Leroy Froom was influenced by men outside of our faith

6. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN STUDY AND PRESENTATION. May I here make a frank personal confession? When, back between 1926 and 1928, I was asked by our leaders to give a series of studies on the Holy Spirit, covering the North American union ministerial institutes of 1928, I found that, aside from priceless leads found in the Spirit of Prophecy, there was practically nothing in our literature setting forth a sound Biblical exposition in this tremendous field of study. There were no previous pathfinding books on the question in our literature. 

I was compelled to search out a score of valuable books written by men outside of our faith—those previously noted—for initial clues and suggestions, and to open up beckoning vistas to intensive personal study. Having these, I went on from there. But they were decided early helps. And scores, if not hundreds, could confirm the same sobering conviction that some of these other men frequently had a deeper insight into the spiritual things of God than many of our own men then had on the Holy Spirit and the triumphant life. It was still a largely obscure theme.

But—and this is most vital—these other writers could only go so far. This was because they were without the concept of the consummating place of the Loud Cry and the Latter Rain in the grand finale of God's last message of Righteousness by Faith among men, framed in the great commission and setting of this Movement. Their limitations definitely circumscribed their presentations. They could go only so far. That is the glory and the wonder of Present Truth. 

7. PEERLESS PRE-EMINENCE OF SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.—It was then that I again saw the peerless preeminence of the Spirit of Prophecy portrayals that not only supported but greatly enhanced the choicest gems of truth glimpsed in part by these other writers—and then went on far to surpass them in balance and power. It brought a sobering sense of wonder and gratitude. It intensified confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy, and the significance of this Movement. 

Thank God, that time of reticence and misunderstanding has passed. The full witness of the Spirit of Prophecy is now at our finger tips through the many compilations. This is the supreme hour. This is clearly the call of God to this people today, and primarily to its ministry. Thank God, that final awakening is definitely under way.          Movement of Destiny p. 322

The same message

I understood that some were anxious to know if Mrs. White still held the same views that she did years ago when they had heard her speak in the sanitarium grove, in the Tabernacle, and at the camp meetings held in the suburbs of Battle Creek. I assured them that the message she bears today is the same that she has borne during the sixty years of her public ministry. She has the same service to do for the Master that was laid upon her in her girlhood. She receives lessons from the same Instructor. The directions given her are, “Make known to others what I have revealed to you. Write out the messages that I give you, that the people may have them.” This is what she has endeavored to do.  

I have written many books, and they have been given a wide circulation. Of myself I could not have brought out the truth in these books, but the Lord has given me the help of His Holy Spirit. These books, giving the instruction that the Lord has given me during the past sixty years, contain light from heaven, and will bear the test of investigation.      1 SM p. 35

Christ will not be found at the theater

Many of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be Christians, tend to the same end as did those of the heathen. There are indeed few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying souls. Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul.

     The true Christian will not desire to enter any place of amusement or engage in any diversion upon which he cannot ask the blessing of God. He will not be found at the theater, the billiard hall, or the bowling saloon. He will not unite with the gay waltzers or indulge in any other bewitching pleasure that will banish Christ from the mind.
     To those who plead for these diversions we answer, We cannot indulge in them in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. The blessing of God would not be invoked upon the hour spent at the theater or in the dance. No Christian would wish to meet death in such a place. No one would wish to be found there when Christ shall come.                                Adventist Home p. 515, 516

God’s Church

God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.

Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in prison walls. The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God’s great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God....

They that will be doers of the word are building securely, and the tempest and storm of persecution will not shake their foundation, because their souls are rooted to the eternal Rock.




Letter 108, October 28, 1886 

(The Upward Look, Page 315).

If every soldier of Christ had done his duty

In the visions of the night a very impressive scene passed before me. I saw an immense ball of fire fall among some beautiful mansions, causing their instant destruction. I heard someone say: “We knew that the judgments of God were coming upon the earth, but we did not know that they would come so soon.” Others, with agonized voices, said: “You knew! Why then did you not tell us? We did not know.” On every side I heard similar words of reproach spoken.

In great distress I awoke. I went to sleep again, and I seemed to be in a large gathering. One of authority was addressing the company, before whom was spread out a map of the world. He said that the map pictured God’s vineyard, which must be cultivated. As light from heaven shone upon anyone, that one was to reflect the light to others. Lights were to be kindled in many places, and from these lights still other lights were to be kindled.

The words were repeated: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16.

I saw jets of light shining from cities and villages, and from the high places and the low places of the earth. God’s word was obeyed, and as a result there were memorials for Him in every city and village. His truth was proclaimed throughout the world. 

Then this map was removed and another put in its place. On it light was shining from a few places only. The rest of the world was in darkness, with only a glimmer of light here and there. Our Instructor said: “This darkness is the result of men’s following their own course. They have cherished hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil. They have made questioning and faultfinding and accusing the chief business of their lives. Their hearts are not right with God. They have hidden their light under a bushel.”

If every soldier of Christ had done his duty, if every watchman on the walls of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound, the world might ere this have heard the message of warning. But the work is years behind. While men have slept, Satan has stolen a march upon us.

Putting our trust in God, we are to move steadily forward, doing His work with unselfishness, in humble dependence upon Him, committing ourselves and our present and future to His wise providence, holding the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end, remembering that it is not because of our worthiness that we receive the blessings of heaven, but because of the worthiness of Christ, and our acceptance, through faith in Him, of God’s abounding grace. 

Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9. 1855 p.28.

Will the great controversy cause harm?

Back in the 1980s, I was the Church Ministries Director of the Quebec Conference. I was alone at the office when the phone rang. I was instantly startled by the tone of the voice at the other end. An angry man went on the attack: “Is this the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church?”

I asked who he was.

“I am the police commissioner of Montreal.”

Somewhat frazzled, I asked him the reason of his call and obvious unhappiness.

“We have received numerous complaints about a book entitled The Great Controversy that is being placed in letter boxes in a “wealthy section” of the city. After some research we have identified your Church as the publisher and distributor. A quick perusal has clearly shown that the book is very anti the Catholic Church and thus falls in the category of ‘Hate Literature’ because its content can easily create hatred between communities”.

Then he quoted from an article of law that prohibited such an action and mentioned the heavy fine that went along for distributing material attacking another church.

My mind went numb for a moment, then I explained that our church did not usually do mass distribution of books, only short brochures that summarised who we were and what we believed. I added, that it was very possible that some individuals might be acting on their own and that we would certainly find out who and try to stop the action. He relented and agreed not to proceed with the threat.

Later I reported the incident to the conference president who quickly found out that a church member from another conference had donated $20,000 to some local members for the purpose of purchasing and then distributing the book. They selected the wealthy part of the Montreal. The action infuriated the residents who also had a long history of complaining to the police about Adventist church members who on Saturday mornings caused quite a bit of inconvenience by parking anywhere they could due to a lack of car lots. Of course, the two incidents were not related but together they had exacerbated the hostility of the community.

The saddest part was the reaction of those who had initiated the “evangelistic” dispersal of the book. Upset when the conference asked them to stop, they accused the leadership of cowardice, apostasy, and bowing to the pressure exerted by the “agents of Catholicism that infiltrated the church.” The incident taught me how difficult it was to explain to determined believers that not every action was Biblically timely or wise. Instead they found comfort in their understanding that good people were always going to be persecuted, even by their own church at times. I believe that the action of the conference was instrumental in protecting the Adventist church from what might have been a very nasty court action (we all know the frenzied appetite of the press for such occurrences).

Therefore it was with apprehension that I heard of the General Conference plan to freely distribute The Great Controversy on a large scale. I believe that the book was inspired and I know that Ellen White wrote that it should be placed in all homes, but I find myself wondering if doing so at this time in history is wise.

Did not the Apostle Paul write that we should not treat the prophecies with contempt but test everything and hold on to what is good. Doing so will enable us to avoid every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Not treating the writing of the prophets with contempt is about testing them as to their timeliness and relevance, which will help us to avoid using them in ways that are not good.

Written in the United States of the nineteenth century, The Great Controversy had quite an impact because America was a Protestant country and any writing that depicted in dark overtones the doings of the Catholic Church was bound to be highly popular. Some of the words that Ellen White used to describe the Pope and the prelates of Rome are very harsh but the political, social, and religious contexts made it understandable and facilitated the spread of the book. Today, any publication that dares to use a similar approach is quickly vilified as hate literature. We condemn similar anti-Catholic language used by white supremacists in their rallies, should we be careful not to be perceived as doing the same?

In 1988, I became the pastor of the Ottawa church. After my first sermon I was standing in the foyer greeting the members on their way out. A distinguished looking lady introduced herself, then told me that after being a Charismatic Catholic for years she had recently been baptised into our church. She informed that she had been severely criticised by family and friends but had maintained her relationships. She then invited me to meet with them, which I readily accepted for the following week. When I arrived, the lady greeted me but the ten other people in the room remained withdrawn. I had hardly had time to take my seat when to my great surprise the hostess asked me to justify the publication of The Great Controversy, which she said had almost prevented her from joining our church. Some well meaning Adventists had given it to her. She explained how harsh she had found the author’s statements against her church which, she added, had always been there for her whenever she had gone through some difficult and painful experience. I noticed the nods of the others. Then the dam burst, accusations and feelings of resentment surfaced. They had all read the book and were quoting those passages that referred to the Pope as a monster and also described Satan and the priests conniving to destroy the Truth. The remarkable thing was that they did not question the historical facts but the interpretation of the facts as well as the overall tone and the ‘vitriolic’ words. I must admit that defending the book against these accusations was not easy. I most certainly do not wish to repeat the experience.

Mass distribution, I’m afraid, will cause a similar reaction. I do not believe that having to face irate people and the press and maybe the court, charged with distributing hate literature, is necessarily what Christ had in mind when he said that those who would be persecuted for his namesake should consider themselves as blessed.

Beyond my personal experiences, I have listed below some reasons why I am not sure of the wisdom in mass distribution of The Great Controversy.

The length of the book:

It is well established that reading is no longer the favourite pastime of our contemporaries. Furthermore, reading religious works has been out of fashion for quite a while (even for believers who prefer to watch religious programs on TV). Today, communication must be fast if only to retain the attention. Few people have or take the time to read anything unless it is “texted”, emailed, on Facebook or Twitter. Newspapers are folding because of the decline in readership. I believe that it is much to expect that people would take the time to open a six-hundred-plus-page book, which moreover requires at least a passing interest in European history.

