Nearly one hundred years ago a book was
written by the most outstanding Seventh-day Adventist physician of the
time, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. The title of this book was “The Living
Temple.” When Ellen White read portions of the book she became very
alarmed at what she found there and declared that the book contained
most dangerous falsehood. Many were surprised at the forcefulness with
which she condemned the book. She referred to its teachings as The Alpha
of deadly heresies (Selected Messages bk.1, p.200). Even more
startling, however, was her prediction that this “Alpha” heresy would be
followed by a similar false doctrine of greater magnitude which would
have a far more devastating effect upon Seventh-day Adventism than the
Alpha did. She referred to this coming heresy as “The Omega.”
Some have foolishly claimed that those of us who are
trying to revive the pioneers’ concept of God are guilty of introducing
the “Omega.” This accusation shows a lack of logical reasoning and a
failure to carefully investigate. The following facts show clearly that
the pioneer teaching on God could not be the “Omega” heresy.
1.
When speaking of the Alpha crisis and the coming Omega, Ellen White
several times stated that our safety would lie in refusing to be drawn
away from the faith which God gave to the pioneers (statements follow in
this article). Yet some say that the pioneers (including James White)
were teaching the “Omega” heresy.
2. Ellen White said that the
Omega would follow “shortly” after the Alpha. This statement would not
make any sense if the Omega was the teaching of the pioneers for it
would mean that the Omega would have been here before the Alpha!
3. Ellen White referred to the Alpha and Omega heresies as falsehoods
of the most deadly kind. If the teaching of the pioneers was the Omega,
then it means that for the first fifty years of its existence the SDA
church to which Ellen White belonged, was teaching the most dangerous
false doctrine, yet was not rebuked by Ellen White.
The following article consists of some
questions concerning this omega apostasy, with answering quotes from
Ellen White and a couple of other sources which make it very clear that
there is only one doctrine embraced by the SDA church today, which
fulfills the specifications of the Omega heresy, and that this doctrine
is the doctrine of the Trinity.
All of the Ellen White quotes
were taken from statements written by her either during, or shortly
following the Kellogg crisis which she referred to as the “Alpha.” We
challenge all those who disagree with this article to find any other
doctrine or issue which answers the questions proposed here. We urge our
detractors to not merely find fault with this article, but to suggest a
better alternative – to suggest something which more fittingly fits the
specifications given by the prophet.
1. When would the omega heresy be introduced into the SDA Church?
Answer: In a little while, shortly after the time of the Kellogg
apostasy (shortly after 1904). Let us note that the Trinity was
introduced into the Church in the 1920s by Leroy Froom.
“Living Temple contains the alpha of these theories. I knew that the
omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people.”
(Selected Messages bk.1, p. 203)
“One thing it is certain is
soon to be realized, – the great apostasy, which is developing and
increasing and waxing stronger, and will continue to do so until the
Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout. . . . ” (Special
Testimonies, Series B7, p. 57-8)
2. Would it be received?
Answer: It would be received by those who did not heed the warning. What warning? See point no. 5.
“In the book Living Temple there is presented the alpha of deadly
heresies. The omega will follow, and will be received by those who are
not willing to heed the warning God has given.” (Selected Messages bk.1,
p. 200)
3. What would be the result of the church’s accepting the omega heresy?
Answer: It would result in a change of our religion. Let us note that
there has been only one significant change in the doctrines of the
Seventh-day Adventist faith between the time when the church first
published a statement of beliefs and today. This change consists of the
rejection of the pioneer concept of God and the acceptance of the
Trinity.
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. A new organization would
be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of
intellectual philosophy would be introduced. (Selected Messages bk.1, p.
204)
4. What was the main issue in the Alpha heresy?
Answer: The main issue was the doctrine of God. Let us note that the
only doctrine changed in the SDA church since the time of the pioneers
is the doctrine relating to God.
“I have been instructed by
the heavenly messenger that some of the reasoning in the book Living
Temple is unsound…It introduces that which is nought but speculation
in regard to the personality of God and where His presence is. . .”
“One and another come to me, asking me to explain the positions taken
in Living Temple. I reply, “They are unexplainable.” The sentiments
expressed do not give a true knowledge of God. All through the book are
passages of Scripture. These scriptures are brought in in such a way
that error is made to appear as truth.” (Selected Messages bk.1, p. 201)
“The spiritualistic theories regarding the personality of
God, followed to their logical conclusion, sweep away the whole
Christian economy.” (Selected Messages bk.1, p. 204)
These
theories regarding God make His word of no effect, and those who accept
them are in great danger of being led finally to look upon the whole
Bible as a fiction. . .” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, p. 291)
5. What would be the main issue in the omega heresy?
Answer: The doctrine of God
“Living Temple contains the alpha of these theories. I knew that the
omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people. I
knew that I must warn our brethren and sisters not to enter into
controversy over the presence and personality of God…” (Selected
Messages bk.1, p. 203)
6. What would be the safety of Seventh-day adventists during this crisis concerning the doctrine of god?
Answer: Holding to the original doctrines; the faith which God gave to the pioneers.
(please remember that all these statements which follow this question
were made by Ellen White in the context of the Alpha heresy)
“. . . We must firmly refuse to be drawn away from the platform of
eternal truth, which since 1844 has stood the test.” (Selected Messages
bk.1, p. 199-200)
We are to hold fast the first principles of
our denominated faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith.
Ever we are to keep the faith that has been substantiated by the Holy
Spirit of God from the earlier events of our experience until the
present time…”
“The past fifty years have not dimmed one jot
or principle of our faith as we received the great and wonderful
evidences that were made certain to us in 1844, after the passing of the
time. . . Not a word is changed or denied. That which the Holy Spirit
testified to as truth after the passing of the time, in our great
disappointment, is the solid foundation of truth. (Special Testimonies,
Series B7, p. 57-8)
“Many of our people do not realize how
firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder
Bates, Father pierce, Elder [Hiram] 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…. light was given that helped us
to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His
priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we
shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others
the instruction that the Lord had given me. . .”
“What
influence is it that would lead men at this stage of our history to work
in an underhand, powerful way to tear down the foundation of our
faith–the foundation that was laid at the beginning of our work by
prayerful study of the Word and revelation? Upon this foundation we have
been building for the past fifty years. (Selected Messages bk.1, p.
206-7)
7. Was it a small matter
that people should have a false concept of god? Some claim today that
the godhead controversy is of little importance.
Him, in the minds of those who accept them, as nothingness? . . .”
“It is something that cannot be treated as a small matter that men who
have had so much light, and such clear evidence as to the genuineness of
the truth we hold, should become unsettled, and led to accept
spiritualistic theories regarding the personality of God.” (Special
Testimonies, Series B7, p. 37)
8. Was Ellen White required by God to correct and rebuke people who had false ideas about God?
Answer: During the early years of the movement God sent her to rebuke
people who had false ideas about God. If the pioneers were wrong in
their ideas, why did she never rebuke them?
“After the passing
of the time in 1844, we had fanaticism of every kind to meet.
Testimonies of reproof were given me to bear to some holding
spiritualistic theories.
There were those who were active in
disseminating false ideas in regard to God. Light was given me that
these men were making the truth of no effect by their false teachings. I
was instructed that they were misleading souls by presenting
speculative theories regarding God. . .”
“I went to the place
where they were and opened before them the nature of their work. The
Lord gave me strength to lay plainly before them their danger. . .”
“This is only one of the instances in which I was called upon to rebuke
those who were presenting the doctrine of an impersonal God pervading
all nature, and similar errors.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, p.
292-3)
9. How were the writings of Ellen White misused during the time of the alpha heresy?
Answer: Their meaning was twisted to make it seem that they were in
support of Kellogg’s ideas. We may expect that the same thing would be
done during the Omega.
Answer: It was a most critical issue.
“Most of the founders of Seventh-day Adventism would not be able to
join the church today if they had to subscribe to the denomination’s
Fundamental Beliefs. More specifically, most would not be able to agree
to belief number 2, which deals with the doctrine of the trinity.” (
George Knight in Ministry, October 1993 p.10)
“The thought of
the errors contained in this book has given me great distress, and the
experience that I have passed through in connection with the matter has
nearly cost me my life.” (Selected Messages bk.1, p. 199)
“Few
can see the meaning of the present apostasy. But the Lord has lifted
the curtain, and has shown me its meaning, and the result that it will
have if allowed to continue. We must now lift our voices in warning.
Will our people acknowledge God as the supreme Ruler, or will they
choose the misleading arguments and views that, when fully developed,
make Him, in the minds of those who accept them, as nothingness? . . .”
“It is something that cannot be treated as a small matter that men who
have had so much light, and such clear evidence as to the genuineness of
the truth we hold, should become unsettled, and led to accept
spiritualistic theories regarding the personality of God.” (Special
Testimonies, Series B7, p. 37)
10. What would be the nature of the omega?
Answer: It would be “most startling.” Here are the words of the editor
of the Adventist Review, William Johnson, in describing the doctrinal
change which took place in Adventism when the doctrine of God was
changed.
“Adventist beliefs have changed over the years under
the impact of ‘present truth.’ Most startling is the teaching regarding
Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Many of the pioneers, including
James White, J.N. Andrews, Uriah Smith, and J.H. Waggoner, held to an
Arian or semi-Arian view … that is, the Son at some point in time
before the Creation of our world was generated by the Father … the
Trinitarian understanding of God, now part of our fundamental beliefs,
was not generally held by the early Adventists. Even today a few do not
subscribe to it.” (William G. Johnsson in the Adventist Review, Jan. 6,
1994 p.10)
“Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now
before us the alpha of this danger. The omega will be of a most
startling nature.” (Selected Messages bk.1, p. 197)
11. How should God’s true people respond to the omega heresy?
Answer: They should take “decided action” to combat this Omega heresy.”
“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 Master
Worker, and will stand storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to
present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God?
The time has come to take decided action.” (Selected Messages bk.1, p.
204-5)
Recap
1. The religion of the SDA church has been changed as predicted by
Ellen White. From a position of believing in one Being called God who
has a literal Son, the Church has embraced the doctrine of a
one-in-three God – the Trinity.
2. This has been the only official change in doctrine of the SDA church since it was first organized in 1863.
3. Yet it has been such a significant change that we are told that the
founders of the church would not have been able to be members of the
church today.
4. It was introduced into the beliefs of the
denomination shortly after Ellen White died. As long as Ellen White was
alive, no official document of the Church ever used the term “Trinity”
in describing any of our beliefs.
5. It has been received by the majority of Seventh-day Adventists.
6. Books of a new order have been written (promoting the new doctrine)
7. It concerns the issue of God – His nature, personality and identity.
8. It turns SDAs away from the foundation laid at the beginning by the pioneers.
9. The writings of Ellen White are being used (mis-used) to support the new doctrine of the Trinity.
Now we challenge any honest person to find any doctrine in Adventism which fulfills all the specifications of the Omega, other than the doctrine of the Trinity.
