Adventist Alert to Church History

General Note: All the Specials and Commentaries are in the last file of the year. There are 4 files for each year: jm=Jan-Mar; aj=Apr-Jun; js-=Jul-Sep; od=Oct-Dec.

In memory of
Elder William Henry Grotheer, Editor

"Watchman,
What of the Night?" ( WWN) is a thought paper that was published monthly continuously from Jan, 1968 to the end of Dec. 2006 . by the Adventist Laymen's Foundation of Mississippi, Inc.(ALF), with William H. Grotheer as the Editor of Research & Publication.

Due to his failing health, Elder Grotheer requested that ALF of Canada continue publishing thoughts through its website www.AdventistAlet.com which now has developed into frequent Blog Thought articles plus all of the Foundation's historical published works written and audio.

As of 2010, with the official closing of the ALF of USA , The Adventist Laymen's Foundation of Canada with its website www.Adventist Alert.com is the only officially operating ALF branch established by Elder Grotheer worldwide.

We are thankful for the historical legacy that is now available through

The Adventist Laymen's Foundation of Canada, POB 8255,
Victoria, BC V8W 3R9 Canada

The Nov. 1977 issue discusses "What is the "Watchman What of the Night?"

Tax deductible receipts are still given for all gifts as usual.

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The MISSION of this site -- is to put the articles from the WWN in Essay form to be Browsed and Word Searched by word or subject. It is not our purpose to copy WWN in whole.

Any portion of the thought paper may be reproduced without further permission by adding the credit line - "Reprinted from WWN, Victoria, BC Canada."

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THE END TIME LINE
RE-SURVEYED

Parts 1-2

Part 2

p 1 -- DATA
Getting --

Warning
Selected Messages, bk. i, pp. 41-42 -- VARYING ATTITUDES ENUMERATED -- Soon every p

p 1 -- INTO THE MILIEU OF 1901 - 1903

Letter to P. T. Magan, dated December 7, 1901 (M-184-1901).

We may have to remain here in this world because or insubordination many more years, as did the childnew of Israel, but for Christ's sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action.

A MESSAGE FOR FREQUENT APPEARANCE -- Letter 20, 1901, COUNSELS TO WRITERS AND EDITORS, p. 24 -- In the twenty-first chapter of Luke Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem, and with it He connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of this world just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mark the words: "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. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

1902 [See "Appenix Notes" (1962 Ed.) p.526, comment on "Page 117"]

TO MINISTERS AND WORKERS, p. 118 -- will exhibit themselves before the cities of the world; and this delineation has already begun to be fulfilled. By a variety of images the Lord Jesus represented to John the wicked character and seductive influence of those who have been distinguished for their persecution of God's people. All need wisdom carefully to search out the mystery of iniquity that figures so largely in the winding up of this earth's history.... In the very

ST. HELENA, Cal., April 2, 1903, TESTAMONIES FOR THE CHURCH, Vol.8, p. 247 -- 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.

p 2 -- Larger picture

p 3 -- Focus #1

p 4 -- DATA - 1926-1931 FOCUS

So Much in Common -- RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER SOCIETIES, P. 73 -- (First voted by the General Conference Executive Committee in 1926)

In the desire to avoid occasion for misunderstanding or friction in the matter of relationship to the work of other societies, the following statement of principles is set forth as a guidance to our workers in mission fields in their contacts with other religious organizations:

1. We recognize every agency that lifts up Christ before men as a part of the divine plan for the evangelization of the world, and we hold in high esteem the Christian men and women in other communions who are engaged in winning souls to Christ.

2. Wherever the prosecution of the gospel work brings us into touch with other societies and their work, the spirit of Christian courtesy, frankness, and fairness should at all times guide in dealing with mission problems.

3. We recognize that the essence of true religion is that religion is based upon conscience and conviction. It in therefore to be constantly our purpose that no selfish interest or temporal advantage shall draw any person to our communion, and that no tie shall hold any member save the belief and conviction that in this way he finds true connection with Christ. When change of conviction leads any member of our society to feel no longer in accord with us in faith and practice, we recognize not only his right but his duty to change his religious affiliation to accord with his belief.

1914 YEARBOOK, FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES, p. 295 -

Fine it to the seventh day, as they are not true of any other day, and that the terms Jewish Sabbath, as applied to the seventh day, and Christian Sabbath, as applied to the first day of the week, are names of human invention, unscriptural in fact, and false in meaning.

13. That as the man of sin, the papacy, has thought to change times and laws (the law of God, Dan. 7: 25), and has misled almost all Christendom in regard to the fourth commandment, we find a prophecy of reform in this respect to be wrought among believers just before the coming of Christ. Isa. 56: 1, 2; 1 Peter 1: 5; Rev. 14: 12, etc.

