The twin pillars of the Seventh Day Adventist faith
The Seventh-day Adventist Faith is based on two twin pillars that can be represented graphically in the following way:
The classical Adventist interpretation of the Seal of God in opposition to the Mark of the Beast concepts is certainly well-founded biblical, and represents a tremendous progress with respect to the truly Babylonian confusion of the evangelical Christian world about these matters. However, this subject is much deeper than many brethren do realize and hides big surprises as we shall see!
Let us start with the basics: the Seal of God in traditional SDA view represents the worship on the Seventh-Day Sabbath as a token of reverence to God as the Creator of the world:
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20)
On the contrary, Sunday worship represents the authority of the Roman pontiff in religious matters and will serve as the Mark of the Beast within the context of the final events, when such worship will not only be an act of ignorance, but will become the very token of the global authority of the Beast Power.
This classical interpretation represents one of the pillars of the Advent faith and we would like to uphold its Biblical solidity. However, we believe there exists a second application, at least as much Biblically solid as the former, but unfortunately insufficiently understood. And we believe this is precisely the direction where the main attack of the enemy is now taking place.
Namely, we have come to believe after thorough Bible studies over several years that Marriage institution between man and woman is the Seal of God and the Trinity Doctrine represents the Mark of the Beast.
Indeed, according to the Bible, both man and woman have been created in the image of God, even though they have been created in the image of different divine persons: man in the image of the Father and woman in the image of the Son, and this is the fundamental principle upon which the correct understanding of the relationship between the two genders has to be based:
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1)
In this light, the divinely ordained Marriage institution between one man and one woman represents the very image of the relationship between the divine persons of the Father and the Son and therefore it has all the credentials for being considered the “Seal of God”, on at least equal footing with the Seventh Day Sabbath, if not more!
The fact the relationship between man and woman reflects the relationship between the Father and the Son is a very profound truth, even though yet insufficiently understood. Several materials have been written about the feminine nature of the Holy Spirit, even though this matter has yet to become part of the accepted doctrine. Here are a number of quotes from Christian sources that support this understanding:
The marriage institution is being under attack nowadays by the promotion of homosexual marriages in certain Western countries, as well as by the broader agenda of feminism leading to women ordination within the SDA church. For some reason, mankind today is unable to correctly define the relationship between man and woman, a very simple problem that has become unsolvable even for nations of great intellectual light and resources such as the United States! We believe the profound theological underpinning of such gross sexual immorality and intellectual confusion is none other than the trinity doctrine, the age old heresy representing the very hard core of the Catholic teaching. In this respect, the words of apostle Paul have prophetic value:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1)
As mankind has refused to understand the truth about the divine nature of God and His Son and has embraced the false trinity doctrine, now mankind is unable to correctly understand its own nature and the relationship between man and woman, which should have been a very simple problem has now become an insolvable quandary!
The trinity doctrine qualifies very well as the Mark of the Beast in that it unmistakably represents the authority of the Roman emperors in spiritual matters. This doctrine has not been embraced by the church as a result of Bible study nor prayer, but it has been imposed through political and military pressure by the Roman state and the Roman Emperors (Constantine, Teodosius, Justinian etc.) The trinity doctrine has played a very central part in the 6th century persecutions leading to the imposition of a New World Order in Europe by the only superpower of that time: the Eastern Roman Empire. This persecution had been very clearly predicted many hundreds of years before through the prophet Daniel:
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7)
Here the fourth beast represents the Roman empire and the ten horns on its head stand for the nations into which the Roman empire has been divided. The three nations plucked up by the roots to make room for the little horn represent the three barbaric kingdoms: Heruls, Vandals and Ostrogoths destroyed by the Eastern Roman army during the 6th century campaign under the reign of Emperor Justinian. The result was the authority of the pope (the little horn) being imposed over the entire Europe — a religious “New World Order” that was to last for 1260 dark years, exactly as foretold by the Bible prophecy. The very theological content of this persecution where entire nations were wiped off the map is represented by the trinity doctrine which had been previously adopted by the ecumenical councils of Nicaea and Constantinople! The year 538 appears prominently on every Adventist time chart, even though its sinister significance is yet very insufficiently understood!
