With Cloak and Dagger H. H. MEYERS New Millennium Publications Post Box 290 Morisset N. S.W. 2264. Australia CONTENTS 1 The Experts 2 "750 Pages of Wonderful Truth" 3 "Crisis," He Cried! 4 The Dagger 5 The Cloak 6 The Last Deception 7 Movement of Destiny 8 "Impeaching the Dead" 9 The 1888 Message (and the Evangelical View) 10 The Dagger Strikes (Part 1) 11 The Dagger Strikes (Part 2) 12 False Claims and Trickery 13 Kingdom, Czardom or Popedom? 14 The Atonement: Completed or Uncompleted-Who Cares? 15 Target: Australia 16 "We Need More Funerals" 17 Australasia Embraces Heresy 18 The Jewel is Plucked 19 Conflicting Claims 20 Deception, or Wishful Thinking? 21 Hierarchy in Action 22 This Way to Rome 23 "We Still Believe" 24 The Washington "Curia" 25 Rome's Little Helper 26 "A New Order" 27 Eighteen Forty-Four to Evermore Appendix for Chapter 10 Appendix for Chapter 13 Appendix for Chapter 16 Appendix for Chapter 17 Appendix for Chapter 19 Appendix for Chapter 20 Appendix for Chapter 21 Appendix for Chapter 25 Abbreviations QOD Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine MOD Movement of Destiny B.R.I. Bible Research Institute (Australasia) 1 EEOC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (USA) G.C. General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists SDA Seventh-day Adventist TAUC Trans-Australian Union Conference TTUC Trans-Tasman Union Conference ARV American Revised Version AV Authorized Version (same as King James Version) KJV King James Version N.T. New Testament NASB New American Standard Bible NEB New English Bible NIV New International Version NKJV New King James Version RSV Revised Standard Version RV Revised Version TEV Today's English Version CE Counsels to Writers and Editors Ev Evangelism EW Early Writings RH Review and Herald 1SM Selected Messages, Book 1 1SOP Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1 ST Signs of the Times 1T Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1 TM Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers PREFACE This book is written for generic Seventh-day Adventists; those within the denomination of that name and equally, those who are numbered among the increasing groups of believers who, by conscience or expulsion, find themselves outside the pale of the denomination. The author does not presume to engage in a definitive defense of historic Seventh-day Adventism-inspiration and libraries of Adventist publications do just that, adequately. This book will demonstrate that basic fundamental principles which were en- dorsed by God's prophet to His remnant church as having "unquestionable authority," have since been systematically eroded and even changed. It explains how this change has been made possible and is now being consolidated by a system of church administration which has been set in place contrary to the expressed will of God. As the readers progress through these pages, they will notice how the church's failure to heed the warnings of its prophet, Mrs. E. G. White, repeatedly prove her dictum that "a backsliding church lessens the distance between itself and the Papacy." The author, who is an Australian, has been an Adventist all his life. Therefore many of the illustrations used in support of his propositions are drawn from his own knowledge and experiences within the South Pacific Division. Many of our readers will note a similarity of conduct in their own country, some even having experienced the heavy hand of state-assisted persecution. Sadly, many precious souls are now being admitted into church membership with a limited knowledge of Adventism. Increasingly, many of these people are further disadvantaged as they train to take up positions in our ministry and education system, that seem bent on exchanging the "testimony of Jesus" for the "doctrines of men." With such people in mind, the author has included an extensive appendix which will give them an insight into the true position of Adventism on Christ and His ministry. It is the sincere desire of the author that this humble attempt to arouse God's people from their Laodicean dreamtime will reawaken in the reader that burning 2 commitment which the pioneers so gladly exhibited in taking to a judgment-bound world the "everlasting gospel," as found in the revelation of Jesus. We can then pray with sincerity, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen. " The Author CHAPTER 1 - THE EXPERTS The late Donald G. Barnhouse read a copy of that Seventh day Adventist classic, Steps to Christ. This book has led innumerable people to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Many servicemen during two world wars treasured its precious message which brought hope and comfort to their uncertain existence. It made quite an impression on Dr. Barnhouse; so much so that he gave the book prominent mention in his evangelical magazine Eternity, June 1950. Under the heading "How to Read Religious Books," he claimed that reading such a book with its "half-truths and satanic error" was akin to a worm on a hook, "the first bite is all worm, the second bite is all hook, that is the way the Devil works." It is not surprising then, that he referred to its author, Mrs. E. G. White, as "the founder of a cult." Apparently, such a vicious attack on a church which claimed to be Christian provided no impediment to the growth of one of Protestantism's most popular magazines.