and was the result. was that it had lost its doctrinal dis- lifestyle boundary markers that have It is at the point of sufficient orga- tinctiveness once a significant por- had that effect. Hewitt, in seeking to nization that the Advent Christians tion of American ac- explain Seventh-day Adventist growth and the Seventh-day Adventists also cepted premillennialism. After that, in contrast to the lack of growth in his parted ways. The Seventh-day Ad- Evangelical Adventism had no fur- Advent Christian community, notes ventist Church was the only one of the ther reason to exist. As a result, it that "the distinctive beliefs and prac- Adventist denominations to place sig- blended back into generic evangel- tices of the [SDA] denomination, nificant authority at any ecclesiasti- icalism. On the other hand, the Ad- while causing it to be viewed with cal level above that of the local con- vent Christians adopted conditional- suspicion by many traditional Chris- gregation. Hewitt, in bemoaning the ism as their new doctrinal distinctive. tian believers, have seemingly given plight of the Advent Christians, indi- Thus they had at least one more rea- its faithful members a resoluteness of cates that the lack of a "strong cen- son to continue a separate existence individual and group character that tralized organization" is one reason than their Evangelical sibling. goes far to explain their successes." that "contraction threatens to over- By way of contrast, the Seventh- Dean Kelley sheds light on this dy- come expansion" in their work. What day Adventists developed a whole namic when he notes that if people are centralized organization they did get, arena of unconventional beliefs that going to join a church they want to he argues, came too late and, worse they saw as their special mission to join one that provides a genuine alter- yet, represented mere structure with- share with the world. Just as a kite native to the larger culture.'6 On the out significant power. As a result of

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 9 their congregational structure, Hewitt emphasized, was built upon an inter- interpretation in their denial of the points out that the Advent Christians pretation of the prophecies of Daniel great time prophecies of Daniel and were unable to mobilize for united and the Revelation. The Millerites the Revelation. Without that certainty action. With proper organization, he believed with all their hearts that they of the flow of prophetic history, they suggested in 1990, the Advent Chris- had a message that people must hear. lost their sense of conviction and ur- tians might be "a growing and not a It was that belief and the total dedica- gency. They finally had to find mean- dying denomination." '7 tion that accompanied it that pushed ing for existence in other doctrines, By way of contrast, two recent the Millerites into tireless mission. such as conditionalism or the nonres- studies of Seventh-day Advent- urrection of the wicked. That ist organizational structure indi- may have been good enough for cate that the denomination's a sort of denominational exist- structure was consciously de- ence, but the Albany groups had signed with mission outreach in Seventh-day Adventism abandoned the mainspring that mind in both 1861-1863 and had aggressively propelled Mil- 1901-1903.18 0f course. that does is facing major lerite mission. not mean that the denomination organizational problems By way of contrast, the is without significant problems Sabbatarians founded their in its organizational structure. in the last decade of the movement on that very main- To the contrary, Seventh-day Ad- spring. They not only maintained ventism, as we shall see below, twentieth century. Miller's prophetic scheme of in- is facing major organizational terpretation, but they extended it problems in the last decade of in such a way as to give meaning the twentieth century. to both their disappointment and It was that same vision, based upon the remaining time before Christ's Prophetic consciousness the same prophecies, that provided the advent. Central to that extended in- The fourth, and by far the most mainspring of Seventh-day Adventist terpretation were Christ's work of pre- important, factor in the rapid spread mission. From their beginning, the Advent judgment in the cleansing of of Millerism was its sense of pro- Sabbatarians never viewed themselves the heavenly sanctuary and the pro- phetic mission and the sense of ur- as merely another denomination. To gressive nature of the three angels' gency generated by that prophetic the contrary, they understood their messages of Revelation 14.2' understanding. Millerism was a mis- movement and message to be a ful- Those two prophetic extensions sion-driven movement. One of the fillment of prophecy. They saw them- provided the Sabbatarians with the theses that I argue for in Millennial selves as a prophetic people." same sense of urgency that had in- Fever and the End of the World: A That understanding came from the spired the Millerites in the 1840s. Study of Millerite Adventism is that it conviction that they were the only While the Sabbatarians saw Miller was a sense of personal responsibility genuine continuation of Millerism, and Charles Fitch, respectively, as to warn the world of its soon-coming particularly as that continuation re- the initiators of the first and second end that literally drove William lated to Miller's interpretation of angels' messages, they saw their own Miller, Joshua V. Himes, and their prophecy. From the early Sabbatarian movement with its emphasis on the Millerite colleagues to dedicate ev- perspective, the other Adventist commandments of God as initiating erything they had to warn the world of groups had lost their way and eventu- the third. Thus, they believed, con- coming judgment. Himes put it nicely ally their mission because of their flict over their unique Sabbath doc- in an editorial in the very first issue of denial of Miller's principles of pro- trine would be a focal point in the the Midnight Cry. "Our work," he phetic interpretation. great struggle between good and evil wrote, "is one of unutterable magni- That denial took two different di- right before the Second Coming.22 tude. It is a mission and an enterprise, rections. One was a rejection of the unlike, in some respects, anything literal interpretation of scriptural pas- An end-time movement that has ever awakened the energies sages that seemed to be quite literal. That interpretation was reinforced of men. . . . It is an alarm, and a cry, Thus the belief that Christ had al- by their view of the end-time struggle uttered by those who, from among all ready come sapped the missiological over the commandments of God pic- Protestant sects, as Watchmen stand- strength of the Spiritualizers. After tured in Revelation 12:17 and the ing upon the walls of the moral world, all, if Christ had already come, what fuller exposition of that verse in Rev- believe the world's crisis is come— was the reason for mission? elation 13 and 14. As a result, the and who, under the influence of this Meanwhile, it can be argued, the Sabbatarians were convinced that not faith, are united in proclaiming to the Albany Adventists rejected the stimu- only were they the heir of Millerism, world, 'Behold the Bridegroom lus to mission that had convicted and but their movement had been pre- cometh, go ye out to meet him!' "19 empowered Millerism when they re- dicted by God to preach the three That sense of urgency, it must be jected Miller's principles of prophetic angels' messages to all the world im-

10 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 mediately before Revelation 14's great quick to point out that Ellen White In another connection, Hewitt roots end-time harvest. had predicted in December 1844 that Seventh-day Adventist success in their That prophetic understanding did those who rejected October 1844 as a conviction that they have a prophetic the same thing for Sabbatarian fulfillment of prophecy would even- mission in the tradition of William Adventists that it had done for Miller- tually be left in "perfect darkness" Miller.28 ites. It eventually drove them to mis- and would stumble in their advent sion. By 1990 the conviction that their experience.26 Prophetic mission movement is a movement of proph- But it should be noted that merely Hewitt's conclusions go a long way ecy had resulted in one of the most holding the conviction that they have toward helping us understand the widespread mission outreach pro- the "correct doctrine" is not a suffi- spread of Sabbatarian Adventism. Its grams in the history of Christianity. cient explanation for the spread of mainspring seems to have been much By that year they had established work Sabbatarian Adventism. After all, the more than merely the fact that the in 182 of the 210 nations then recog- Seventh Day Baptists preached the Sabbatarians believed they had the nized by the United Nations." seventh-day Sabbath with conviction, "truth" on the Sabbath and the "truth" That kind of dedication did not but their 5,200 members in the United of the Second Advent. The driving come by accident; it was the direct States in 1990 is less than what they force undergirding Seventh-day Ad- result of prophetic conviction of their had in the 1840s. As one nineteenth- ventism was the bedrock conviction responsibility. Central to that pro- century Seventh Day Baptist preacher that they were a prophetic people phetic conviction was the imperative told Bates, the Baptists had been able with a unique message concerning to the first angel of Revelation 14:6 to "to convince people of the legality of Christ's soon coming to a troubled preach "to every nation, and kindred, the seventh-day Sabbath, but they world. That prophetic understanding and tongue, and people" and the com- could not get them to move as the of their mission, integrated with their mand of Revelation 10:11 that the Sabbath Adventists did." 27 doctrines within the framework of the disappointed ones "must prophesy Likewise, many of the nonsabba- three angels' messages, provided the again before many peoples, and na- tarian Adventist groups preached what Sabbatarians with the motive power tions, and tongues, and kings." they believed to be the truth of the to sacrifice in order to spread their Clyde Hewitt, in seeking to ex- premillennial return of Christ, but message far and wide. That same dy- plain the success of the Seventh-day without the same results as Seventh- namic operated in Millerism. Unfor- Adventists as opposed to the attrition day Adventists. Hewitt notes that his tunately for Seventh-day Adventism, faced by his Advent Christians, "Advent Christian people have not that very vision appears to be in jeop- touched upon an essential element been an evangelistic church" and have ardy in the 1990s. when he noted that "Seventh-day not made much of an impact on the Adventists are convinced that they world. The result, he points out, has Vitality or death: the shape of have been divinely ordained to carry been smallness. Not just smallness in Adventist futures on the prophetic work started by Wil- numbers, but smallness "in dreams, The Adventist denominations liam Miller. They are dedicated to the in visions. Smallness breeds small- growing out of Millerism are facing task." 24 possible death. That is the in- In contrast to that convic- ference of Richard C. Nickels, tion, Hewitt's father wrote to F. who concluded his 1973 history D. Nichol in 1944 that the The driving force of the Church of God (Seventh Advent Christians had given Day) with a section entitled "A up Miller's interpretation of undergirding Seventh- Dying Church?" The volume's Daniel 8:14 and the 2300 days day Adventism was the ominous last words are from and had no unanimity on the Christ's message to the Church meaning of the text. Another conviction that they were at Sardis: "It was alive, yet leading Advent Christian dead!" 29 scholar interviewed in 1984 a prophetic people with Similarly, the final section noted that his denomination no a unique message. of Hewitt's three-volume his- longer even had any agreed- tory of the Advent Christians is upon interpretation on the mil- "Should a Denomination Be lennium—the very heart of Told It's Dying?" That section, Miller's contribution.' In short, when ness." Hewitt also indicates that Ad- published in 1990, contains a heart- the Albany Adventists stepped off vent Christian smallness cannot be felt analysis of the denomination's Miller's prophetic platform, they be- attributed to unpopular doctrines. situation. The final moving words in gan a process of deterioration in their After all, he argues, the Seventh-day Hewitt's trilogy are: "I devoutly hope prior understanding of the end of the Adventist list of unpopular doctrines some are listening. Amen! " 3° world. The seventh-day branch of the "includes all those of the Advent Where is the millennial fervor that Adventist family, of course, have been Christian faith and adds several more." brought these denominations to birth?

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 11 And what about the other post-Mil- stances find it easy to downplay their think through thoroughly the massive lerite denominations? Are they also denomination's distinctive doctrines. organizational changes necessitated in danger of losing their vision? In But such were the dynamics that by a century of internal and external particular, what about the strongest spelled the end for Evangelical Ad- change. Few seem to be able to catch of the Millerite siblings—the S ab- ventism. the vision of possible new structural batari ans? At the opposite extreme of the models for world mission in the At first sight it would appear that denominational spectrum are those twenty-first century. the rapidly growing Seventh-day who, in their reaction to their "less At the other extreme are large seg- Adventist Church has nothing to worry Adventist" Adventist neighbors, will ments of Seventh-day Adventists who about In May 1994 the denomination be tempted to follow the lead of the are tired of paying the cost of the was approaching 8 million members Adventist extremists of the post-1844 administrative machinery. These worldwide. Estimates for the year 2000 period into the fringes of the Chris- members see the future of the de- project a membership of 12 million. tian community. Some in this sector nomination in congregational terms. The problem of aging. Yet all is of the denomination are also prone to That route, of course, is the one fol- not well. It is difficult for the older sectarian sensationalism. lowed by all branches of Millerite population sectors of the denomina- The challenge facing the Seventh- Adventism except the Sabbatarians. tion to maintain their Adventist iden- day Adventist Church is to maintain a For them, congregationalism resulted tity. After all, it is hard to keep people healthy middle-of-the-road balance as in denominations that were weak in excited about the Second Coming for it seeks to uplift both the doctrines ability to maintain their own identity 150 years. The Sabbatarians face all that have made it unique and those and unable to focus resources on ex- the problems of an aging denomina- doctrines that it shares with other tended mission efficiently. tion that afflicted previous religious Christians. Both acculturation to the Thus it appears that Seventh-day movements down through church his- larger community and segregation into Adventism is faced, on the one hand, tory. Time after time the world with the increasing weight of a has witnessed vibrant reforma- superstructure that could even- tory religious movements tually crush the movement it- harden and lose their vitality To lose faith in an self. On the other hand, it is with age." faced with the quite real threat But beyond the issue of ag- actual historical of congregationalism. Success ing, some sectors of Seventh- would seem to lie in coming to day Adventism in the 1990s (par- advent is to lose grips with the compromises and ticularly in such places as North Adventism itself. structural changes that need to America, Europe, and Austra- be made if Seventh-day Ad- lia) appear to be confronted with ventism is to continue to be a all the threats that eroded the viable international movement other Adventist bodies. Thus in a sectarian ghetto sound the death capable of operating efficiently to- their search for meaning in the face of knell for vibrant Seventh-day Advent- ward accomplishing its perceived the seemingly ever-delayed end of ism. mission. the world, some believers are tempted The problem of organization. A The problem of overinstitution- to spiritualize the nature of Christ's third tension faced by Seventh-day alism. Clearly related to Sabbatarian advent. But to lose faith in an actual Adventism is in the realm of organi- Adventism's organizational dilemma historical advent is to lose Adventism zation. On the one hand, denomina- is its inclination toward overinstitu- itself. tional health is threatened by too much tionalism. There is a tendency for its The problem of affluence. Alter- of a good thing. Nearly a century ago extensive educational, publishing, nately, affluence has made its impact Seventh-day Adventism adopted a conference, and medical institutions on the beliefs of some members re- multitiered administrative structure to become ends in themselves rather garding the Advent hope. The Protes- that, in its trim state, was well fitted than means for the end of taking the tant ethic of hard work and frugality for mission expansion at the time. But denomination's peculiar message "to has led many Seventh-day Adventists decades of expansion and change have every nation, and kindred, and tongue, into cross-generational upward mo- created a bureaucracy that is extremely and people." Thus there is the danger bility. Several generations of such expensive to maintain and appears to of the denomination gaining its self- mobility can develop a membership be becoming progressively dysfunc- image from its institutions rather than that locates its kingdom on this earth tional in fostering the mission of the from its stated mission." and has little felt need for coming church in the most efficient manner. It was at that very point that Joshua kingdoms. It is easy for such mem- While the early 1990s have seen ef- V. Himes, Miller's second-in-com- bers to be more at home with the forts at reform, the results have been mand, challenged the Seventh-day larger culture than with their sectar- minimal. Few in the denomination's Adventists in 1895—a half century ian roots." Many in such circum- power structure seem to be able to after the Disappointment. "You have,"

12 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 he wrote to Ellen White, "many good Adventism (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Truth About Seventh-day Adventism (Grand and great things connected with health Assn., 1993), pp. 245-325. Rapids: Zondervan, 1960); Dean M. Kelley, Why Conservative Churches Are Growing: A reform and the churches, with the ' David Tallmadge Arther, "Come Out of Babylon;" a Study of Millerite Separatism and Study in Sociology of Religion (New York: increase of wealth, and colleges as Denominationalism, 1840-1865" (Ph.D. dis.. Harper and Row, 1972). well, and to me it looks like work in University of Rochester, 1970), p. 306. I? Clyde E. Hewitt, Devotion and Develop- all these departments that may go on Daniel T. Taylor, "Our Statistical Report," ment (Charlotte, N.C.: Venture Books, 1990), World's Crisis, Jan. 11, 1860, p. 75. pp. 211, 341, 371. for a long time to come. . . . There is Ibid., Jan. 25, 1860, p. 81; Seventh-day Is Andrew G. Mustard, James White and a great and earnest work being done Adventist Encyclopedia, rev. ed. (Hagerstown, SDA Organization: Historical Development, to send the message of the third angel Md.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1976), p. 1844-1881 (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Andrews everywhere—but all classes of 1326. University Press, 1987); Barry David Oliver, 5 Taylor, "Our Statistical Report,- World's SDA Organizational Structure: Past, Present, Adventists are prospering in worldly Crisis, Feb. 15, 1860, p. 96; Feb. 8, 1860, p. 89. and Future (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Andrews things, and heaping up riches, while 6 H. K. Carroll, The Religious Forces of the University Press, 1989). they talk of the coming of Christ as an United States (New York: Christian Literature 19 In Midnight Cry, Nov. 17, 1842, p. 2. " See Knight, Millennial Fever, pp. 295- event very near at hand. It is a great Co., 1893), pp. 1-15. Kenneth Bedell and Alice M. Jones, eds., 325; Knight, Anticipating the Advent. thing to be consistent and true to the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches 21 P. Gerard Damsteegt, Foundations of the real Advent message." " (Nashville: Abingdon, 1992), pp. 270-277. Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission With those sentences, Himes put s Benson Y. Landis, ed., Yearbook of Ameri- (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977). can Churches (New York: National Council of 22 James White, "The Third Angel's Mes- his finger on the tendency toward the Churches of Christ, 1959), p. 253; Clyde E. sage," Present Truth, April 1850, pp. 65-69; institutional and individual secular- Hewitt, Midnight and Morning (Charlotte, N.C.: Joseph Bates, The Seventh Day Sabbath, A ization in Seventh-day Adventism that Venture Books, 1983), p. 267. Perpetual Sign, 2nd ed. (New Bedford, Mass.; Benjamin Lindsey, 1847). A Vindication for was present even in his day. That 9 George R. Knight, Anticipating the Ad- vent: A Brief History ofAdventism (Boise, Idaho: the Seventh-day Sabbath and the Command- tendency has not lessened in the past Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1993), pp. 120, 122; ments of God (New Bedford, Mass.: Benjamin 100 years. Hewitt, p. 275. Lindsey, 1848). A Seal of the Living God (New The peril of losing our vision. A 1 ° David L. Rowe, Thunder and Trumpets: Bedford, Mass.: Benjamin Lindsey, 1848). Millerites and Dissenting Religion in Upstate 128th Annual Statistical Report-1990 final temptation faced by Seventh- New York, 1800-1850 (Chico, Calif.: Scholars (Silver Spring, Md.: General Conference of day Adventism will be to give up its Press, 1985), pp. 48, 70, 71, 93. Seventh-day Adventists, 1990), p. 42. vision of itself as a people of proph- " Michael Barkun, Crucible of the Millen- 24 Hewitt, Midnight and Morning, p. 277. ecy, to forget its prophetic heritage. It nium: The Burned-over District of New York in 25 C. H. Hewitt to F. D. Nichol, May 24, the 1840s (Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse Univer- 1944, in Nichol, pp. 455, 456; Interview of is easy to see how that could come sity Press, 1986), pp. 103, 111, 112, 117-119, Moses C. Crouse by George R. Knight, Aurora about, but for it to do so would be 139, 143. College, Aurora, Ill., Oct. 18, 1984. death to the dynamic that made Sev- 12 Howard B. Weeks, Adventist Evangelism 29 Ellen G. Harmon, "Letter From Sister Harmon," Day-Star, Jan. 24, 1846, pp., 31, 32. enth-day Adventism what it is today. in the Twentieth Century (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1969), pp. 78- See also Ellen G. White, Early Writings (Wash- To deny its prophetic heritage is a 85; Timothy P. Weber, Living in the Shadow of ington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., certain way to kill its "millennial fe- the Second Coming: American Premillen- 1945), pp. 14, 15. ver" and thereby destroy its missio- nialism, 1875-1982 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, " Yearbook of American and Canadian 1983), p. 127; Barkun, Crucible of the Millen- Churches (1992), p. 276; 0. P. Hull, in Arthur logical mainspring. nium, p. 152. Whitefield Spalding, Origin and History of It is in line with that thought that IS Ruth Alden Doan, The Miller Heresy, Seventh-day Adventists (Washington, D.C.: we need to understand one of Ellen Millennialism, and American Culture (Phila- Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1961), vol. 1, p. 257. White's most oft-quoted statements. delphia: Temple University Press, 1987); "Millerism and Evangelical Culture," in The 28 Hewitt, Devotion and Development, pp. "In reviewing our past history, hav- Disappointed: Millerism and Millenarianism 334, 362, 357,156; Hewitt, Midnight and Morn- ing traveled over every step of ad- in the Nineteenth Century, ed. Ronald L. Num- ing, p. 277. vance to our present standing," she bers and Jonathan M. Butler (Bloomington, 29 Richard C. Nickels, A History of the Sev- Ind.: University Press, 1987), pp. 12, enth Day Church of God (1973), pp. 364-366. penned, "I can say, Praise God! As I 13; Whitney R. Cross, The Burned-over Dis- " Hewitt, Devotion and Development, pp. see what the Lord has wrought, I am trict: The Social and Intellectual History of 267, 373. filled with astonishment, and with Enthusiastic Religion in Western New York, 'I See George R. Knight, "Adventism, Insti- confidence in Christ as leader. We 1800-1850 (Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University tutionalism, and the Challenge of Seculariza- Press, 1950), p. 291; Ernest R. Sandeen, tion," Ministry, June 1991, pp. 6-10, 29; Derek have nothing to fear for the future, "Millennialism," in The Rise of Adventism: Tidball, The Social Context of the New Testa- except as we shall forget the way the Religion and Society in Mid-Nineteenth-Cen- ment: A Sociological Analysis (Grand Rapids: Lord has led us, and His teaching in tury America, ed. Edwin R Gaustad (New York: Zondervan, 1984). 32 Malcolm Bull and Keith Lockhart, Seek- our past history." " ■ Harper and Row, 1974), p. 112. u For more information on Starkweather, ing a Sanctuary: Seventh-day Adventism and see Knight, Millennial Fever, pp. 174-177; for the American Dream (San Francisco, Calif.: more on Gorgas, see Millennial Fever, pp. 211, Harper and Row, 1989), pp. 256-268. 212; Francis D. Nichol, The Midnight Cry 33 See George R. Knight, "The Fat Woman This article is adapted from a chapter (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. and the Kingdom," , Feb. 14, from the author's Millennial Fever and the End Assn., 1944), pp. 342, 343, 411, 412, 505-508. 1991, pp. 8-10. of the World: A Study of Millerite Adventism '' Luther P. Gerlach and Virginia H. Hine, " J. V. Himes to E. G. White, Mar. 13, 1895; (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1993). People, Power, Change: Movements of Social cf. Sept. 12, 1894. Transformation (Indianapolis, hid.: Bobbs- " Ellen G. White, Life Sketches of Ellen G. I See George R. Knight, Millennial Fever Merrill, 1970), pp. 183, 137. White (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press and the End of the World: A Study of Millerite " Hewitt, p. 277; Walter R. Martin, The Pub. Assn., 1915), p. 196.

MINISTRY/OCTOBERJ1994 13 1844-is it biblical?

id anything special happen in Much is at stake as we examine Martin Weber heaven in 1844? Some Sev- these four assumptions, one by one. D enth-day Adventists, even pastors, are unconvinced that Jesus 1. One apocalyptic day equals one began a final phase in His high priestly literal year. ministry. Adventists did not invent this prin- Many would-be defenders of the ciple of prophetic interpretation; 450 faith rush to the rescue with Ellen years ago it was the historic position Four provable White quotations. In respect for her of the Protestant reformers. Even some prophetic gift, however, we do well to Catholic and Jewish scholars inter- assumptions lead take her own counsel and stand upon preted Daniel's 2300 days as 2300 the solid rock of sola scriptura. If literal years.' As documented a gen- to a compelling 1844 is not an authentic prophetic eration ago by the late Adventist conclusion. landmark in Scripture, then let's pull scholar LeRoy E. Froom and substan- the extrabiblical plug of artificial life tiated more recently in the seven- support and then respectfully lay it to volume Daniel and Revelation Com- rest. If, however, our theology about mittee series from the Biblical Re- 1844 is supported in Scripture, Ahen search Institute, there is both historic let's support it ourselves and enthusi- precedent and scriptural support for astically proclaim it. the day/year principle. The fact that One fact recognized by all is that most commentators of the past 150 the year 1844 as a fulfillment of Bible years have forsaken their own heri- prophecy stands or falls on the 2300- tage of historicism is no reason for us day time span of Daniel 8:14. This to follow them over the cliff into article focuses on four assumptions futurism or to plunge into the stag- that, if legitimate, affirm our historic nant pond of preterism.2 interpretation of the 2300 days/years So the day/year principle was not of Daniel 8:14. If: the invention of overeager Millerites (1) one apocalyptic day equals one in the nineteenth century, nor was it literal year, and merely an exegetical ace up the sleeves (2) Daniel 9 explains the mystery of pope-hating reformers in the six- of Daniel 8, and teenth century. Solid biblical schol- (3) the 490 years of Daniel 9 are arship supports the conviction that a 441 Martin Weber is an associate editor of cut off from a longer time span of day in apocalyptic time prophecy Ministry. 2300 years, and equals a literal year. And we don't (4) the starting date for that 2300- need to replicate the proof-texting year prophecy is 457 B.C., then the heroics of our Adventist pioneers! Far year 1844 must be biblically authen- more convincing is contextual evi- tic. That fact established would vin- dence. dicate the claim of Seventh-day For example, the context of both Adventists to be a prophetic move- chapters 7 and 8 of Daniel negates the ment of destiny. notion that their time spans could be

14 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 literal. Chapter 7's little horn emerges A decade or so passes with the and prophecy, and to anoint the most from the fourth world empire in the timing of that tribulation still a mys- holy place" (verse 9:24). sixth century A.D. and survives till tery. Then we come to Daniel 9, which What vision was Gabriel referring the time of the judgment and the Ad- opens with a reference to Jeremiah's to? The only possible answer is the vent; verse 25 shows that the period prediction that Jerusalem's desola- vision left unresolved by the previous of "a time, two times, and half a time" tion was supposed to last 70 years chapter. Thus the explanation of (RSV) must extend over most of those (see verse 2). Only a couple of years Daniel 9 solves the mystery of Daniel many centuries. This would be impos- remained before that scheduled resto- 8. As noted by Gerhard F. Hasel,7 sible if only three and a half years ration, yet nothing seemed to be hap- there is a compelling connection be- were intended. pening. Was the deliverance delayed? tween the two chapters. Moving into Daniel 8, we see in Perhaps so, because along with the verse 17 that the 2300 days of verse pledge of restoration for Jerusalem, 3. The 490 years of Daniel 9 are "cut 14 extend from the restoration of the Jeremiah had warned that God's prom- off" from the longer time span of sanctuary, which would happen in the ises were conditional upon the coop- 2300 years. fifth century B.C., until "the time of eration of His people (see Jer. This point is both crucial and eas- the end"—a span of about 2300 years. 18:9,10). As Daniel witnessed the ily demonstrated. While most trans- Its fulfillment is specifically aligned continued wickedness and "open lations of Daniel 9:24 use words such with the latter days, the time immedi- shame" (Dan. 9:7) of his people, he as "determined" (KJV, NKJV) or "de- ately preceding the final proclamation feared that God indeed might decide creed" (NASB, NIV, RSV), the trans- of the gospel by the "wise" (see Dan. to delay their deliverance. lation could just as easily—and quite 12:3, 4). Critics overlook the fact that In that context, the elderly prophet accurately—be given as "cut off." Daniel 8:17 when linked with Daniel fervently prayed with "fasting, sack- William Shea notes that "analysis of 12:3-13, conclusively shows that the cloth, and ashes" (verse 3),In one of Hebrew writings such as the Mishnah 2300-day prophecy covers many cen- the most heart-touching supplications reveals that although chathak can turies. of all Scripture, Daniel pled the mercy mean 'determine,' the more common William H. Shea of the General of God for sinners. He poured out his meaning has 'to do with the idea of Conference Biblical Research Insti- heart in concern for the "desolate cutting.' "8 Ancient rabbinic litera- tute has done extensive analysis of sanctuary" (verse 17). Then he added: ture employed the word as "ampu- time prophecy as it relates to the day/ "Do not delay, because Thy city and tated." 9 "The well-known Hebrew- year principle.' Particularly fascinat- Thy people are called by Thy name" English dictionary by Gesenius states ing are his scholastic safaris into the (verse 19). that properly it means 'to cut' or 'to Old Testament poetic writings ' and Despite the desperate situation, divide.' ,, 10 the post-Qumran interpreters.' Shea Daniel's supplications were mingled More than a few classical Chris- bolsters his case for the day/year prin- with hope and even confidence. He tian commentators concur with his- ciple by suggesting: "At this time in knew that God loves His people and is toric Adventist interpretation here. our church history when our attention ever eager to forgive. Furthermore, Consider Phillip Newell's commen- has been called to some of the doc- the Lord had commanded Gabriel to tary, for example: "The Hebrew word trines of the Reformers, such as justi- "give this man an understanding of used here . . . has the literal connota- fication and righteousness by faith, the vision" (Dan. 8:16). This mandate tion of 'cutting off ' in the sense of we would do well to heed their prin- to Gabriel was yet unfulfilled, leav- severing from a larger portion." " The ciples of prophetic interpretation ing the 2300 days and the desolate Pulpit Commentary is in accord that also." sanctuary shrouded in mystery. "determined" as already indicated, Suddenly the answer came. Gabriel means "cut off." 12 The lexicon in 2. Daniel 9 explains the mystery of appeared again and announced: "0 Strong's Concordance supports the Daniel 8. Daniel, I have now come forth to give same conclusion. Seventh-day Ad- Chapter 8 of Daniel closes with you insight with understanding. . . . ventists are justified, then, in seeing the aged prophet in deep distress. So give heed to the message and gain the 490 years of Daniel 9 as cut off Horrified at the atrocities that the understanding of the vision" (Dan. from the larger time span of the 2300 trampling little horn would inflict 9:22, 23). Since the prophet's prayer years in Daniel 8. upon God's people, His sanctuary, for understanding had involved the The only question left is when to and His truth, the elderly prophet timing of the promised restoration, start the prophetic countdown. Daniel faints. By the time he recovers, the Gabriel begins with an explanation of 9:25 said it should commence with angel is gone, leaving Daniel "as- time: "Seventy weeks have been de- the command to restore and rebuild tounded at the vision, and there was creed for your people and your holy Jerusalem. What year did that happen? none to explain it" (Dan. 8:27).* We city, to finish the transgression, to should note that the only element of make an end of sin, to make atone- 4. The 2300-year prophecy started the Daniel 8 vision yet unexplained ment for iniquity, to bring in everlast- in 457 B.C. was its timing. ing righteousness, to seal up vision Archaeology now documents the

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Street (No Po boxes) 2MB for Windows 3.1 • 30-day money-back guarantee • Toll-free customer support Payment method: Check CI Money order 10 • Telephones: Credit card: Visa l0 MC 0 Card # Exp Date (301) 680-6555 Send to: Ellen G. White Estate (301) 680-6540 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, Maryland 20904 Fax: (301) 680-6090 Adventist timetable for the historic set forth their convictions in similar third king. decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Accord- vein."" Let us remember that the desola- ingly, a recent Zondervan book widely Those who seek to dismantle the tion of Jerusalem involved much more advertised and acclaimed among prophetic platform of Seventh-day than the destruction of buildings, and evangelicals, Encyclopedia of Bible Adventists should pause and consider so the Daniel 9 prophecy included Difficulties, sets 457 B.C. as Daniel that if we deserve censure for our restoration as well as rebuilding. The 9's prophetic starting date (although interpretations, so should the illustri- privilege of Jerusalem to administer the author attempts no connection with ous company of biblical scholars who God's laws had been lost, so the res- Daniel 8).13 gave us our prophetic heritage. We toration of the city required the rein- Actually, before the twin Jesuit are simply carrying their torch. stating of civil and religious govern- heresies of futurism and preterism ment. This at last was accomplished undermined biblical historicism, Clarifying those confusing decrees by the decree of Artaxerxes in the many respected scholars of various At this point some would protest year 457 B.C., a date we have noticed backgrounds during the last millen- that the actual wording of the com- is acknowledged by evangelical nium placed the starting date for the mand of Artaxerxes I of 457 B.C. scholarship. 2300 day/year prophecy in the fifth makes no explicit mention of any In conclusion: It is true that century B.C.' Among Catholics, order to rebuild the city of Jerusalem (1) one apocalyptic day equals one "about 1292 Arnold of Villanova said in fulfillment of Daniel 9's starting literal year; (2) Daniel 9 explains the that the 2300 days stand for 2300 point. This threat to Adventist inter- mystery of Daniel 8; (3) the 490 years years, counting the period from the pretation disappears when we con- of Daniel 9 are "cut off' from the time of Daniel to the Second Advent. sider that the decree to rebuild and longer time span of 2300 years; and . . . Better known to most church restore Jerusalem was actually a com- (4) the starting date for the 2300-year historians is the illustrious Nicholas bined unit of three decrees linked as prophecy is 457 B.C. Therefore, the Krebs of Cusa, Roman Catholic car- one that culminated in the year 457. year 1844 in Bible prophecy must be dinal, scholar, philosopher, and theo- The first of these decrees by Cyrus legitimate—and by extension, the au- logian, who in 1452 declared that the the Great in 538 (or maybe 537) per- thenticity of the Seventh-day Advent- 2300 year-days began in the time of mitted the Jewish exiles to resettle in ist Church as a prophetic movement Persia." "In the century after the their homeland and empowered them of destiny. Protestant Reformation, many Prot- to build for God "a house in Jerusa- estant expounders from English theo- lem" (Ezra 1:2-4). The second decree 1844 must be biblical logian George Downham (died 1634) came around 519 from Darius I, con- Jesus launched His mission as to British barrister Edward King in firming Cyrus' original decree (Ezra Messiah in A.D. 27 right on schedule, 1798, declared the number 2300 in- 6:1-12). So under Cyrus the rebuild- to "seal up vision and prophecy" in volved the same number of years. ing began, and it was finished under Daniel 8/9 regarding the reliability of John Tillinghast (died 1655) ended Darius (Ezra 6:15). However, it was the predicted time scale. In the midst them at the Second Advent and Artaxerxes who restored, or "adorned" of the seventieth week of years, Christ the 1000-year reign of the saints. (Ezra 7:27) the completed temple. was "cut off' on the cross—right on Tillinghast was the first to assert the This third decree (Ezra 7:11-26) put schedule. He then ascended to 70 weeks of years to be a lesser epoch the crowning touch on the first two, heaven's sanctuary to mediate the within the larger period of the 2300 for it commissioned Ezra to appoint benefits of Calvary's once-for-all sac- " 16 years. judges with full political and reli- rifice, and at the end of the 2300 years John Fletcher, an associate of John gious authority. Not until this final in 1844—right on schedule—He be- Wesley, in 1755 interpreted the cleans- order was Jerusalem restored as the gan the final phase of His celestial ing of the sanctuary as a restoration of national capital. This explains why ministry. truth from papal error at the end of a the three decrees are listed as a single Everything has happened just as 2300-year period that began with Per- unit in Scripture: "They finished the Bible said it would, in harmony sia.' And Johann Petri, a German building according to the command with our historicist heritage. For us Reformed pastor, "in 1768 introduced of the God of Israel and the decree Adventists, this means we can have the final step . . leading to the inevi- [singular] of Cyrus, Darius, and full confidence about God's leading table conclusion and climax—that the Artaxerxes king of Persia" (Ezra 6:14). in our message and our mission. And 490 years (70 weeks of years) are the To illustrate this, imagine that for the world, people need to know first part of the 2300 years. He began Cyrus began building a car and Darius what we have to share. them synchronously, 453 years be- finished its construction, but not until In this article we have reviewed fore the birth of Christ—terminating Artaxerxes issued the vehicle regis- both scriptural and historical testi- the 490 years in A.D. 37, and the 2300 tration certificate could the car roll mony regarding the year 1844 and years in 1847. . . . Soon men on both down the prophetic highway. And so also confronted questions about this sides of the Atlantic, in Africa, even we must date Jerusalem's rebuilding landmark of Bible prophecy. The evi- in India and other countries, began to and restoration from the order of the dence is clear for all who have eyes to

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 17 see it and a heart to believe it. Perhaps Prophetic Interpretation (Washington, D.C.: Shea, "The Relationship Between the it all comes down to intellectual hon- General Conference of Seventh-day Advent- Prophecies of Daniel 8 and Daniel 9," in The ists, 1982), pp. 56-93. Shea' s book is one vol- Sanctuary and the Atonement, editor Arnold esty and spiritual commitment— ume in the Daniel and Revelation Committee Wallenkampf, (Washington, D.C.: Review and qualities that will not be lacking in series, compiled by the Biblical Research Insti- Herald Pub. Assn., 1981), p. 242. Cited in Sev- God's final remnant. • tute and available at Adventist Book Centers. enth-day Adventists Believe ..., p. 330, n. 40. Perhaps all Adventist pastors would do well to 9 Jacques Doukhan, "The Seventy Weeks purchase and read the gold mine of exegetical of Daniel 9: An Exegetical Study," Sanctuary information, particularly in volumes 1 through and the Atonement, p. 263f, n. 11. * Unless otherwise noted, all texts are from 5. Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon the New American Standard Bible. Ibid., p. 68f. to the Old Testament Scripture, trans. Samuel Ibid., pp. 92, 93. P. Tregelles (Grand Rapids: W. B. Eerdmans, ' See LeRoy E. Froom et al., Seventh-day 6 William H. Shea, "The Year-Day Prin- reprinted, 1950), p. 314. Cited in Seventh-Day Adventists Answer ciple in Prophecy," Pacific Union Recorder, Adventists Believe ..., p. 323. (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Sept. 22, 1980, p. 2. " Cited in , Daniel (Nash- Assn., 1957), pp. 309-316. See also chapters 4, notes that whereas "the ville: Southern Pub. Assn., 1978), p. 225. 12, and 23 in Seventh-day Adventists Believe... normal designation for 'vision' in Daniel is the ' 2 The Pulpit Commentary, ed. H.D.M. a Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doc- term hazon," the word used in 8:16 and 8:26, Spence (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1950), trines (Silver Spring, Md.: General Conference 27 is mar'eh. Significantly, it is mar'eh that Vol. XIII, p. 218. Ministerial Association, 1988). appears again in 9:23: "understand the vision." 13 Gleason L. Archer, Encyclopedia of Bible ' Put simply, "futurism" is the belief that "Different scholars have recognized a link be- Difficulties (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982). the bulk of Bible prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. tween chapters 8 and 9 because of the usage of See p. 290. At the opposite extreme, "preterism" teaches this term." (Gerhard F. Hasel, "The Audition 14 Questions on Doctrine, pp. 309-316. that most prophecies met their fulfillment in About the Sanctuary," in Frank B. Holbrook, 15 Ibid., p. 311. time past. "Historicism" holds that prophecy ed., Symposium on Daniel [Washington, D.C.: 16 Ibid., p. 312. Emphasis by author. has had an unfolding fulfillment throughout Biblical Research Institute, 1986], p. 437.) See '7 LeRoy E. Froom, The Prophetic Faith of history, leaving room for its grand culmination also Gerhard F. Hasel, "Revelation and Inter- Our Fathers (Washington, D.C.: Review and in the future coming of Christ. pretation in Daniel," Ministry, October 1974, Herald Pub. Assn., 1954), Vol. II, p. 688. Sec William H. Shea, Selected Studies on pp. 20-23. 18 Questions on Doctrine, p. 313.

Rekindle the Pioneers Fire

We are to repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew what it cost to search for truth as for hidden treasure, and who labored to lay the foundation of our work. Ellen G. White - RH 5/25/05, (CWE 28)

To help rekindle the flame we offer the following resources: • Words of the Pioneers - 24,000 pages on CD-ROM (for WINDOWS, DOS, or Mac), 1844 writings onwards. $350.00, plus $2.50 ship/hand.; CA residents add $27.10 sales tax. Overseas air: $350.00, plus $5.00 ship/hand. • The Great Second Advent Movement - J.N. Loughborough's eyewitness account of the SDA Church's founding. $14.00, plus $2 ship/hand.; CA residents add $1.09 sales tax. • Lest We Forget- a quarterly periodical, retelling the stories and doctrine of our pioneers. $7.50 (1 yr: 4 issues); $20.00 (3 yr: 12 issues); Complimentary issue available. 3rd Angel's Message, Message of Lisbon Sabbath/Sanc. Righteousness To order, write the Adventist Pioneer Library. End of 1260 Falling of Earthquake the Stars Truth by Faith Year Prophecy 1833 1755 1846-7 1888 1798 Adventist I I I I Pioneer 1831 1844 1863 P.O. Box 1844 1780 Wm Miller - Library Dark Day, 2nd Angel's SDA Church Loma Linda, CA 92354-0380 1st Angel's Organized Moon to Blood Message, Phone/FAX: (909) 824-1361 Message Great Disappiontrnent

18 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 According to the pattern

"According to all that I show you meaning and significance of the sanc- Roy Adams concerning the pattern of the taber- tuary message, I will address two prob- nacle, and of all its furniture, so you lems with the literalistic approach, shall make it" (Ex. 25:9, RSV). * and then offer an affirmation on the "They serve a copy and shadow of reality of the heavenly sanctuary. the heavenly sanctuary; for . . . [Moses] was instructed by God, say- Problem 1: the elusiveness of the ing, 'See that you make everything word "pattern" How shall we according to the pattern which was In Exodus 25:9 God commands shown you on the mountain"' (Heb. Moses to build a sanctuary according understand the 8:5, RSV). to the "pattern" (Hebrew tabnithY of what he had seen on Mount Sinai. At heavenly sanctuary? ow shall we understand these first glance this seems a rather straight- scriptures? Many Adventists forward statement, hardly needing any H insist that these passages in- interpretation. However, the situation dicate a one-on-one correspondence is not quite that simple. between the earthly sanctuary and the Let us briefly examine those pas- heavenly. In other words, a small table sages in Exodus that relate to building of shewbread in the earthly sanctuary after a pattern. When we do this against points to a huge or grander one in the the background of what I call "sancti- heavenly; a small incense altar here, a fied common sense," we begin to get large one there; and so on. an insight into the kind of freight that Some may feel that this literal the tabnith idea was not intended to understanding of the heavenly sanc- carry. tuary is completely harmless. But After its initial use in Exodus 25:9, doesn't it constitute a serious impedi- tabnith reappears in verse 40, at the ment in our sanctuary apologetics— end of an extended description of the that is, in the way we present the ark of the covenant, the table of doctrine to nonAdventists and even to shewbread, and the golden lamp- skeptics? More seriously, might it stands. Conceivably, someone might actually destroy the message God argue that these pieces of furniture, would have us present to people of perhaps because of their apparent el- every culture and of every intellec- egance, do possess sufficient dignity, tual or philosophical persuasion? Does so to speak, to be actually found in the Roy Adams, Ph.D., is extreme literalism help or hinder us an associate editor of heavenly sanctuary. Accordingly, this Adventist Review. in our attempt to focus people's atten- instance does not substantially help tion on what we all consider to be the the case we are trying to build. essence—the core—of the sanctuary The third occurrence of the pattern message? These are important ques- concept comes in Exodus 26:30. Here tions. Surely the meaning and signifi- God reminds Moses to erect the taber- cance of the pattern concept invites nacle "according to the plan [mishpat] our careful study. for it which has been shown you on To help us better understand the the mountain" (RSV). Although

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 19 mishpat (meaning "judgment" or cross. In the type a sharpened knife 1. For the author of Hebrews, the "rule"), rather than tabnith, is the slit the victim's throat; in the antitype, Hebrew term tabnith (used in Exodus term used in this text, the context the victim's throat was untouched, 25:40 and to which he refers as proof makes it absolutely clear that we are but His hands and feet were pierced of his assertion) is adequately ren- dealing with the same idea as in Exo- by Roman nails. The type reveals a dered by the Greek word typos ("pat- dus 25:9, 40. Mishpat here is equiva- hapless animal victim in the clutches tern," "model"), else he would obvi- lent to tabnith. of a priest; the antitype, the Son of ously not have employed it in transla- Notice now that the pattern idea God, Himself both the priest and vic- tion (see Heb. 8:5). follows a detailed description of the tim. In the type the blood beneath the 2. Typos, in turn, is properly cap- curtains of goats' hair, boards, sock- brazen altar flowed and touched its tured in the words hypodeigma and ets, and bars. At this point the sensi- pointed horns through priestly fin- skia, for the author uses these two tive mind begins to wonder about the gers; but no one cupped that crimson terms to explain the relationship be- validity of assuming the presence of stream that flowed at Calvary. tween the earthly and heavenly min- such mundane and purely contingent And so we may go on, if space istries, just as he does with typos in items in the heavenly sanctuary. permitted. The parallels are real, in- the same verse (Heb. 8:5). Further- The fourth occurrence of the "pat- deed, but the contrasts equally sharp more, my reading of the context leads tern" idea, however, gives our sancti- and pointed. Nothing in the type por- me to conclude that hypodeigma and fied common sense its first serious trayed the glory of that resurrection skia are used synonymously. jolt. Without the use this time of any morning when Christ, the cosmic vic- 3. This means that hypodeigma special term (like mishpat or tabnith) tim, rose in triumph from the grave, and skia, both together as well as the idea comes at the end of a descrip- alive forevermore with the keys of separately, are equivalents of typos. tion of the altar of burnt offerings. hell and death clutched tightly in His Thus we might properly substitute "And you shall make the altar of aca- nail-pierced hands! either word for typos in Hebrews 8:5 cia wood, five cubits long. . . . And The nature of the correspondence in translation of the Hebrew word you shall make its horns on its four between type and antitype in this par- tabnith. corners. . . . And you shall make its ticular case is very instructive. It raises If our reasoning so far is correct, pails for removing its ashes, and its the question as to whether the idea of then it is possible to go one step shovels and its basins and its forks pattern should not be understood pri- further. We will do this on the strength and its fire pans. . . . And you shall marily on a deeper functional and of a very significant contrast made in make for it a grating of network of theological level. Hebrews 10:1. Here the limitation of bronze, and on the net you shall make In this connection notice how the the law (of sacrifices) is based on the four bronze rings at its four corners. book of Hebrews handles the idea of fact that "it has only a shadow [skia] And you shall put it beneath, under pattern. In Hebrews 8:5 the author of the good things to come and not the the ledge of the altar, that the net may explains that the Levitical priests very form [eikon] of [those] things" reach halfway up the altar. And you served "a copy [hypodeigma] and (NASB). So the author puts skia and shall make poles for the altar.... You shadow [skia]" of heavenly things— eikon in sharp contrast. shall make it hollow with planks; as it an obvious reference, it would seem, Eikon, here meaning "form" or was shown to you in the mountain, so to Exodus 25:40, in which God en- "appearance,"3 is the word the New they shall make it" (Ex. 27:1-8, joined Moses to construct the taber- Testament uses to translate the He- NASB).+ nacle and all its appurtenances "ac- brew tselem (image), a word describ- It seems reasonable to conclude cording to the pattern [typos in He- ing the physical and spiritual corre- here that though the instruments just brews] which was shown you on the spondence between God and man in described followed the pattern given mountain" (Heb. 8:5, RSV). the beginning, or between father and to Moses on the mountain, such an So here three terms have been in- son (see Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:3; cf. 1 Cor. altar, with its accessories, is not to be troduced: hypodeigma, skia, and ty- 11:7; 15:49). It is a strong word and found in the heavens. This conclusion pos. How are we to understand them? has even been employed to describe is confirmed by the actual outwork- Hypodeigma generally means "ex- the relationship between Christ and ing of the antitype. Calvary, as it must ample," "model," "pattern." Here in the Father (see Col. 1:15; cf. 2 Cor. be clear to all Christians, represents our passage it has the sense of "copy" 4:4). But however strong the word, no the antitypical altar of burnt offer- or "imitation." Skia signifies a careful Bible student would attempt ings. It is there our Lord was offered "shadow," or a "foreshadowing." Ty- to draw a portrait of God based on His up, but how different in physical form pos is translated "pattern" or "model."' reflection in humanity—or even in it was from its typical counterpart! More could be said about the mean- the earthly Jesus. A spiritual instinct In the type we see a sacred court- ings of these terms, but context is deters us from such a precarious com- yard ringed with curtains; in the more important, for it shows how the parison. antitype, the naked, unconsecrated hill author himself understood and used The point is this: If a spiritual of Calvary. In the type, an altar made these expressions. The context makes instinct deters us from dogmatizing of bronze; in the antitype, a wooden the following points evident: even where we have a strong (eikon)

20 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 THERE'S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO PROCLAIM AN END TIME MESSAGE TEMPERANCE

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Special, box lots to churches at cost by calling toll free number correspondence, how much stronger Jerusalem Temple notices certain played palm trees, flowers, lions, and ought to be the deterrence when there structural and decorative dissimilari- oxen (see 1 Kings 6:18, 20-22, 29-32, is only a skia (or a typos or an ties between it and the wilderness 35; 7:29, cf. Ex. 26:1). hypodeigma) relationship! tabernacle. Among these are: 6. One of the courts of the Jerusa- No wonder the apostle refers to the 1.The Jerusalem Temple contained lem Temple contained a large bronze earthly tabernacle service as a par- at least two courts, not just one, as in sea, or tank, standing on the backs of able (parabole) of the present high- the wilderness tabernacle (see 2 Kings 12 bronze oxen that faced each of the priestly ministry of Christ (Heb. 9:9). 21:5; 23:12; 2 Chron. 4:9; 1 Kings four directions of the compass. We do Like a parable, the typical symbol- 6:36; Jer. 36:10; cf. Ex. 27:9). (There not find this in the wilderness taber- isms should not be made to "walk on were a "great court" [see 2 Chron. nacle. Also, the Temple court housed all fours," especially when we re- 4:9] to which all the people had ac- 10 movable layers instead of just one, member that the book of Hebrews cess and an "inner court" or "court of as in the case of the tabernacle (see 1 reasons principally by contrast and the priests" or "upper court" [see 1 Kings 7:23-39; cf. Ex. 30:18, 24). less by comparison. This means that Kings 6:36; 2 Chron. 4:9; Jer. 36:10, 7. At the entrance to Solomon's the movement is from the new to the RSV] which was mainly for the priests Temple stood two huge stone pillars old as much as, or even more than, and Levites.) called Jachin and Boaz, crowned with from the old to the new. To put it 2. There was only one entrance to lilies (see 1 Kings 7:21, 22; 2 Chron. another way, we should struggle to the court in the wilderness tabernacle, 3:15-17). Solomon "made chains like show not how much things in heaven whereas six gates led into the pre- a necklace and put them on the tops of resemble those on earth but how dif- cincts of the Jerusalem Temple (see 1 the pillars with a hundred pomegran- ferent and inferior things on earth are Chron. 9:18; Jer. 26:10; 36:10; 2 Kings ates on the chains." I have not seen when set against the heavenly reality 15:35; cf. Ex. 27:16). any speculation on the theological or archetype. 3. The wilderness tabernacle was a significance of these pillars, but they It calls for enlightened com- constituted one of the most mon sense to understand that noticeable differences from the certain things follow from the wilderness tabernacle. Old concept of pattern and that other Let us resist the temptation Testament scholar William things do not. And what makes iSahea suggests that these pil- the task of discriminating most to subject every scriptural rs had cressets (metallic ves- frustrating at times is that there sels) at the top for light—some- are no fixed hermeneutical (in- symbolism to scientific thing that the wilderness tab- terpretational) rules to follow. analysis. ernacle did not need, blessed This should not surprise us. as it was with miraculous di- A large part of the continuing vine light.' relevance and appeal of certain To these dissimilarities may cardinal truths in Scripture (the atone- collapsible, mobile tent. Solomon's be added numerous other items of ment, for instance) lie precisely in the Temple, for the obvious reason that lesser significance that, when com- figurative language through which Israel was now fully settled in the bined with the obvious difference in they have been revealed to us, lan- land, was a palatial stone edifice (see the appearance of the two structures— guage that often allows them to tran- 1 Kings 6:7; cf. Ex. 26:1, 7)—which one a lowly tent, the other an ornate scend temporal, cultural, and even gives us, perhaps, another obvious palatial edifice—make for something conceptual barriers. Let us, then, re- reason for not pressing too hard on the that cannot simply be brushed aside sist the temptation, springing from a correspondence between the earthly by those wishing to maintain a strictly misguided desire for scientific preci- and heavenly sanctuaries. The one literal interpretation of building "ac- sion, to subject every scriptural sym- existed on earth; the other exists in cording to the pattern." bolism to scientific analysis. heaven! Yet we must not forget that the Thus it would be inappropriate to 4. The wilderness tabernacle con- Jerusalem Temple, like the wilder- look for a mathematical, one-on-one tained one lampstand on the south ness tabernacle, was built according correspondence between the earthly side and one table of shewbread on to a heavenly pattern. "Then David type and the heavenly reality. The the north. By contrast, the Jerusalem gave to his son Solomon the plan of word "pattern" cannot carry the freight Temple contained 10 lampstands and the porch of the temple, its buildings, with which many try to burden it. 10 tables of shewbread—and on both its storehouses, its upper rooms, its sides, north and south, or left and inner rooms, and the room for the Problem 2: dissimilarities between right (see 2 Chron. 4:7, 8). mercy seat; and the plan of all that he the wilderness tabernacle and the 5. Like the wilderness tabernacle, had in mind, for the courts of the Jerusalem Temple the whole Temple interior was adorned house of the Lord. . . 'All this,' said Even the casual reader browsing with figures of cherubim. In addition, David, 'the Lord made me understand through the biblical description of the however, the Temple interior dis- in writing by His hand upon me, all

22 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 the details of this pattern [tabnith] ' " On this point we draw attention to proach is to concentrate on the theo- (1 Chron. 28:11-19, NASB). certain basic ingredients that charac- logical signification, rather than on Commenting on this, Ellen G. terized all three representations of the the structural specification. White says that "David gave Solomon sanctuary, regardless of other vari- This means that we do not look for minute directions for building the ants. Among these: heavenly counterparts for the boards temple, with patterns of every part, a. All three (the tabernacle, and loops and sockets and grills and and of all its instruments of service, Solomon's Temple, and Ezekiel's basins and the numerous other para- as had been revealed to him by divine ideal temple) faced the same direc- phernalia that formed part of the inspiration."' tion of the compass, namely, east (see earthly sanctuary complex. We do not Moreover, we are sure that Solo- Ex. 17:9-16; Lev. 16:14; Num. 3:38; indulge in speculation regarding the mon's builders, though contracted 2 Chron. 4:10; Eze. 8:16). significance of the kinds of animal from a heathen nation, followed the b. Each one contained three basic skins used to cover the wilderness divine blueprint, as evidenced by divisions: (1) the court; (2) the holy tabernacle, no more than we pontifi- God's impressive demonstration of place; and (3) the Most Holy Place. cate on the theological meaning of approval at the dedication of the c. The basic decoration in all three the stones of Solomon's Temple. Temple. He filled it with the cloud of was the same: the figures of cherubim As I concentrate on the theologi- His glory, "so that the priests could adorned the interior walls. cal significance of the broad physical not stand to minister because of the d. The basic equipment and furni- aspects of the sanctuary, I have found cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled ture in each were the same—in the it helpful to think of its three basic the house of God" (2 Chron. 5:14, courtyard: the altar of burnt offer- divisions and the ritual associated with NASB). ings; in the holy place: the lamp- them as pointing to the three funda- The point, then, is this: If both the stand(s), table(s) of shewbread, and mental phases or dimensions of the wilderness tabernacle and the Jerusa- the incense altar; in the Most Holy plan of salvation, namely, atonement, lem Temple were constructed accord- Place: the sacred ark, overshadowed intercession, and judgment. The court- ing to the heavenly pattern, how can by the golden cherubim. yard, with its slain sacrifice on the "pattern" be understood in a strictly e. In each one the Most Holy Place bronze altar, signified atonement and literal sense when in so many details was a perfect cube. pointed, in particular, to the great the two structures exhibited such strik- We should look, then, to these transaction at the cross. The holy ing dissimilarities? And the situation basic structural features when seek- place, with its incense on the golden becomes even more complex when ing to draw out some of the theologi- altar, signified intercession, com- we take into account the further varia- cal meanings of the tabernacle/ mencing at Christ's ascension and tions and developments indicated in Temple. continuing to the end of human pro- Ezekiel's ideal Temple (see Eze. 40:1- 2. The physical appearance of the bation. The Most Holy Place, the fo- 43:27).6 earthly tabernacle/Temple gives us cus of the great annual Day of Atone- Now, it may be argued that if God no warrant to dogmatize on the physi- ment (Yom Kippur), typified the gave "blueprints" to both Moses and cal appearance of the heavenly origi- antitypical day of judgment, com- David, regardless of differences, the nal. It would seem that the safer ap- mencing in 1844, and ending with the details in both should be considered important. This is true. But at the very least such differences ought to steer The three fundamental dimensions of salvation us away from dogmatizing about the portrayed in the sanctuary exact appearance of the heavenly sanc- tuary based on our knowledge of the earthly. Surely a large number of the differences in detail are purely con- tingent, related to time and place and circumstances—the lights of Jachin and Boaz, for example. These would have replaced the supernatural light (Ex. 40:34-38) of the wilderness tab- ernacle.

So what does "pattern" mean? Thus the evidence leads us to the following preliminary conclusions: Judgment Intercession Atonement 1. It is not the structural details of (with intercession continuing (Cross to 1844) (Cross ) the tabernacle/Temple that are most —1844 to close of probation) important. Rather, it is the basic plan. ATONEMENT

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These Review and Herald® books are available at your local Adventist Book Center. Call 1-800-765-6955. Note: Canadian prices do not include GST and may vary according to currency fluctuation. final eradication of sin and evil from it does not follow that the members of in heaven. In other words, this earth is the universe. the church grow wool." 8 the outer court of the heavenly sanc- And all three of these together "When a physicist is investigating tuary, as Ellen White states: "Type constitute Atonement with a capital something which lies beyond his di- met antitype in the death of Christ, A, so to speak (see diagram). rect experience, he ordinarily uses as the Lamb slain for the sins of the a crutch some more familiar object, world. Our great High Priest has made Affirming the heavenly sanctuary sufficiently similar, to provide him the only sacrifice that is of any value Now to the crucial question: how with reference points. . . . [Models] . in our salvation. When He offered should we picture the heavenly sanc- . . schematic in nature . . . are not Himself on the cross, a perfect atone- tuary? intended to be replicas. They are re- ment was made for the sins of the We have sufficient biblical war- alities having a sufficiently functional people. We are now standing in the rant to make the categorical state- correspondence with the object under outer court, waiting and looking for ment that there is a sanctuary in study so that they provide conceptual that blessed hope, the glorious ap- heaven, after whose ministry the tools and vocabulary."' pearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus earthly was patterned (see Heb. 8:1, In line with this approach, I sug- Christ."' 2; 9:1-12; cf. Rev. 11:19; 16:1). In gest we should not conceive of the If we draw an arrow from the an- fact, the earthly sanctuary was simply earthly sanctuary as a scale reproduc- cient typical courtyard, ringed by cur- a shadow. The real sanctuary is in tion or replica of the heavenly reality. tains, to its antitypical fulfillment, we heaven, as Hebrews 8:1, 2 makes clear. Rather the relationship ought to be see the open expanse of Golgotha. If In the words of William Johnsson: seen primarily in terms of "functional we draw an arrow from the brazen "While [the author of Hebrews] does correspondence." The earthly pro- altar, with its fire pans in the ancient not enter upon a description of courtyard, to its anti—typical ful- the heavenly sanctuary and lit- fillment, we see a Roman gib- urgy, his language suggests sev- bet, an uplifted cross. If we draw eral important conclusions. an arrow from the typical ani- First, he holds to their reality.. Beautiful correspondences mal victim, burnt on the altar, . . Real deity, real humanity, to its antitypical fulfillment, we real priesthood—and, we may everywhere, but they are see a human figure, the Son of add, a real ministry in a real/ spiritual and theological God, with arms extended— sanctuary." 7 That question is bleeding, dying, laid within a settled so far as I am concerned. —not physical and tomb, without broken bones or The issue is, rather, the kind burning. Beautiful correspon- of correspondence we should mechanical. dences everywhere, but they are reasonably expect between the spiritual and theological—not earthly sanctuary and the heav- physical and mechanical. enly. With this as a prime example, vides us with "conceptual tools and we can approach, conceptually, the Understanding images, figures, vocabulary," allowing us to speak rest of the heavenly sanctuary. We symbols about the unspeakable, to compre- cannot know precisely what is present It is generally admitted, though hend the incomprehensible, however or what is not present there, but the the full implications are not always dimly. kind of fulfillment we see in respect appreciated, that God speaks to us in to the courtyard should restrain any human language and that more often Applying the lesson tendency toward extreme literalism. than not, heavenly realities can be In studying the meaning and im- Should we expect to find an altar of made intelligible to us only by means plications of the word "pattern," we burnt offerings in the heavenly of images, figures, and symbols. singled out for special mention the temple? Not at all. For a Roman cross Avery Dulles expresses this point one aspect of the ancient sanctuary was that antitypical altar. in a helpful way: Theologians, and service—the ritual in the courtyard— Nor should we expect to find biblical interpreters in general, ought that found its antitypical fulfillment shewbread there from some heavenly to keep in mind "that images are use- right here on earth, before our very bakery. No, the earthly shewbread ful up to a point, and beyond that eyes, so to speak. And we drew the "pointed to Christ, the living Bread, point they can become deceptive." obvious conclusion that though there who is ever in the presence of God for For example, when we call the church was similarity in many details, there us." " We should not expect to find a the flock of Christ, we must be aware were also glaring dissimilarities. lampstand, but rather Him who is the that "certain things follow and others The antitypical courtyard turned Light of the world. We should not do not. It may follow, for instance, out to be Calvary, an unconsecrated expect to find incense burning upon that the sheep (i.e., the faithful) hear place—not the courtyard of the earthly the altar, but rather Him whose merits the voice of their master (Christ), but temple, let alone an enclosure located and intercession and perfect righteous-

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 25 ness were represented thereby.'2 We Three (the most serious of the sig- system. We see it through a glass should not expect to find metallic nals) had been hoisted! colored by the ministry for the eradi- cherubim overshadowing a metallic No, there is reality—tangible real- cation of sin. box in an inner shrine, but rather the ity—back of the biblical figures and We should realize, however, that throne of the living God Himself, symbols. this function is only temporary— founded on justice and mercy, and When you stop to think about it, scheduled to end when the plan of surrounded by throngs of shining an- how many sentences can we make salvation is finally finished. Perhaps gels who attend Him. about salvation without using this is the meaning of Revelation The , when re- figurative speech? As Jesus peered 21:22: "And I saw no temple in the ferring to the heavenly sanctuary, of- through the darkness into the face of city, for its temple is the Lord God the ten refers to furniture and other para- Nicodemus, He said to him: "Ye must Almighty and the Lamb" (RSV). The phernalia associated with the earthly be born again" (John 3:7). Under- sanctuary, however, as the seat of sanctuary (see Rev. 5:8; 11:19). These standing (or deliberately misunder- God's government and His celestial familiar objects are used as codes— standing) Him literally, Nicodemus dwelling place, will continue through- pointers—to focus our attention to proceeded to raise scientific ques- out eternity. the heavenly archetype. They say to tions about the impossibility of a That is why I do not visualize an us, "Look, we are now talking about grown man reentering his mother's empty heavenly sanctuary. The throne the heavenly sanctuary." But we womb. Again and again the Master of God, in whatever form, is there, needn't insist that these actual ob- Teacher reached for figures and simi- surrounded by multitudes of angels. jects are present there—no more than les to describe the kingdom of God. Best of all—from our standpoint, we are to imagine the presence of an at least—our All-sufficient High actual lamb in heaven with its throat Need for calm assurance Priest, Jesus Christ Himself, is there! slit and bleeding, as we might other- If human speech in general and the He fills it full! He stands before the wise be led to assume from Revela- language of salvation in particular are throne of God for us! And that's tion 5:6. Or that there are "souls" filled with figures and similes and enough for me! ■ under an altar in the heavenly sanctu- metaphors, why is there the tendency ary (Rev. 6:9). to become nervous and to insist on We should recognize the richness literalism when the heavenly sanctu- of biblical figures and symbols and ary comes up for discussion? What not confuse them with the reality they we need to keep in mind is that behind This article is adapted from chapters 3 portray. all the figures, symbols, and meta- and 4 of the author's book The Sanctuary phors are powerful theological truths (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald Pub. No denial of tangible reality and real tangible reality. Assn., 1993). To say something is figurative or There are some, however, who, ' In Numbers 8:4 the Hebrew word is nonliteral is not to deny that there is without saying it out loud, perceive marceh, which means a "view" or "appear- palpable reality behind it. When I the heavenly sanctuary as a building ance." lived in the Philippines, one or more that God erected on some vacant lot in 2 See W. F. Arndt and F. W. Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament typhoons would touch down there heaven (to put it crassly) following and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: every year. Whenever one was ap- the entrance of sin on earth so that University of Chicago Press, 1957 and 1979)., proaching the capital, we would hear Jesus can minister in it. Such a con- s.v. hypodeigma, skia, and typos. the radio announcer say that "Public ception is harmless enough, perhaps, 3 Ibid., s.v. eikon. Personal note in my files. Storm Signal Number One [or Two, but I doubt we would consider it wor- Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets or Three] has been hoisted over Ma- thy of serious spiritual reflection. It (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. nila." tends to make typical and unreal what Assn., 1890), p. 751. So far as I know, no one ever went is antitypical and real. We are not For a description and artist's diagram of Ezekiel's Temple, see Seventh-day Adventist searching for the storm signals—not dealing with pointers and symbols Bible Dictionary (Hagerstown, Md.: Review even children. Everyone understood anymore, but with the real thing. and Herald Pub. Assn., 1979), pp. 1098, 1099. that the reference to the hoisting of a I prefer to see the heavenly sanctu- It has been referred to as Ezekiel's "ideal temple" because, though he saw it in vision, it storm signal is merely a way of indi- ary as the dwelling place of God, the was never built. cating the approach of a potentially seat of His government, the nerve William Johnsson, In Absolute Confi- dangerous storm and alerting listen- center of the universe. As such, it has dence: the Book of Hebrews Speaks to Our Day ers to its intensity. always existed. (Nashville: Southern Pub. Assn., 1979), p. 91. s Avery Dulles, Models of the Church (Gar- Pity the person who, knowing the But with the fall of humanity it den City, New York: Doubleday and Co., Inc., language to be figurative, thought assumed an added function, namely, 1974), p. 20. there was nothing real or tangible to the solution of the cosmic rebellion 9 Ibid., p. 21. and the security of the universe. It is Ellen G. White, in Signs of the Times, June worry about and proceeded to take his 28, 1899. (Italics supplied.) family out for a sail on Manila Bay in this sense that we picture it when " , Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 354. after Public Storm Signal Number we think of the ancient sacrificial 12 Ibid., pp. 353, 354.

26 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994

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eventh-day Adventists find in 7:22, 26, 27) and the little horn that is Norman R. Gulley both Daniel and Revelation evi- destroyed (see Dan. 7:11-14; Rev. 19: Sdence for their unique doctrine 11-21). This is the outworking in his- of a pre-Advent investigative judg- tory of the double verdict of Calvary. ment. "Pre-Advent" denotes its time; Internal contextual evidence in "investigative" denotes its method. Daniel, beyond chapter 7, seems also Unfortunately, many members seem to support this double verdict. Thus, to consider the pre-Advent judgment the deliverance (shezab, Dan. 3:17, We must view the as anything but good news, even 28; 6:16, 20; netsal 3:29; 6:14; malat, though the first angel's message places 12:1) of Daniel from the lions' den pre-Advent the judgment in the context of the and of his three friends, from the fiery "eternal gospel" (Rev. 14:6).* They furnace gives insight into the escha- judgment in light of apparently consider the judgment tological deliverance of those who the cross, Christ's apart from its relation to the little have their names written in the book horn in Daniel and apart from its roots (sepher, Dan. 12:1), which is the book intercession, and the in the cross, its relation to Christ's used in the pre-Advent judgment (see intercession, and its outworking in Dan. 7:10). Escalation from local de- outcome of Armageddon. liverances to a universal deliverance Armageddon. The everlasting gospel is the truth is involved.' about Calvary. If "the sacrifice of The historical deliverances of Christ as an atonement for sin is the God's people also included destruc- great truth around which all other tion of their enemies both at the fiery truths cluster" and if "in order to be furnace (see Dan. 3:22) and in the rightly understood and appreciated, lions' den (Dan. 6:24).4 Likewise, the every truth in the Word of God, from eschatological deliverance of the Genesis to Revelation, must be stud- saints has its counterpart in the de- ied in the light that streams from the struction of their enemy (little horn; cross of Calvary,"' then Calvary must see Dan. 7:26, 27).5 give us insight into the pre-Advent judgment. No subsequent judgment Good news about the judgment calls into question the judgment of No New Testament book develops Calvary; neither does it subtract from so completely the post-Resurrection nor does it add to, but only reveals and ministry of Christ as does Hebrews. applies, what was completed there. Christ's intercession for His people is Judgment day is revealed by Cal- a part of Christ's better ministry as Norman R. Gulley, compared with that of Old Testament Ph.D., is professor of vary.' Jesus said of the cross, "Now is systematic theology the time for judgment on this world; priests, even as His better sacrifice at Southern College now the prince of this world will be was better than the multiple cultic of Seventh-day driven out" (John 12:31; cf. Rev. 12:9- sacrifices. Examination of the records Adventists, College- dale, Tennessee. 13). Calvary judgment means ulti- (see Dan. 7:10) is only one side of the mate deliverance for God's people judgment. The other is the interces- and destruction of their enemy. In the sion, or advocacy, of Christ (cf. 1 pre-Advent judgment it is God's Tim. 2:5 with; 1 John 2:1). Christ is people who are delivered (see verses there in the presence of God on our

28 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 behalf (huper hemon, Heb.9:24), Joshua had nothing to recommend vides us an invitation to focus on where He is able to save fully him. He simply stood there with utter Christ rather than upon our character, (panteles, Heb. 7:25), for He is ever faith in God alone. on His judgment rather than upon living to intercede (pantote zon eis to "Zechariah's vision of Joshua and ours, and on His perfection rather entugchanein huper auton, verse 7:25). the Angel applies with peculiar force than upon our own. The first angel's This is the Advocate-Intercessor to the experience of God's people in message calls God's people to wor- portrayed in Zechariah 3, where the the closing up of the great day of ship and glorify Christ in the judg- cosmic/great controversy dimensions atonement."' Therefore Zechariah 3 ment hour (see Rev. 14:7). If some of the pre-Advent judgment come into is a type of the pre-Advent judgment. Seventh-day Adventists continue to focus. Joshua, representative of God's As Satan accused Joshua, Christ' said: focus on their own perfection, their people, was in dire need. While he " 'Take off his filthy clothes.' Then own works, then they are no better was dressed in filthy garments, Satan he said to Joshua, 'See, I have taken than the little horn that deflects atten- accused him (see verses 3:1-3). away your sin, and I will put rich tion away from Christ to itself. How Zechariah's vision sees a law court garments on you' " (verse 4). Oh, the much longer will Christ delay His scene with an accuser and a Defender wonder of salvation! No doubt Joshua coming in order to let people give up of the convicted. Joshua is referred to exclaimed words such as these: "I on themselves and come only to Him? as "a burning stick snatched from the delight greatly in the Lord; my soul God is waiting for His people to be fire" (verse 2). Keil and Delitzsch rejoices in my God. For he has clothed like Zechariah. For 150 years He has note that "the fire out of which Joshua me with garments of salvation and waited for people to understand the had been saved like a brand was the arrayed me in a robe of righteous- essence of the gospel in this judgment captivity, in which both Joshua and ness" (Isa. 61:10). It is precisely this hour. He waits for His people to look the nation had been brought to the Intercessor-Advocate who comes to beyond judgment to an Intercessor, to verge of destruction." view in Hebrews, for Christ did not grasp the judgment as part of the They had deserved the captivity finish His intercession when the judg- everlasting gospel, to see judgment as because of their rebellion against God ment began—He continues it, as dem- being as much a gift as Calvary and (see Deut. 28:36-64; 29:25-28), who onstrated by Zechariah's vision. It Armageddon. That truth will set them gave them over to their captors (see should also be remembered that the free (see John 8:32) to take the good Dan. 1:1, 2). They had nothing to typical daily morning and evening news to a dying world. Christ waits recommend them save their utter need. sacrifices were also offered on the for this, not willing for any to perish This could also be said of the back- Day of Atonement. (see 2 Peter 3:9). slidden Christians to whom Hebrews Saints pass the judgment because is addressed. Both the Jews of the Focusing on Christ they are different from the little horn. captivity and the Christian Jews read- The end-time remnant needs to They do not speak great words against ing Hebrews had rebelled like the capture the full impact of Zechariah Christ, nor magnify themselves, nor little horn. It is precisely for people and Hebrews relative to the continu- persecute the saints, nor think to who have sinned but who realize their ing intercession-advocacy of the con- change God's times and laws, nor put need—the little horn never does— quering Christ during the pre-Advent themselves in Christ's place, casting that Christ intercedes. So Joshua stood judgment. Their focus must be on His truth to the ground (see Dan. 7 accused by Satan, and with clothing Christ and not on themselves. Revela- and 8). They reflect Christ in their to prove the charges correct. tion describes the judgment hour saints living. Satan "presents their sins be- Joshua was desperate. Here he was as worshiping Christ as their Creator fore them to discourage them. He is at the judgment bar and yet clothed in (see Rev. 14:7), realizing that just as constantly seeking occasion against sin. Later, Christ would speak of the He brought them into this world, so those who are trying to obey God. king coming in to inspect the guests only He can get them into the next Even their best and most acceptable and finding "a man there who was not world.' End-time saints are pictured services he seeks to make appear cor- wearing wedding clothes" (Matt. as naked (see Rev. 3:18), just as Adam rupt. By countless devices, the most 22:11). That man evidently thought and Eve at the Fall (see Gen. 3:7, 10, subtle and the most cruel, he endeav- he could make it on his own in the 21). No fig leaves, or human works, ors to secure their condemnation. Man judgment, that he was good enough, can supply the need. Only the slain cannot meet these charges himself. In that his garments would suffice, that Lamb can supply the covering; only his sin-stained garments, confessing his life record was sufficient. But he the robe of Christ's righteousness (see his guilt, he stands before God. But was thrown out (verse 22:13). Unlike Isa. 61:10; Rev. 6:11), the wedding Jesus our Advocate presents an effec- this man, Joshua apparently knew his garment supplied by the Lord (see tual plea in behalf of all who by re- need and could look only to God for Matt. 22:11, 12), will suffice. The pentance and faith have committed help. Had not God led Israel back prodigal son needs the best robe to the keeping of their souls to Him. He from Babylonian captivity just as He replace his tattered rags (see Luke pleads their cause and vanquishes their had out of Egypt? Could He not res- 15:22). accuser by the mighty arguments of cue him and them spiritually, too? Properly understood, 1844 pro- Calvary." 10

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 29 Heart of the judgment at the cross. Calvary moves inexora- spondence is seen, the implications of the cross to We now find ourselves at the heart bly to the deliverance of God's people understanding the pre-Advent judgment need to be explored. of what is happening in the pre-Ad- and the destruction of their enemies, 3 The deliverance from Babylonian captiv- vent judgment, and for that matter, because both were accomplished by ity, after the 70 years, can be thought of as a type what will continue in the millennial Christ on the cross. It is by the author- of the call to come out of Babylon. in Revelation 14 and 18. and postmillennial judgments (see ity of Calvary that Christ delivers His If looked at sequentially, the destruction Rev. 20:7-15). God, being omniscient, saints and destroys Satan and all their came first before the deliverance in the fiery does not need these judgments for His enemies in the coming battle of Ar- furnace incident, and the reverse in the lions' den own sake (see Ps. 33:13-15; 56:8; mageddon (see Rev. 19:14-21). This experience. Although the typology should not be overly pushed, there is correspondence in the 139:2; Isa. 44:28; 46:9, 10; Mal. 3:16; will be the pre-Advent implementa- double result of deliverance-destruction between Matt. 10:29, 30; Acts 15:8; Rom. tion of the judgment verdict. these two historical events and the result of the 11:33; Eph. 3:10). "The Lord knows We must understand Satan's strat- pre-Advent judgment. It would appear that these those who are his" (2 Tim. 2:19). He egy. What he has done on a general historical events give some insight into the result of the apocalyptic pre-advent judgment, which is holds these judgments for the benefit level, in deflecting attention from the climaxed in the deliverance of the saints and the of created beings." In the pre-Advent authentic heavenly sanctuary service destruction of their enemies in Dan. 12:1 (cf. Rev. judgment the universe is looking at to his counterfeit earthly priesthood 16-19). Hans LaRondelle rightly sees that "the his- the records of human works, good and (little horn), he is doing on the per- torical narratives of Daniel's own experiences in bad (see Dan. 7:10). But more than sonal level by deflecting attention Babylon and Persia carry also typological signifi- that, they are looking to see whether away from humanity's only Substi- cance for the end-time." (Journal of Evangelical individuals have accepted or rejected tute to humans themselves. Looking Theological Society, 32/3 [1989]: p. 345). See Hans LaRondelle, Chariots of Salvation (Wash- the saving work that Jesus did for to an earthly priesthood or to our own ington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn. 1987), them on the cross.12 Their relation to personhood equally deflects the gaze pp. 155-157. the substitutionary judgment of the away from Christ. C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, Vol. X, p. 252. Covenant Saviour is determinative (cf. There is wondrous good news in Ellen G. White. Testimonies for the Church John 16:26, 27). the pre-Advent judgment. It does not (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., It is precisely that, and nothing stand by itself but is surrounded by 1948), vol. 5, p. 472. else, that determines personal des- Calvary before it, Christ's interces- s The "angel of the Lord" (Zech. 3:1) is the Michael of Daniel 12:1. or Jesus Christ (cf. Jude tiny. God is not asking us to be preoc- sion in it, and Armageddon beyond it. 9; Rev. 12:7-11). cupied with our own perfection, but In all three events Christ works con- 9 Compare Ellen G. White's first vision in with His. It is His garment of righ- sistently for His people and against which she saw that only those who kept their eyes on Jesus made it up the path to heaven. Those teousness that we need. So the pre- their enemies. (This is why the little taking their gaze away from Him fell to the world Advent judgment is Christ-centered horn is investigated in the judgment below (Early Writings [Washington, D.C.: Re- and not humanity-centered." It is not and receives the judgment verdict in view and Herald Pub. Assn.. 1945], pp. 14, 15). so much what individuals have or Armageddon.) In all three events '9 White, Testimonies, pp. 470, 471. " All nonhuman created beings plus the few have not done per se that is decisive.' Christ is "the same yesterday and human representatives in heaven (of whom are Rather it is whether they have ac- today and forever" (Heb. 13:8). What Enoch, Elijah and Moses, and the 24 elders of cepted or rejected what Christ has Christ accomplished on the cross is Revelation 4 and 5) witness the pre-Advent in- done for them when He was judged in simply unfolding in all subsequent vestigation, all the redeemed witness the millennial investigation and all the lost witness their place at the cross (see John 12:31). salvation history, including the pre- the postmillennial judgment. In this way all intel- It is also true that the judgment has Advent judgment. This is why the ligent created beings participate in the evaluation as much to do with the vindication of "hour of his judgment" (Rev. 4:7) is of God's judgments, and find Him to be just (Rev. 15:3). The issue in the great controversy, calling God as with the vindication of His part of the "eternal gospel" (verse 6). in question the justice of God, is thus answered. followers. If God wants to open Him- In this judgment hour it is our '' This involves clinging not only to Calvary self up for investigation, then that is crucified Saviour who "is able to save but to the Crucified's continuing intercession His choice. He does it to win the trust completely those who come to God with its benefits from the cross. 13 If the pre-Advent judgment is merely look- of the redeemed and the unfallen be- through him, because he always lives ing at what humans have done, and the scriptural ings so that sin will never arise again. to intercede for them" (Heb. 7:25).■ principle "By beholding we become changed'" is So the judgment is for the benefit of applied (see 2 Cor. 3:18, KJV; Ellen G. White, Christ's Object Lessons [Washington, D.C.: Re- all created beings, not just God's hu- view and Herald Pub. Assn., 1941], p. 355), then man followers. This is the breadth of Unless otherwise noted, Scripture passages a millennium of poring over bad works would be the eternal gospel context of the judg- in this article are from the New International dangerous. I believe that the judgment had far ment. So the judgment is as much Version. more to do with observing how patiently Christ worked for each person than where many turned good news as the gospel! ' Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers (Washing- Him down, and so is far more Christ-centered The judgment does not repudiate ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1948), than human-centered. Calvary. It is the Crucified who inter- p. 315. "4 Throughout eternity "both the redeemed cedes for us. The pre-Advent judg- 2 Scholars rightly find in Calvary the antitype and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of of the typical Day of Atonement (Lev. 16), but Christ their science and their song" (Ellen G. ment is part of the unfolding in salva- almost all fail to see further correspondence in a White, [Mountain View, Ca- tion history of what was accomplished pre-Advent judgment. Once the additional cone- lif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1940], pp. 19, 20.).

30 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 RNIN UEAKS

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out eas, th awn, iP ye not remad d C0,2"4 orn sabbath trays'bt ‘'' La4,4 i..aad arTgtgeT4e,.„ the The Best it 5a5 unto. you =4._ Thing 'to oat u,, is 'one greater than the 1.4'tlta if ye had known wi.„:".A• a* I will have ituet,....,t this ce, ye would not d the guiltless have h. the Son of man 6 Since . -" Lord eU the Sabbath day When he was de wain into their p arted behold, kietthr4; tmke,4 44d his hand veitar II Getting Into the Word helps the reader askedhealon Wm' sa thewying Is • they' Might accuse iw grapple with a portion of Scripture and . e amp respond to thought-provoking questions. Exploring the Word contains the author's amplification of the main themes found in that introchicin passage. THE ABUNDANT LIFE Applying the Word provides insights into BIBLE AMPLIFIER ways Scripture*is cableto ow- lives, and the , The first of its kind and the'best, Bible-study 'system • Researching the Word/Further Study of .you7ye ever owned. "the Word sections at the end of each chapter! furnish 'exercises and suggestions for more in depth study. oday's Christian owns -11111 Spacious margins, easy-to-read more Bibl&study helps than anyone in history But despite all the tools, 111131,V,•04PL,IFIF.12--MATTVIEW B many still don't get much out of 1 90 • Getting Into the Word their time in God's Word. Here noott. cs. Thewnethe w :11-eomons1"twoin5 yotrr ma at last is a truly fresh approac roondewughquistleso i sonig9issual:ritth to Bible study that will put out: th.cad foinn:owl . rrscutihsth, book. sesbctior.tonpeo the theme meaning and freshness back lb0Thoneoeacb, in n:uinemchiapp:Leac into your "quiet time." L. Po in 18 21' that holdthe Mis relotionship enamor v'eetheer.n benv . Peter's question times versions on . Seven years in the makii Explaind the parable duit begins in 18:23.Bible flow many 2. i does our.. shouldpoint. Iv,Ading fitrOve? to COagter Compare 6,valiens what difference,: ..,.. rt the Abundant Life Bible question of bow forgi.1..g W. of a concordance, look upJesus' other co:: Amplifier offers features answer the does Mat counsel line use designed for personal interac- With50 on theforgiveness in Matthaei. How snakes in lits• ,...... up with our present passage?mac your Jesus marginal refer-Q: the maior pointsuse tion with the text, allowing you divorce in 19:112. rmfindon and read dte other place inare 1VIatthew the Old where Testam...' j n., to mine the meaning and devo- 3. se t speaksreferences to rho for issue the ofallusions 19:3. in 19: 5?s rcheWhat two are will the r'I, lgument? What are the ira:71 tional treasures of God's Word plications of the final words in its for yourself. These features conecations one of flesh") that phrase for for the Bible's rather confn; were created to make the Bible teaching on polygamy. accessible to everyone, regard- Exploring the rd ruts tea is personal relat less of the skill level of the stu- With chapter 18 we co This one co dent or the size of his or her rst Pet cone ing of Christian ethics. library—features like: standWhereas chapter 10 (the sermon on discipleship) was .0^ Happen to Bi he Highlighter

The publication of Matthew, by series editor Paper: US$12.95/Cdn18.15 each. George R. Knight; Hebrews, by William ry Hardcover: US$17.95/Cdn$25.15 each. ',,johnsson; Titus & Timothy, by Charles Bradford; and Exodus, by , arms At your local Adventist Book Center, the first of, over forty volumes to be release or call toll free 1-80G-765-6955. in a ten-year plan to,cover the entire Bible. It's been nearly 40 years since a Bible-study acific Press Publishing aid this fresh and enlightening was presented 0 1994 Pacrl)e Press Publishing Association 623/9831 to the church. Busy church members, pasto teachers, and both beginning and season Bible students will find the Abundant Life Bible Amplifier to be one of the most valuable, user-friendly study tools they've ever owned Use it in small groups, personal study, prayer meetings, or home fellowships. Her9 at last is a Bible-study system you can live with ,

THE LIFE OF • THE CROSS i 91 with the outward (7da`aorlarY) o i s is a rientation of the kingdom, chap- teri collection of teachings devoted to internal relation- Shf : relationships between meridiem that make churches into coses or IMIurea.39 a9 awa' teaching on divorce (1%1.1 a) has been ncluded in the chapter because it also deals with i tions re' htterna1 in 1the8..1 kingdom. to "1-1,tis entire lieCti011 of Matthew,ethical mi- from 19,1 2 , can be view It - n e .0g. in t he light of the cross. d in terms of V.hristian

scribed to the disciples. Even on the way to cross mind could have understandably been on He motivated by compassion (vs. 34). Such was sildren and little ones. Such, also, should the followers of such a Chi t", 9 on offenses, and hat verses are held to- signifying children and children to 'unimpor- is Applying the Word f, that gs Matthew 18:1-2034 Igdotv the am mai mm mm® mmmm eta am I. What is my view of greatness? Have Ds the operation in my daily life? In what spe",nt the op prove that implementation? Present this coupon at any 2. How have I exemplified mercy this ?a 1,:`:`rt. r Adventist Book Center for a • ,rhe cresra ti5 stania out, to be superior, to Further Study of the Word mire "me:' is part'of the great, charter-membership discount of I. For general insight, see E. G. WI 432-442, 511-523, 547-551; E. G tisa Lessons, 390-404. BIBLE AMPLI the 210 2. For an informative summary on crt Researching the Word see J. B. Green and S. M • the regular price of each 'title ence m Quist. in the Bible Amplifier series. I. Matthew 18:10 brought to our wirtscil71111::11 viIlleugrntle:t.tsetanst ict!‘,•ch6-7,t guardian angels. Through the us uniertLimit one coupon per customer discover what yon can about the Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted. gels in both testaments. List their Applies only after purchase of initial four don to humans, God, etc. After study, it will be helpful to compan volume% but good throughout life of series. BACPROm0 The sanctuary and Adventist experience

hat is the foundation of your expositor Josiah Litch, believed as P. Gerard Damsteegt faith?" If asked that ques- early as 1841 that the judgment of W tion, a Seventh-day Ad- Daniel 7 was commencing prior to the ventist today might respond, "Jesus Second Coming. They called this judg- Christ, of course!" or "The Bible," or ment the "trial" and said it was sepa- even "Our special lifestyle." But our rating the righteous from the wicked earliest pioneers would no doubt de- and determining who would be resur- clare, "The sanctuary and the 2300 rected at the "execution" of the judg- days!" ment at the Second Coming.' Looking at a vital Thus, Ellen G. White said in 1906, Although the Millerite Adventists pillar of faith "The correct understanding of the min- knew that Jesus was currently in the istration in the heavenly sanctuary is heavenly sanctuary, they did not un- the foundation of our faith." 1 Years derstand that the heavenly sanctuary before she had called the heavenly would be "cleansed" in fulfillment of sanctuary "the very center of Christ's Daniel 8:14. They interpreted the work in behalf of men" and had warned sanctuary of Daniel 8 as the church on that an understanding of Christ's sanc- earth and also as the earth itself, and tuary ministry is so vital that those said that both would be cleansed at who fail to obtain it will be unable "to the Second Coming. The cleansing of exercise the faith which is essential at the church, according to William this time, or to occupy the position Miller and most of his followers, was which God designs them to fill." 2 a cleansing from all sin and apostasy. Why is that so? And what is the That the margin in Miller's Bible of- "correct understanding" of the heav- fered "justified" as a synonym for enly sanctuary? "cleansed" confirmed Miller in his anticipation of this spiritual cleans- Millerite Adventist understanding ing. As for the earth, it would be Before the great disappointment cleansed by fire. of October 22, 1844, the Millerite Adventist understanding of Christ's Post-disappointment understanding ministry in the heavenly sanctuary Failure of the October 22, 1844, included the belief, held by many expectation led to intensive reexami- other Christians, that Jesus our high nation of the Bible and with it the P. Gerard Damsteegt, Ph.D., is a professor priest began His antitypical day of discovery of additional insights so of church history at atonement ministry in the Most Holy pertinent that instead of being the end . place upon His ascension to heaven. of Adventism, 1844 became viewed Unlike other Christians, they believed as a landmark in salvation history and that He would complete His day of a most prominent sign of the certainty atonement ministry and leave the and nearness of Christ's second ad- heavenly sanctuary at the end of the vent. Leaders in this early investiga- 2300 days, in or around 1844. And tion were , Joseph Bates, some of them, led by the Methodist and James and Ellen White, who be-

34 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 came founders of the Seventh-day discovered that just as the second Instead, the cleansing pertained to the Adventist Church. Others such as phase of the Old Testament sanctuary heavenly sanctuary and the church. O.R.L. Crosier chose not to stay with services—the yearly, or Day of Atone- This new understanding was fully in the group that later became Seventh- ment—took place in the earthly most harmony with the Day of Atonement day Adventists. holy place, so the antitype of this services, when the people were re- service would be fulfilled by Christ's quired to "afflict themselves," to en- A real heavenly sanctuary cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven's gage in soul-searching, or be judged Helpful insights came in studying Most Holy Place just before the Sec- and cut off (see Lev. 16; 23). The biblical typology, analyzing Christ's ond Advent. This involved the aston- realization that Christ has begun His New Testament priesthood as anti- ishing discovery that the heavenly final ministry on the antitypical Day typical of two orders of Old Testa- sanctuary itself would need cleans- of Atonement had a profound impact ment priesthood. Christ's ordination ing—a truth plainly taught in He- on the believers. under the Melchizedek priesthood brews 9:23. This cleansing would not In the Day-Star for April 18, 1846, authorized Him to function legally as be by the blood of animals, like the two months after the famous sanctu- a heavenly high priest (Heb. 7), while earthly sanctuary, or by fire, like the ary article appeared in the Day-Star the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood re- earth, but by the blood of Christ Him- Extra of February 7, O.L.R. Crosier vealed the pattern of His heavenly self. referred to a perfect harmony between priesthood (Heb. 8-10). These new insights, derived from activities currently going on in heaven From these typologies our pioneers Exodus, Leviticus, Daniel, Malachi, and on earth. "There is," he wrote, "a discovered further that as the Old and Hebrews, led the Adventist pio- literal and a spiritual temple—the lit- Testament Aaronic priests ministered neers to the conclusion that the end of eral being the sanctuary in New Jerusa- within a sanctuary (a tabernacle or a the 2300 years in 1844 was not the lem (literal city), and the spiritual the temple), so Christ, the high priest of second coming of their Saviour, but church the literal occupied by Jesus the new covenant, ministers in a Christ, our King and Priest true heavenly sanctuary, one that (John 14:2, Heb. 8:2; 9:11); the "God pitched and not man," the The realization that spiritual by the Holy Ghost (1 sanctuary of which the Levitical Cor. 3:17; 6:19, Eph. 2:20-22). sanctuary on earth was a copy Christ has begun His Between these two there is a (see Ex. 25:8, 9, 40; Heb. 8:2, 5; perfect concert of action, as 9:24). final ministry had a Christ prepares the place the To their surprise they saw profound impact on Spirit does the people. When that, contrary to their previous He came to is temple, the sanc- notions and to general Christian the believers. tuary, to cleanse it; the Spirit opinion, the Book of Hebrews commenced the special cleans- does not teach that Christ en- ing of the people (Mal. 3:1-3)." tered the Most Holy Place at the time the beginning of the most significant This special work of personal pu- of His ascension. Hebrews says liter- new era in the plan of salvation: the rification was to prepare the believer ally that when Christ went to heaven entering of Christ into His second and to pass successfully the investigative He entered the "holy places," mean- final phase of high priestly ministry, judgment before the Second Advent. ing simply "the heavenly sanctuary." the cleansing of the heavenly sanctu- This insight was fully endorsed by the The Greek text of Hebrews clearly ary on the antitypical Day of Atone- Sabbatarian Adventist pioneers like gives the plural, "holy places," fully ment. At this time Christ "came to the Joseph Bates, James and Ellen White, supporting the presence of a two-apart- Ancient of days" (Dan. 7:13) to com- J. N. Andrews, Hiram Edson, and ment sanctuary in heaven. Thus, the mence a judgment, investigative in . New Testament was seen to affirm nature—the first phase of the final The need for a purification of God's that like the earthly sanctuary, which judgment. people received strong endorsement had a holy place and a Most Holy from the understanding of the second Place, so the heavenly sanctuary also Cleansing the sanctuary on two angel's message that Adventists had has two apartments.' levels developed in 1843, when they began The pioneers concluded, in har- As noted, the Millerite Adventists to experience persecution. The mes- mony with biblical typology, that as saw the Daniel 8:14 cleansing of the sage forcefully announced the fall of the first phase of the earthly priestly sanctuary as meeting fulfillment on Babylon, implying that God's true ministry—the daily—transpired in the two levels: cleansing the church from people must separate themselves from holy place, so the first phase of Christ's sin, and cleansing the earth by fire. its apostate influence. heavenly ministry was performed in After 1844, faithful Adventists con- the holy place of the heavenly sanctu- tinued to maintain the concept of a Reforms in beliefs and behavior ary, not in the Most Holy Place as dual cleansing, but now it no longer The quest for Bible-based doctrines they had formerly believed. They also included the cleansing of the earth. led Seventh-day Adventist pioneers

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 35 to adopt several reforms in belief and the past, the present, and the future." 5 urable, self-sacrificial love and of His practice in contrast to the established Foundation of our faith. "The cor- ongoing grace and power to help us churches. These reforms included, rect understanding of the ministration sacrifice ourselves in the service of most notably, worship on the sev- in the heavenly sanctuary is the foun- others. How are we to explain this enth-day Sabbath instead of Sunday. dation of our faith." 6 neglect? Attention to Christ's Day of Atone- Essential to true faith. "The sub- There also was a decline from the ment ministry led to an awareness of ject of the sanctuary and the investi- historic stand of the pioneers to make Revelation 11:19: "The temple of God gative judgment should be clearly the Bible the norm of both faith and was opened in heaven, and the ark of understood by the people of God. All practice. Members were inclined to his covenant was seen" (NKJV), and need a knowledge for themselves of follow church leaders rather than this in turn directed their attention to the position and work of their great shape their convictions by personal the Sabbath commandment. They saw High Priest. Otherwise it will be im- Bible study. Jesus now in the Most Holy Place, possible for them to exercise the faith Additionally, church leaders of the spotlighting the Sabbath as being still which is essential at this time or to 1880s generally failed to understand the sign of God's everlasting cov- occupy the position which God de- the practical implications of Christ's enant. The new light on the sanctuary signs them to The sanctuary in death and His day of atonement min- suddenly made Sabbath reform rel- heaven is the very center of Christ's istry. Sensing only slightly the need evant! This quest for Bible-based doc- work in behalf of men."' for "afflicting their souls," and seek- trines led to other reforms, such as Endorsed by the Holy Spirit. "As ing the experiential "blotting out of (1) baptism by immersion; (2) tithes the great pillars of our faith have been sin," believers did not experience as and offerings; (3) living healthfully presented, the Holy Spirit has borne they should the impartation of His to prepare believers physically, men- witness to them, and especially is this righteousness. tally, and spiritually for the Beyond that, attempts to cor- Second Advent (1 Thess. 5:23); rect the condition of the church (4) following a Christlike met strong opposition. The ma- lifestyle characterized by sim- "The sanctuary in jority of the leaders did not wel- plicity, without jewelry and cos- come and in fact disregarded metics (1 Peter 3:3, 4); (5) be- heaven is the very the testimony of Jesus through lieving that only through the the ministry of Ellen White. faith of Jesus (Rev. 14:12) can center of Christ's work Neglecting the earthly dimen- believers be fully partakers of in behalf of men." sion of the antitypical day of His righteousness, receiving atonement profoundly affected forgiveness of sins, power to the spiritual condition of the live a victorious life, and the church, the lifestyle of believ- full assurance of salvation. so regarding the truths of the sanctu- ers, and the impact of their witness on ary question. Over and over again the nonmembers. Emphasis on Christless The significance of the sanctuary Holy Spirit has in a marked manner doctrines led to the publication of These Bible-based discoveries endorsed the preaching of this doc- doctrinal differences, fueling a cli- transformed a seemingly defeated trine."' mate of disunity and party spirit. Dis- group of enthusiasts into an irresist- trust and envy pervaded the church ible army of evangelists propelled by Neglecting the earthly dimension and was manifested in loveless and a most glorious mission mandate: the Throughout the history of Seventh- inhuman behavior, character assassi- proclamation of the last message of day Adventists various views have nation, and abundant gossip. mercy that was to enlighten the whole been advocated that have distorted Instead of following God's coun- world with the light of Christ in prepa- the biblical view of the sanctuary. sels to complete the mission He had ration for the Second Advent (see Some advocates of distorted ideas assigned to the remnant, leadership Rev. 18:1). failed to accept the cleansing of the adopted human strategies that coupled Key to the disappointment. "The church as integral to the sanctuary with Christless emphasis on the law, subject of the sanctuary was the key doctrine (the "earthly dimension"). created an unfavorable impression of which unlocked the mystery of the Leaders in the 1880s, for instance, legalism on nonmembers. disappointment of 1844. It opened to were able to give thorough Bible stud- view a complete system of truth, con- ies on the intricacies of the investiga- Neglecting the heavenly dimension nected and harmonious, showing that tive judgment. They developed skills During the early 1900s Dr. J. H. God's hand had directed the great in debating as a form of evangelism, Kellogg's pantheism "spiritualized" advent movement and revealing making them successful in winning away the existence of a real heavenly present duty as it brought to light the doctrinal arguments. But they said sanctuary. His view that God's pres- position and work of His people. . . . too little about the cross as the su- ence permeates everything made Light from the sanctuary illumined preme revelation of Christ's unmeas- Christ's ministry in a particular place

36 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 irrelevant. Social involvement in of the sanctuary with the restoration arrival of the judgment hour and to medical and humanitarian work of a of the sanctuary truth and the victori- the urgent need to participate with nondenominational nature replaced ous rise of God's remnant people. Christ in overcoming every sin. Re- the practice of spiritual self-examina- Saddest of all, perhaps, the spiri- gressing to the pre-1844 sanctuary tion, the affliction of soul to meet the tualization of the sanctuary deprives view that confined Christ's ministry coming Lord. It also preempted the people of harmoniously cooperating to only that of Intercessor is a serious need to proclaim the distinctive pro- on earth in the final work our Saviour neglect of present truth. It is a distor- phetic truths of the Seventh-day is currently performing during the tion of the gospel proclamation fore- Adventist Church. "hour of God's judgment." Often sanc- seen for our time in the three angels' The theological consequences of tuary discussions become arguments messages of Revelation 14:6-12. And this spiritualizing of the sanctuary when they should unite us like no it provides a false gospel of false doctrine led to denial of both Christ's other doctrine. assurance in that it fails to tell people work and of Downsizing the sanctuary doc- what will happen if they reject Christ's His special work of cleansing His trine. Other contemporary attempts final offer of overcoming grace. people. Inevitably came the conclu- to interpret the sanctuary can be char- Negative feelings toward the sanc- sion that nothing at all happened in acterized as downsizing the doctrine. tuary doctrine are not solved by 1844. Recently, for example, one minister downsizing it. Now, as never before, With these denials came a muting remarked that if you can make sense there is a need for a deep study of the of the sense of urgency. Prophetic out of the Seventh-day Adventist fun- Scriptures. Our pioneers arrived at preaching declined, and indifference damental belief statement on the sanc- their insights through thorough Bible marked our attitude toward our unique tuary doctrine, congratulations. To study, under the guidance of the Holy landmark doctrines. Present truth was him the sanctuary has little practical Spirit. Similarly, Seventh-day Ad- redefined in terms of preoccupation relevance. Its investigative judgment ventists today need deep Bible study, with the social and humanitarian di- aspect, he says, has been a stumbling observing correct principles of Bible mensions of the gospel at the expense block for many young Seventh-day interpretation and guided by the Spirit. of living in anticipation of Christ's Adventists, undermining the gospel It is true that this doctrine has been soon return. and promoting perfectionism, legal- misused, but is that a reason to dis- Ellen White called Kellogg's spiri- ism, guilt, and in relation to the time card it? Because some people overeat tualization of heavenly realities the of trouble, a religion of fear and arro- the healthiest food and develop seri- "alpha" of apostasy and warned that gance. Our presentation of Christ's ous diseases, shall we discard healthy an even worse "omega" was soon to sanctuary ministry, this minister in- foods? Because some people keep the follow. sists, should be limited to His role as Sabbath legalistically, shall we give Intercessor, a role that involves par- up all Sabbath observance? Misuse of Current distortions ticipation in human suffering, taking the sanctuary doctrine does not jus- A majority of Seventh-day Advent- on Himself our diseases (including tify stripping it of its splendid pro- ists continue to base their understand- AIDS). As Christ suffered with suf- gressive light. ing of the sanctuary on the Bible. ferers and intercedes for them, so In my own life it has brought joy They have concluded that the pioneer Seventh-day Adventists should also knowing that daily my Saviour inter- discoveries of the present truth have alleviate human suffering. cedes for me, my family, my church, shed great light on Christ's interces- In response, we can certainly agree and the world. It has also brought sory ministry in their behalf. on the importance of Christ's work as urgency, knowing that the final judg- In some parts of the world, how- Intercessor. Adventists, indeed, have ment is now in progress and that God ever, we see a continuation of the already incorporated its various di- is eager for me to "afflict my soul" earlier "spiritualizing" trend. A flood mensions into the fundamental be- and overcome all sin. In response to of new Bible translations aids this liefs dealing with Christ's role, work, His law as well as to His ongoing process, for most new translations do and ministry (see numbers 2, 9, and grace, I give myself daily in total not use "cleansed" in Daniel 8:14, but 10). Christ's identification with suf- dedication to sharing the good news prefer "restored to its rightful state" fering humanity may not have been of the cleansing of the sanctuary. Its or "emerge victorious," and so on. stressed everywhere as it should have proper and balanced understanding Because these terms do not readily been, but this does not mean that we brings no fear, but abiding assurance call to mind Day of Atonement imag- should downplay the progressive un- and strength. I believe that as I coop- ery, some people have downplayed or derstanding of the heavenly sanctu- erate with His power and grace in given up the idea that the passage ary discovered through Bible study in overcoming sin, my destiny is secure. refers to the cleansing of the heavenly the years following 1844. The work of my High Priest and Judge sanctuary. However, such is the rich- The insights gained in 1844 con- in the sanctuary has strengthened my ness of the Hebrew verb in Daniel stitute a part of present truth that confidence in Him as has nothing 8:14, that it is possible to see the continues to be relevant, seeing it else. intimate association of the cleansing calls the attention of the world to the "Pre-Advent" instead of "investi-

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 37

gative." Although "pre-Advent judg- healthy view of the sanctuary doc- between God's plan of salvation as ment" is justifiable, use of it as an trine for the church today bring the portrayed in both the Old and New intentional replacement for "investi- full participation of believers into the Testaments, a harmony that fell into gative judgment" is motivated by a final compassionate outreach that will disregard as a result of the apostasy of desire to downplay the nature of the enlighten the whole world and usher the "man of lawlessness." As such, judgment. In many cases it implies a in the coming of the Lord. the role of the remnant, brought into rejection of the special cleansing of The greatest threat. The greatest existence in 1844 to make this procla- the soul temple, preferring to empha- danger to the sanctuary doctrine is mation, becomes significant. size instead the legal, or forensic, indifference resulting from failure to A balanced understanding of the aspect of judgment without integrat- see its relevance and practicality. The sanctuary doctrine involves coopera- ing the personal experience of believ- first step toward reaching a balanced tion with Christ's mission to the world. ers, the essential "affliction of soul" interpretation of the sanctuary doc- Failure of believers to be service- of every believer (Lev. 23:29). Some- trine is to study the whole scriptural oriented results mainly from viewing times pre-Advent is used to distance counsel, studying every relevant pas- the doctrine incorrectly and neglect- the judgment from 1844, implying sage in its context. The true interpre- ing its import in daily experience. that there will be a judgment before tation will be centered on Christ. Ev- What is needed, therefore, is not a the second Coming, but no one knows ery sanctuary-related passage should downsizing of the doctrine, but a fuller when. be studied from the viewpoint of what and more balanced view of Christ and Often associated with the prefer- it teaches about the preciousness of His sanctuary ministry through a deep ence for pre-advent is the view that Jesus and what He has done and is study of the Word, under the guid- the judgment is unqualified good doing for us. Otherwise, the doctrine ance of the Spirit. This will lead to news. Admittedly, in the past some will not be able to exert its proper following the Lamb wherever He Adventists have worried unduly about inspiring and transforming influence, leads. the investigative judgment, their rendering it "irrelevant." The essence of the sanctuary doc- cases pending before the judgment The true interpretation will retain trine is its unique revelation of Christ's bar. Today many feel that any worry the two-dimensional, or two-level, ministry of reconciliation for and in is unhealthy, inhibiting the joy of understanding of Christ's day of atone- us, enabling us to experience His love, believers. The judgment, they say, is ment ministry on earth today as well which we can share with others in nothing but good news. as in heaven. It will see His work as unselfish and sacrificial service so But doesn't the truth lie some- associated intimately with grace, for- they see a genuine revelation of Jesus where between these extremes? It may giveness, and the blotting out of sins as the only hope for humanity. It be helpful to remember that this judg- in the heavenly sanctuary. Proper embraces our mental, spiritual, and ment is not good news for the little emphasis on this ministration of the physical attributes, and is designed to horn of Daniel 7, an entity made up of Lamb's blood in heaven will lead transform sinners into victorious professed Christians who claim to love sinners to repentance. God provides people who are patiently yet actively and follow Jesus. Their sincere con- the abundant grace to lead sinners to awaiting the coming of their Saviour. victions are no excuse for their un- repentance and believers to a daily "Here is the patience of the saints; Christlike persecuting behavior. The deepening work of repentance and here are those who keep the com- investigative judgment portrayed in commitment. Thus the believer expe- mandments of God and the faith of Daniel 7 reveals to the universe who riences both justification and sancti- Jesus" (Rev. 14:12, NKJV). ■ the true heirs of the kingdom are (see fication. especially verses 21, 22). This process involves (1) belief in Preoccupation with cleansing Jesus and His saving work as our ' Ellen G. White, Evangelism (Washing- without faith. An emphasis on cleans- personal intercessor in the heavenly ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946), p. 221. ing the soul temple without the faith sanctuary, and (2) reconciliation to 2 , The Great Controversy (Moun- of Jesus is as unhealthy as preoccupa- God, which means entering into a tain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., tion with unwarranted assurance. dynamic covenant relationship with 1911), p. 488. ' See Josiah Litch, An Address to the Public Those who are preoccupied with the Christ our high priest. It means a work (Boston, 1841), p. 37; The Prophetic Exposi- quest for a perfectly sinless lifestyle of confession, repentance, consecra- tions (Boston, 1842), 1:50-54; A. Hale, Herald in preparation for the Second Advent tion, and restitution. Those who are of Bridegroom! (Boston, 1843), pp. 22-24; without an awareness that from a hu- truly reconciled to God will respond Midnight Cry, Oct. 13, 1844. 4 See O.R.L. Crosier, "The Law of Moses," man perspective such a goal is impos- by making things right with those Day-Star Extra Feb. 7, 1846. sible are engaged in an exercise of they have offended and by loving 5 , The Great Controversy, p. 423. futility. A major lesson of 1888 was their enemies. 6 , Evangelism, p. 221. 7 that it is only through the imparted , The Great Controversy, p. 488. , Evangelism, p. 224. faith of Jesus as a result of total sur- Restoring the sanctuary truth 9 Steve Daily, Adventism for a New Gen- render that a Christlike life can be Proclamation of the sanctuary truth eration (Portland, Oreg.: Better Living Pub- realized. The practical results of a fully restores the biblical harmony lishers, 1993), pp. 160-167.

38 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994

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by are we still here? It's lifted the knife, any doubts that the Clifford Goldstein been 2,000 years since angel might have harbored about W Christ "died for us" (Rom. Abraham's faith vanished. 5:8), "redeemed us from the curse of "The sacrifice required of Abraham the law" (Gal. 3:13), and cried, "It is was not alone for his own good," finished!" wrote Ellen White, "nor solely for the The answer is that the great con- benefit of succeeding generations; but troversy involves more than human- it was also for the instruction of the ity's redemption accomplished at Cal- sinless intelligences of heaven and of The fruit of our vary, or the reconciliation of human- other worlds. The field of the contro- sanctuary message ity to God, or even the cross itself. versy between Christ and Satan—the The issues regarding sin, rebellion, field on which the plan of redemption will be a loyal and and God's law include the entire in- is wrought out—is the lesson book of telligent universe, which has a stake the universe. . . . Heavenly beings obedient remnant. in the resolution of the conflict. Only were witnesses of the scene as the by grasping this cosmic perspective faith of Abraham and the submission can we explain the continuance of of Isaac were tested. . . . All heaven evil long after Christ's victory in our beheld with wonder and admiration behalf. Abraham's unfaltering obedience."' The angel's declaration "For now Abraham on Moriah I know that thou fearest God" reveals One hint of the universe's interest the cosmic interest in what happens in the plan of salvation appears in the on the earth, "the lesson book of the aborted sacrifice of Isaac on Mount universe." This idea appears in Job, Moriah. After the command to offer too. Satan twice accused the patriarch Isaac as a burnt offering, Abraham before the onlooking "sons of God" binds him on the altar; as he lifts the (Job 1:6; 2:1), so these cosmic beings knife to slay the boy, an "angel of the must have witnessed the drama on Lord" cries out, "Lay not thine hand earth. Paul reinforced this reality of upon the lad, neither do thou anything the universe's interest in what hap- unto him: for now I know that thou pens here when he wrote, "We are fearest God" (Gen. 22:12). made a spectacle unto the world, and The angel testified that he learned to angels, and to men" (1 Cor. 4:9). something new about Abraham: Clifford Goldstein is Abraham feared God. Had the angel Jesus on the cross editor of Liberty and author of numerous reason to doubt? Abraham had lied to Why is the onlooking universe in- articles and books. Pharaoh about the identity of his wife, terested in what happens here, and and he took Hagar to produce a child what role did the cross play in an- rather than believe God's promise that swering their questions? Sarah would be "a mother of nations; "The plan of redemption," wrote [that] kings of people shall be of her" Ellen White, "had a yet broader and (Gen. 17:16). Now, after Abraham deeper purpose than the salvation of placed his son upon the altar and man. It was not for this alone that

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 41 Christ came to the earth; it was not disposal of all issues regarding the people is not the only factor dealing merely that the inhabitants of this great controversy. with the honor of God. Though the little world might regard the Law of Of course, the sovereignty of the cross by far forms the focus and cen- God as it should be regarded; but it King of the universe does not depend ter of the gospel, the plan of salvation was to vindicate the character of God upon human fidelity. "What then? If itself involves questions that extend before the universe." 2 some did not believe, their unbelief beyond merely getting us off the Satan disparaged God's character, will not nullify the faithfulness of planet. The real concern deals with raising questions about His govern- God will it? May it never be! Rather, the character of God Himself. Is He ment, law, and justice. Christ came to let God be found true, though every fair and just, and does He deserve the "vindicate the character of God be- man be found a liar" (Rom. 3:3, 4, worship, loyalty, and adoration of His fore the universe." NASB). In His infinite wisdom and creation? The Lord wants to use His Did the universe, then, have all foresight, the Lord has chosen to use people—who have a born-again ex- questions about the character of God fallen humanity as part of His plan to perience that connects them to their resolved by the life and death of Jesus? resolve the great controversy in an only source of power (see John 15:5; Heavenly beings saw their beloved open and fair manner that will forever Phil. 2:12; Col. 1:27)—to help an- Commander beaten, scourged, mocked, answer Satan's charges. Yet His vin- swer these questions. and spat upon. They saw the One who dication does not have to depend upon "It becomes every child of God," created the universe, the One whom us. Rather, the Lord knew what He writes Ellen White, "to vindicate His they praised in His celestial glory, would be able to do in His people, and [God's] character." ' We can vindi- condemned by His own creation. They He will accomplish His purposes in cate Him, however, only because of witnessed the greatest example of self- them (see Phil. 1:6). If, however, the cross. Vindication comes only as less love ever manifested in the his- within the limits the Lord has set for we surrender ourselves daily to the tory of the eternity. Nevertheless, not Himself in dealing with sin, He could provisions of salvation made avail- all the universe's questions about good not have used humanity, then He able to us by the merits of what Jesus and evil, right and wrong, law and would have found another way to sat- accomplished for us at Calvary. No justice, were yet answered. "His in- isfy the questions raised before the human glory is involved. tent was that now, through the church, onlooking universe. This concept is inseparably tied the manifold wisdom of God should to the three angels' messages: "And I be made known to the rulers and The manifold wisdom of God saw another angel fly in the midst of authorities in the heavenly realms" Nevertheless, the Lord has chosen heaven, having the everlasting gospel (Eph. 3:10, NIV). to use His church to help resolve the . . ., saying with a loud voice, Fear After describing Christ's death and great controversy. But how? God, and give glory to him; for the explaining how Satan was exposed as "Let your light so shine before hour of his judgment is come" (Rev. murderer and had "uprooted himself men, that they may see your good 14:6, 7). They start out with "the from the sympathies of the heavenly works, and glorify your Father which everlasting gospel," which has its beings," Ellen wrote that neverthe- is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). "Herein is foundation in the cross. Then we are less, "Satan was not then destroyed. my Father glorified," He said, "that to give "glory to God," and we can do The angels did not even then under- ye bear much fruit" (John 15:8). "And that only by a conversion experience stand all that was involved in the [he] said unto me, Thou art my ser- that results in obedience, which is great controversy. The principles at vant, 0 Israel, in whom I will be why the third angel's message says, stake were to be more fully revealed. glorified" (Isa. 49:3). "Here is the patience of the saints: And for the sake of man, Satan's ex- These verses prove that God is here are they that keep the command- istence must be continued. Men as glorified by the loyal works and the ments of God, and the faith of Jesus" well as angels must see the contrast character development of His people. (Rev. 14:12). Only by faith in Jesus between the Prince of light and the "Sing, 0 ye heavens: for the Lord can God's people remain loyal in prince of darkness." 3 hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of keeping His commandments and thus This idea doesn't diminish the re- the earth: break forth into singing, ye glorify God before both men and an- ality that the full and complete pen- mountains, 0 forests, and every tree gels. alty was paid for sin by Jesus in our therein: for the Lord hath redeemed behalf at the cross. Nor does it com- Jacob, and glorified Himself in Is- The hour of his judgment promise the promise that every sin- rael" (Isa. 44:23; see also Isa. 61:3; The first angel's cry that "the hour ner, no matter what his or her sin, can Eze. 36:22; Isa. 60:21). of His judgment is come" (Rev. 14:7) be accepted and fully pardoned by "The honor of God," Ellen White means not just that God is judging, what Jesus accomplished on the cross. writes, "the honor of Christ, is in- but that He Himself is being judged: And it certainly does not weaken the volved in the perfection of the charac- the hour of His judgment is come incomprehensible love manifested at ter of His people." 4 (perhaps one reason why we are told Calvary. Instead, it proves only that Notice the verb she used: "in- to give Him glory). the whole universe awaits the final volved." The character of God's In Psalm 51 David's plea for mercy,

42 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 cleansing, and the blotting out of his left the heavenly edifice, release these The full and final display sins is interrupted with a parentheti- horrible scourges upon unrepentant This cosmic perspective helps cal section: "For I acknowledge my humanity. Having witnessed the judg- make sense of the antitypical day of transgressions: and my sin is ever ment scene itself, they are convinced atonement as well. In the earthly type before me. Against thee, thee only, of God's justice and mercy, which is the sanctuary was cleansed, symbolic have I sinned, and done this evil in thy why they cry out, "Thou art righ- of the pre-Advent judgment, when sight" (verses 3, 4). Without that sec- teous, 0 Lord, which art, and wast, the heavenly sanctuary is cleansed as tion, the verses read: "Have mercy and shall be, because thou hast judged well (see Dan. 8:14). In the earthly upon me, 0 God, according to thy thus" (Rev. 16:5). No wonder the Bible system, however, not just the sanctu- lovingkindness: according unto the says, "But the Lord of hosts shall be ary was cleansed—the people were multitude of thy tender mercies blot exalted in judgment" (Isa. 5:16). too! out my transgressions. Wash me thor- All through Revelation this cos- "This shall be a statute for ever oughly from mine iniquity, and mic perspective appears. Heavenly unto you: that in the seventh month, cleanse me from my sin.... That thou beings are seen worshiping God be- on the tenth day of the month, ye shall mightest be justified when thou fore His throne. "Holy, holy, holy," afflict your souls, . . for on that day speakest, and be clear then thou the four beasts cry, "Lord God Al- shall the priest make an atonement for judgest. mighty, which was, and is, and is to you, to cleanse you, that you may be Paul quotes from this psalm: "God come" (Rev. 4:8). Using imagery from clean from all your sins before the forbid: yea, let God be true, but every the judgment of Daniel 7, John writes Lord" (Lev. 16:29, 30). man a liar; as it is written, That thou of angels around the throne of God: The sanctuary structure itself was mightest be justified in thy sayings, "And the number of them was ten cleansed "from all the iniquities of and mightest overcome when thou art thousand times ten thousand, and thou- the children of Israel," while the judged" (Rom. 3:4). Today's English sands of thousands; saying with a people themselves were to be "clean Version reads: "You must be shown loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that from all your sins before the Lord." to be right when you speak; you must was slain to receive power, and riches, Thus, this once-a-year ritual produced win your case when you are being and wisdom, and strength, and honour, a clean sanctuary and a clean people tried." and glory, and blessing" (Rev. 5:11, together: "He shall make an atone- Though the immediate context of 12). ment for the holy sanctuary, and he Psalm 51 was David's repentance af- Only with the cosmic perspective shall make an atonement for the tab- ter his fling with Bathsheba, the men- does the investigative judgment even ernacle of the congregation, and for tion of the blotting out of sins and the make sense. The Lord doesn't need the altar, and he shall make an atone- idea of God "being tried" evokes the the judgment to know "them that are ment for the priests, and for all the idea of the pre-Advent judgment, when his" (2 Tim. 2:19) any more than He people of the congregation" (verse God allows Himself to be "tried" by needed Mount Moriah to know the 33). how He judges us. The pre-Advent depth of Abraham's faith. Heavenly Besides the cross, the Lord is us- judgment scene of Daniel 7, when the intelligences, though, are not omni- ing two factors to help clarify issues "judgment was set, and the books scient, and they didn't know Abraham' s in the great controversy: the character were opened" (verse 10), occurs be- heart any more than they know all the development of His people, and the fore "thousand thousands . . . and ten issues in the great controversy. The investigative judgment. On the day of thousand times ten thousand" heav- investigative judgment, by revealing atonement both these elements cli- enly beings, who witness the judg- more, is part of God's overall plan to max. God will have a clean people on ment in heaven. deal with sin and rebellion in a fair earth who, because they have allowed The cry that "the hour of his judg- and just way that will answer their God to cleanse them from their sin, ment is come" in Revelation 14:7 is questions forever. bring honor and glory to Him; simul- heard prior to the close of probation For this reason, the sanctuary in taneously, in heaven, when the sanc- because it is immediately followed by heaven is real—not because God needs tuary is cleansed of sin during the the warning against the mark of the it for Himself, but because the heav- judgment, God is glorified too. The beast and a call to keep God's com- enly intelligences need it to witness day of atonement is the only time mandments. However, in Revelation how God deals with sin and the pro- when both these elements happen at 15, after the "temple of the tabernacle cess by which He saves sinners. once in a grand and glorious climax of the testimony in heaven was opened Through the sanctuary God allows before the onlooking universe! [which is the second apartment of the the onlooking universe to clearly see Besides the cleansing that occurred heavenly sanctuary, where judgment another step in resolving the great in the sanctuary itself, symbolic of occurs] . . . seven angels came out of controversy. the heavenly judgment, the earthly the temple, having the seven plagues" "In the judgment of the universe," Yom Kippur was an example in minia- (verses 5, 6). By this time judgment writes Ellen White, "God will stand ture of what God is going to have en must have already ended and proba- clear of blame for the existence of masse: a faithful people who glorify tion closed. Now the angels, having continuance of evil." 6 (Continued on page 62)

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 43 The vindication of God and the harvest principle

ince the mid-1950s some ence to His law and that it is impos- Woodrow Whidden Adventists have emphasized the sible to keep it? S need for a final-generation vin- dication of God against Satan's charge What Ellen White says that God is unfair in requiring obedi- The advocates of the harvest prin- ence to His law. Often referred to as ciple claim strong support from Ellen the harvest principle, this school of White. But, as we will note, what she thought was championed by the late has said about the vindication of God M. L. Andreasen,1 and is currently undercuts the theory! Does God really promoted, among others, by Herbert In the published works of Ellen need the final Douglass 2 and R. J. Wieland.' White there are more than 900 refer- ences to "vindicate" and all its varia- generation? What is harvest theology? tions. I looked up all of them on the Harvest theology's central theme new CD-ROM index and not one of is that God cannot bring the great them comes even close to suggesting controversy to an end until He gets a anything like the final-generation, or significant group of final-generation harvest theology as advocated by believers who fully vindicate Him Andreasen and its current proponents. before the unfallen beings of the uni- Instead Ellen White's central burden verse by demonstrating that perfect in her "vindication" statements is that obedience to His law is possible. When Christ, in His incarnation and death, there is such a perfect generation of has essentially vindicated the Father. saints who do this, then the final har- "Christ's death proved God's admin- vest of the earth can come about. istration and government to be with- The proponents of this idea also out a flaw. Satan's charge in regard to stress two closely related themes: the conflicting attributes of justice (1) Jesus had a sinful nature just like and mercy was forever settled beyond other fallen human beings; (2) since question."' He was totally victorious over temp- The Ellen White statement that is tation those who trust Him can also be most often cited in support of the Woodrow Whidden, victorious. Thus the post-Fall view of harvest principle is from Christ's Ph.D., is an associate professor of religion Christ's human nature is closely asso- Object Lessons: "Christ is waiting with at Andrews Univer- ciated with a high view of perfection longing desire for the manifestation sity, Berrien Springs, that the final generation can demon- of Himself in His church. When the Michigan. strate. character of Christ shall be perfectly This article deals with the ques- reproduced in His people, then He tion Does God absolutely need a final will come to claim them as His own." s generation to refute Satan's charges Observe that this statement does that God is unfair in requiring obedi- not say that God must absolutely have

44 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 such a church, but that He only seeks Not only is Ellen White clear on to vindicate Him? Does He absolutely it "with longing desire." this issue that Christ has taken care of need us to help Him refute the charges If we take all that Ellen White Satan's charges, but the Bible is un- that Satan has laid at His door—espe- wrote on the theme of vindication, equivocal that God can take care of cially when Jesus has already done what she said could be summarized as His own character reputation: "For the job on the cross? Consider these follows: what if some did not believe? shall questions in the light of the following God in His mercy has chosen the their unbelief make the faith of God declarations: "Not until the death of church to share His redemptive mes- without effect? God forbid: yea, let Christ was the character of Satan sage. It is not that God needs our God be true, but every man a liar; as clearly revealed to the angels or to the witness to Christ; it is that He has it is written, That thou mightest be unfallen worlds." '° "By causing the chosen to use the church in a mission- justified in thy sayings, and mightest death of the Sovereign of heaven, ary way. However, He has never made overcome when thou art judged" Satan defeated his own purpose. . . . the accomplishment of His redemp- (Rom. 3:3, 4). By shedding the blood of the Son of tive goals dependent on His church. God, he uprooted himself from the God's dealings with His people are The fuller revelation affections of the unfallen beings. He always conditional upon their re- The other Ellen White statement was seen by all to be a liar, a thief, and sponse. If the church fails, the angels that is often used to marshall support a murderer." " will witness for the good news.' It is for the final generation theology is From these and other similar state- our loving missionary witness that from The Desire of Ages, page 761: ments, we can conclude that Ellen God wants with longing desire, not "By shedding the blood of the Son of White considered that the issue of that He needs us to get Him off the God, he [Satan] had uprooted himself God's vindication before the unfallen hook of Satan's charges. from the sympathies of the heavenly beings of the universe was basically What Ellen White teaches about beings. . . . Yet Satan was not then cared for on the cross, and is not our role in the vindication of God is destroyed. The angels did not even dependent on some future demonstra- that it is supplementary, not abso- then understand all that was involved tion by God's people at the end of lutely essential: "Christ looks upon in the great controversy. The prin- time. His people in their purity and perfec- ciples at stake were to be more fully tion, as the reward of His humiliation, revealed." The harvest theologians The troubling implications and the supplement of His glory— would suggest that the fuller revela- Thus harvest theology's basic prin- Christ, the great Center, from whom tion is the perfection of God's last ciple of end-time vindication of God's radiates all glory." 7 people. character through human perfection What was it that the angels "did is untenable. In addition, let us con- How do we vindicate God? not even then understand"? What were sider some troubling implications of But what about the statement "It the at-stake principles "to be more this theology. becomes every child of God to vindi- fully revealed"? Ellen White does not First, there is the subtle danger of cate His [God's] character"? 8 Cer- specify. But I would suggest this: drawing away from the work of Christ tainly the honor of God is at stake in whether God would deal mercifully on our behalf to our own subjective the lives of His children, but where and justly in the judgment with each efforts. Satan will do anything to get does the Bible or Ellen White say that sinner, especially in the light of the us to quit concentrating on Jesus and the final victory of God in the great great manifestation of justice and be preoccupied with our own perfor- controversy ultimately depends on the mercy on the cross. mance.'2 We will always be wonder- performance of God's people? Ellen White is clear that the judg- ing if we are doing well enough to get Let me illustrate it this way. By ment finally reveals to the angels and God off the hook. If such theology is leading a good life, I bring honor to the universe that God has been abso- really taken seriously, we will all my parents and vindicate their won- lutely just and fair in the disposition become sinking Simons in the bil- derful parenting skills. I can also dis- of each and every case: "In the judg- lowy buffetings of the last great cri- grace my parents through a life of ment of the universe, God will stand sis. crime, and terribly embarrass and sad- clear of blame for the existence or Second, this demand for a final den them. But ultimately my parents' continuance of evil." generation that must vindicate God integrity or character does not depend To take this statement from The implies that such a demonstration is on my life's performance. If the vin- Desire of Ages and the one from an essential part of the atonement dication of God's character is depen- Christ's Object Lessons and build a process. Doesn't it amount to saying dent on a creature's performance, then human-centered finale to the great that humans must add something to God looks quite awful in the cases of controversy is quite unwarranted. the work of Christ in order to vindi- Lucifer, Adam, Eve, and countless cate the Father? others. Do we not believe that each The cross and God's vindication Will the Father wait interminably person is ultimately responsible for Now back to these questions: Is until He gets this final generation, or his or her own eternal destiny? God really dependent on His people will He finally take matters into His

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 45 own hands and send His Son whether mark" for all human beings, "why is The relevance of Jesus' example we are ready or not? A careful study this model so elusive?" Why does it Jesus' example is not irrelevant to of 2 Peter 3 shows us that "the day have to be reserved for a final genera- our needs; He was sufficiently like us of the Lord will come" (verse 10), tion? "Would it not be far more logi- to be our effectual example and to with the strong implication that the cal to [say] that the apostles and saints demonstrate once and for all that obe- Lord will come in spite of our state of of the first century, who saw Christ dience is possible. The issue here is readiness. and associated with Him, would have obedience, plain and simple, and Jesus Ralph Neall has shown that Ellen a greater advantage in forming per- fully exemplified this. Furthermore, White says nothing about the close of fect characters, in view of the influ- His sinlessness of action and nature probation being contingent on the ence of the Model, than the last gen- while He lived here makes Him not sinless character of God's people: eration separated from Christ by thou- only a powerful example for us and a "The most that can be said in this sands of years?" Vindicator of His Father, but also a connection is that White pictures a Webster continues: If Jesus in a fully satisfactory sinless substitute. sequence of events for the last days. "sinful human nature" kept the law As Webster sums up: "If one believes There is the judgment in heaven si- perfectly and has already vindicated that Jesus Christ really vindicated God multaneous with the cleansing of the His Father, "what requirement would fully in His life and death, no conse- saints on earth, followed by the Lord's necessitate man later endeavoring to quential vindication by man at any appearing in glory to execute judg- do the same? For surely a man who later time is a necessity for the plan of ment upon the wicked, but it is not never sinned once can vindicate the salvation." said that one is contingent on the issue far better than the man who has other." '3 sinned often and finally stopped." Final generation power surge? Ellen White herself has made it Furthermore, "since all men have One final issue remains to be ad- clear that God is not ultimately de- sinned, what type of vindication would dressed. Is there a special outpouring pendent upon human response in de- be offered by man? Even if he lived a of power uniquely offered to the last termining when the end of all things sinless life for six months or two generation above anything that has is to transpire: "God is long-suffer- years, would this be required to add to ever been offered to any generation ing, not willing that any should per- Christ's perfect vindication?" before? ish; but His forbearance has a limit, Now, if Jesus is really uniquely Ellen White states: "While the in- and when the boundary is past, there sinless in nature, then it could be vestigative judgment is going forward is no second probation. His wrath will argued that He "did not really prove in heaven, while the sins of penitent go forth and He will destroy without that sinful man could keep the law believers are being removed from the remedy." 14 and hence a later vindication by fallen sanctuary, there is to be a special "With unerring accuracy the Infi- men would be required." But is such work of purification, of putting away nite One still keeps an account with a final generation of fallen humans in of sin, among God's people upon earth. all nations. While His mercy is ten- a position to do the job better than . . When this work shall have been dered, with calls to repentance, this Jesus? Is not Jesus' role as our ex- accomplished, the followers of Christ account will remain open; but when ample what finally settles the issue? will be ready for His appearing." '7 the figures reach a certain amount Isn't He enough like us to really, truly Ellen White associates this special which God has fixed, the ministry of prove that one can keep the law per- work of purification with the latter His wrath commences. The account is fectly? rain power of the Holy Spirit. Is She closed. Divine patience ceases. There Does not the call for a final gen- certainly holds that this outpouring of is no more pleading of mercy in their eration to produce a must vindication the Spirit has to do with the perfecting behalf." '5 of God make the role and example of of God's people,19 but nothing in her Jesus irrelevant? Webster' s response statements on this phenomenal finale Harvest principle and the nature of is pertinent: "If the controversy re- suggests that the perfection experi- Christ volves around the question whether ence of God's final remnant will be Another interesting aspect of har- man can keep the law, then surely a needed as a must vindication of God. vest theology is the way it employs man who never sinned once is a far In fact, this manifestation of per- the humanity of Christ. The argument better answer than a man who finally fecting power is to (among other goes like this: Christ had a sinful stopped sinning. Or if [someone] things) aid God's people in their proc- nature just like ours and He was vic- wants to show that the real vindica- lamation of the loud cry" that ripens torious over sin; with His example, tion of God is that sinners can stop the earth for the harvest,' and not to we too can be victorious over sin and sinning, then in what possible way settle some issue before the unfallen vindicate God's requirement of per- could Jesus have done this?" In other beings of the universe. fect obedience to His law. words, if Jesus had to be just like us to Against this argument, Eric C. be our example, can He who never Our joyful privilege Webster has provided a useful cri- sinned be an example for those who We have the good news: Jesus has tique.' If Jesus is really the "bench- want to give up the habit? already vindicated the Father! Now

46 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994

since that work has been done, what See also Eric C. Webster's critique of Douglass Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1956), pp. 70, 71. in his Crosscurrents in Adventist Christology 13 Ralph Neall, "The Nearness and the De- does that say about our work? Again, (New York: Peter Lang Pub., Inc., 1984; also lay of the Parousia in the Writings of Ellen G. we have good news: We have the reprinted by ), pp. White" (Ph.D. Dis., Andrews University, 1982), joyful privilege of witnessing to Jesus' 347-428. p. 146. finished work. Such a witness is sheer 3 Wieland does not seem to be as direct as The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com- Andreasen and Douglass, but he seems to sug- mentary, Ellen G. White Comments (Washing- privilege, not demanded necessity. gest that Christ's plan for a righteous remnant ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1980), Does God need us? Of course He cannot fail. In his Powerful Good News vol. 7, p. 946. does, but only in the sense that love (Uniontown, Ohio: New Start Health Educa- 15 White, Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 208; see always revels in a shared joy and a tions, Inc., 1989), he says; "God has chosen to also p. 524, and vol. 9, p. 13. exercise faith that His people will not fail Him" 16 The quotations in this paragraph and the mutually satisfying effort. The heat is (p. 41). next four paragraphs are taken from Webster, off of us! No more wondering if our Ellen G. White in Seventh-day Adventists pp. 422-424. puny efforts will suffice. No more Answer Questions on Doctrine (Washington, 1' White, The Great Controversy (Mountain D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1957), p. View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1950), p. anxiety that arises out of deep feel- 674; also see p. 679. 425; cf. p. 464. 18 ings of insufficiency about inevitable 5 , Christ's Object Lessons (Wash- , The Acts of the Apostles (Moun- deficiencies. No more agonized looks ington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., tain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1941), p. 69. 1911), p. 55. within, but only an assuring look back 6 19 , Selected Messages (Washington, , Testimonies to Ministers and Gos- to the cross and up to the beckoning D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958), pel Workers (Mountain View, Calif., Pacific hand of a reassuring Father! book 1, p. 118. Press Pub. Assn., 1962), pp. 506, 509. 20 7 - , The Desire of Ages (Mountain , Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 214; SDA View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1940), p. Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, 680. (Italics supplied.) vol. 6, p. 1055. For an excellent selection of ' See Roy Adams, The Sanctuary Doctrine: , Testimonies for the Church statements about the purposes of the latter rain Three Approaches in the Seventh-day Adventist (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. and the loud cry, see the Ellen White compila- Church (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Andrews Uni- Assn., 1948) vol. 5, p. 317. tion Last Day Events: Facing Earth's Final versity Press, 1981), pp. 201-220 and 227-235. 9 , The Desire of Ages, p. 58. Crisis (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 2 Herbert Douglass, The End: Unique Voice 10 , Signs of the Times, Aug. 27,1902. 1992), pp. 183-214; Robert Olson, The Crisis of Adventists About the Return of Jesus (Moun- H — , Review and Herald, Sept. 7, 1897. Ahead (Angwin, Calif.: Pacific tain View, Calif: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1979). 12 ---, (Mountain View, Bookstore, 1981), pp. 56-74.

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physician friend of mine, hear- of a substitute (see Lev. 4:13-21; 17:3, Alberto R. Treiyer ing about the Old Testament 4). In the innocent victim, sinners A sanctuary ritual, remarked: literally brought their sin (hatta't in "We're nearing the year 2000. What Lev. 4:3; 5:6) and guilt (asham in does all that mean today?" Lev. 5:15; 6:6; see also Isa. 53:10; 2 Obviously, the gospel of ancient Cor. 5:21), thus obtaining the joy and worship (see Heb. 4:2) cannot over- peace of divine forgiveness (see Lev. come modern misconceptions simply 4:20, 26, 31; Rom. 5:1). The sin, through sound biblical exegesis. * Bib- however, remained in the sanctuary We need it still lical truth—no matter how marvel- until the last liturgical month, when a today. ous—will suffer rejection unless we special ritual would remove it from demonstrate its spiritual value to the the divine tent (see Lev. 16:16-18, times in which we live. 30). b. Defiling the sanctuary. God Spiritual value of the sanctuary stooped low to dwell amid a dirty gospel people (see Isa. 6:5) and made Him- In the ancient sanctuary system self approachable (see Lev. 16:11; God revealed His plan to save the Num. 35:33, 34). He could accept world from destruction, to vindicate human uncleanness in His sanctuary His divine attributes, and to destroy if it came by means of a clean animal. evil. Accomplishing this will grant However, sinners who rejected the stability and everlasting protection to sacrificial substitute were not accept- the universe. Therefore, knowledge able (see Lev. 15:31; Num. 19:13- of the sanctuary gospel is essential for 20). Open rebellion implied a self- all who care about their destiny and justification of human sinfulness, and their individual role in the cosmic God rid Himself of this burden mak- controversy between good and evil. ing it coming back in the judgment Let us consider the gospel of the over the guilty ones (see Joshua 24:19, Alberto R. Treiyer, sanctuary in its various elements: 20; Lev. 20:3, 4). Although in special Ph.D., is an Adventist a. The human perspective. To teach cases God did not postpone judgment writer and evangelist them how to approach Him without for the final day, His established time based in Columbia, of reckoning was, according to the Maryland. tarnishing His holiness or being con- sumed by His glory, God required the typical calendar, the Day of Atone- ancient Israelites to pitch a tent in the ment (see Lev. 23:27-30). midst of their tents (see Ex. 25:8, 9). c. The divine perspective. Jesus Then He promised to free them from taught that to swear by the temple, their sins by requiring them to bring was to swear by the One who dwells their faults into His dwelling by means in it (see Matt. 23:21); likewise, to

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 49 defile the sanctuary defames the name d. Final destiny of sin. On the Day the remnant of his inheritance?" of Him who dwells there (see Lev. of Atonement, after all confessed sins (Micah 7:18, NIV). The forgiveness 20:3, 1 Kings 8:29). In other words, were cleansed from the sanctuary (see of sin that God offers now delivers us sin is more than a social or political Lev. 16:20), they were sent back to from the anguish of having to justify matter—and even more than a simple their first cause (see Gen. 3:14, 15; ourselves before a court that has in- offense against God. It slanders the Ps. 7:16). They were placed upon a fallible records (see Rom. 14:10-12). good name of the Creator before the scapegoat that represented the origi- Thanks to the substitionary sacrifice world and the universe (see Rom. nator and instigator of evil and that, of His Son, it is the King of the uni- 2:24, Eph. 3:10). therefore, had nothing to do with sav- verse who assumes our defense. "If An earthly ruler puts his reputa- ing atonement. Then this symbolic God is for us, who can be against us? tion and integrity on the line in the progenitor of sin was expelled to an ... Who will bring any charge against way he judges a national betrayer. In uninhabited land (Lev. 16:20-22). those whom God has chosen? It is the same way, God has placed at risk Thus also, after the coming of the God who justifies (Rom. 8:31-33, His name and His word in vindicating Lord, the devil and his rebel angels NIV). the redemption of His people (see Isa. will be confined for 1,000 years to Nobody can condemn in the judg- 42:21; 48:11; Jer. 14:20, 21). How wandering around this desolated ment those whom the Lamb of God, could He clear the guilty who refuse world, reaping the fruit of misery and saved with His vicarious death and on to repent (Ex. 34:7) without jeopar- destruction for their evil conspiracy. whose behalf He intercedes at the dizing the goodwill and the confi- Then at the end of the millennium right hand of the Majesty in heaven dence of His creation? comes the final judgment, annihilat- (see Rev.12:10; Heb. 8:1, 2). Christ is The Lord requires us to be honest ing the evil one (see Rev. 20:1-3). fully worthy of our confidence. ■ in confessing our sins; otherwise, He e. Liberation from the anguish of cannot save us while also guarantee- the judgment. "Who is a God like * For a comprehensive work on this sub- ing the peace of His creation and the ject, see A. R. Treiyer, The Day of Atonement you," said Micah, "who pardons [lit- and the Heavenly Judgment: From the stability of His government (see Ps. erally: "takes on him" or "assumes"] Pentateuch to Revelation (Siloam Springs, Ark.: 51:4; Rom. 3:4). sin and forgives the transgression of Creation Enterprises International, 1992).

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50 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 Pastor's Pastor Disappointed, distracted, or dedicated?

James A. Cress

fter a night of bitter tears, crest- his testimony: "I was stopped about mid- "undisappointed" with the continuing fallen Adventists ventured way of the field. Heaven seemed open to delay of the Advent. Are we Adventists A forth to face the cruel dawn my view, and I saw distinctly and clearly in name only? Does our lifestyle betray of October 23, 1844. Their blessed hope that instead of our High Priest coming the name we bear? had become what some religious histori- out of the Most Holy of the heavenly I suggest that it is better to be disap- ans call the Great Disappointment. For sanctuary to come to this earth on the pointed than distracted. Whatever the the past 150 years it has stood as some- tenth day of the seventh month, at the mistaken expectations of the early thing of an embarrassment to some end of the 2300 days, He for the first time Adventists, not even their bitterest critics Adventists. Wrongfully so, I believe. entered on that day the second apartment denied that their hearts were focused on First, the disappointed Adventists of that sanctuary." better things than business as usual. We were in good company with true believ- So the solution that erased Edson' s modern Adventists can learn much from ers of the first century. Every Christian perplexity and eventually spawned the their example! of whatever denomination participates Seventh-day Adventist Church was this: The early Adventists had the time with us in the history of a great disap- Rather than ending His work as high prophecy correct but they failed to envi- pointment regarding failed expectations priest on October 22, 1844, Christ began sion all that God wanted to accomplish in concerning Jesus. The New Testament the final phase of His ministry in which this world before Jesus would come. records the despair of the disciples when God's name is vindicated, the devil's Today we understand the 2300 days of Christ's death fulfilled the time proph- accusations against the faithful are re- Daniel 8. But perhaps in our indifference ecy of Daniel 9. Despite their error in futed through the blood of Jesus, and a we also fail to envision what God wants understanding how that prophecy would glorious message is proclaimed globally. to do for us and through us before all be fulfilled, they still comprised God's The Millerites had been correct in their things end. How much longer time will movement of destiny. He did not forsake computation of time prophecy even last, we do not know. But of one thing we them. though mistaken about the event. De- may be certain: ultimately: "He will fin- Amid the scorn of unbelievers, the spite their mistake, they were a divinely ish the work and cut it short in righteous- two disciples on the road to Emmaus appointed movement of destiny. We can ness, because the Lord will make a short mourned: "But we were hoping that it thank God for their spiritual inheritance. work upon the earth" (Rom. 9:28, was He who was going to redeem Israel" NKJV). (Luke 24:21, NKJV). Then Cleopas, one Better to be disappointed than dis- of the unheralded believers, received a tracted Disappointed, distracted—or dedi- revelation that brought the disappointed Another reason Adventists today cated? followers a new message and launched a should not feel embarrassed about the Fellow pastor and church leader, we new movement. Great Disappointment is that the very need be neither disappointed nor dis- bitterness of the experience is a measure tracted. God has a third option available: History repeated of how much our spiritual forebears We can be dedicated! We can dedicate So it was among Adventists after our wanted Jesus to come. They were ourselves to our message and our mis- own Great Disappointment that came Adventists in every sense of the word. sion as did our pioneers and from misunderstanding another proph- Pilgrims like Abraham of old, they were our Lord Himself. Jesus declared: "My ecy in Daniel. Like Cleopas long ago, looking for the heavenly city. This world food is to do the will of Him who sent Hiram Edson was trudging along in sor- held no allure for them; they lived by Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34, row when a sudden insight gave birth to faith in the unseen realities of eternity. NKJV). a new movement of destiny. Can the same be said for us today? I To finish His work! After a century Avoiding the road, perhaps to escape wonder if some Adventists have become and a half of our existence, this remains the taunts of neighbors, Edson was walk- distracted from the blessed hope. Com- our compelling objective. It must be our ing across a cornfield when, according to fortable with living here and now, are we encompassing obsession. ■

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 51 Biblio File

The Remnant regarding its future. Goldstein sees Anticipating the Advent: A Brief Clifford Goldstein, Pacific Press Pub- Christ's message to the end-time History of Seventh-day Adventists lishing Association, Boise, Idaho, church not as a requiem but as a George R. Knight, Pacific Press Pub- 1994, 128 pages, US$8.95, paper. reveille. He presents a life-giving call lishing Association, Boise, Idaho, Reviewed by Brian Jones, pastor, to repentance, revival, and reforma- 1993, 128 pages, US$8.95, paper. Mountain View Conference of Sev- tion that steers clear of the ice of Reviewed by Mel H. M. Matinyi, book enth-day Adventists, Frametown, West cynicism, the lukewarmness of apa- editor, Tanzania Adventist Press, Virginia. thy, and the flames of fanaticism. Morogoro, Tanzania. Clifford Goldstein, editor of Lib- Instead he sparks a steady light of true Anticipating the Advent flows from erty, again jars us out of our compla- consecration. the prolific writing of George Knight, cency. He does this, not for the sake Those who read this book with professor of church history at the Sev- of being an enfant terrible, but to comprehension will become unspar- enth-day Adventist Theological Semi- stimulate us to think honestly, accu- ing critics of themselves, turning nary in Michigan. According to the rately, and biblically on an important from the vanity of condemning author, the "book is the story of how theological issue. others to repent of their own sins. In Adventists came to view themselves In his latest book Goldstein sur- accepting Christ's remedy, they as a prophetic people, of their grow- veys the Bible concept of the remnant will undergo an internal shaking. ing awareness of a responsibility to from its inception in Genesis to its Goldstein contends the shaking will take their unique message to all the culmination in Revelation. do its work to purify the visible rem- world, and of their organizational and In a comprehensive and succinct nant, not by an exodus of the faithful institutional development as they manner, Goldstein draws parallels from the church, but by the centrifu- sought to fulfill their prophetic mis- between the history of God's early gal forces of divine purification that sion." Knight cautions the reader not visible remnant (Israel until Calvary) will consolidate those who hold to to view the book as a "contribution to and His last-day visible remnant. Christ and fling out spurious believ- knowledge," but rather to see it as While he treats the flaws and failings ers. largely "a summary of the high points of the visible church candidly, he No thinking Adventist can afford of Adventist history." comes to no pessimistic conclusions to overlook The Remnant. The book seeks to develop a posi- tive Adventist history suggesting that possibilities rather than problems should be the focus of the church as it NEW VIDEO RESOURCES moves into the twenty-first century. Thus the history in the book comes FOR CHURCH OR HOME across as selective. Knight provides an interesting from Pastor/Evangelist Doug Batchelor background of William Miller's reli- gious convictions and calls him "the reluctant prophet." Knight gives an- ecdotes about the pioneer publishing VIDEO EVANGELISM work and the "printed missionary" Do you want evangelistic meetings, but can't afford an evangelist? Now with large screen TV you can bring "A New Revelatioe with PastOr/E'vangelist (publications shipped overseas). We Doug Batchelor to your church or Bible stiidy group, learn about the first camp meetings and the formation of the General Con- Study 32 Bible topics. Enjoy Pastor Doug's spOntaneous hilmor and learn to ference. know a loving Cod through a unique question and answer session on each Through Knight's book we relive tape. This professionally produced set includes 16 two-hour vidth tapes, one the expectations and disappointments lesson set, and one copy of"The Richest Caveman" book. US $213/Cdn $298 of the Millerites and those who fol- Study guides, Bibles and advertising Material are available. lowed them. But I question his selec- CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICES tivity. Knight openly discusses "the spiritualizers" as well as the fanati- GOOD NEWS FOR PASTORS OF MORE THAN ONE CHURCH/ If you pastor more than one church, the "Central Church Worship" videos can help you cope with multiple worship hours_ cism under Himes' leadership. But why does he hardly mention the "char- The Central Church WorShip videos provide a 60-minute service consisting.of special music, ismatic fanaticism" in post-1844 Ad- Bible questions and answers, scripture reading and sermon. This professionally produced ventism? service uses-three cameras that lets the viewers feel:actively involved. US SIS/Cdn $30- per single The claim that Ellen G. White's service or US -$195/Cdn: $273 for one quarter's subscription of1.3 tapes sent weekly. spiritual gift was regarded as one of the pillars of faith and "landmarks" To order. send request with payment to: Mountain Ministry. by the pioneers does not fit my under- 5431 Auburn Blvd., Suite A-1. Sacramento. CA 95841 Tel: (916) 332-5800 standing of early Adventist history.

52 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 Ellen White herself never claimed fringe. He has confronted a major fascination some brethren have with her prophetic gift to be one of the vital problem within the church by open- 1888 and with Jones and Waggoner, points of the church's faith (see Tes- ing some windows and letting in fresh outlining the difficulty he has with timonies, vol. 5, p. 672).* air. this obsession. Knight discusses unusual doctri- The first chapter outlines the posi- Chapter three is historical. Almost nal concepts held by Jones, Waggoner, tion taken by the "concerned" and half a century has passed since the and Kellogg, but ignores those of more "disaffected" brethren with regard to wall between Adventists and evan- popular leaders such as Smith and the nature of Christ and their position gelical Christians began to crumble. Prescott. on perfection. Adams then clearly Few today can appreciate the courage The book could use more foot- shows the weaknesses of their argu- and editorial risk Donald Barnhouse notes or references. For example, read- ments. Chapter two deals with the took as editor of Eternity magazine ers would like to look up Knight's claim that W. C. White was among those who "pressed for a reasonable and not overly rigid view of . . . Ellen White's writings." Such documenta- A New Self-Study Course tion would be important in light of the ANSWERS— minutes of the 1919 Bible Confer- ence. • Is there a real sanctuary in heaven? From a rather thorough Adventist • Did Jesus begin His priestly minis- history survey, Knight omits the Ger- try in the Holy Place? man schism even though the ramifi- • Was a cleansing of the sanctuary cations from that schism are still be- necessary in 1844? ing felt 77 years later. • Does Christ have a two-phase min- Even though I feel the book is istry in heaven? somewhat selective in what it pre- • Can a basic doctrine be inducted sents as Adventist history, I still agree from a biblical type? with General Conference president . . . and many more of your sanctu- Robert Folkenberg that Knight's work ary questions will be answered in— is a "refreshing and insightful por- trayal of the significant events and eras in our history."

* See the first issue of Signs of the Times STUDIES (July 4, 1874). James White's editorial on the 25 "fundamental principles" which formed the on the book of basis of church teaching until 1931, discusses spiritual gifts but does not mention Ellen G. White. Not until the General Conference ses- sion of 1950, when a 1931 statement was for- mally ratified, did Ellen G. White's name ap- pear as the one through whom the gift of proph- EBREWS ecy was manifested in the church. In fact, her name did not originally appear in the 1931 statement, but was added at that session. by Frank B. Holbrook

The Nature of Christ: Help for a This self-study course is based upon Issues in the Book of Church Divided Over Perfection Hebrews and Doctrine of the Sanctuary, vols. 4 & 5 of the Daniel Roy Adams, Review and Herald Pub- and Revelation Committee Series. The cost of $22.95 includes lishing Association, Hagerstown, the above volumes and study guide. (Add $5.00 shipping in the Maryland, 1994, 143 pages, index, U.S.; Canada/overseas additional shipping charges may apply. US$9.95, paper. Reviewed by Lyndon K. McDowell, retired pastor, This self study course should be studied in connection with Scottsdale, Arizona. Studies on the (HTH 7145 $31.95 plus s/h) and Roy Adams has done a service to Studies on the Book of Revelation (HTH 7418 $29.95 plus s/h). the church by writing this book. The church has been silent too long on the Order from issue discussed in it, and too many Ministerial Continuing Education/Seminars Unlimited members have been confused or mis- P.O. Box 66, Keene, TX 76059 led. But Adams has done more than Orders: (800) 982-3344 Information: (817) 641-3643 meet the arguments of those on the

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 53 E. Lonnie Melashenko Director-Speaker

The Box 2525 Newbury Park, CA 91319 • 805-373-7611 when he wrote that Adventists were stands with his back to the church for a current corporate repentance? fellow Christians. On our part we looking outward to Wieland and Short. Does the virus of perfectionism not discovered that these Christians were But there are some 300 other groups infect even some in influential deeply spiritual. As horrified subscrib- proclaiming that they have a message positions? Aren't there many who ers threatened to cancel their sub- for the church. Would it not have would stifle discussion, nervous of scriptions, Barnhouse called the Min- been more profitable if Adams had any approach different from their isterial Association requesting prayers looked inward to the church and asked, own? Such people will heartily con- on behalf of the magazine. "If what I "What is the problem with our theol- demn this book, for its finger points have done is right, as I believe it is," ogy, ecclesiology, or our psyche that unerringly at them. he said, "God will give us new sub- breeds aberrations?" Only implicitly Hopefully this publication will be scribers." And God did. A whole does the book do this. a catalyst to help us confront these generation has grown up without As a denomination we have been issues. The book will not be lightly knowing the full story of what hap- far more egocentric than Christo- set aside. It will engender glad accep- pened. Adams has done a service by centric, focusing on ourselves rather tance or angry rejection. telling some of the story, particularly than our Saviour. Our evangelism has Andreasen's part in the casuistry that lifted up a unique church more than The Day of Atonement and the Heav- followed the publication of Questions Christ and Him crucified. Too often enly Judgment: From the Penta- on Doctrine in 1957. we have measured righteousness by teuch to Revelation Chapters four, five, and six ad- externals. Adams decries the crass Alberto R. Treiyer, Creation Enter- dress central theological questions. I provincialism that makes the second prises International, Route 2, Box 150, found the chapter on sin especially coming of Christ dependent upon Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761 good. Adventists have been too sim- Adventists' relationship to 1888, but (800-522-4234), 1992, 720 pages, plistic about the nature of sin. Sin is were we not conceived in provincial- US$29.95, hardcover. Reviewed by rebellion that manifests itself in many ism? And is our genetic heritage not Angel Manuel Rodriguez, Biblical ways. Adams then discusses corpo- expressed in the glib phrase "finish- Research Institute, Silver Spring, rate repentance and in a final chapter ing the work," as though God were Maryland. answers the question "What Does dependent upon the number of This work is a revised and ex- God Require?" Adventists baptized? Adams rightly panded version of the author's doc- The book is easy to read. The is- points out how the "concerned breth- toral dissertation submitted to the sues are simply described, the ques- ren" misuse Ellen White. But isn't Faculty of Protestant Theology at the tions answered, and the gospel, so this careless use of Ellen White en- University of Strasbourg, France, in often obscured by legalism, shines demic in our speaking and writing? 1982. I consider it the most thorough through. This reviewer will enthusi- Adams repudiates corporate repen- scholarly analysis of the ritual of the astically recommend it to his Sabbath tance over 1888, but is there no room Day of Atonement available in theo- school class as excellent background material for Bible study. The book is not without its blem- Covenant Marble and GRANITEWORKS WRITTEN FOREVER ishes. On page 110 Adams likens those presents WRITTEN IN STONE* "who piously seek to manipulate THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Perfect for God's people" to Jim Jones and David Gray or Rose Pastors Koresh. The reference is obviously to Granite English Wieland and Short. This is unfair. Hebrew Study or Church When Wieland and Short first pre- 1rw; Spanish sented their thesis to the General Con- Office ference and had it rejected, the two Home men agreed not to propagate their School ideas. Although unpersuaded, they Memorials were true to their promise. Both serve Gifts the church loyally and should be hon- Wedding. ored for this. Housewarming It was Robert Brinsmead who Graduate.'-,i • seized upon their ideas and incorpo- etc. rated them into his divisive heresy. Lasered Style Handcarved Style Slotted for Wall Display Only after their retirement, when the 20" x 10" x 1/2" Tablets 14" x 6 1/2" 3/8" Tablets *Bonded Genuine Granite material had been publicized by Lasered Style $149.00 Shipping & Handling add 10% Covenant Marble & GRANITE WORKS Brinsmead, did they begin to write Hand-Carved Style $44.95 $6.00 min. CODs add $4.50 PO Box 100 and speak on the subject. Blue Granite $49.95 VISA or MasterCard CALL NOW Roaring River, NC 28669 Pine Easel $20.00 Toll Free 1-800-535-4225 Call or write for FREE Color Catalog In his allusion to Waco, Adams

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 55 AN INVITATION TO CONNECT WITH ULTIMATE POWER

A MIGHTY RUSHING WIND POWER FOR A FINISHED WORK How the Holy Spirit Energizes Ordinary People by David Wolkwitz is true. Without the Holy Spirit we are powerless to fulfill the Commis- sion of taking the gospel to the world. A Mighty Rushing Wind is a power- ful presentation of how to claim the most important promise in scripture — the promise that brings ALL of heaven's blessings when received. This book/study guide will awaken you to the compelling reality of the Holy Spirit. The author presents the Holy Spirit as Someone with incredible ability to refocus your life, energize your relationship to Jesus and use you for tremendous good. This brand new resource is vital as you prepare for the special experience soon to come. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord." $7.95 each, quantity discounts for seminars, or small groups. • Available from Hart Research Center, call 1-800-487-4278 Y Hart Research Center Resourcesfor the Active Church P.O. Box 2377 • Fallbrook, California 92088 logical literature today. Treiyer dis- nonchalantly refer to as the Great in the past two decades has serious cusses every element of the Day of Disappointment? study of the Millerite movement blos- Atonement in dialogue with scholars Till Morning Breaks provides that somed. He observes that until this from different religious traditions and human element. Egbert gives us an breakthrough, research on the subject theological schools. The result is an imaginative glimpse into the lives of was confined to the ends of a con- encyclopedic volume that places the the Fletcher family who are caught up tinuum between harsh criticism and Adventist understanding of the Day in the drama of Miller's prediction defensive apology. Millennial Fever of Atonement on solid exegetical and that the world will end in 1844. attempts to occupy the middle ground. theological ground. Through the eyes and ears of this New Millennial Fever is a must read for The book begins with a verse-by- England family, the reader relives Adventist pastors, teachers, and par- verse analysis of Leviticus 16. Treiyer those traumatic days and tastes the ticularly those involved in evange- then addresses methodological issues passion the Millerites felt for their lism. We can idealize the Millerite raised by those trained in the histori- Saviour's appearing. This is history movement and perpetuate distortions cal critical method. He discusses the with human flesh covering the factual of its messengers in an attempt to nature of impurity, holiness, and the skeleton. convince the unenlightened of its contamination and cleansing of the As you read of the Fletchers' in- significance. Knight shows a better sanctuary. A special section is as- volvement in the Millerite movement way. signed to the term "Azazel" and its and the Great Disappointment, you Knight organizes the book around function on the Day of Atonement. A sense something of what life must three areas: the personalities and dialogue of the typological signifi- have been during that shattering forces involved in the movement up cance of the sanctuary and its services experience. You marvel how people to 1844; the dynamics of the Great is followed by a study of the sanctu- sacrificed not only possessions but Disappointment, and responses to the ary and judgment in the Prophets. The the closest of human relationships as Disappointment and their conse- author dedicates the last two chapters they prepared to meet Jesus face-to- quences. to a study of the sanctuary and judg- face. Knight theorizes that a prophetic ment in the New Testament. Till Morning Breaks is great read- self-consciousness is the main dy- For those interested in the Day of ing simply as a story. But as you read, namic of Millerism and Adventism. Atonement and willing to put in the at least two questions surface: Are we He maintains that this self-understand- time and study required for a deeper today as willing as were our Advent ing consists of a deep certainty of the understanding of the topic, Treiyer' s forebears, by faith, to surrender ev- imminence of the Second Coming and work holds a mine of information. erything in order to meet Jesus? And an urgent sense of responsibility to Seminar materials, entitled "Glorious could it be that we who live a century proclaim that message. Knight argues Promise of the Sanctuary," using the and a half later will yet see, in our that this is the "internal mainspring" book as a text are available in both own lifetimes, the glorious morning that accounts for the success of English and Spanish from the pub- of Christ's return that the Millerites Millerism and, by extension, Seventh- lisher. expected so fervently? day Adventism. Major contemporary studies of Till Morning Breaks Millennial Fever and the End of the Millerism have focused on external Elaine Egbert, Pacific Press Publish- World (social and environmental) and inter- ing Association, Boise, Idaho, 1993, George R. Knight, Pacific Press Pub- nal (personal and psychological) data. 256 pages, US$10.95, paper. Re- lishing Association, Boise, Idaho, However, the very nature of faith it- viewed by Russell Holt, editorial vice 1993, 384 pages, US$14.95, paper, self often defies such rational expla- president, Pacific Press Publishing $19.95, hardcover. Reviewed by Paul nations, even though the insights gen- Association, Boise, Idaho. Fisher, district pastor, Beaver Falls, erated by such research are valuable. Most Seventh-day Adventists have Pennsylvania. We need a healthy skepticism re- learned the factual details surround- With a title like Millennial Fever garding all human analyses of divine ing 1844 and the Great Disappoint- and the End of the World the reader history. Armed with this insight, all ment. We remember Miller's Bible would expect a certain fire to pervade who undertake the reading of Millen- study with only a concordance, and the book. It does not. It is history: nial Fever will find that it proves to the reluctant bargain he made with systematic, detailed, and comprehen- be a highly profitable exercise. God that resulted in his being called sive. The preface has a twofold state- to preach. We know about the charts ment of the purpose of publication. Recently Noted and charges of ascension robes and First, to provide "a comprehensive We Still Believe, Robert S. Folken- Edson's early-morning walk in the overview of Millerism," and second berg, Pacific Press Publishing Asso- cornfield. But what would it have to identify the essential ingredients, ciation, Boise, Idaho, 1994, 125 been like to have actually lived in the success of Miller's millennial pages, US$3.60, paper (also avail- through that soul-stirring time of ex- movement. able in Spanish). pectation and terrible anguish we so George Knight suggests that only The president of the General Con-

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 57 ference of Seventh-day Adventists pages, US$7.95, paper. Hagerstown, Maryland, 1994, 126 tells why we still believe Jesus is Compiled from the writings of pages, US$8.95, paper. coming soon. He also tackles the chal- William Miller's most well-known As we commemorate the 150th lenges and discusses why we believe contemporary, we learn about this anniversary of the Great Disappoint- nine other doctrines associated with courageous believer in the Second ment, many wonder if it is something Adventism. Advent. we as a church have or haven't done that has postponed Christ's return for William Miller: Herald of the Blessed The Apparent Delay: What Role Do so many years. Wallenkampf looks at Hope, Ellen G. White, Review and We Play in the Timing of Jesus' Re- Scripture and early church writings Herald Publishing Association, turn? Arnold Wallenkampf, Review and gives us an encouraging answer. Hagerstown, Maryland, 1994, 94 and Herald Publishing Association, With Jesus in His Sanctuary, Leslie Hardinge, American Cassette Minis- tries Book Publishing Division, P.O. Box 922, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108, 1991, 576 pages, US$24.95 Companion to Studies on Daniel (plus $3.50 shipping), hardcover. Subtitled A Walk Through the Tab- ernacle Along His Way, this book covers all aspects of the sanctuary Studies on doctrine. With Jesus at the center, the author not only provides information but moves one to a deeper devotion to the book of Christ. In spite of its length and the complex topic it covers, readers will find the material interesting and easy %dictation to understand. 1844 and the Rise of Sabbatarian Adventism, George R. Knight, Re- A self-study course explaining view and Herald Publishing Associa- • systems of interpretation tion, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1994, • significance of sanctuary 192 pages, US$12.95. typology in Revelation In this book you will find fac- • mark of the beast simile reproductions of 32 source • an update on the modem Papacy documents from Millerism and early • hermeneutical approach to the Adventism. Short essays by the au- seven last plagues thor provide an overview of the his- • approaches to the millennium tory and development of Millerism • historicist location of the seals/ and early Adventism. trumpets in the Christian era and many other issues. Magnificent Disappointment, Mervyn An indispensable resource for those Maxwell, Pacific Press Publishing conducting Revelation Seminars. Association, Boise, Idaho, 1994, 175 pages, US$10.95, paper. Mervyn Maxwell, former profes- Includes study guide and sor of church history at Andrews Uni- two textbooks— versity, gives his perception of what Symposium on Revelation— Book I and Book II happened in 1844 and what it means (DARCOM vols. 6 & 7). to the church today.

Jim R. Nix, Re‘l Li I, ilk $29.95 Early Advent Singing, Wplus $5.00 shipping to U.S. address. Review and Herald Publishing Asso- Additional shipping may apply to orders ciation, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1994, shipped outside the U.S.

k 13 Holbrook. Editor spiral songbook. A collection of early Adventist Ministerial Continuing Education PO Box 66, Keene, TX 76059; Orders (800) 982-3344 hymns (1842-1915) with stories that illustrate them.

58 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 Ministry Reports Have we forgotten how to sacrifice?

James A. Cress

istorically, the Seventh-day itself. Focus on the greatest I made for each of us, can we not join HAdventist Church has sponsored Sacrifice of all, Jesus. in and offer a small sacrifice in re- an annual week of sacrifice offering In light of the sacrifice that Jesus I turn? • every fall. This year it will be taken on November 12. Early Adventists dedicated a week's wages toward spreading the gospel. In recent years, the promotion and emphasis of this offering has waned in some areas of the world. This year marks a return of the focus on sharing and sacrificing to NFT95 help finish the work. The Annual Sacrifice offering is Nora! AmEricAn DIvIslon-Wide now assigned to Global Mission whose sole purpose is to finish the work EvAngEllstIc Thrust entering the unentered. Global Mis- h Association with the sion is asking members to sacrifice Adventist Mega Center one day's wages for this offering. One hundred percent of what you give goes directly to unentered areas for Anationally televised Evangelistic Campaign witnessing, evangelistic programs, with international Evangelist, It Is Written Speaker/Director • Mark Finley and establishing new congregations. Not one penny is used for administra- Live into your el-lord-1 or auditorium VIP sAtEllitE downlink beginning tion. February 18, 1995! What can you do as a pastor to help your people mature in the Christian BE A part of this coordinated movement for Grist! virtue of sacrifice? • Handbills • Sermon Materials • Announcements—remind your • Advertising • Preparation and Follow-up Events members that many good things require effort and even sacri- • Slides • Seminar Support Materials fice. • Videos • Training • Sermon on finishing the work— Pastors - Laymen - Churches - Working together share stories of those who have given much down through the Ongoing SUPPORT and TRAINING events are in progress NOW! ages to move God's message forward. Call NOW for information • Newsletter emphasis—encour- HOW you can loin! age your members to give of themselves in a variety of ways. 1-800-982-3344 • Personal example—share what National Resource Line And Help Desk you or others are doing person- ally. • Celebrate sacrifice—plan a Revelation Seminars and Morel worship service around the eminars Unlimited theme of sacrifice and honor Ministerial Supply and Continuing Education those who have given much to P.O. Box 66, KEE.11E, TX 76059 God's church in their time, ef- fort, funds, property, even life

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 59 Looking For That Blessed Hope

It's time to look up, Jesus is coming! Churches are exploding with growth as thousands are being baptized overseas. But here too, the Lord has great things in store for his people if we as Church members, pastors, and administra- tors will "press together" to herald the glad tidings...Jesus is coming again! The Adventist Media Center and Seminars Unlimited have formed an historic partnership to bet- ter serve your evangelistic and outreach needs. One of the exciting new ways to help you reach hearts for Christ is NET '95: the Division-wide soul-winning thrust. You'll be able to look to Seminars Unlimited as your NET '95 Material Resource Center, but that's just the beginning... With this new partnership . . . THE SKY IS THE LIMIT! Together We Can Help Hasten the Day

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For tools to help you preach, teach, edify, nurture and grow! 1-800-982-3344 • 817-641-3643 Call for a FREE Newsletter Order Blank cation (Eze. 20:20). for the teacher to feel that he or she In the worship and witness is a "lone ranger." Such teachers Letters activities that the pastors engage in would welcome the kind of support From page 2 Sabbath, they lead God's people to that was outlined in your article. a closer fellowship with God and When a pastor told one of my with each other. When they preach teachers that he was going to home the Word, lead in praise, challenge school his children, the teacher I thank you again for a consider- the congregation to a holy living, replied that maybe he and his able and very useful amount of they are not engaging in ordinary family would "home church." straight talk that has been coming activities, but holy deeds. Touche! We must present a united from your desk for the past few From Matthew 12:1-8 we learn front for the total program if the years. Keep it up. We all need it.— that human need takes precedence work is to be finished. Frank R. Lemon, Beaumont, over religious rituals and customs Thank you for this emphasis on California. and that worship involves certain Adventist education. Educating our necessary works. To illustrate the children takes all of us.—Daniel M. ■ The primary mission of the first, Jesus used the example of Peters, superintendent of schools, Seventh-day Adventist Church is David eating the showbread. To Kansas- Conference of the same as it has been for the past illustrate the second, Jesus spoke of SDA, Topeka, Kansas. 150 years: to prepare a people to the works that the priests did on meet their Lord and Saviour. There Sabbath. Human calculation may Redemptive discipline is no other reason for the existence consider such works as profaning Jay Gallimore's article on of this church. the Sabbath, but the priests are redemptive discipline (June 1994) Jesus came to earth to show us guiltless before God. So are today's was bold, balanced, timely, coura- the Father, and then He commanded pastors involved in many "works" geous, and sorely needed in our His disciples to go into all the in providing Sabbath worship. church. The author has addressed an world to tell of Him. According to —Paulraj Isaiah, associate unpopular subject. Not many Jesus' instruction, the knowledge of director, Church Ministries, South- conference presidents seem to have God's love and His plan of salva- ern Asia Division of SDA, Hosur, a burden in this area. Nor do many tion is to be made available to the India. pastors and church boards. Church whole world. Unless ministers, membership in the Seventh-day doctors, lawyers, businesspersons, Making your school successful Adventist Church ought to be manual laborers, and welfare I am overjoyed to read James looked on with a degree of awe. It recipients have a personal acquain- Cress's article "Making Your ought to be very significant and tance with Jesus, they have nothing School Successful" (June 1994). meaningful. But we have countless to tell the world. Unless they have a While serving as a pastor for eight churches with bloated memberships passion for the saving of souls, they years I tried to practice many of the of people who don't attend church, will not tell the story of salvation. points the article emphasizes. As a who are living in open sin, who do Is failure in this personal commit- conference superintendent of not really count themselves as ment confusing our sense of mis- schools for 29 years, I rejoice when Seventh-day Adventists, and whose sion? I see pastors willing to give high lifestyles deny the gospel and what Paul states that mission very priority to the church school and the church stands for. There is a clearly: "For I resolved to know academy. The pastor's personal tremendous need for "carefront- nothing while I was with you except attitude toward Christian education ation." We must love people enough Jesus Christ and him crucified" is often the catalyst that ensures the to visit them, help them, pray with (1 Cor. 2:2, NIV).—Robert A. success of the school. them, and in the spirit of Jesus try Dexter, M.D., Porterville, Califor- My fellow educators will join to win them back or administer the nia. me in expressing our deep and appropriate discipline. I salute sincere appreciation for every Ministry for addressing this need. Can pastors keep the Sabbath? pastor who affirms Christian —Philip W. Dunham, Canyonville, Can or do pastors keep the education in the manner that has Oregon. Sabbath (March 1994)? A clear been so well stated by Cress. understanding of God's intent in —Ken Hutchins, superintendent of ■ The article leaves unsaid the instituting the Sabbath will answer schools, Northern California notion that some sins are more this question. God intended that the Conference of SDA, Pleasant Hill, "interesting" than others. For Sabbath shall be a memorial of His California. example, if a person is caught creation (Ex. 31:16, 17), a test of smoking or having an affair, this obedience (Ex. 16:4), a day of rest ■ Most of our schools are one- or would be considered a flagrant case (Isa. 40:28), and a sign of sanctifi- two-teacher schools where it is easy worthy of discipline, whereas the

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 61 sins of pride or materialism or acter perfection, can never blot out skepticism would not. sin. Only Christ's substitutionary righ- Why does this idea matter? The full and final teousness can. Obedience comes when Because if church discipline was we love God and want to glorify Him uniformly applied, the vast majority display before the onlooking universe. "For of members would be subject to it From page 43 this is the love of God, that we keep at one point or another in their his commandments" (1 John 5:3). lives. For example, I recall reading in Ministry some years ago a Him before the onlooking universe. If The big picture confession by a prominent minister one person can glorify God by his or Only against the backdrop of this that early in his career he felt he her character development ("Herein cosmic panorama does Adventism was lost so far as salvation was is my Father glorified, that ye bear work. The cross and the reconcilia- concerned. If this had been made much fruit" [John 15:8]), how much tion it brought make better sense only known to others with consequent more a whole generation? What God in the context of God displaying both discipline, his career as a church did to the people themselves in an- justice and mercy before the onlook- official would have been over. cient Israel in type on a small scale ing universe. Christ's high priestly Gallimore's article is, therefore, symbolized what God wants to do to ministry in a literal sanctuary, includ- theoretical and not practical. The His modern people in reality on a ing the pre-Advent judgment, becomes church is not ready for a revolving grand scale. This demonstration of more meaningful when understood as door among either the laity or the the love of God climaxes the plan of another step in ending the great con- leaders.—Glen McCluskey, salvation, when the issues are re- troversy in an open and fair manner solved enough in the minds of the before heavenly intelligences. The unfallen universe so that God can emphasis on a loyal remnant and faith- justly pour out devastating plagues ful generation—studied in the con- upon the planet and at the same time text of the universe's questions about resurrect and translate untold masses God's law, justice, and mercy—far Why are we still into the presence of sinless beings. from conflicting with the truth of jus- "The church," wrote Ellen White, tification by faith, takes that truth to here? "is the repository of the riches of the its grand conclusion. From page 4 grace of Christ; and through the church Perhaps the most important aspect will eventually be made manifest, of the cosmic dimension, from a hu- `even to the principalities and powers broken."' man perspective, is motive. How much in heavenly places,' the final and full Obviously, clearing up our confu- better to strive for holiness, not as fire display of the love of God."' sion about justification and imputed insurance, but out of love for God and righteousness must become a top pri- a desire to glorify Him before men Final generation ority not only for personal peace and and angels. Unfortunately, the idea of a final, power but also for our witness to the We may then expect that the final faithful generation is usually taught world. generation will be composed of those in the context of soteriology and per- who are so moved by Christ's sacri- fectionism, not eschatology. What- How much longer? fice that they determine to obey Him, ever character the final generation In our enthusiasm for historic Ad- no matter the costs so that "the name form, however strictly they "keep the ventism, let's be careful not to be- of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glo- commandments of God" and exercise ■ come too historic, lest we deny the rified in [them]" (2 Thess. 1:12). the "faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12), they fundamentals of the Christian faith. are saved only by what saved the thief It's been 150 years since the Lord on the cross: the righteousness that entrusted this movement with a spe- Jesus wrought out for them, in place cial message and mission. How much ' Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets of them, outside of them, 2,000 years (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. longer will we linger before the ago at Calvary. Anything else is sal- Assn., 1958), pp. 154, 155. world's inhabitants finally hear what ' Ibid., p. 68. vation by works. God is not trying to God wants us to tell them? 3 ---, The Desire of Ages, (Mountain perfect a generation holy enough to At what point will the stones have View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1940), p. earn their way to heaven; rather, He 761. to cry out? ■ seeks those who by beholding Him 4 Ibid., p. 671. ---, Testimonies for the Church, ' Ellen G. White, Evangelism (Washing- will reflect His character and remain (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946), loyal in a manner that will honor and Assn., 1911), vol. 5, p. 317. p. 190. glorify Him before the onlooking uni- 6 , The Desire of Ages, p. 58. 2 7 , The Acts of the Apostles (Moun- , Gospel Workers (Washington, verse. D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn.. 1948), p. tain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 161. Obedience to the law, or even char- 1911), p. 9.

62 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 Shop Talk

A refuge for renewal 1915. Although most of youth hold their own young adults like contem- There's a place in the our old hymns are seldom service, with one or two porary Christian music, Smoky Mountains of sung today, they can still adults supervising while consider having a concert Tennessee with a clear stir the soul. Available in the rest have a prayer by Robert Mohr. A native running stream and a compact disc or cassette meeting. Also, ask for Canadian, this talented home that would be at Adventist Book Centers. youth volunteers to do artist has produced two happy to accommodate —Richard Dower, Berrien odd jobs or chores for the albums. He testifies that pastoral couples for rest Springs, Michigan. church. (This makes them "there are no rungs on the and refreshment. Call for feel a needed part of the ladder to the kingdom of information and reserva- Share your best church family.) Another heaven; we must all come tions: (615) 856-3750 or Fellow pastors, here is idea is organizing youth and stand side by side at (615) 396-9990.—Jeannine an opportunity to share in visitation teams to see the foot of the cross." Fuller, Collegedale, widely your best sermon members who are ill. Write Mohr Music Tennessee. outlines, ideas, illustra- —Manfredo Ruiz, Blythe, Productions, P.O. Box tions, and children's California. 750123, Dayton, Ohio; or North American evange- stories. I need them in call (513) 439-2552. lism councils compiling a book of the Interlinear Bible set All evangelists and best of the best Adventist A favorite exegetical New from Creation pastor-evangelists and pastors have to offer. tool of pastors every- Enterprises their spouses east of the Sources will be credited where is The Interlinear Two new books can Mississippi are urged to by name. Send submis- Bible, providing the enhance spirituality for attend the NAD east sions to: Marvin Hunt, original Hebrew and you and your members. evangelism council in 4217 Covey Trail, Greek text with Strong's Correlated Bible Read- Daytona Beach, Florida, Oakwood, Georgia 30566. numbers above each line ings (US$8.95), by Arl on December 12-15. and the literal English V. Voorheis, offers three Directed by Ron Health-care weekend translation below. The systematic study plans Halversen, speakers are retreat four-volume hardcover that coordinate with Morris Venden, Leo Physicians, nurses, set comes with the classic books by Ellen White. Schreven, and Clifford administrators, and other Life and Times of Jesus The Colors of Prayer Goldstein. For reserva- health-care workers are for US$123, postage (US$6.95), by Donna tions and information, welcome to a weekend included. Send U.S. check Bechthold, is a study call (404) 299-1832. seminar November 18-20 or money order to Samuel guide for small groups In the western NAD, at the Marriott Tenaya S. Jacobson, 900 Kennebec and individual study. come December 11-14 to Lodge on the south border Ave., Takoma Park, Quantity discounts. the evangelism council in of Yosemite National Maryland 20912. Creation Enterprises Thousand Oaks, Califor- Park in California. International, P.O. Box nia. C. Lloyd Wyman is Speakers include Richard Contemporary music 274, Siloam Springs, the director; speakers will Neil, Bryan Lewis, Jim concerts Arkansas. 72761. (501) be Lyle Albrecht, Dan McMurry, and Larry If your youth and 524-9891. Bentzinger, Richard Hal- Davis of Sonora Commu- versen, Fritz Guy, and Paul nity Hospital. Participants Landa. Call (805) 373-7612. will learn how to take a Our cover spiritual inventory, how Ministry's wrap-around cover this month reproduces in part The What Heavenly Music to appropriately lead Christ of the Narrow Way by artist Elfred Lee. The original floor- In commemoration of patients to Christ, and to-ceiling mural, based on Ellen White's first vision, covers an the 1844 event, the how administration can entire 30-foot wall at the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Andrews University encourage spiritual care Adventist Church, Silver Spring, Maryland. The mural was com- Singers have recorded a while meeting JCAHO missioned by the Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. Copyright 1991. A 96-page, full color inspirational book built around the mural is collection of early Advent guidelines amid shortened available from the White Estate $9.95 plus $3.00 shipping. hymns. Sponsored by the hospital stays. Contact NAD's Adventist Heri- Spiritual Care Ministries, Bible credits: Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, tage Ministry, What 23680 Porcina Way, Co- © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968. 1971, 1972. 1973, 1975. 1977. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 0 1973. 1978, Heavenly Music resur- lumbia, California 95310. 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Texts rects the musical legacy —Ritchie Christianson. credited to NKIV are from The New King James Version. Copyright 0 1979. 1980, 1982. Thomas Nelson. Inc.. Publishers. Bible texts credited to RSV are front the Revised Standard of early Adventists—both Version of the Bible. copyright 0 1946, 1952. 1971. by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U S A. Used by permission. Bible texts Millerite and Sabbatarian Youth involvement credited to TEV are from the Good News Bible—Old Testament: Copyright American Bible —between 1841 and Have a night when Society 1976: New Testament Copyright 0 American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976.

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 63 fa • - ' e,e; • wy.r. el ..ttlitr, • GiirEr :MP - • NT FIT t