Bible Truth Versus Adventist Truth Identity of the Remnant Church

Adventist Truth about Identity of Remnant Church Seventh-day Adventists teach that the book of Revelation identifies their church as the "remnant church" of Bible prophecy. This is based upon a Bible verse found in Revelation 12:17: And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The following points explain how Seventh-day Adventists identify themselves as the "remnant" of Revelation 12:17. 1. The "woman" represents the true church of God, that keeps all the commandments of God, including the Sabbath commandment. The true church "fled into the wilderness" (Rev. 12:6) for a period of 1,260 years. This occured when the Waldenses and Albigenses hid in the mountains during the period of papal supremecy (from 538 AD to 1798 AD) and preserved the truth of the Sabbath and the Bible for 1,260 years. 2. At the time of the end, Satan makes war with the "remnant." The "remnant" is identified as those who "keep the commandments" and have the "testimony of Jesus." According to Adventists, the "commandments" are the Old Covenant Ten Commandments given to Israel in Sinai, and the "testimony of Jesus" is their prophet, Ellen G. White. Ellen White explains: The law of God and the Spirit of Prophecy go hand in hand to guide and counsel the church, and whenever the church has recognized this by obeying His law, the spirit of prophecy has been sent to guide her in the way of truth. Rev. 12:17: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." This prophecy points out clearly that the remnant church will acknowledge God in His law and will have the prophetic gift. Obedience to the law of God, and the spirit of prophecy has always distinguished the true people of God, and the test is usually given on present manifestations.1 In the same book this quote was taken from, Ellen White refers to herself or her writings as the "spirit of prophecy" more than 30 times. For example, Brother B.... Study the messages that God has sent to His people for the last sixty years through the Spirit of Prophecy.2 Adventists use an interesting formula to equate Ellen White with the Spirit of Prophecy. First, Adventists say that one of the identifying marks of the remnant is that they have the "testimony of Jesus". Adventists say that Revelation 19:10 unlocks the meaning of the testmimony of Jesus: "for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." This provides the first half of the equation: Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy. Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy = ? According to Adventist doctrine, the true remnant church must have a prophet. This argument was introduced as early as 1855. After its formation in 1863, the SDA Church recognized Ellen White as having the prophetic gift. For many years the SDA church boasted that the prophetic gift must be active in the church--in other words, there must be a living prophet in the remnant church. Some of Ellen White's books--the forerunners to the Conflict of the Ages series--were entitled Spirit of Prophecy, and as noted above, Mrs. White and other Church leaders frequently referred to her testimonies (written or verbal) as the Spirit of Prophecy. Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy = Ellen G. White Note carefully from the quote at the top of this page that Ellen White said, "the test is usually given on present manifestations." After Mrs. White's death in 1915, the Adventist church was in a dilemma because they no longer had a living prophet. So, they redefined their previous teachings, and began teaching that Ellen White "lives on" through the writings of her books.

Problems with Adventist Truth about the Remnant Let us examine the problems with Adventist teachings regarding the identity of the Remnant Church. 1. Did the Waldenses keep the truth alive for 1,260 years? First, there is no church group that kept the "truth" of the Sabbath alive during the Dark Ages. The Waldenses were not Sabbath-keepers, and they did not move to the mountains until after 1184 AD. Persecution ended by the middle of the 1600s, so this group was in the "wilderness" less than 500 years. (For more facts about the Waldenses, click here) 2. Did the Albigenses keep the truth alive for 1,260 years? Although in Great Controversy Mrs. White points to the Albigenses as a group that preserved the "truth" during the era of papal supremecy, the Aligenses were a heretical group of fanatics who believed the Old Testament was written by Satan, that Christ had no real body, and that marriage was evil. The group barely survived one century. (For more facts about the Albigenses, click here) 3. Is the 1,260-year period accurate? Adventists apply the year-day principal to turn the 1,260 days into 1,260 years, but that is an arbritrary application of the year-day principal. Even if the days are indeed years, the dates of 538 AD to 1798 AD are questioned even by SDA scholars. (For more facts about these dates, click here) 4. Who has the Spirit of Prophecy? In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 the Bible says the Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual gifts. One of those gifts is the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:10). Therefore, the phrase "Spirit of Prophecy" would be a reference to the Holy Spirit--the One who gives the gifts--and not to the human recipient of the gift.4 Mrs. White claimed to be (or have) the "spirit of prophecy" but in order to make such a claim, one must, of course, pass the tests of a prophet. There is significant evidence that Mrs. White failed six of the seven Biblical tests of a prophet. Even if Mrs. White did pass the tests, the SDA Church has not had a living prophet in over 93 years. That puts it in the exact same position as all other commandment-keeping Christian churches who do not have a living prophet. Other Christian churches follow the writings of dead prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Apostle John. In fact, the writings of at least 24 deceased prophets appear in the Bible. So, how is the SDA Church different from any other Christian Church in this regard? Is it because they follow the writings of 25 deceased prophets instead of 24?5 Does the fact that SDA's have one more prophet than most other churches prove that they are the only ones who have the Spirit of Prophecy? Even Ellen White described her writings as a "lesser light" pointing to the writings of the 24 Biblical authors who had the real spirit of prophecy.6 In fact, she admitted that her writings were not even necessary: If you had made God's word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies.7 So, how important, then, is that 25th prophet? Mrs. White implies she is not even necessary so long as one follows the writings of the other 24 prophets. That being the case, how can the SDA Church claim to be the sole church having the Spirit of Prophecy? They only have 1 more deceased prophet than other churches, AND, that one prophet said... Her writings merely pointed to the writings of the other 24 prophets She was not needed if believers would study the other 24 prophets 5. Is the Testimony of Jesus Ellen White's writings?? In Revelation 12:17, the word, "Testimony" (Greek marturia) comes from a root word which, in its various Greek forms, means "testifying," "testimony," "witness," and "martyr." The phrase "Of Jesus" could be understood in two ways: The testimony came from Jesus. This stresses Jesus as the source of the testimony. The testimony is about Jesus. This stresses that Jesus is the subject of the testimony. Notice how the apostle John understood the meaning of the word "testimony" (marturia): This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony [marturia] is true. (John 21:24) What John is telling us in this verse is that his gospel is a testimony about Jesus. Therefore, John's gospel is the "testimony of Jesus." Now, notice how John uses marturia to describe the testimony of the believer concerning Jesus: ...for this is the witness [marturia] of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness [marturia] in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record [marturia] that God gave of his Son. And this is the record [marturia], that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:9-11) In these important verses we find that those who believe on Jesus have the marturia, the witness or testimony of Jesus, in them! How is the "testimony of Jesus" used in Revelation? [John] Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony [marturia] of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (Rev. 1:2) In this verse John says he bore witness of three things: The Word of God The Testimony of Jesus Christ The things that he saw (in vision) John goes on to say in verse 9: I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony [marturia] of Jesus Christ. Notice the two reasons that John gives for being imprisoned on the isle of Patmos: The Word of God The Testimony of Jesus Clearly it was John's testimony about Jesus that resulted in his being imprisoned. Notice something else: John had the "Testimony of Jesus" when he was on Patmos. That was somewhere between 65 AD and 100 AD. So, the "Testimony of Jesus" being the "Spirit of Prophecy" existed in the ministry of John, over 1,700 years before the birth of Ellen [Harmon] White. Look at Revelation 6:9: And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony [marturia] which they held. Notice the martyrs were slain for two reasons: The Word of God Their testimony [marturia], presumably about Jesus. The SDA Church teaches that among these martyrs were those who died in the 1,260-year reign of the papacy, which is claimed by them to have started in 538 AD and ended in 1798 AD. Again, these martyrs had the "testimony" long before Ellen Harmon was born. From the context of Revelation chapter 12, the testimony of Jesus clearly refers to the word of testimony of those who "loved not their lives unto the death": And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony [marturia]; and they loved not their lives unto the death. ... And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony [marturia] of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:11, 17) In Revelation 19:10 we find that John's "brethren" also had the marturia, or testimony of Jesus: ...I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony [marturia] of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony [marturia] of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The marturia is here described as the gift of prophecy, which is given to testify about Jesus Christ. Here are some alternate readings of the last part of Revelation 19:10 The prophetic spirit proves itself by witnessing to Jesus. (New American Bible) Testimony to Jesus is the spirit which underlies Prophecy. (Weymouth New Testament) Those who bear testimony to Jesus are inspired like all the prophets. (New English Bible) The purpose of all prophecy and of all I have shown you is to tell about Jesus. (Living Bible) The last reference to marturia is found in Revelation 20:4: ...I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness [marturia] of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. This verse parallels Rev. 6:9. Again, the two reasons for martyrdom are given: The Word of God The witness [marturia] of Jesus. Throughout the New Testament we find a pattern of the "testimony of Jesus" referring to the believer's personal witness about Jesus Christ. Rather than being the prophetic utterances received from Jesus, the testimony of Jesus is the believer's personal testimony about Jesus. The "testimony of Jesus" is found in the writings of the New Testament, whose writers personally knew Christ and bore witness to Him. Furthermore, John tells us that the testimony of Jesus is found in the heart of all those who accept and believe in Jesus as the Son of God: He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness [marturia] in himself (1 John 5:10) Therefore, the "testimony of Jesus" cannot be used to uniquely identify the SDA Church as the remnant church of Bible prophecy. Revelation clearly teaches that John had the "testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 1:9), the martyrs had it (Rev. 6:9), and John's brethren had it (Rev. 19:10). None of these ever knew Ellen White, so it could not refer directly to her.

Bible Truth about the Identity of Remnant Church The gift of prophecy is available to any church led by the Holy Spirit. However, the era of major prophets has ended. The ultimate revelation of the character of God was manifested in the Son of God and recorded in the gospels: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." (Heb. 1:1,2) The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (Luke 16:16; also Matt. 11:13) There is not a single instance in the gospels where Jesus said that He was going to send prophets to His church to guide it. Instead, He warned about "false" prophets many times: Beware of false prophets... (Matt. 7:15) And many false prophets shall arise and deceive many... (Matt. 24:11) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matt. 24:14) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise... (Mk 13:22) Jesus established a different order in the Christian church. Instead of speaking to His people indirectly through prophets, Jesus promised to speak to them directly through the Comforter: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you. (John 16:13-15) The gift of prophecy is given to the Christian church for edification (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11). However, in the New Testament, Apostles--not prophets--are the leaders of the church. In the New Testament church, Christians are instructed by the personal presence of God via the indwelling of the Spirit of God: But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27) Conclusion A number of churches claim the title "true remnant of God". While it may be flattering to regard one's church as the true remnant, there is no denomination that has a "corner" on the truth. Denominations are the creation of man. They are useful because they establish a structure, and an organization to further the work of God. However, we only dimly comprehend the truth of God. Because of man's imperfect understanding God, there are many different interpretations of "truth", resulting in the large number of denominations we see today. God has His true believers spread out in every religion. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth" (John 14:6). A denomination can show a person the way, but it is not "the way." Jesus is the way. Likewise, a denomination can teach the truth, but it is not "the truth." Jesus is the truth. Therefore, any true believer who accepts Jesus as His Lord and Savior and is baptized for the remission of sins is part of the remnant church of God.

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1. Ellen White, Loma Linda Messages, p. 33.

2. Ibid.

3. On October 2, 1904, in a public address, Mrs. White claimed she was not a prophet: "When I was last in Battle Creek, I said before a large congregation that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Twice I referred to this matter, intending each time to make the statement, 'I do not claim to be a prophetess.' If I spoke otherwise than this, let all now understand that what I had in mind to say was that I do not claim the title of prophet or prophetess." (The Review and Herald, July 26, 1906) However, she later clarified that what she actually meant was her work was much higher and loftier than that of a mere prophet: "I am instructed that I am the Lord's messenger...my work includes much more than the word 'prophet' signifies." (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 32)

4. The Spirit of God is called by many names in the Bible. In all cases it would be blasphemy to ascribe these names to any human: Spirit of Wisdom - Isa. 11:2; Spirit of Understanding - Isa. 11:2; Spirit of Counsel - Isa. 11:2; Spirit of Power - Isa. 11:2; Spirit of Knowledge - Isa. 11:2; Spirit of the Fear of the Lord - Isa. 11:2; Spirit of Judgment - Isa. 28:6; Spirit of the Lord - Micah 2:7; Spirit of Grace - Zech. 12:10; Spirit of Supplications - Zech. 12:10; Spirit of God - Matt. 3:16; Spirit of Your Father - Matt. 10:20; Spirit of Truth - John 14:17; Spirit of Jesus - Acts 16:7; Spirit of Holiness - Rom. 1:4; Spirit of Life - Rom. 8:2; Spirit of Christ - Rom. 8:9; Spirit of Adoption - Rom. 8:15; Spirit of the Living God - 2 Cor. 3:3; Spirit of His Son - Gal. 4:6; Spirit of Promise - Eph. 1:13; Spirit of Wisdom - Eph. 1:17; Spirit of Revelation - Eph. 1:17; Spirit of Jesus Christ - Phil. 1:19; Spirit of Power - 2 Tim. 1:7; Spirit of Love - 2 Tim. 1:7; Spirit of Grace - Heb. 10:29; Spirit of Glory - 1 Pet. 4:14; Spirit of Prophecy - Rev. 19:10. A pattern can be seen here. The Bible uses "Spirit of ..." to describe the attributes of God and His Spirit. Thus, the "Spirit of Prophecy" refers to the Spirit of God, not to any human or any human's writings.

5. The prophecies of at least 24 individuals having the "gift of prophecy" appear in the Bible: Enoch, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, John, Paul, and Jesus.

6. Ellen White, The Review and Herald, Jan. 20, 1903.

7. Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church Vol. 2 (1868-1871), p. 605.