Postmodernism:

The West at best shows a very limited interest in religion and secular Australia and New Zealand show almost no interest at all. Add to this the fact that postmodernism rejects any idea that pretends to gather together clusters of events that have no natural link with one another and interpret them in terms of a common theme and ascribes meaning to them. The Postmodern mind finds it problematic to accept what it calls a meta-narrative defined as the overarching explanation of a state of affairs. The author of The Great Controversy does just that when she gathers historical events covering almost two thousand years and incorporates them into a vast panoramic concept that she identifies as the war between God and Satan. As acceptable as this seems to us as believers, this approach is highly suspicious to most contemporary readers.

Does it contain error?:

Adventist scholars spend quite a bit of time researching our beliefs and practises. Most of the time the research will confirm the doctrine under scrutiny, but sometimes the scholars are lead to acknowledge that added insights shed new light that calls for a re-evaluation of some beliefs. Over time the new understanding becomes part of our system of beliefs. Thus, many scholars and well-informed church members consider somewhat outmoded some prophetic interpretations and beliefs that are presented in the book. Three cases in point are (1) the signs in the sun, moon, and stars dating back some two hundred years are not considered to be indicative of the nearness of the Parousia; (2) the understanding of the investigative judgment; (3) That it is Satan and not God that pours the seven bowls (Revelation 18) over the wicked. The people who might choose to read the book will probably be the kind of readers that will question some of the theological material and, finding it wanting, reject the book altogether.

As a result of all the above, I’m afraid that the rubbish bins of our countries will be filled with discarded copies of The Great Controversy. That would be a tragedy indeed and certainly not what Ellen White intended when it was first published.

—Pastor Eddy Johnson is the director of ADRA Blacktown and pastors two churches in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia.

Commentary:

I agree that we share the truth "in love", yet to now abandon the idea of distributing The Great Controversy is like saying the "great controversy" between Christ and Satan is now finished. Of course the book is extremely controversial, that's why it's called the great controversy. Can we be thankful that Martin Luther did not back down to extreme persecution by influential people. I am from a secular home, then after the service attended Sunday churches, was tired of my life of wondering and lostness, I "found" a copy of The Great Controversy and readily accepted it. Why? Because I finally found out what the story and meaning of the Universe was all about. JESUS! Do we think that the last days will get smoother? Let's not abandon the "Spirit of Prophecy" like Israel of old. Do you see the trend? Does "community consensus" prevail in this world now? Or do we share the truth in love. Do we simply allow the 4th kingdom of Daniel and Revelation to "scare us" through influential rich people?

My Dad was rich, which I rejected because of his tyranny of control. I have an idea of how the rich operate, and its always with soft angry rhetoric, and sophistry of the most clever appeal. Let us love the rich and appeal to them with love, yet let's not let them manipulate us with "group meetings" of displeasure for truth. All the wonderful philosophical arguments to abandon the distribution of The Great Controversy for "community consensus" is amazingly short sited. Of course the masses will be against it. blessings in Christ. John S.              Spectrum

Out of the Cities

We have at times made the statement before that there are some things we are supposed to be doing, but we are not, and that this neglect is going to cause us more trouble and perplexity than we can imagine. What are we supposed to be doing? Well one part has already been revealed. We are actually supposed to be doing three basic things. Here is the SUM-TOTAL of what must be done aside from everything else that we are normally expected to do.

1. We must tell the world about the Jesuit infiltration.

We HAVE to do this! In the process, we must not be too elaborate, going into many deep studies or controversial themes. Those who can show what is going on with the least technicality, and can reveal the signs of what is happening around us by alerting the people to strange things taking place that they can see and confirm for themselves every day will be the most successful. This MUST be done in conjunction with Net 98, 99, etc. It must be shown that much more has been done than any change of the Sabbath by Rome. We have to do this because it will explain calamities that will suddenly hit, and from which no logical explanation will be found in the near future except against Seventh-day Adventists and their message. If this is not done, all that will be left will be circumstantial evidence pointing to Adventists as the cause of these calamities.

2. Fight against the concept of DIVERSITY which has brought in all the confusion. Explain what is the true meaning of, "DIVERSITY is the secret of OUR strength!" Explain why debating was a prerequisite for the destruction of our society. Show that the bible does not support this and raise up inquiry why our national and religious leaders called for this. This is a major secret to the destruction and transformation of our society.

3. WE MUST PREPARE TO MOVE OUT OF THE CITIES, OR AWAY FROM PLACES WHERE THERE IS HEAVY POPULATION. In other words, WE MUST PREPARE FOR A CRISIS, and we must do this VISIBLY so that others can see.

That is the sum-total of what we are trying to show. Beyond this and aside from what you normally do, there is nothing else. There is no new doctrine. There is nothing that you have to join or remove your membership from, or anything of the like. You should prevent people from tinkering to change your church structure-especially those who pretended that they were too timid to deal with controversial issues in the church, but that is automatically assumed.

Yet the issue at hand must be dealt with. We are supposed to prepare dwellings outside the cities for ourselves. This is not supposed to be done covertly nor rashly. We are supposed to do it with MUCH NOISE. We are to do it with urgency, BUT NOT WITH PANIC. We are supposed to do it orderly, with a measure of patience, actually mirroring Noah as he constructed the ark. It was said that Noah invested all that he had in building the ark. Every blow struck upon the ark by Noah and those who helped him was a witness to the people. They saw that what Noah and his helpers were doing was no frivolous project. It made the people to know and understand quite visually that something cataclysmic was about to happen. We are supposed to do what we are able to do, and we are to do it in such a way that our neighbors see us and understand what we are doing and why. We are supposed to do it in such a way where it is portrayed as actually what it is: FUN!! THIS IS A MISSION OF LOVE!!

But there is a great deal of argument about this very topic, about the third point. Many tell us that we should not move out of the cities. They portray some seemingly good reasons for staying also. They tell us that we are supposed to stay here, but we are to make sure that our hearts are not here. They tell us that we have much work to do in the cities. That is a true statement. They tell us that just so long as our hearts are right with Christ, there is no need to do any or all of these things.

Part of what we are trying to show is that great trouble and distress is coming. We are trying to show that it does not matter how holy or close to Christ you are. The situation that is coming is going to make you wish you were never born, because the circumstances will come in an angle you most probably had not anticipated. Why say that you just have to be right with Christ? You think that you will merely be filled with peace while these things will be taking place? Historically that has happened where Christians rode the waves of terror around them with a peace shining forth! THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN THIS TIME when the real brunt of the calamities hit! You think that persecution and death is the main or only issue and that is all we are concerned about? You do not understand! It doesn't matter how holy you are or how close to Christ you are! The distress that is coming upon you can be depicted as the Titanic resting upon your little heart the size of a man's fist! We do not believe that we are exaggerating either! It is not a matter of mere death and persecution. Death and persecution will be welcomed in comparison to the distress that is coming. NO ONE WILL ESCAPE THIS DISTRESS NO MATTER HOW HOLY YOU ARE! It is yet not all bad news! Some good times and great moments of victory will come. If you understand what is coming and take action, you will minimize the effects and possibly make the difference for yourselves between mere distress and eternal despair! Much sorrow will be spared you if you understand and move!

The arguments against leaving do have some weight, don't they? Yet even for the very reasons stated about the necessity of doing work in the cities and all, by refusing to undergo the process of moving out, we are doing harm that we scarcely realize. In time, those who do not make motions to leave will ultimately view that they have committed a great crime against humanity.

Some time in late 1999 while we were at work, we met up with a lady who brought up the subject of Y2K and what she plans to do about it. What we are telling you is no lie. Why did she bring it up? She told us that one day recently this year as she was walking down one of the streets of her city where she lived, she stumbled upon a synagogue. She began to explain to us that she went inside the synagogue. She said that she could not understand why she did that. She felt as if the Lord actually guided her in there. Some Jews inside saw her, but did not stop her. She then, as if guided, stumbled upon a door on the inside, and opened it. She then laid out a yell of surprise.

The yell that she gave out alerted a rabbi who was near by. He confronted the woman and asked her what she was doing there. What the lady saw was canned and other goods of food and supplies stocked high up in that room. She humbly apologized and told the rabbi that she could not understand how she just wandered in there. She then quickly interrupted the thought and got to the question at hand. She asked, "Why do you have all this stocked up in here." The rabbi then pulled her to the side and began to speak. She told me that he told her to the tenor of:

"We are stocking up on food because we know that the government is going to betray the people. Soon great trouble will be everywhere."

The rabbi therefore continued:

"When you go to the supermarket, make sure that when you buy one bottle of water, buy two. Use one bottle to drink and use the other bottle to store up for yourself."

Understand that MANY are catching the WAVE! It was predominantly Adventists who were supposed to report these things to the people. Instead of that, other Christians and even some who are not, are either warning the people of what is going on, or are physically preparing for themselves. Their warnings are not reaching everyone by far!

Beyond that, the lady told me that the rabbi told her that they had been alerted to do these things, because God's children (the Jews) are special, and have been given special information. The lady told me that since that day, she has been preparing to stock up on food and she told me that she is going to acquire a gun and ammunition in order to protect her babies when the time comes. The lady has children, and her highest ambition is to make sure that they are safe and well fed during times of emergency.

We quickly told her that both she and the rabbi are making a terrible mistake. We have to say it plainly:

ANYONE WHO ENDEAVORS TO MERELY STOCK UP ON FOOD OR SUPPLIES WHILE REMAINING IN PLACES OF POPULATION WILL FACE THE MUSIC!! They will probably face the music MORESO THAN THOSE WHO DID NOT STOCK UP!!

When we told her that, she gave me her phone number determined to know what we knew. She is telling me that we MUST tell her what we know about this. She then stated again, "I have to do whatever it takes to protect my babies!"

What we are telling you is not a matter of debate. The statement we had made about those who endeavor to stock up and remain in centers of population is commonsense truth and fact! This statement is confirmed through prophecy, history, sociology, a knowledge of current events, and even military and law-enforcement knowledge. If you stock up and stay in the great centers of population, you will face the music moreso than those who do not! And the reason why we make this catastrophic statement can be acquired through the subject header of this email: CONTAINMENT! There will be containment. This is confirmed not only through prophecy, but through what courageous military and law enforcement officials are even revealing to us now underground!

Most every prophecy that relates to the terrors of the end time gives us not the slightest picture that we are supposed to stay in populated places or in places where the judgments of God are about to fall.


Matthew 24: 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.


Luke 18: 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.