14. That the followers of Christ should be a peculiar people, not following the maxims, nor conforming to the ways, of the world; not loving its pleasures nor countenancing its follies; inasmuch as the

1931 STATEMENT OF BELIEFS -

15. That God, in the time of the judgment and in accordance with His uniform dealing with the human family in warning them of coming events vitally affecting their destiny (Amos 3: 6, 7), sends forth a proclamation of the approach of the second advent of Christ; that this work is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; and that their threefold message brings to view a work of reform to prepare a people to meet Him at His coming.

San Francisco Chrinicle, February 12, 1929, p. 1

p 5 -- Focus #2

p 6 -- DATA FOR 1948 - 1956 FOCUS

1948

Our Firm Foundation, Vol. II, p. 230 -- Victorious as were the forces of Israel in every other part of Palestine, they failed to take the most dazzlirig objective of all. Mysteriously they were held back from achieving this most cherished goal, this culminating triumph, as by an unseen hand.

What could be the reason? Only that the times of the Gentiles are not yet fulfilled.

"Coming events cast their shadows before" - DA, p. 636

1950

1888 Re-Examined & The Mystery of 1888 -- Obtainable from: Adventist History P. 0. Box 1888, Naples, NC 28760

1952

W. H. Branson, President, General Conference, Our Firm Foundation, Vol. II, pp. 616-617

To a large degree the church failed to build on the foundation laid at the 1888 General Conference. Much has been lost as a result. We are years behind where we should have been in spiritual growth. Long ere this we should have been in the Promised Land.

But the message of righteousness by faith given in the 1888 Conference has been repeated here. Practically every speaker from the first day onward has laid great stress upon this all-important doctrine, and there was no prearranged plan that he should do so. It was spontaneous on the part of the speakers. No doubt they were impelled by the Spirit of God to do so. Truly this one subject has, in this conference "swallowed up every other."

And this great truth has been given here in this 1952 Bible Conference with far greater power than it was given in the 1888 Conference because those who have spoken here have had the advantage of much added light shining forth from hundreds of pronouncements on this subject in the writings of the Spirit of prophecy which those who spoke back there did not have.

The light of justification and righteousness by faith shines upon us today more clearly than it ever shone before upon any people.

No longer will the question be, "What was the attitude of our workers and people toward the message of righteousness by faith that was given in 1888? What did they do about it?" From now on the great question must be, "What did we do with the light on righteousness by faith as proclaimed in the 1952 Bible Conference?"

1955 - 1956

Letters to the Churches by M. L. Andreasen; Seventh-day Adventist-Evangelical Conferences.
(on this website: Letters to the Churches, Seventh-day Adventist-Evangelical Conferences)

p 7 -- Focus #3

)

p 8 -- DATA FOR 1967 - 1980 FOCUS

1967

Document: The Times of the Gentiles Fulfilled (On this website: The Times of the Gentiles Fulfilled)

1977

Document: Steps to Rome (The Seventh-day Adventist Church given into hands of Antichrist in Symbolism) (On this website: Steps to Rome )

1979 - 80

Documents: Same as for 1967 plus Key Doctrinal Comparisons - Statements of Belief 1872-1980 (On this website: Key Doctrinal Comparisons - Statements of Belief 1872-1980

Into this Focus a Testimony from Ellen G. White finds its "time and place": Review & Herald, December 13, 1892.

Ae God called the children of. Israel out of Egypt, that they might keep his Sabbath, so he calls his people out of Babylon, that they may not worship the beast or his image. The man of sin, who thought to change times and laws, has exalted himself above God, by presenting a spurious Sabbath, to the world; the Christian world has accepted the child of the papacy, and cradled and nourished it, thus defying God by removing his memorial, and setting up a rival Sabbath.

After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations, every conceivable power of evil will be set in operation, and minds will be confused by many voices crying, "Lo, here is Christ, Lo, he is there. This is the truth, I have the message from God, he has sent me with great light." Then there will be a removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith. A more decided effort will be made to exalt the false Sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God himself by supplanting the day he has blessed and sanctified. This false Sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law. Satan and his angels are wide-awake, and intensely active, working with energy and perseverance through human instrumentalities to bring about his purpose of obliterating from the minds of men the knowledge of God. But while Satan works with his lying wonders, the time will be fulfilled foretold in the Revelalation, and the mighty angel that shall lighten the earth with his glory, will proclaim the fall of Babylon, and call upon God's people to forsake her.

