Membership crisis

[Gregory Matthews]

My comment did not suggest that the context of your quote made any change.

It was only to say that context is important.

However: One of the problems with books that are compilations of EGW statements is that the context is often not apparent. To determine the context one must go the original source.

A compilation can start one in a direction, but it may be less valuable than the original source.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

The work will continue with or without Adventism

Since the Seventh Day Sabbath and the second advent of Christ is assured by the Word, I doubt the veracity of that conclusion.

OTOH, since we live in a society of fallible human beings, all denominations have room to grow. When we (the believers) all reach the place where God needs us to be, then we can be sure He'll be back to take us home. Till then the membership itself may show critical decisions being made, but those who depend on Jesus' wisdom instead of their own, need not be anxious about membership and their place among that membership.

"For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT

God cares! Jesus saves!

[Gregory Matthews]

Are we the only people who teach the 7th day Sabbath and the 2nd Advent?

[JoeMo]

No, I think Messianic Jews, 7th-Day Baptists, and World-Wide Church of God also teach those. There are an increasing number of non-denominational Charismatic/Apostolic/Pentecostal churches that do as well.

[Ron Amnsn]

Are we the only people who teach the 7th day Sabbath and the 2nd Advent?

There was a group of Jewish believers very early in the history of Christianity that taught about the 2nd Advent of Jesus and taught people to observe all the commands of God, which included the Sabbath (and also everything that God commanded in the existing Scriptures of that day, not just the "10 Commandments"). The collected writings of this group are now commonly known as "the New Testament".

[Gregory Matthews]

In general terms, you have hit the nail on the head.

However, in regard to the World Wide Church of God with the splits that has taken place in that denomination, only a minority of the members teach the Sabbath. Large elements have departed from the original teachings.

[phkrause]

The work will continue with or without Adventism.

I'm in agreement with that part of your statement. If I'm not correct, I believe EGW mentions that if we don't finish the work, he will! I read that somewhere?? Not sure who or where I've read that.

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: JoeMo

The work will continue with or without Adventism.

I'm in agreement with that part of your statement. If I'm not correct, I believe EGW mentions that if we don't finish the work, he will! I read that somewhere?? Not sure who or where I've read that.

This might be where you read it, although I don't see that as indicating excluding His use of people to cooperate in His efforts.

"Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,

The remnant will be saved.

For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,

Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”

And as Isaiah said before:

“Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,

We would have become like Sodom,

And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”"

Romans 9:27-29 NKJV

This also points out His desire to use those who trust Him, to finish the work needing to happen before Jesus arrives, something that is happening all over the world right now.

"And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."Joel 2:27-29 KJV

God cares! Jesus saves!

[JoeMo]

No; this is where I read it.

"I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40)

[phkrause]

No that's not where I read it at all. I'll find it some day.