Spiritualism

[Bravus]

Robert quoted this well-known EGW piece in another recent thread: 

Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.

Sorry, I don't have the reference handy.

It got me wondering. Spiritualism - the Fox sisters and their hoaxes, table rapping, ouija boards and so on - is pretty much a dead force in the world these days. It still exists around the corners, but it's far from a massive influence with the power to lead the masses astray.

Frankly, it's an historical artefact of the time when EGW was writing. It was a craze in 19th century America, but has since faded.

The thing is, antiCatholicism is the same sort of thing: powerful in mid-19th century America, fading now, as Catholicism shows its face as simply one sect among many, albeit a large and wealthy one.

I honestly think it might be time for SDAism to move on. The 'two great errors'... turn out to have been made by EGW, or at least by those who take her writings a century into the future and expect that they will still apply in the same way.

It might be worth thinking about the great spiritual threats of now: my own nominee would be the conviction, despite Jesus' direct statement, that it's possible to serve both God and Mammon.

What are your candidates?

Edited September 2, 2015 by Bravus

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

über-spirituality, where some feel that God doesn't wish for them to have any affinity for pleasure, have motivation to be comfortable and safe, or to take pride in themselves, their families, and their abilities.  It includes the idea that one must only talk about spiritual matters and/or always talk/write in spiritual terms, using "Christianese," in order to be acceptable in God's sight..

[JoeMo]

Traditionalism is a problem, as is being overly complacent.  

There are many who are not willing to bring doctrine or prophetic interpretation up to the current reality.  Like Bravus implied, could EGW have been wrong?  For me, a question is "do other branches of Christianity "get" certain parts of scripture better than SDA's?  I personally think being closed to any alternative interpretations is a bad idea.

Many believers I speak to - especially in charismatic congregations - is that everything is "good"; and blessing and miracles are soon gonna break out all over the world; while ignoring the imminency of the tribulation which (IMO) will some come upon the planet. They don't even want to discuss Daniel and Revelation. Ask the Christians under ISIS or Taliban control whether or not they are in great tribulation.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Like Bravus implied, could EGW have been wrong?  For me, a question is "do other branches of Christianity "get" certain parts of scripture better than SDA's?  I personally think being closed to any alternative interpretations is a bad idea.

Not sure if "wrong" is the right word.     She was "right" in many respects for her times.  

I'm not willing to discount EGW's prophecies/statements on the future entirely.  I hold a "wait and see" philosophy there...

[JoeMo]

Not sure if "wrong" is the right word.     She was "right" in many respects for her times.  

I'm not willing to discount EGW's prophecies/statements on the future entirely.  I hold a "wait and see" philosophy there...

I'm not saying EGW was wrong in general - she was a very spiritually gifted woman.  I'm just agreeing with Bravus that she could be wrong about the error Bravus brought up in the beginning of this thread - that the doctrines of Sunday sacredness and the immortality of the soul  will be chief contributors to bringing about end-time events.  Time will tell.

I have much respect for EGW - even though I don't blindly accept every word that came from her pen.

[8thdaypriest]

The reports of  "near death experiences" - where the one near death, reports visiting with dead relatives - these reports have strengthened the belief that "the dead" are NOT SLEEPING, but are conscious - in Heaven or Hell.  We now have movies about it.  So that's growing. 

And then there's the whole "secret rapture" and "left behind" teaching.  That one also has millions of current believers.  They do not want to hear about the "tribulation" because they don't believe it will involve them. 

I've read three books in the last six months, all saying that ISLAM is "the Beast" of Revelation.  My personal belief - at this point - is that ISLAM may be used of Satan, as the counterfeit "Beast", so He can follow to crush that Beast, and set himself up as the Messiah, in a rebuilt Temple on the Mount.

It makes no sense, to me, that "the very elect" would EVER worship a leader (or Messianic figure) associated with Islam.  This would be no deception - for them.  But if a glorious figure came to rescue Israel FROM the Beast of Islam, THAT FIGURE just might prove an overpowering deception. 

I know that Mrs White said "money will decrease in value, very suddenly".  Now THAT ONE I do believe !!    

[JoeMo]

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (Matt. 24:24 and Mark 13:22)

I believe that the words "if possible" above imply that it will NOT be possible to deceive the elect; because they have studied and know what to expect.  In this respect, proper interpretation of prophecy MAY be a salvational issue.

A scenario I foresee is where Islam is both the counterfeit beast and the beast.  Some militaristic Islamic power like ISIS or Iran (confederate beast) will theaten (maybe even invade) Israel; and appear to be winning. Israel will "prostitute itself" (i.e.,make an alliance with) with a "moderate" Islamic nation - the real beast - by signing a 7-year mutual defense treaty.  It is in the first part of this time of relative peace that a 3rd Temple will be built for the use of "all nations" (Muslims on Friday, Jews on Saturday, Christians on Sunday).  In the midst of the 7 years, the leader of this "moderate" Islamic group will break the treaty; and he (along with the Islamic "Prophet Jesus") will begin the end-time persecution - the Great Tribulation.

Just an opinion subject to change.