At the time of the loud cry of the third angel those who have been in any measure blinded by the enemy, who have not fully recovered themselves from the snare of Satan, will be in peril, because it will be difficult for them to discern the light from heaven, and they will be inclined to accept falsehood. Their erroneous experience will color their thoughts, their decisions, their propositions, their counsels. The evidences that God has given will be no evidence to those who have blinded their eyes by choosing darkness rather than light. After rejecting light, they will originate theories which they will call "light," but which the Lord calls, "sparks of their own kindling," by which they will direct their steps.

p 9 --

A LOUD CRY COMPARISON
"The time of test is just before us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth." R&H, Nov. 22, 1892	"After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations, every conceivable power of evil will be set in operation, and minds will be confused by many voices crying, 'Lo, here is Christ, Lo he is there. This is the truth, I have the message from God, he has sent me with great light.'" R8H, December 13, 1892
1888 "Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exists in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ's true followers are still to be found in their communion." Great Controversy, p. 390	"Then there will be a removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith. A more decided effort will be made to exalt the false Sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God Himself by supplanting the day He has blessed and sanctified. This false Sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law. Satan and his angels are wide-awake, and intensely active, working with energy and perseverance through human instrumentalities to bring about his purpose of obliterating from the minds of men the knowledge of God." R8H, December 13, 1892
1889 "In Minneapolis God gave precious gems of truth to His people in new settings. This light from heaven by some was rejected with all the stubborness the Jews manifested in rejecting Christ, and there was much talk about standing by the old landmarks. But there was evidence they knew not what the old landmarks were. There was evidence and there was reasoning from the Word that commended itself to the conscience; but the minds of men were fixed, sealed against the entrance of light, because they had decided it was a dangerous error removing the 'old landmarks' when it was not removing a peg of the old landmarks, but they had perverted ideas of what constituted the old landmarks." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 30	But while Satan works his lying wonders, the time will be fulfilled foretold in the Revelation, and the mighty angel that shall enlighten the earth with his glory, will proclaim the fall of Babylon, and call upon God's people to forsake her. At the time of the loud cry of the third angel those who have been in any measure blinded by the enemy, who have not fully recovered themselves from the snare of Satan, will be in peril, because it will be difficult for them to discern the light of heaven, and they will be inclined to accept falsehood." R8H, December 13, 1892

p 10 -- "MANY VOICES"

Prior to the beginning of "the Loud Cry" in 1892, a few dissident voices had been heard - B. F. Snook and W. H. Brinkerhoff of the Marion Party (1866); and D. M. Canright (1887).

All along the "time-line" since 1900, there have been "reform" movements: A. F. Ballenger (1914); The SDA Reform Movement (1925); The Shepherds' Rod led by V. T. Houteff (1929); and Robert D. Brinsmead (circa 1960). This covers about fifty years.

However, "after the truth [had] been proclaimed as a witness to all nations," there has been heard in harmony with the "testimony" - "many voices."

I -- Break away, or continuation of Brinsmead Decade I teachings:
G. Harvey Rue, M.D. - The Layworker
Vance Ferrell - Pilgrims' Rest (circa 1980)
Fred Wright - Considers himself the "angel" of Revelation 18

II -- Continued "protest" of the Compromise of 1955-56 and the book - Questions on Doctrine on the part of one, and the organizational apostasy in their respective former church affiliations: (Theme)
David L. Bauer - "No organization"
John Nicolici - "No organization" and "salvation by works" based on "reforms"

III --New Voices:
Willard Santee - "Circle of Apostasy" (Now back into the "circle") circa 1981
Michael Clute - God Does Not Destroy (circa 1981)
Thomas Van Asperen - Fourth Angel Ministries (1982)
Robert W. Hauser, M.D.- Application of Desmond Ford hermeneutics to book of Revelation. (1983)
J. Reynolds Hoffman - Deliverance Ministry - Casting out "devils" (circa 1983)
Charles Wheeling - Evangelical Futuristic Interpretation of Prophecy (1983)
Michael Hodges - Pagan origins of Christian symbols; Ezekiel 8 (1983)
Firm Foundation Conferences: Hartland Institute - Emphasis on Historic Adventist Doctrines (1984)
Committee of Five: Wieland & Snyman - 1888 Message in time setting of 1950 (1985)
Marty Wold - The Church has become Babylon (1985)

To # III could be added other "voices" and their publications. Not a single "voice" of any of the above named persons either verbally or in their publications face up to the "light" given in the article of the R&H, December 13, 1892. These all, without exception, either reject out-right the prophecy of Jesus in Luke 21:24, or seek to mitigate its force even as does the Church. BUT the prophecy of Jesus and the article are saying the same thing!

End of manuscript available.

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