* Such pronouncements evidently accorded with acceptable Christianity. For, were not Seventh-day Adventists just another cult? They were credited with believing that Jesus Christ was a sinner, and denying His completed work of salvation at the cross. They were legalists who believed in salvation by works, part of which was the keeping of the biblical Sabbath day. And, to cap it off, they had the temerity to claim that they were God's remnant church on whom God had bestowed the gift of prophecy! Yet, within six years, Dr. Barnhouse was able to declare: “I should like to say that we are delighted to do justice to a much-maligned group of sincere believers, and in our minds and hearts take them out of a group of utter heretics to acknowledge them as redeemed brethren and members of the body of Christ.” (Eternity, September 15, 1956). * Eternity magazine ceased publication while this book was being written. Shortly after, its one-time editor, Dr. Walter Martin, passed away. Yes, he was referring to the Seventh-day Adventist Church! Our leaders were ecstatic. Adventists could now hold their heads high as Christendom extended their brotherly arms to welcome them into the fold. What had brought about this dramatic change? Had Barnhouse seen the light, or had Adventism changed its "unchristian" views? Let Dr. Barnhouse provide some clues. On the 16th May 1958, while in conversation with Adventist layman Al Hudson, Barnhouse said: “I hate Saturday as a Sabbath religious day. I hate it because God hates it.” (as reported in Pilgrims Rest DH 115, p. 1). On Adventists' belief that they are the remnant church, Barnhouse said: “If you believe that, you are a megalomaniac.” (ibid.). He went on to comment on the prolific pen of Mrs. White: “That's too much, you know. She was running off at the mouth, and the Holy Spirit certainly was not doing it.” (ibid., p. 2). And again, “God Almighty never spoke through a woman.” (Pilgrims Rest DH 114, p. 1). 3 “You [SDAs] were founded on a lie.” (ibid., p. 2). The editor of Barnhouse's Eternity magazine was Dr. Walter Martin. While lecturing in the Christian Mission Church, Napa, California, as recently as 22 February 1983, on the subject of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, he declared: “There is no need for any investigative judgment at any time because Jesus took care of it all at the cross.” Obviously, the three angels of Revelation fourteen had failed to impress Messrs. Barnhouse and Martin. During the late 1950s, as a result of some eighteen months of intense dialogue with highranking representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Barnhouse had insisted that Adventists publish their doctrinal beliefs. They did so under the title Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine [QOD], Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1957. This book became our passport to Christendom, and enabled Dr. Barnhouse to boast that he and Martin had changed the theology of a whole denomination (see Eternity, September 1956, pages 6, 7, 43, 45). Repeatedly we are told by Adventist leadership that we have not deviated from historical Adventism. In the Introduction to Questions on Doctrine we read: "This was not to be a new statement of faith." The writers, counsellors and editors "have labored conscientiously to state accurately the beliefs of Seventhday Adventists" (p. 8). But shortly after proclaiming Adventists as part of the Christian community, Barnhouse, in commenting on Questions on Doctrine, was led to observe: “Let's face it, in a very nice way, the leaders who have written this book, have moved from the traditional position of the S.D.A. movement. They've come back toward the Bible.” (Pilgrims Rest DH 114, p. 3). Here is a serious anomaly which questions the integrity of our leadership. Seventh-day Adventists have been welcomed into the fraternity of Christendom on the basis of change. Our leaders claim that we have not changed. Has Christendom been duped? Have members of the S.D.A. Church become victims of the greatest confidence trick since Jacob awoke to find himself in bed with Leah? CHAPTER 2- "750 Pages of Wonderful Truth" After Questions on Doctrine was published by the Review and Herald Publishing Association in late 1957, General Conference president Reuben R. Figuhr was so proud of it that he claimed it to be the most significant achievement during his term of office.