In both cases we see and notice that all who chose to remain where the judgments were to fall, perished themselves. In the example of Lot, we realize that they HAD to actually leave the city of Sodom. If there was no necessity for this, the Lord would not have told them. If the Lord doesn't say anything, then we can stay realizing that God will work miracles in our behalf and make us even float in the air above all the trouble if He has to. If He tells us to prepare and to leave, then we must not expect that we can stay and that we would be protected. Yet we can see through these scriptures that they are telling us that the conditions that existed back then will be repeated just before the Lord returns.

Yet the prime example used to illustrate what is about to take place, and which speaks to us is Matthew 24. In that chapter it says:


Matt. 24: 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your FLIGHT be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.


Look closely at the advice given. It tells all to FLEE OUT! Nowhere is anyone given the comfort or assurance that they are to stay within. It tells us to pray that our FLIGHT shall not be in the Winter, neither upon the Sabbath day. This is not talking about a commercial round trip flight to Hawaii. It is talking about a crucial exodus in order to save lives, especially YOUR OWN!

This prophecy was most specifically referring to the destruction of Jerusalem which took place some forty years after Jesus spoke. Yet Ellen White, in conjunction with MANY theologians and commentators have correctly predicted that these words also refer to our day.

The first chapter of The Great Controversy, by Ellen White expounds upon Matthew 24 where Jesus prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem. That crucial chapter is pointed out as also referring to what will take place globally in the near future. It is an immense chapter that goes graphically into details in order to, in a conservative way, explain what will happen to most of our neighbors and friends, and maybe even ourselves if we do not heed what has been revealed to us. That chapter starts out by saying:

"If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." Luke 19:42-44. - GC pg. 17.

Already the chapter starts dealing with what we are talking about: CONTAINMENT. It states that our enemies will "compass thee round" or surround us. It also tells us that we do not realize the time when these things will take place.

From this statement to page 23, Ellen White deals with the condition of the Jewish people and why judgments were about to fall upon them. She deals with the fact that although great trouble was pronounced upon them, there was nothing they saw taking place around them which revealed this. They even believed that God would always protect them. They didn't see any sign of danger.

On page 18 it shows that while the Jews were waving palm branches before Jesus and crying Hosannas before Him as they anticipated making Him king, instead of receiving these praises, Jesus suddenly broke down in tears and terrible agony. It is described that this happened because Christ saw the future. On page 21 was shown that He, while in tears, saw the soldiers and people taking the city apart as partly described by the direct statement:

"From the ridge of Olivet, the very spot afterward occupied by Titus and his army, He looked across the valley upon the sacred courts and porticoes, and with tear-dimmed eyes He saw, in awful perspective, the walls surrounded by alien hosts. He heard the tread of armies marshaling for war. He heard the voice of mothers and children crying for bread in the besieged city. He saw her holy and beautiful house, her palaces and towers, given to the flames, and where once they stood, only a heap of smoldering ruins."

Here now we constantly see the words, "surrounded," "beseiged" and all. This relates heavily upon the question as to whether or not we are supposed to stay or live in the cities. Should we live or stay in the cities and then even think to stock up on food? Will stocking up on food or supplies while living in the city help us? The answer is no!

We have read that crucial first chapter of The Great Controversy and understood how it expounded upon Matthew 24. That chapter revealed the starvation that resulted from the siege. No one was allowed either to go in or come out of the city. The supplies that were inside were destroyed. The narration showed how even mothers and fathers cooked and ate their own children to survive, and how children would steal food which belonged to their aging parents. It stated that the pangs of hunger were so fierce that men would gnaw the leather of their belts. It showed how they fought each other in order to steal what they had.

It was thence remarkable that we received information from patriotic people who were and are involved in the military and law enforcement that expounded on what was going on today behind the scenes through the workings of treacherous people. The military is also heavily infiltrated. Law enforcement is infiltrated. In their literature they did everything they could to reveal the seriousness of the situation that America and the rest of the world finds themselves in today. The only real physical and visible reason for why the system has not capsized yet today is because there are so many good people still in the military, still in law enforcement and still in church whose influence holds everything back. Yet we were absolutely surprised to find that much of what these patriotic people were saying in their literature was coinciding exactly with what Ellen White said in The Great Controversy, to the point that we wondered whether or not they were Adventists.

A not so known radio show host named Steven Quayle has interviewed many people who do not reveal their identities for their own protection to show us what is taking place in government, law enforcement and the military out of our view. One such person is a Southern California police officer whose name is "George." That is all he has left for us to identify him.

In an interview with "George" in 1995, Steven Quayle was able to extract some very shocking words. The general theme of what officer "George" was trying to portray can be more forcefully stated by his interviewer, Steven Quayle:

"If you're undecided about the reality of the coming tribulations, A Cop from Southern California gives You a Cold Hard Slap in the Face: Do Something Now, or Kiss Your "Buts" Goodbye."

"George" was revealing the foreign troops he noticed coming upon the shores of America. He revealed the Soviet military machines he saw entering cities in Southern California by rail transport. He remarked that he understood what they were, but that the general public, once viewing these things would not have a clue about what they were nor what was their purpose. He ultimately remarked about places he had witnessed where the government is concentrating military supplies. He remarked about the fact that the American military and those of many other nations have gone into training for "civilian" or "urban" combat. They are being trained not to deal with other soldiers, but how to deal with the common people in order to put down disorder and riots. He remarked about the fact that law enforcement was becoming more militarized, and that they were more and more being outfitted with clothes and gear designed to withstand shrapnel and bullets instead of what law enforcement currently and commonly wears. He therefore asked the question of what was going on.

