The New Testament presents to us the importance of being established and having a foundation in “the present truth.” This is a work of which none can afford to be negligent. The apostle Peter clearly states,

“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” 2 Peter 1:12

There are three major periods in scripture that can be identified as times for the proclamation of the Present Truth. The time period between Enoch and Noah was the first. It was then that the flood message was being proclaimed. That was the present truth for that particular time. The next period was the time period between John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah. The present truth for that time was the arrival of the Messiah to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies. Then the final period of present truth is the time that we are now living, which is between the preaching of William Miller and the final generation. This present truth places all of the principles of scripture in an end time setting, and is proclaimed in the time period described as the “hour of God’s judgment.” These principles are derived from the three angel’s messages of Revelation 14:6-12. This present truth involves teachings concerning the second coming (as described in Daniel and Revelation), and judgment of 1844, the magnification of the Law of God, the non-immortality of the soul, the Sabbath, Emphasis upon the Spirit of Prophecy manifested through Ellen White,  and victory over sin in this present life by Christ’s righteousness. It involves the latter rain, the loud cry, the seal of God and the Shaking as derived from the third message.  Since John the Baptist was a type of those proclaiming the message, it includes the Elijah-John the Baptist message of health, dress, and education reform.

The question that we must ask now is, “are you being established in it?” Also, what will keep the people of God from being established in it?

“I was shown the necessity of those who believe we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that young and old should not attend their assemblies; for it is wrong to encourage them by attending their meetings while they teach error that is poisonous, and death to the soul, and teach for doctrines the commandments of men. And the influence is not good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith he has set us free, and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with those who go to listen to error, when they are not obliged to; for unless he sends us to these meetings, where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, he will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him, and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness.

     I saw that we had no time to throw away in listening to fables. Our minds should not be thus diverted; but should be occupied with the present truth, and seeking wisdom that we may obtain a more thorough knowledge of our position; that with meekness we may give a reason of our hope from the Scriptures. While the mind is occupied in hearing false doctrines, and dangerous error, pressed upon the hearers, it cannot be dwelling upon the truth which is to fit and prepare the house of Israel to stand in the day of the Lord.”   Early Writings 124

This statement it is often said to apply only to those going into Sunday churches. However we do not read this in this statement, and we cannot place our own assumption upon inspiration. Secondly, God is not a respecter of persons. He does not have double standards. This principle is a broad principle that deals with ways that we can become “contaminated” with darkness. You may say, “I know the truth.” So did Eve when she went to listen to the first error. Yes, this applies to all denominations including Sabbath keeping ones. We are not to go to them when error is preached or  upheld.

What are the common errors taught among Sabbath keepers that undermine present truth?  These would include errors such as, “forget about the doctrines and let us just love”, “self-esteem”, “the 2300 days are not essential to understand”, “obedience is legalism”, “health reform is legalism”, “dress reform is legalism”, “Everything was accomplished at the cross” thus making the most holy place ministry irrelevant,  “Ellen White is “lesser” inspired and informed”, “those who often quote Ellen White are legalists”, “victory over sin and holiness cannot be achieved in this life”, “Jesus by his very nature had an advantage over us”, “worldly music in the house of worship is good”, “there is no literal sanctuary in heaven”,  “women’s rights must be upheld through women’s ordination”,  and “let us not focus on the second coming, we have been doing that for years.”

The eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil came as a result of listening to error. The serpent told eve, “ye shall not surely die.” That was the beginning of the fall of our first parents. Eve had a choice to either continue listening or to walk away. She chose to continue listening.

What happens when we continue to go and listen. The statement says that “it is poisonous and death to the soul”, we have no time to throw away, our minds are diverted when they should be occupied with “present truth”, we should seek wisdom to gain a more thorough knowledge of present truth, and that our minds should be dwelling on how to prepare our hearts to stand in the day of the lord. The angel’s ultimately will cease their watchful care over us when we continue to attend.

This principle is not a new principle, because it is as old as scripture itself. The following scriptures were given at a time when Sunday keeping was unheard of:

”Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Titus 3:10

 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  9As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:7-9.

I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. Jeremiah 15:17

The following statement brings greater clarity to the matter of listening to error, and why Ellen White speaks so strongly against it,

"Error is never harmless. It never sanctifies, but always brings confusion and dissension. It is always dangerous." Counsels to Writers and Editors, 47

Should such gatherings be supported by financial means, be it tithe or offering?  Notice the following:

There are fearful woes for those who preach the truth,  262 but are not sanctified by it, and also for those who consent to receive and maintain the unsanctified to minister to them in word and doctrine. {1T 261.3}

God is displeased not only when we attend, but also when we give encouragement, consent and maintenance.

This instruction that the Lord has given at this time is just as important as the counsel that he gave to Adam and Eve concerning the forbidden fruit. Can we afford at this hour to have our minds occupied with anything other than present truth?
 


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