The SOP Proof Is In The Bible

The Proof of SOP Statements Is In The Bible (Acts 17:11)

            A most valuable contribution that the prophetic ministry of Ellen White has provided is in her inspired comments that shed great light upon episodes of the Bible (see e.g., the 5 Conflict of Ages series books). As many have referred to these, they are indeed an inspired commentary on the Bible. However for those who do not believe that Ellen White was, -through the “Testimony (=Isa 8:16, 20) from Jesus” (Greek Ablative case functioning as a “Genitive of Source/Origin” =Rev 1:2, 12:17) ‘which is the “Spirit of Prophecy”’ (Rev 19:10), inspired and received such true-to-life visions and dreams on Biblical stories from God, it can surfacely seem futile to try to make them see these views to be what actually did occur in the historical, Biblical past. Nonetheless, even in these complimentary “extra-Biblical” views, it becomes evident, upon study of them, that God, fully knowing that such doubts would exist, has still fully provided for these additional views to be adequately corroborated by the Bible. Indeed in most, if not all, of such extra-biblical revelations, one can find convincing Biblical support to show that they are indeed perfectly in-line with what the Bible states.[1]

            In this light, the following Biblical episode is an excellent example of this.

Daniel 11 - The Text

Daniel 11 - North vs. South (=CET 228.1-3+; GC 45.3)[1] 

            One of the most intriguing prophecies in Bible is found in Daniel chapter 11. In it is found an epic battle that focuses on two warring factions, namely, the King of the North and the King of the South. Like any other prophecy, or even simple statement, given by God in the Bible, it is still to speak in some way to His people today. Therefore it is beneficial to study this prophecy even if the exact interpretation may not yet be fully understood. The following is thus an introductory overview in the study of this prophecy based upon several years of study. As proper Bible study rightly first, and foremost, starts with an accurate translation of the text under consideration, from its original language, the following text of Dan 11, based upon the NASB version ([1995 updated version] - the most accurate Bible version available today), has been given. Where a better rendition could be made, it was done here in this text.

            The following guiding introductory pointers and observations from the careful study of this prophecy in its Biblical and Theological context are also here provided:

Jesus Was a Black Man?!?

Jesus was a Black Man?!? (Isa 53:2)

           Concedingly taking into full consideration that the student body at Andrews University was not selected from a pool of applicants from the unfallen host, I was, also based on stories/reports previously heard, mentally/spiritually prepared in advance to encounter situations/incidents that would confirm this fact when I set out to attend the school in 1997. Thus, quite early on, when I found my way out of a cloud of weed smoke, (all the while trying not to myself get high from the thick fumes), I was actually not shocked to have run into this particular “smokescreen.” However, I was quite shocked that, when I went and, already traumatized, began to report this to one of the dorm’s deans, angrily declaring that “My room is full of SMOKE” he, clearly not caring at all to ascertain, if this was from a fire, cigarette smoke or, as it was, WEED (as he manifestly fully comprehended), just disturbedly, mutely, or should it, more accurately be, mootly, shruggingly looked at me as if I had just complained about the building’s brick color, -preferring to “bury his head in the sand”.[1] Evidently, but unsure to me then, a ‘smoke-filled room’ was a normative occurrence on this campus, (“self-obviously”, not for a fire). So I then here literally, just had to hold my breath in until the smoke subsided; and also at other times, over the next years, when walking through the dorm halls, (especially during the weekends), sleep with a gas mask (due to a later, weed-chimney-smoking “suitemate”), and pray that this is the worst that it will ever get at this, at-the-very-least-supposed-to-be drug-free, SDA Campus. 

            Being now quite disillusioned just one month in[2]|[3], by actually the nonchalant, effectively, institutional condoning of such, even illegal, behavior, {and, as expressed here, it indeed is: ‘at the point where passion and treachery meet, that disillusionment begins’}, I hung on to some hope in an assumption that the “religious segment” of this campus was free from such blatant waywardness. {...but any ‘(indifferent) “love” that would be built on such an overall basis of various lies, would indeed be an arduous endeavor’ =Isa 28:14-15ff}... Well it, quite sequiturly, did not take long for that belief to also be blown away.

What’s in a Localized Name?