One thing he remarked about was what he called, "sticky strips." His exact words about these were:

"We have seen warehouses stacked with M-60s, hand grenades, MP-5s, M-16s, .40 caliber sidearms, pepper foam and sticky strips all designated for local law enforcement. (Sticky strips are something that the military uses; you lay out about a twenty foot strip across the street, and anyone that runs across it sticks to it. You had better untie your shoes, because nothing comes off of it. It's a form of epoxy.)"

What he is saying is that sticky strips are a means of containment to prevent people from either going in a area or leaving it. He is therefore revealing that the military and law-enforcement possess as part of their agenda, measures and means to make sure that no one either leaves or enters any populated area when the full brunt of the calamities hit. The big and absorbing question therefore to us is the following: What good will stocking up on supplies do if you happen to live in a place which is under siege?

Police officer "George" in dialogue with Steven Quayle continues with where he left off about the sticky strips by saying:

"When you see all this stuff coming into law enforcement, you had better question why they need this kind of parity for the criminal element--and you better wonder what they're going to use on you."

Steven Quayle: What's your gut feeling as to the increasing activity and frequency of all this? Obviously, they are building up for a confrontation.


GEORGE: Yes. We're hearing that there will be massive civil unrest, due to either economic collapse, racial issues or food riots. Any of those things would set something off. However, racial issues generally don't generate enough hatred long enough to cause the kind of destruction that these people are preparing for. The kind of destruction, carnage and confrontation that is being planned for by the powers-that-be would be on a NATIONWIDE SCALE FOR MANY MONTHS. This will not be something that will happen for ten minutes and then go away. Most police departments are now mini-forts. Janet Reno did quite an exercise back in August, and increased the security of all federal buildings 180%. This has got to tell you something, people: If you don't wake up, you're going to get run over by the Bradleys because you're too stupid to see it.

The "Bradleys" that officer George is talking about is heavy military equipment. Yet he is trying to tell us that many of our major cities will be placed under siege. Jerusalem was placed under seige in A.D. 70. The seige did not go away in one day, nor three, nor thirty. People were literally starving. You cannot starve a person in a day, in three days or even a week. He may be extremely hungry and all, but he would not look like a skeleton by then. How is it then that people can think that they can store food or supplies while living inside a place that will ultimately be placed under siege?

You can predict what will happen to that rabbi and that lady who are thinking of stocking up without relocating. They may be able to survive after a time. Immediately when calamity strikes, people will go out to take what they cannot receive otherwise. They will not care how they are to acquire what they need. If anyone is seen even trying to defend a dwelling with gunfire, it will be automatically assumed that they have some supplies to protect. If you have food or supplies being stored through more prudent aforethought, it would not help you, because you will not be able to conceal that fact for very long. People will notice all the people around you becoming thinner and thinner while you and your children remain normal. That will be a dead giveaway. Your house or dwelling will then awaken attention and you will soon find yourselves surrounded. People will even go pillaging houses and dwellings just to check to see if they would find food. Those who stock up with food will be made examples of. They will be cleaned out fast and furiously, and they will be lucky to retain their lives.

There is far more information that was given in that interview and discourse. It took place in 1995, after it was already predicted that everything should have fallen through by 1997. The efforts of these people have contributed to the fact that these events have again and again been delayed. The patriotic network in America today, though immense, is nothing in comparison to the forces determined to shut down our system and erect a new global and papal order.

We must stop dreaming to think that all we are supposed to do is to merely take our hearts out of the cities. All prophecy tells us we are supposed to move our bodies as well. Ellen White said:

"If we place ourselves under objectionable influences, can we expect God to work a miracle to undo the results of our wrong course? --No indeed. Get out of the cities as soon as possible, and purchase a little piece of land, where you can have a garden, where your children can watch the flowers growing, and learn from them lessons of simplicity and purity." -- GC Bulletin, March 30, 1903.

At the time those warnings were written, Ellen White thought that the predicted calamities would take place in her day. Delay after delay after delay has conditioned us into meshing with the story of the boy who cried wolf. Will these prophecies be delayed forever? Not one HUNDREDTH of the things that are happening now were happening in Ellen White's day! These warnings were meant for our day. In that, Ellen White stated:

"There are reasons why we should not build in the cities. On these cities, God's judgments are soon to fall." --Letter 158, 902.

"The time is near when large cities will be swept away, and all should be warned of these coming judgments."--Evangleism, p. 29. (1910)

"Our restaurants must be in the cities, for otherwise the workers in these restaurants could not reach the people and teach them the principles of right living. And for the present we shall have to occupy meetinghouses in the cities. But erelong there will be such strife and confusion in the cities, THAT THOSE WHO WISH TO LEAVE THEM WILL NOT BE ABLE. We must be preparing for these issues. This is the light that is given me."--GC Bulletin, April, 6, 1903.

"In harmony with the light given me, I am urging people to come out from the great centers of population. Our cities are increasing in wickedness, and it is becoming more and more evident that those who remain in them unnecessarily DO SO AT THE PERIL OF THEIR SOUL'S SALVATION."--Manuscript 115, 1907.

This must be done prudently. The further out you go will be the least frequently you can travel to and from where you live into the cities. It is not wise to merely stay out there all the time. You have to work in the cities, but we are told that we are to have places prepared at the very least beyond the outskirts of cities. They will likely ultimately be cordoned off. You will have to plan and work to be safely away from your neighbors and also from law enforcement. Though many good people are still in law enforcement, THEY WILL OBEY ORDERS when that day arrives. They will be given commands by those in the higher echelons, many of whom, unknowing to you, believe in depopulation!

If we do not listen to the warnings given to alert the people about Jesuit Infiltration and to systematically tell them that they need to make the preparations to move out by precept and example, we will soon not only find ourselves in similar danger, but will find ourselves under titanic sorrow and eternal despair! As we see the conflagration taking place around us and see the carnage, our hearts will sink within us. If we are not involved in the carnage ourselves, we will notice our friends whom we have related to perishing because we didn't move by example and worked to tell them that terrible calamities are coming by voice and by physical preparation.


5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.

6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?

7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. -- Jeremiah 30:5-7


These are the Saints in anguish and terror. Why? Why doesn't it matter that they are holy? Because they are also smarting because of much neglect.

In the example of Jacob, he was fleeing from his brother Esau. He was already in anguish because of his sins, when, in the night, a strange visitor confronted him, and then ensued the struggle and battle of his life. He wrestled with this strange person all night in terrible anguish. He used all his strength and cried in terror as he fought on without stopping. Why? Because it was understood to him at the time that he was not merely fighting for his physical life, but for his eternity. He felt that if the attacker he was wrestling with killed him, that would be it. He would die in his sins and he would be eternally cut off from God. Jacob was not just in physical pain and struggle then at that time, but was in terrible mental agony.

In that story, the major emphasis was the fact that THE TROUBLE JACOB WAS IN WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY HIS OWN ACTIONS. Is the situation the same with us? Will a terrible situation be brought about by our actions, or by our INACTION? Will there be something similar in just the near future? How will it be in the near future called, "the time of Jacob's trouble?" (Jer. 30:7). The reference is showing that they (we) were asleep while the enemy was advancing. They are then experiencing a rude awakening by viewing the results of their neglect: destruction EVERYWHERE: Men, women, children dying like flies! They are also hated and are being pursued, and they are wondering how they stand in the judgment and can possibly be saved after witnessing the results of not heeding God's instructions for so long.

"The deadly lethargy of the world is paralyzing your senses. Sin no longer appears repulsive because you are blinded by Satan. The judgments of God are soon to be poured out upon the earth. "Escape for thy life" is the warning from the angels of God. Other voices are heard saying: "Do not become excited; there is no cause for special alarm." Those who are at ease in Zion cry "Peace and safety," while heaven declares that swift destruction is about to come upon the transgressor. The young, the frivolous, the pleasure loving, consider these warnings as idle tales and turn from them with a jest. Parents are inclined to think their children about right in the matter, and all sleep on at ease. Thus it was at the destruction of the old world and when Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by fire. On the night prior to their destruction the
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cities of the plain rioted in pleasure. Lot was derided for his fears and warnings. But it was these scoffers that perished in the flames. That very night the door of mercy was forever closed to the wicked, careless inhabitants of Sodom.

It is God who holds in His hands the destiny of souls. He will not always be mocked; He will not always be trifled with. Already His judgments are in the land. Fierce and awful tempests leave destruction and death in their wake. The devouring fire lays low the desolate forest and the crowded city. Storm and shipwreck await those who journey upon the deep. Accident and calamity threaten all who travel upon the land. Hurricanes, earthquakes, sword and famine, follow in quick succession. Yet the hearts of men are hardened. They recognize not the warning voice of God. They will not flee to the only refuge from the gathering storm.

Many who have been placed upon the walls of Zion, to watch with eagle eye for the approach of danger and lift the voice of warning, are themselves asleep. The very ones who should be most active and vigilant in this hour of peril are neglecting their duty and bringing upon themselves the blood of souls.

My brethren, beware of the evil heart of unbelief. The word of God is plain and close in its restrictions; it interferes with your selfish indulgence; therefore you do not obey it. The testimonies of His Spirit call your attention to the Scriptures, point out your defects of character, and rebuke your sins; therefore you do not heed them. And to justify your carnal, ease-loving course you begin to doubt whether the testimonies are from God. If you would obey their teachings you would be assured of their divine origin. Remember, your unbelief does not affect their truthfulness. If they are from God they will stand. Those who seek to lessen the faith of God's people in these testimonies, which have been in the church for the last thirty-six years, are fighting against God.
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It is not the instrument whom you slight and insult, but God, who has spoken to you in these warnings and reproofs. In the instruction given by our Saviour to His disciples are words of admonition especially applicable to us: "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Watch, pray, work--this is the true life of faith. "Pray always;" that is, be ever in the spirit of prayer, and then you will be in readiness for your Lord's coming." - 5T p. 233

When the force of responsibility and eternal despair hits, these following last words will become very keen and cutting:

"In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: "Found wanting." By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged." -- 8T 247.

"Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, SHE WILL EAT OF THE FRUIT OF HER OWN DOING,

UNTIL SHE SHALL ABHOR HERSELF." -- 8T 250.     More

We have far more to fear from within than from without.

We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world. Unbelievers have a right to expect that those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will do more than any other class to promote and honor, by their consistent lives, by their godly example and their active influence, the cause which they represent. But how often have the professed advocates of the truth proved the greatest obstacle to its advancement! The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan's devices.— Selected Messages 1, p.122 (1887).

A Compromising Interview w/ Ben Carson

Jan 26, 2016

Does Dr. Ben Carson consider himself an evangelical? How would "President Carson" share the gospel? |

Ed Stetzer

This week, I interviewed presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson. This is part one of our interview. Part two will likely follow later this week. If you have questions about why or how we do these interviews, or why your preferred candidate is not interviewed, click here.

On Christian Identity

Ed Stetzer: Do you describe yourself as an Evangelical and if so, or if not, why?

Dr. Ben Carson: I would describe myself first of all as a Christian—Evangelical in the sense that I believe we have a responsibility to proclaim the gospel and show other people why we live the way that we do and hopefully that will affect their lives. I think that’s a very important component of what we do.

ES: How would a President Carson proclaim the gospel in the White House?

Dr. Carson: By not being a politician.

Politicians do what is politically expedient. I don’t believe in that.

I believe you have to do what’s right. And I believe there is such a thing as right and wrong.

We’ve moved away from that model. We’ve moved toward the model of everything is relative and nobody gets to define right and wrong. I, obviously, don’t believe that.

I believe in the Bible, biblical principles. I believe in the Judeo-Christian foundation of this nation and would live accordingly. But the fact is, everybody lives according to their faith. Even an atheist lives according to their faith.

ES: Could you see yourself sharing the gospel in the Oval Office?

On Sharing the Gospel in the Oval Office

Dr. Carson: I will never use my position to force my beliefs upon someone else. But I will always lead a life that I believe is consistent with the will of God.

ES: You’re the first Seventh Day Adventist who is as known on a national scale and people have had questions about Seventh Day Adventism. So a couple of questions related to that.

One of the big emphases in Seventh Day Adventism is the Second Coming. What does it mean that you live in light of that? There is a strong sense of imminence in Seventh Day Adventism. How is that focused in your life?

On the Second Coming of Jesus

Dr. Carson: I obviously do look forward to the return of Christ, you know, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4. I believe that you should lead your life in such a way that every day could be your last day. So you shouldn’t be like planning oh, a year from now, five years, I’ll do this or ten years I’ll do this. You need to lead the right kind of life as if you were going to die today.

ES: Most Christians believe in a return of Jesus. But, in modern political conversation, when a Christian articulates that people ask, “Does that mean you won’t care about certain things because Jesus is coming back soon? “ For example, the environment…

Dr. Carson: Well the thing you have to remember, the Bible says—in the Book of Psalms—to God, one day is like a thousand years or a thousand years is like a day. You know, so imminent return could mean three thousand years or 30 thousand years—or it could be tomorrow.

For us to pre-define what that means in our minds and then live according to that predefinition I think would be foolish.

ES: Do you think Jesus is coming back in our lifetime?

Dr. Carson: No idea.

But I do recognize what is happening in the world, you know, with the radical Islamic Jihadists. I do recognize that it will not be possible to keep nuclear weapons out of their hands forever. And I do realize that they have a mindset that would not preclude them from using them. So, you know, all of that obviously is something of concern.

On Radical Islam

ES: Do you think that the rise of Islamic radicalism is sort of a portent of prophecy?

Dr. Carson: It does seem to fit in with a lot of things that are predicted in the Bible. No question.

On Ellen White and Prophecy

ES: Most people have a general notion—and Christianity Today readers would have a stronger notion—of what Evangelicals are. But, sometimes Evangelicals and Seventh Day Adventists are not sure of one another’s beliefs.

Ellen White, of course, is key figure in Seventh Day Adventism. In Seventh Day Adventism, she’s talked about as a prophet, specifically mentioning “the spirit of prophecy.” How do you perceive Ellen White and her writings?

Dr. Carson: Well I think she added a lot of light, particularly in the health area and was many years ahead of medical science—no question about that. Where could she have gotten that information because it wasn’t known yet?

I think there clearly was some inspiration there. I think some of the things that she wrote were her own opinion. So I’m not one of those people who equate her writings with the Bible by any stretch of the imagination. She said that you shouldn’t do that. But her writing, along with the writings of many religious people over the course of the decades, has been enlightening.

ES: So was she a unique prophet for our day or was she one of many who wrote good, helpful things under the inspiration of God?

Dr. Carson: I would seriously doubt that she would be the only person who would be inspired by God.

But you know, as she said herself—and it’s what I believe—anything that is written by anyone, you must compare it to the Word of God and if there’s any inconsistency, you must reject it.

ES: Did she have a unique prophetic role or one of many who might have a similar prophetic role?

Dr. Carson: I can’t believe that there would only be one prophet.

ES: Is there anyone you look to today who you might say there’s a similar “spirit of prophecy” on that person?

Dr. Carson: Let me put it this way, I think there are a lot of people out there today in the spiritual world that I respect tremendously who have provided extraordinarily wise counsel. Whether they’re inspired or not is very hard to say. But I certainly have a great deal of respect for what they have to say.             CT