The trinity doctrine has been unfortunately adopted into the doctrine of the official SDA church in order to mask the inability of the Advent people of understanding the truth about who God is, about who the divine persons are and about the true nature of their relationship. Even though clear light exists both in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy about these crucial matters of our faith, we have decided instead to cover our nakedness with this age old heresy stained by the blood of the saints, in true fulfillment of the prophetic words of Revelation with respect to the church of Laodicea:
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3)
But let us see what the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy teach about the nature of and relationship between the divine persons. As we shall see, we think it is possible to clearly understand these matters and defend the monotheistic nature of the Christian faith (even though we believe in several divine persons!) without relying on the Babylonian doctrine of the trinity.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1)
Here we see a reference to the creation of the world by the Father and the Son. The Spirit of Prophecy further elaborates on this topic:
The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate — a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father — one in nature, in character, in purpose — the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6. His “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2. And the Son of God declares concerning Himself: “The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting. . . . When He appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him.” Proverbs 8:22–30. (Patriarchs and Prophets chapter 1)
We believe based on such quotes that only two divine Persons created the world: the Father and the Son. They worked together and have left in the creation their “seal” that would testify of themselves and of their love relationship. This seal has a double application as we have seen: the Sabbath on one side and the Marriage institution on the other.
But the creation of the world has happened for a purpose: that the Divine Family might have children! This is precisely the purpose behind the creation of man: Adam and Eve have been created in the image of God, i.e. endowed with reason and capable of knowing God and understanding divine wisdom. They were destined since their very creation to being adopted into the divine family as children. But the divine purpose has not been accomplished for them, or at least not right away: following the advice of Satan they have eaten from the forbidden fruit of knowledge of good and evil and have fallen from the grace of God. But Jesus has succeeded where Adam fell and became the first human being to be elevated to divinity.
Yes, as surprising as this sounds, this is what the truth of the matter seems to be: the ultimate purpose of the Gospel is not merely redemption from sin but nothing less than the divinization of man! This is precisely what happened to Jesus: born as a man he lived a life of complete obedience to God and after his death on the cross he has been resurrected to life and greatly exalted, even to divinity! While Jesus lived on earth he had a double nature: both human and divine, even though he was a single person, but after his death and resurrection the divine and human natures have been separated into different persons: the Holy Spirit has been restored to His (or Her?) original position while the man Jesus has received adoption into the divine family even though his nature is now purely human. This is the explanation why there are now three Divine Persons, not only two as at the beginning!
This understanding can be supported with numerous quotes from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy and we believe it is the only harmonious position on this both very perplexing and yet simple matter! On the contrary, the competing opinions are not harmonizing well with scripture: the trinity doctrine as embraced by the official SDA church is a huge heresy while the theory that there are only two Divine Persons as held by some independent ministries is clearly contradicted by numerous scriptural passages.
Let us examine then some scriptural quotes in support of this understanding:
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14)
Here Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit both in the first and third person: this is very appropriate as the Holy Spirit was incarnate in him when he was speaking those words, but would be resurrected as a separate Person after his death.
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16)
The same idea: while Jesus was alive the Holy Spirit was incarnate and physically bound to him. After his death the Holy Spirit would be resurrected as a separate person and would recover the original divine attributes: omnipresence, omniscience etc.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. (John 10)
Here Jesus is clearly acknowledging the ultimate goal of the Gospel is the divinization of man and adoption into the Divine Family, and this not only for himself, but for everyone who believes.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1)
This is a very well known passage but very much misunderstood: we clearly see here the identity of the divine Person incarnate in Jesus: the Holy Spirit and this means the Holy Spirit and the Son of God are one and the same person!