I.e., What’s in Localizing a Name?

           Quite briefly said here, -because anything longer would actually be belabouring the point, chances are you’ve come across a believer who is absolute obstinate that God must be addressed, and referred to, according to the Hebraic rendering. Thus God (or is it suppose to be “G-d”[1]) is to be referred to as Yahweh (or is it YHWH), Elohim, etc., ; Jesus as Yeshua, and the likes. Such a point is even elevated to some sort of salvific issue. Well..., actually, tersely said here...: 'Preach that to, even, the Inspired/Spirit-led, Greek-writing authors of the New Testament!'[2]

Commentary: The Ministry of David Gates

The Ministry of David Gates and His "Lazarus Experience"[1] 

Blog Post Sections
David Gates’ Lazarus Experience
- The Spiritual Implication/Application of Gates’ Lazarus Experience
- Conclusion
Epilogue - Laodicean Dilemma
Epilogue II - (June 2010+)
- Gates’ Second Prophetic Campaign
Epilogue IIB - “Lazarus Is Dead”
- GMI Statement to General Conference {Feb. 28, 2013}
- GC vs. GMI Decision {May 26, 2013}
Epilogue III - Gates’ 9/11/2010 Crisis!??

Epilogue IIIB - (November 2010+)

New re-Beginnings!!? - (Faith Camp Series Jun-July 2011)

September 2011+ Regretting Relapsing!??

April 2012+ The Rekindled Torch of False “Prophetic” Revivings

November 2013 - Australia Series

September 2015 - Pope's U.S. Visit & ‘Seasons-Setting’

Nov/December 2015 - Australia Series

March 2018: Gates’ Latest Time Setting Claim: “Late March 2019”
=Gates’: “Even at the Doors” 2019 Claim Controversy



[To download a PDF copy of (part of) this post see here (PDF link)]



David Gates’ Lazarus Experience
            If one has a serious interest in seeking to finish the Gospel work, chances are that they’ve come across the ministry of David Gates, and heard his exciting testimony. If not, one can find all this information on his website at Gospel Ministry International. To say the least, David Gates conducts Gospel Missions at the Extreme. This is indeed his motivation. Self-admittedly, he has grown tired of the institutionalized way in which the Seventh-day Adventist Church has endeavoured to finish the work, and he instead preaches and encourages much bolder, and more rapid, efforts, all based upon an implicit and explicit faith on the promises of God, and what God can do. Theoretically speaking, in a Church that quasi-mantra-like professes to believe that ‘Jesus’s coming is imminent... “Even at the Door”’ (as if mere professions fulfill the concrete Mission), combined with the communication technology which is currently available in the Church, it is surprising, even shocking, that David Gates has even had to preach his messages on this topic more than once. Such a faith and action rousing message, which is quite feasible when the numbers are crunched, should have caused the worldwide Church to spring into concrete, unprecedented action. However it still has not.

The Actual Year of Christ's Birth

The Actual Year of Christ's Birth

While the ascertainment of the precise year in which Jesus Christ was actually born may

not have any soteriological implications, it does contribute greatly to the historicity of Christ, and thus a basis for belief in Him. It is currently, commonly assumed/accepted that the Year of Christ birth was ca. 5/4 B.C. (based upon the accepted date of Herod’s death). As it is widely known this date corrected the 4-year mistake made by 5th century A.D. monk Dionysius Exiguus in his calculation of Christ’s birth. However not even this corrected date is the right one as there are several key corroborating points found in the Bible and History that strongly point to an earlier date for Christ’s birth, namely in ca. 8 B.C. Here are these main key points, here quite succinctly presented, but to be expounded upon in greater detail in a forthcoming book on the topic.

Text-Proof - Reply To Message

The following is from a reply that was given to an emailed reply commenting on the Testimony to the Church Part 1 Message. The reply basically was a listing of passages that were suppose to refute that message. Each of the cited passages were responded to and interpreted in their proper Biblical context. Comments in Gray background with bold text are the emailer's comments/cited texts.

[Originally Composed in September/October 2000]

THE BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

            As I start out on my Biblical refutation of your attempts to justify the SDA Church, I will lay down the following two mandatory principle. The first one is one that is clearly defined in a introductory speech that Dr. Hans K. Larondelle had made at an annual gathering of the  “Continuing Education for the Ministry.” He said, and I quote:

            “Nineteen-seventy-four seems to be a new beginning in Adventist eschatology; because the General Conference had then organized a series of Bible studies called Symposium on the Biblical Hermeneutic [the science of Biblical interpretation]. And most of us will have that book of that title. Under the leadership of Gordon Hyde. It seems to me that that year, and that series of Bible studies, all over the United States, and then snowballing over other parts of the world, was inaugurating the end of a certain phase-which I would call the ‘old style “proof-text” method.’  Not that we are no longer using proof texts. But the old style of detached proof-text method, that was popular, and that I also have used for many years to prove our doctrines. And there is nothing wrong with proving a doctrine, as long as we know what we’re doing. But this symposium on Biblical hermeneutics, with the supervision of the General Conference, all over the world, was teaching our ministry that we have to do a little better with handling the Bible.

The Genesis Flood - Global, Localized or Weighted

The Genesis Flood: Global vs. Localized, or instead: Targetedly-Weighted

            An issue of debate that typically comes up with the account of the Genesis Flood is whether or not it was a planet-wide destruction or only a localized event, i.e., solely where people actually lived at the time. The following is a brief, currently cursory and non-exhaustive, overview on the various Biblical and Physical Science reasons why it is more likely than not that the Flood in Genesis was crafted/targeted by God to much more destroy the inhabited portions of the earth then vs. the parts which were not so inhabited. And in such a precise, “surgical”, i.e. targeted, flooding event, God would have demonstrated His great power and control over nature in, even cataclysmic conditions and circumstances, with, as it will be seen, the concrete purposes of ecological preservation and fair (effects of) judgement, especially in regards to yet-to-live generations.

Commentary - Ed Reid - 7-Year Christian Mortgage?!?

Ed Reid  - ‘Mortgage Debt Should Not Be Longer Than 7 Years (Deut 15:1)’

By My Spirit - Love Not The World. [3ABN #27]

[00:06:43-00:08:02]

SDA Statement: “...the Bible says that we are the salt of the earth, it also calls us the light of the world, but unfortunately many times the world is salting us more than we are salting it. And I'll give you this illustration: let's pretend like someone who does not believe in the Bible, or doesn't follow the Bible's guidance in his everyday living, wants to buy or build a house, how's he going to do it if he doesn't have the money? Well, he'll go to the bank and become qualified and get a loan. Unless he tells the banker different, the loan will be for 30 years. That's the typical thing in the US, but let's just say that a Christian, Bible believer, decides he wants to buy or build a house, he doesn't have the cash to pay for it, so he goes to get a loan, what will he do?

            Well, the interesting thing is unfortunately the Christian will do almost exactly the thing that the non-Christian does, and that's get a 30-year mortgage, without a second thought actually, in spite of the fact that the Bible indicates we should not be in debt longer than...you know, don't you?

God’s Original, and “Very Good”, Intent (Gen 2:18; 1:31a)

             In the course of this discussion about Ernie Knoll, the spurious claim was made here that in a then just released new study entitled “Dress for Today” [1]: ‘Knoll was moving towards a ‘lewdness/nudity’ direction by advocating, out of an (assumed to be canard) health concern, that women should not wear bras (pp. 4-8) or underwear (p. 9)’. However, as I pointed out in response here, that study is actually quite reliably and historically documented, including from valid counsel from the SOP. It indeed does not take much scientific knowledge to perceive that the various constant containment and/or artificial shaping “stresses” from both female and male undergarments can have adverse effects.[2] I personally have not seen a valid reason to disagree with the health concerns/reasons cited with the statement that, especially modern undergarments, are/can be detrimental to one’s health, -and really, the counsel to ‘not wear them as much as possible’, is only controversial today, as compared to, e.g., the pre-1863 days of EGW when that was the norm, because of how the “final layer” of dress has today become quite scanty, sheer and/or “fringed”...when not outrightly “lacunistic”. However, while I don’t disagree there, I actually disagree with a concluding opining claim made in that study, which I have variously heard echoed by others, including SDA’s, indeed along the following lines: