Dear ___________,

Thank you for contacting the Ellen G. White Estate. I think I can give you some help with your questions.

Dear Sir:

I want to thank you for your help in the past. Now I need more information.

I got a letter from a member of the SDA church and I will copy a question he ask me. "Our church teaches that they are the remnant church. Someone said the Bible teaches the remnant church will have a prophet. I have heard that said before. I would like if you knew where that was found in the Bible if you would write me".

The Bible texts you are thinking of are both in Revelation. First, Rev. 12:17 says that the "remnant of her seed," meaning the remaining ones of the true people of God who are pictured as a woman in Revelation 12, have two characteristics: they "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The first characterisic is plain enough--they will keep all 10 of God's commandments, including the Sabbath. This characteristic will narrow our search for the remnant church by quite a bit! Most churches do not teach the importance of keeping all the commandments of God, including keeping the seventh day (not Sunday, the first day) holy.

The second characteristic, having the "testimony of Jesus," is not so immediately obvious. But the Bible makes it plain. In Rev. 19:10 it defines the term for us: "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." The Holy Spirit is pictured here, doing one of His works--that of bringing prophecy to His people. Just to confirm that we are on the right track here, notice a parallel verse in Rev. 22:9. Compare it phrase by phrase with Rev. 19:10. You will see that where 19:10 has "thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus," Rev. 22:9 has "thy brethren the prophets."

So, having let the Bible define what the testimony of Jesus is, we can use the definition in Rev. 12:17, where the remnant are defined as those "who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ [that is, the spirit of prophecy, the prophetic gift among them]."

I also was sent a letter he wrote to my friend where he said he did not believe in Sister White, that she would turn over in her grave if she knew how people preached her from the pulpit instead of the Bible.

I don't know where this person is attending church. Perhaps there is a problem there. But I have not heard people preaching Mrs. White instead of the Bible. I cannot think this is a widespread problem.

He also said he did not believe Sister White was a prophet.

Perhaps this is where the problem really lies.

Also he does not believe in the Sanctuary. I heard one time that if you deny the sanctuary and the spirit of prophecy that the next thing you will deny the Sabbath and leave the church. Where did that come form and who said it?

I did not find a statement like this. While it might be generally true, it does not seem to be universally true, at least not quickly, since Dr. Desmond Ford has rejected the Adventist doctrine of the sanctuary and severely limits the authority of Mrs. White, but he still defends the Sabbath. What he may do in the future is hard to say.

However, I would certainly agree that the course you have described is a dangerous one. It reminds me of a statement from Mrs. White, in which she quotes several things she had written earlier. Here it is, from Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 672:

"It is Satan's plan to weaken the faith of God's people in the Testimonies." "Satan knows how to make his attacks. He works upon minds to excite jealousy and dissatisfaction toward those at the head of the work. The gifts are next questioned; then, of course, they have but little weight, and instruction given through vision is disregarded." "Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction."[VOL. 4, P. 211; VOL. 1, P. 236] "By giving place to doubts and unbelief in regard to the work of God, and by cherishing feelings of distrust and cruel jealousies, they are preparing themselves for complete deception. They rise up with bitter feelings against the ones who dare to speak of their errors and reprove their sins." [VOL. 3, P. 328.]

{end of quote}

In other places, among "the pillars of our position" Mrs. White lists the sanctuary message. So there are indeed some real hazards in rejecting it.

I will not answer him until I hear from you so I hope I hear from you soon.

Thank you so very much for your help.

Prayerfully,

___________

I hope this may be helpful. Thank you for writing, and God bless!

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William Fagal, Director
Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104-1400 USA
Phone: 616 471-3209
FAX: 616 471-6166
Website: www.WhiteEstate.org or www.egwestate.andrews.edu
E-mail: egw@aubranch.egwestate.andrews.edu