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. (John 16)
Here, Jesus compares his death on the cross with a woman giving birth, and this is very appropriate if we think the Holy Spirit — the feminine Divine Person — was incarnate in him and his death on the cross was actually an act of birth: Jesus becoming a God in human flesh, independent of the Divine Mother who would be restored to Her initial form and position.
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered… 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. (Revelation 12)
Here is another illustration of the Divine Mother or the Son of God being incarnate in a male child — Jesus and giving birth to a God in human flesh!
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! (Matthew 27)
Jesus is being adorned (even though mockingly, but the purpose of God is being accomplished nevertheless!) with the royal symbols: the crown, the scarlet robe before the crucifixion, as this has actually been his coronation ceremony as God and ruler of the universe!
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28)
Here is a very clear reference to the existence of three Divine Persons, after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
“There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized.”
— (Ellen G. White, Special Testimonies, Series B, №7, pp. 62, 63, 1905) — Evangelism p. 615.1
Another clear reference to the three Divine Persons, this time from the Spirit of Prophecy. Actually, every time EGW speaks about the present time, she always mentions three Divine Persons, whereas when she refers to the creation of the world, only two Divine Persons are present!
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5)
Such quotes are pretty eloquent as to the ultimate goal of the Gospel, going far beyond the mere redemption from sin: we believe this is nothing else than the elevation of human beings to divinity in terms of perfection of character!
Adam had enjoyed the companionship of God and of holy angels. He had looked upon the glory of the Creator. He understood the high destiny opened to the human race should they remain faithful to God. {PP 56.2}
What is this “high destiny” Ellen White refers to in this verse, in connection to the sinless and immortal state of Adam and Eve before the fall? What could have been higher than that? We believe this is a reference to the original plan of God of elevating the human race to divinity by adoption into the Divine Family.
“Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His Father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS HIMSELF, DIVESTED OF THE PERSONALITY OF HUMANITY, AND INDEPENDENT THEREOF. Christ would represent Himself as present in all places BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT, — as the Omnipresent..” {PrT May 30, 1895, par. 7}
From this quote we can see again very clearly the identity of the Divine Person incarnate in Christ: the Holy Spirit being identical with the divine Son of God! Him (or her!) being divested of humanity is also a clear proof for the separation between the human and divine natures of Christ upon His resurrection, leading to the existence of three Divine Persons at the present time.
Conclusion
In short, we believe the very puzzling question of the nature of God, and of the actual number of Divine Persons etc. can be solved pretty easily based on the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy alone, with no need of philosophical speculation and age-old catholic heresies drenched in the blood of the saints! Unfortunately, this understanding is missing today not only from main stream Christianity but also from the official SDA church as well as the independent adventist ministries. We believe this truth to be of crucial importance for the end time events, as the main attack of the enemy is being directed against the second pillar of our faith about which unfortunately we are largely in darkness. Based on our first pillar understanding, we are still waiting for the Sunday Law, when we have already had a theologically equivalent Sodomy Law instead! The trinity doctrine which is also very much equivalent to the Mark of the Beast is already part and parcel of the official doctrine since a couple of decades. Even the independent adventist ministries do not do any better job in clarifying the nature of God and insist on believing only in two Divine Persons, in clear contradiction to Scripture. The current state of affairs in Christianity in general and the Advent movement in particular is a bleak one, in clear fulfillment of our Redeemer’s prophetic words:
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18)
The Three Angels’ message proclaimed since 1844 has largely lost its momentum and the true faith seems almost banished from the world. However, the Fourth Angel’s message will resound with a loud cry and will illuminate the entire globe:
1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. (Revelation 18)
We believe the correct understanding of who God is, as well as of the twin pillars of Advent faith is part of the Fourth Angel’s proclamation and we hope this article will bring a small contribution to the success of this very powerful message!
