THE RETURN OF ELIJAH By Adrian Ebens 21th November 2013 In memory of my grandmother Bessie Smith A woman of courage and conviction Error spreads from the point where error begins. The first and most foundational error accepted by mankind was that given to Adam and Eve – “You shall not surely die”. This error assumes that man can continue to exist without God. It assumes that man’s power is self-existent, regardless of its origin. This assumption underpins the heart of every false teaching. For him who has ears to hear, let him hear. The Inroads of Spiritualism Cause Delusion “Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: "Ye shall not surely die." "In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4,5. Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. … Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion.” GC 561 Spiritualism Destroys Faith in Jesus Being the Son of God Their principles and faith are "after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Jesus has not taught them this philosophy. Nothing of the kind can be found in his teachings. He did not direct the minds of poor mortals to themselves to a power which they possessed. He was ever directing their minds to God, the Creator of the universe, as the source of their strength and wisdom. Especial warning is given in verse 18. "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." The teachers of Spiritualism will come in a pleasing, bewitching manner to deceive you, and if you listen to their fables you are beguiled by the enemy of righteousness, and will surely lose your reward. When once the fascinating influence of the arch deceiver overcomes you, you are poisoned, and its deadly influence adulterates and destroys your faith in Christ's being the Son of God,....4bSG 88 Miller’s Dream I dreamed that God, by an unseen hand, sent me a curiously wrought casket about ten inches long by six square, made of ebony and pearls curiously inlaid. To the casket there was a key attached. I immediately took the key and opened the casket, when, to my wonder and surprise, I found it filled with all sorts and sizes of jewels, diamonds, precious stones, and gold and silver coin of every dimension and value, beautifully arranged in their several places in the casket; and thus arranged they reflected a light and glory equaled only to the sun. EW 81 * The "casket" represents the great truths of the Bible, relative to the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, which were given Bro. Miller to publish to the world. + The "key attached" was his manner of interpreting the prophetic Word – Comparing scripture with scripture - the Bible its own interpreter. With this key Bro. Miller opened the "casket," or the great truth of the advent to the world. James White The Present Truth May 1850. No. 10 The Keys that Unlocked the Jewels of Adventism and Dispel Spiritualized Interpretation Those who are engaged in proclaiming the third angel's message are searching the Scriptures upon the same plan that Father Miller adopted. In the little book entitled "Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology," Father Miller gives the following simple but intelligent and important rules for Bible study and interpretation:-- "1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible; 2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by diligent application and study; 3. Nothing revealed in Scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering; 4. To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know, then let every word have its proper influence; and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in error; 5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, and not the Bible." The above is a portion of these rules; and in our study of the Bible we shall all do well to heed the principles set forth. RH, November 25, 1884 2 Contents Table of Contents CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 PREFACE .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 SECTION 1 – DEFINING THE TWO VALUE SYSTEMS (WORLD VIEWS) ................................................ 13 1. LIFE SOURCE ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 A. Two Kingdoms ............................................................................................................................................... 13 B. The Results of Satan’s Kingdom .................................................................................................................... 14 C. Roots and Philosophy of Satan’s Kingdom ................................................................................................... 14 D. The Reality of God’s Kingdom – God is the Source of All Life ..................................................................... 16 E. Complete Dependence on God; Physically, Mentally and Spiritually ........................................................... 17 2. VALUE SYSTEM ................................................................................................................................................... 21 A. My Beloved Son ............................................................................................................................................. 21 B. Heaven’s Value System Revealed in God’s Loving Thoughts to Us .............................................................. 22 C. Is There Anything Wrong with Performance? ............................................................................................... 23 D. The Relational Focuses on the Invisible ....................................................................................................... 23 E. The Clearest Revelation of God’s Kingdom .................................................................................................. 24 F. Lucifer’s Rejection of Heaven’s Value System .............................................................................................. 25 3. PROTECTING GOD’S LIFE SOURCE AND VALUE SYSTEM WITH THE LAW ............................................................. 28 A. Protecting Relationship to our Father/Life Source the Key .......................................................................... 28 B. Relationship Protected by Correct Identification of Relationship Members ................................................. 28 C. Ten Commandments Identify Relationship Members, Protect Relationship ................................................. 29 D. Ten Commandments Key to Life, Identity and Value .................................................................................... 33 E. Ten Commandments Centre of Satan’s Attack .............................................................................................. 33 SECTION 2 – PERFORMANCE-BASED IMPACT ON THE BIBLE ................................................................ 35 4. THE PERVERSION OF SELF-CENTREDNESS ........................................................................................................... 35 A. The Impact of Separation from God .............................................................................................................. 35 B. The Prison of Self-Centeredness .................................................................................................................... 36 5. SAME GODS DIFFERENT NAMES .......................................................................................................................... 39 A. A Radical Transformation ............................................................................................................................. 39 B. The Old Life Dies Hard ................................................................................................................................. 40 C. The Gap Between Belief and Action .............................................................................................................. 41 6. HOW DO YOU READ? .......................................................................................................................................... 44 A. Context is Everything ...................................................................................................................................