The Landmarks & the Omega of Deadly Heresies (Prov 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.) By Brian Tsikada An Introduction : This is a question & answer format manuscript that shows Satan’s subtle and specious attack to uproot the foundational principles of the third angel’s message by overturning the Adventist landmarks and setting up a new counterfeit belief system. “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history.” GCB Jan 29, 1893 (You are much encouraged to look up each quotation to understand it in its original context – All emphasis not in original). Brian Tsikada [email protected] 14 June 2011. - 2 - Chapters Page SECTION ONE 1. Back to the Foundation of the Faith. 4. 2. Identifying the Pillars of Faith. 15. 3. An Attack on the Platform of Eternal Truth. 30. SECTION TWO 4. The Alpha. 40. 5. The Development of the Omega 47. 6. The Nature of the Omega 55. 7. The Omega Enters the Church. 60. 8. The Principal Error of the Trinity Doctrine. 74. 9. A New Movement, A New Organization. 89. SECTION THREE 10. APPENDIX: The Lord’s Teaching in our Past History - 3 - Chapter One Back to the Foundation of the Faith 1. Q : What are the pillars of faith? a) “ …. The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith , and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. …” Battle Creek letters. pg 81 b) “Those who seek to remove the old landmarks are not holding fast; they are not remembering how they have received and heard. Those who try to bring in theories that would remove the pillars of our faith concerning the sanctuary or concerning the personality of God or of Christ are working as blind men. They are seeking to bring in uncertainties and to set the people of God adrift without an anchor.”. {YRP 235.3} d) “ The leading points of our faith as we hold them today were firmly established. Point after point was clearly defined, and all the brethren came into harmony.” {3MR 412.4} e) “I have been instructed by the heavenly messenger that some of the reasoning in the book Living Temple is - 4 - unsound, and that this reasoning would lead astray the minds of those who are not thoroughly established on the foundation principles of present trut h. It introduces that which is nought but speculation in regard to the personality of God and where His presence is. {1SM 201.3}” “The pillars of faith” or “landmarks” are “doctrines” that constitute “the leading points of our faith”.They are “the fundamental principles” or the “the foundational principles of present truth”. 3. When were these landmark principles of truths “revealed” by God to His people? a) “After the passing of the time , God entrusted to his faithful followers the precious principles of present truth…”. Ms 129, 1905, p. 2. ("Steadfast unto the End," December 24, 1905.) {1MR 58.1}. b) “But we must firmly refuse to be drawn away from the platform of eternal truth, which since 1844 has stood the test.” 1SM 200 The landmark principles/doctrines were revealed by God soon after the passing of time in 1844. (The passing of time refers to the passing of the 2300 days prophecy of Dan 8.14 on October 22 1844). 4. To whom were the principles of truth specifically entrusted? “After the passing of the time, God entrusted to His faithful followers the precious principles of present truth. These - 5 - principles were not given to those who had had no part in the giving of the first and second angels' messages. They were given to the workers who had had a part in the cause from the beginning .” {2SM 389.4}. God entrusted the landmark doctrines only to the faithful servants who had acted their part in the proclamation of the 1st and 2 nd angel’s messages. The 1 st and 2 nd messages were proclaimed prior to October 22, 1844 in the years 1842 1843 through to the summer of 1844. 5. Under which message were these principles or pillars of faith discovered by God’s people? “We must let the great principles of the third angel's message stand out clear and distinct. The great pillars of our faith will hold all the weight that can be placed upon them.” Letter 207, 1899, p. 2. (To Elder S. N. Haskell and Elder G. A. Irwin, December 15, 1899.) {1MR 53.3} “In the early days of the message , when our numbers were few, we studied diligently to understand the meaning of many Scriptures. At times it seemed as if no explanation could be given. My mind seemed to be locked to an understanding of the Word; but when our brethren who had assembled for study came to a point where they could go no farther, and had recourse to earnest prayer, the Spirit of God would rest upon me, and I would be taken off in vision, and be instructed in regard to the relation of Scripture to Scripture. These experiences were repeated over and over again. Thus many truths of the third angel's message were established, point by point.” - 6 - The great landmarks or pillars of Adventism hold up the third angel’s message. They were established point by point during the early days of the message. The third angel’s message began to be proclaimed soon after October 22, 1844. The many truths of the third message were established when the Adventists were still few in number. (Many people erroneously believe that the fundamental teachings of Adventism were carved out when the movement was large and generally wide spread). 6. What is the relationship between these landmark doctrines and what Ellen White often called “the platform of truth” or “the foundation of truth”? “ In a vision of the night I was shown distinctly that these sentiments have been looked upon by some as the grand truths that are to be brought in and made prominent at the present time. I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers,-- the truths of the Word of God . Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform . Then I heard a voice saying, "Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? This foundation was built by the Masterbuilder.” {SpTB02 54.2} In the above vision, Ellen White was shown that the landmark doctrines, the truths of the Word of God, were like solid timbers that supported the platform of eternal truth. This platform she also called “a foundation”. 7. What is this platform of eternal truth or foundation that was supported by the truths of the word of God? - 7 - “God is leading out a people and establishing them upon the one great platform of faith, the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. …”{3T 447.1} “I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, and would give no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation . I was shown three steps--one, two and three--the first, second and third angels' messages. Said the angel, Woe to him who shall move a block, or stir a pin in these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received. I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience. It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. Step by step had God brought them along, until he had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform.” 1 SG pg169, 1858. By combining this vision and the one in question 6, we see here that God led the remnant step by step from the 1 st message to the 2 nd , and then to the 3 rd angel’s message. The 1 st and 2 nd messages were steps leading up to and supporting the 3 rd message. These messages were “braced up” or supported by certain irrevocable truths (which the angel in the vision called “blocks” and “pins”. Therefore by 1858, the people of God had experienced all three messages (“steps” in the vision) and were now standing on the platform of eternal truth….. “the law of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ”. - 8 - 8. Who were some of the people involved in the laying of this foundation of faith soon after 1844 what was their experience? “Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid . My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson , and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly.