By Arnie Suntag
On January 28, 2023, Dr. Conrad Vine delivered a message entitled The Naked Emperor at the North Naples SDA Church, challenging the official position of the General Conference on the Covid-19 vaccine and the pandemic-related mandates. The message strongly encourages Seventh-day Adventists worldwide to take appropriate action before it is too late. This has evidently not happened, however. The fact is, few have heeded the warnings inherent in the message, and even fewer have publicly taken a firm stand to protest the GC’s strong-arm tactics in support of policies that trample upon liberty of conscience – a foundational principle of our church. Even much of our media has shied away from tackling this issue. It’s the story of our times. The same torpor that has essentially paralyzed most of the populace has infected the vast majority of our church members, while church leadership runs roughshod over the very principles that define us as Seventh-day Adventists.
Dr. Conrad Vine delivering a message to the North Naples SDA Church, highlighting the improprieties surrounding the General Conference official statements on Covid-19 and the vaccine. © North Naples Seventh-day Adventist Church
The paradox inherent in the actions taken by those within the organized church today is simply startling. Everyone seems to have their own axe to grind. Whether it is driven by fear and acquiescence, or power and prestige, people and their respective affiliations are ready to embrace and promote the dominant narrative even if it is to the detriment of themselves and others. The pandemic has without a doubt brought to light some of the darkest aspects of humanity, and many who outwardly profess to have a heartfelt relationship with Jesus Christ and publicly espouse the principles that underlie the Advent movement, are unfortunately among the worst offenders. Case in point: the collusion and intimidating tactics employed by the leadership at the last General Conference Session when the subject of Covid-19 and vaccine mandates were brought forward by the delegates. This most notably includes Ted Wilson’s effort to stonewall any discussions on the matter, and his apparent disregard for the gravity of the situation created by the GC’s official statements and the impact these have had on the lives of millions of church members.
In all fairness, and as Conrad Vine aptly pointed out, Ted Wilson has been a supporter of world missions and, as such, has certainly done some good in this arena. In fact, many in the upper echelons of GC leadership have made positive contributions to the Advent movement. Unfortunately, the disturbing fact remains that Ted Wilson, along with his colleagues, has not been forthcoming about an issue that has adversely impacted church members worldwide. In short, he lied. He and others had to know the truth about the vaccine dangers and the well-documented information presented by credible medical experts on the pitfalls inherent in the new mRNA technology. Most notably, this includes the fact that the vaccine does not stop the spread of Covid-19 nor does it effectively provide protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2. Yet, Ted Wilson and his associates still parroted the mainstream propaganda that underlies the reasoning behind the October 2021 Reaffirmation Statement, along with other pronouncements that violate internal protocols. To this day, Ted Wilson and the GC have refused to consider setting aside these official statements rendered by the General Conference Administrative Committee (ADCOM) and the Executive Committee. Clearly, there is substantial documentation illustrating that these were created and disseminated in violation of the rules and regulations governing such official statements, according to the GC’s own constitution and bylaws. The bottom line is that these statements pay homage to the medical-industrial complex – not to Jesus Christ or the principles by which we are to live as Seventh-day Adventists.
Ted Wilson standing before the delegates at the last General Conference Session, urging them not to place the issues related to the vaccine and Covid-19 mandates on the agenda. © Seventh-day Adventist Church
So, in light of the foregoing, why did Ted Wilson take the approach that he did and at the same time remain reticent about the now obvious violation of internal policies by ADCOM? Furthermore, why did he promote the mainstream storyline? Is it because the General Conference is a 501(c)(3) non-profit under the scrutiny of the IRS and other government agencies that expect capitulation in these matters? Is it the fact that the GC accepted government funds via the CARES Act? Is it possible that Ted Wilson genuinely believes in following the so-called science in dire contrast to the health message we embrace as Seventh-day Adventists? Was he unaware of the vast difference between conventional vaccines and those that utilize mRNA technology when he not-so-subtly intimidated delegates into submission by sharing the story of his own vaccination history and how it enabled him to work in the mission field? In the worst case, did Ted Wilson and others, such as Ganoune Diop, stand for the dominant narrative because of their descent into ecumenism and a relationship with Pope Francis – a known proponent of the vaccine and draconian mitigation efforts? We may never know the real answer to these questions, but if Seventh-day Adventists do not take action in stopping this papal-like trend before it goes any further, the consequences for millions will be dire.
Perhaps the main reason for the complacency and its resultant inaction on the part of those in our church, is that most feel that the Conference and “the church” are synonymous. They come to church on Sabbath (when the Conference has not restricted it), they pay their tithe, and in their minds everything is copacetic. The problem is that, in light of the authoritarian decisions made during the pandemic, the Conference apparently no longer stands for some of the most fundamental beliefs we hold, rendering the organization a mere shadow of what those who have been inclined to believe is the remnant. It seems that these days, few have the discernment to recognize that the true church is the body of people who believe in the church’s founding principles. It is those who are on the Advent path. It is those who will overcome. It is what E.G. White describes as the church triumphant. It is the true church – the church that will endure to the end. This is God’s remnant people. Those who cannot grasp this concept believe that Sister White’s statement, “the church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall” applies to the Conference. Really? When the events described in prophecy that cause men’s hearts to fail them for fear become overwhelmingly prominent, are we going to be seated in Conference churches on Sabbath listening to a sermon? Hardly. What about countries like China, where there are no Conference offices or churches? Are there no clusters of faithful Seventh-day Adventists in these countries that will endure to the end? Sister White did say essentially that the lay people will finish the work. Indeed, this is what we are now witnessing throughout the world, but it is being stifled by an organized body that can no longer appreciate the difference between science fiction and science fact.
I want to make it very clear that I am not suggesting that we dispense with the General Conference. Furthermore, I am not discounting the work that has been supported by the GC. There certainly is, and has historically been, an important role for the organization. After all, the tithe received by the GC ultimately pays for missions, pastors’ and teachers’ salaries, and many of the activities that allow the beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists to be kept in the forefront. Nonetheless, serious breaches have occurred within the General Conference that have cost many their careers, their marriages, their homes, and in too many cases, their lives. This cannot be swept under the rug. Efforts must be made to bring those to task who are ultimately responsible for these incursions. The record must be set straight. Even if it means that the General Conference may be unraveled by broad sweeping changes, we have to put this in perspective. Do we allow the trend of authoritarianism to continue, or do we stand for the right though the heavens fall? There are lives at stake. It is surely not over at this point. There will be other societal crises and even more ominous health emergencies just around the corner. These are already in the pipeline. You can count on that. So, if we do not stop the curtailment of religious liberty right now, it will soon be too late.
Forcing individuals to submit to experimental treatments is a fundamental violation of human rights, as the Nuremberg trials clearly portrayed in the mid-1940’s. © United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Despite the significance of the policy violations by the General Conference, there is a much more fundamental and salient point that has been repeatedly marginalized. No church, or for that matter any government, commercial, or private organization, should ever be permitted to issue mandates that in any way, shape, or form coerce individuals into putting something into their bodies against their will. Perhaps it is germane from a public health perspective to institute reasonable rules and regulations designed to curb the spread of disease, but this should never include invasive procedures such as vaccinations and medications, or for that matter any practice that has no valid or empirically provable scientific basis – for instance, lockdowns and masks that actually cause more harm than good. Liberty of conscience – making personal choices about one’s own body, is to be guided only by the Holy Spirit – not by legislation or mandates, regardless of the professed authority of those who advocate for such legislation or issue such mandates. Freedom to choose is a fundamental human right. This is especially true when considering new technology where safety and efficacy are dubious at best. No one should ever be subjected to experimental treatments that can potentially cause harm – public health emergencies notwithstanding. This used to be an axiom in a medical profession that once honored Hippocrates admonishment to “do no harm.” The human rights violations inherent in experimenting on human beings, for good or ill, is one of the fundamental principles that drove the development of the Nuremberg Code. It is truly regrettable that so many in our own church, particularly those in leadership, have forgotten the morbid history behind this.
So, why then have so many in our church acquiesced? How did we get here? How did we, as a people, lose sight of common-sense realities and allow authoritarian government and church leadership to peddle falsehoods, promote flawed narratives, and dictate how we are to live our lives? While the answer is not simple, it is actually apparent from historical precedent. It is about indoctrination. It is about a gradual submersion into a Marxist-Leninist ideology introduced over the past several decades through our educational institutions, the media, and the entertainment industry. Nonsense you say? Conspiracy theory? Just try to rationalize the behavior of an individual who is double-masked while hiking on a trail in the middle of the forest – something I have actually witnessed myself a number of times. This kind of conditioned, deeply ingrained behavior is as far away from any credible scientific basis as the earth is from Neptune. But it was embraced and practiced to a fault. How can this possibly happen? The fact is, people have been subliminally trained to adopt the narratives established by “trusted” institutions such as the medical establishment, the media, and government agencies that they believe have their best interests at heart, even if it flies in the face of reason. They especially trust their church organizations and leadership, since they are, in their own assessment, insulated from worldly ideologies. This has unfortunately led to a rash of inverted thinking, along with aberrant and irrational behavior. Critical thinking has become nearly extinct. Facts do not matter anymore – the dominant narrative has supplanted the truth.
Historically speaking, nations such as the former Soviet Union began with the same paradigm – social movements were introduced that were designed to create division and result in revolutionary changes. The methodology employed was so effective that its ominous nature remained under the radar of most thinking individuals. It modified how people viewed reality and trained them to follow the narrative rather than to examine the facts. Eventually, you could not convince individuals of the truth, even with the most profound, well-documented, and inarguable facts.
During the 1980’s, Yuri Bezmenov (above) tried to warn America about the impending transition to communism it would experience if ideological subversion methodologies were not ferreted out and stopped before it was too late. © Russia Beyond
During the 1980s, Yuri Bezmenov, a Soviet journalist and KGB informant, tried to warn America about the impending plan to move the country toward communism. He made it clear that this involves a multi-step process of ideological subversion – what he referred to as active measures – and that it would take time to fully reach its intended goal. The first step, which he referred to as demoralization, is an effort to get the populace to turn away from what is true and morally right in order to weaken morale and eliminate rational thought. Sound familiar? In a landmark interview, he made the following chilling statement that helps to explain why, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, you could not convince anyone to change their viewpoint or even to see the flaws in the narrative or in their own reasoning about the vaccine or the mitigation efforts:
“…As I mentioned before, exposure to true information does not matter anymore. A person who is demoralized is unable to assess true information. The facts tell him nothing, even if I shower him with information, with authentic proof, with documents and pictures. …he will refuse to believe it…That’s the tragedy of the situation of demoralization.”
You cannot possibly describe the characteristics of today’s social movements any better than this. Whether it is pandemic mitigation efforts, climate change initiatives, critical race theory, transgenderism, or other social movements across the political spectrum, these are all ingenious tools of a Marxist-inspired initiative designed to create division and controversy in order to subvert a nation and morph it into a communist regime. If you believe that this is nothing but a conspiracy theory, just speak with someone who grew up in a communist country. They know full well where all of this is headed. They have seen it before. They also know that anyone who challenges the status quo will be discredited and deplatformed. This is what helps to create the “mob mentality” that drives the enforcement of draconian policies. If you do not go along with the crowd, you will be labeled as a dissenter and possibly a terrorist and a threat to “the collective.” It is no conspiracy theory.
So where do we go from here? We can start by tearing down the facades that have been erected in our own church. We cannot sit idly by and allow policies spawned by Marxist ideology, or papal supremacy for that matter, to be embraced by the General Conference and forced upon its membership. It is time to step out of complacency and take real action. We cannot allow those who have been installed in positions of trust to take undue advantage of those who stand for the truth as it is in Jesus.
It seems that the General Conference has redefined religious liberty. It now means to “render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s,” without giving due diligence to the second part of the verse, “and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21). This was the rationale for enforcing worldly mandates while at the same time refusing to offer religious exemptions to those who still believe in the health message and were moved by the Holy Spirit to make their own God-given choices. That said, the GC has also redefined the health message. According to the leadership, it is the medical-industrial complex that now defines health practices – not the Spirit of Prophecy. They have kowtowed to the pedagogy of Fauci-ism, rather than that of Seventh-day Adventism. They have sold out to science so-called, and abrogated the God-given rights of those who look to them as examples of what we believe as Seventh-day Adventists. Thank God that there are still men who will not be bought or sold – men who are willing to call sin by its right name and stand for the right though the heavens fall. Men like John MacArthur – the lead pastor of the non-denominational Grace Community Church, who stood his ground against the state of California by challenging the unscientific and freedom-usurping mitigation efforts wrought by the pandemic. He ultimately won the battle. Conversely, our leadership sided with the authoritarians – endorsing junk science and draconian mitigation efforts, while coercing church members to do the same. In God’s eyes we have become a reproach, particularly because we have rejected what the Lord so graciously blessed us within the realm of health and personal freedom. It is a blessing that our church’s founders took seriously, but today’s leaders have marginalized.
We are living in a time when political, corporate, and now even church leadership can violate their own policies, rules, regulations, and even the laws designed to protect human rights, and walk away scot-free. Haven’t we had enough yet? When will Seventh-day Adventists stand up against religious hypocrisy and tyranny like Martin Luther once did, and say enough is enough? We simply cannot go forward with business as usual. Even the Supreme Court of the State of New York, the bastion of liberalism, ruled this past October that fired workers who refused the Covid-19 vaccine should be reinstated and remunerated. What a coup! It is high time that Seventh-day Adventists worldwide step forward, particularly those who have been harmed by renegade policies, and demand that the General Conference leadership make a concerted and tangible effort to set the record straight – whatever it takes. Time is running out.
About the author: Arnie Suntag is the founder and president of Walk of Faith, an organization that conducts seminars and educational series on health and disease prevention and provides outreach services to the community. For inquiries or comments call (866) 359-2640 or email Arnie Suntag at: arniesuntag@walkoffaithmedia.org.
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Good article.
Daniel Honore was the president of the northeastern conference of Adventist church. He converted the conference building to vaccination clinic.
God struck him down on January 13,2023.
Zechariah 11:8
Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.
The other two are Bert Beverly Beach and Norman James Woods.
I could not agree more. This was a most grievous crime committed by top leadership of the GC. Many of the members I talk to don’t even seem to realize what was done. I also hear the same quote about the “church” going through. Since when in all the history of God’s word was the church anything other than those who truly follow God? God requires His people to stand for the right even if you stand alone. (among humans) God help us do what is right before the close of probation.
I hope we are SDA because we can clearly demonstrate from the Bible fulfilment of its prophecies relevant to our time. My understanding is that during the final
persecution we will have to demonstrate that our faith is based on Bible alone. 27 fundamentals won’t be of any help unless we know the Bible in and out.I don’t understand why we are calling on 27 fundamentals instead of Scripture. Our only weapon is the word of God shaper than a two edged sword.
WE CAN KNOW THE ANSWER…BUT IT ISNT PRETTY…GO TO TRUTHTRIUMPHANTMINISTRIESORG & GET THE BOOK “REMEMBER YOUR NAME” BY PASTOR BILL HUGHES…IT TELLS THE ACTUAL,(NOT SANITIZED,) HISTORY OF ADVENTISM FROM 1915 UNTIL THE PRESENT DAY…
Common sense doesn’t seem to be so common among some of us anymore. Common place and common good and commoners has taken route. Thank God for those peculiar ones that continue to sigh and cry: A Golden Bell and A Pomegranate, A Golden Bell and A Pomegranate.
Render unto Caesar what is Caesars as long as it does not compromise what you render to God: Your soul temple where the Holy Spirit dwells!
The problem is, the GC changed their website statement so that when people go to check, they see a very pointed rebuttal to ps Vine (not directly named), and changed wording to now imply they’ve always encouraged free choice. Then near the end it still says they don’t support non vaxxers (essentially).
So yeah, they seem to have reworded the whole thing.
The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to “science falsely so called” will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. In the day time we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold their genuine luster. 5T 80.1
The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ’s righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness. 5T 81.1
Why should the seventh day Adventist church follow Ted Wilson? Why???We , individually,the Almighty God has given us the power to choose!No one has the power to force anyone under the sun! We have been warned not to take those vaccines.They are dangerous to the human body.To the seventh day Adventists, world-wide, Watch out!
How did God deal with disease with the children of Israel, remember he said the quarantine the sick outside the camp everybody else kept working they didn’t wear a mask they didn’t social distance. When did we stop letting the Bible be our guide and we followed Dr fauci a Jesuit trained in the oldest Jesuit school in America.
Amen!!!!!
Thank you! We have been conditioned to think the GC is speaking for the church, when, in reality, it has been speaking serpent language for many years, since, at least, 1928, when we sold our children to Grecian philosophy. In 1985, we sold out to “New Age” philosophy, & by 2015, the Angel of Mercy took her flight forever from the machine.
Actually, if we go through the Testimonies, shortly after 1844, “men in charge” were fighting against God’s Voice, & taking the path back into Egypt!
Look how they fought “Righteousness by Faith” in 1888!
Look how they deliberately went against the council to not build a hospital in the city, & then built one in Glendale CA, called White Memorial Hospital, even naming it after Ellen G. White, the very person that had given them the message, “NO” from God!
“All ye are brethren”, is not held to by men who become lifted up in their own minds, & unfortunately, absolute power corrupts! The law does not apply to them! They are a law unto themselves. They are carnal, so spiritual things cannot be discerned by them.
Another key turning point was in 1980 when the GC pushed to vote the ‘Fundamental Beliefs’ which DO NOT align with the Fundamental Principles endorsed by our early church pioneers. Those principles were NEVER to be used as a creed. By definition a CREED requires absolute agreement as a test of fellowship. EGW clearly says the Bible and the Bible ALONE is to be our creed! The moment ‘the church’ votes a man-made LIST from God’s Word as what God requires—that IS the moment they PLACE THEMSELVES above the God of Scripture! Remember dear fellow SDA that it WAS the Jewish people that cried out for Jesus Christ—the Son of the living God to be crucified.
The Creator of the Universe IS ABLE to reveal HIMSELF to anyone who trusts Him to do so. We have a PERSONAL SAVIOUR, Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap sin created between us and our Heavenly Father.
One of the primary sins of the children of Israel once in Canaan was to REJECT God as the SOLE authority of their nation and beg to be like the (denomi) nations which surrounded them. Sadly they wanted wanted ‘a king’. We as a people did that when we VOTED a creed for the FIRST time in our denominational history! 1980! Let us sigh and cry and call on the God of heaven for mercy.
Amen ! 🙏🏻
This attack on the religious liberty of the individual with regard to one’s physical body is GOD’s MERCIFUL wake up call to each SDA church member. The net has already been spread to destroy one’s spiritual connection with their personal Savior—Jesus Christ.
I believe in the POWER of GOD to overrule the demoralization (where a person is UNABLE to assess TRUE information) that was mentioned above has also has occurred in the spiritual arena. Please take the time to PRAYERFULLY read these entire articles:
Read Colossians 2:6-10
“And ye are COMPLETE in him (Christ Jesus the Lord)
“It is the COMPLETENESS of salvation which gives it its greatness.”
Our Spiritual Warfare
Advent Review & Sabbath Herald
July 19, 1887
Read I John 4:1-6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:24-28
“….CHRIST in you the hope of glory…”
“There are ONLY two spirits in this world, the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of antichrist.”
Conditions for Obtaining Eternal Riches
Advent Review & Sabbath Herald
June 10, 1890
I John 2:20-29
“…He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”
“The Father and Son ALONE are to be exalted.”
God’s Word Our Study-Book
Youth Instructor
July 7, 1898
I Corinthians 15:45
“….the last Adam was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit.”
“He (the Son of God) imparted his own divine Spirit to humanity, thus exalting humanity in the scale of moral worth with God.”
The Gift of God’s Grace
Youth Instructor
July 29, 1897
With abundant love in Christ Jesus our Lord—your sister in Christ
Revelation 13:13
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
The first atomic bomb is called Trinity. 1945. After which, the US became leader of the world.
Deuteronomy 13:1-2
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them.
I believe that the fire from heaven is the climate change hoax that deceives many. Fire from heaven = heat from the sun. The papacy is a the forefront of this movement with the United States right behind them. We have the Elijah message and EGW makes an interesting statement in PK 150.4. “They (Israel) have beheld their(the priests of Baal) wild leaping around the altar, as if they could grasp the burning rays of the sun to serve their purpose.”
This attack on the religious liberty of the individual with regard to one’s physical body is GOD’s MERCIFUL wake up call to each SDA church member. The net has already been spread to destroy one’s spiritual connection with their personal Savior—Jesus Christ.
I believe in the power of God to overrule the demoralization mentioned above that also has occurred in the spiritual arena. Where a person is UNABLE to
Please take the time to prayerfully read these entire articles:
Read Colossians 2:6-10
“And ye are COMPLETE in him (Christ Jesus the Lord)
“It is the COMPLETENESS of salvation which gives it its greatness.”
Our Spiritual Warfare
Advent Review & Sabbath Herald
July 19, 1887
Read I John 4:1-6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:24-28
“….CHRIST in you the hope of glory…”
“There are ONLY two spirits in this world, the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of antichrist.”
Conditions for Obtaining Eternal Riches
Advent Review & Sabbath Herald
June 10, 1890
I John 2:20-29
“…He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”
“The Father and Son ALONE are to be exalted.”
God’s Word Our Study-Book
Youth Instructor
July 7, 1898
I Corinthians 15:45
“….the last Adam was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit.”
“He (the Son of God) imparted his own divine Spirit to humanity, thus exalting humanity in the scale of moral worth with God.”
The Gift of God’s Grace
Youth Instructor
July 29, 1897
“…UNABLE to access TRUE INFORMATION. The facts tell him nothing, even if I shower him with information, with authentic proof, with documents and pictures. ….he will refuse to believe it…. That’s the tragedy of the situation of demoralization.”
So sorry this was missing from my comment!
Further food for thought:
Satan in Disguise
Satan is preparing his deceptions that in his last campaign against the people of God, they may not understand that it is he. 2 Corinthians 11:14: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” While some deceived souls are advocating that he does not exist, he is taking them captive, and is working through them to a great extent. Satan knows better than God’s people the power that they can have over him, when their strength is in CHRIST.
MYP 51.2
When they humbly entreat the mighty Conqueror for help, the weakest believers in the truth, relying firmly upon CHRIST, can successfully repulse Satan and all his host. He is too cunning to come openly, boldly, with his temptations, for then the drowsy energies of the Christian would arouse, and he would rely upon the strong and mighty Deliverer. But Satan comes in unperceived, and in disguise he works through the children of disobedience, who profess godliness. Satan will go to the extent of his power to harass, tempt, and mislead God’s people.
MYP 51.3
He who dared to face, and tempt, and taunt our Lord, and who had power to take Him in his arms and carry Him to a pinnacle of the temple, and up into an exceeding high mountain, will exercise his power to a wonderful degree upon the present generation, who are far inferior in wisdom to their Lord, and who are almost wholly ignorant of Satan’s subtlety and strength.
MYP 52.1
In a marvelous manner will he affect the bodies of those who are naturally inclined to do his bidding. Satan exults for his own sake that he is regarded as a fiction. When he is made light of, and is represented by some childish illustration, or as some animal, it suits him well. He is thought so inferior that minds are wholly unprepared for his wisely laid plans, and he almost always succeeds well. If his power and subtlety were understood, minds would be prepared to successfully resist him….
Isaiah 42:
“Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”
May this be our hope!
The Battle for Each Soul
I saw evil angels contending for souls, and angels of God resisting them. The conflict was severe. Evil angels were crowding about them, corrupting the atmosphere with their poisonous influence, and stupefying their sensibilities. Holy angels were anxiously watching these souls, and were waiting to drive back Satan’s host. But IT IS NOT THE WORK OF GOOD ANGELS TO CONTROL MINDS AGAINST THE WILL OF THE INDIVIDUALS. If they yield to the enemy, and MAKE NO EFFORT TO RESIST HIM, then the angels of God can do but little more than hold in check the host of Satan, that they should not destroy, until FURTHER LIGHT BE GIVEN to those in peril, to move them to arouse and look to heaven for help. JESUS will not commission holy angels to extricate those who make no effort to help themselves.
MYP 52.3
If Satan sees he is in danger of losing one soul, he will exert himself to the utmost to keep that one. And when the individual is AROUSED TO HIS DANGER, and, with distress and fervor, LOOKS TO JESUS FOR STRENGTH, Satan fears he shall lose a captive, and he calls a re-enforcement of his angels to hedge in the poor soul, and form a wall of darkness around him, that heaven’s light may not reach him. But if the one in danger PERSEVERES, and in helplessness and weakness CASTS HIMSELF UPON THE MERITS OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, JESUS LISTENS to the earnest prayer of faith, and SENDS a reinforcement of those angels which excel in strength YO DELIVER HIM.
MYP 53.1
Satan cannot endure to have his powerful rival appealed to, for he fears and trembles before His [The Battle for Each Soul
I saw evil angels contending for souls, and angels of God resisting them. The conflict was severe. Evil angels were crowding about them, corrupting the atmosphere with their poisonous influence, and stupefying their sensibilities. Holy angels were anxiously watching these souls, and were waiting to drive back Satan’s host. But it is not the work of good angels to control minds against the will of the individuals. If they yield to the enemy, and make no effort to resist him, then the angels of God can do but little more than hold in check the host of Satan, that they should not destroy, until further light be given to those in peril, to move them to arouse and look to heaven for help. Jesus will not commission holy angels to extricate those who make no effort to help themselves. MYP 52.3
If Satan sees he is in danger of losing one soul, he will exert himself to the utmost to keep that one. And when the individual is aroused to his danger, and, with distress and fervor, looks to Jesus for strength, Satan fears he shall lose a captive, and he calls a re-enforcement of his angels to hedge in the poor soul, and form a wall of darkness around him, that heaven’s light may not reach him. But if the one in danger perseveres, and in helplessness and weakness casts himself upon the merits of the blood of Christ, Jesus listens to the earnest prayer of faith, and sends a reinforcement of those angels which excel in strength to deliver him. MYP 53.1
Satan cannot endure to have his powerful rival appealed to, for he fears and trembles before His [CHRIST’s] strength and majesty. At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan’s whole host trembles…. And when angels, all-powerful, clothed with the armory of heaven, come to the help of the fainting, pursued soul, Satan and his host fall back, well knowing that their battle is lost.—The Review and Herald, May 13, 1862. MYP 53.2
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] strength and majesty. AT THE SOUND OF FERVENT PRAYER, Satan’s whole host trembles…. And when angels, all-powerful, clothed with the armory of heaven, come to the help of the fainting, pursued soul, Satan and his host fall back, well knowing that their battle is lost.—
The Review and Herald, May 13, 1862. MYP 53.2
We follow the papal doctrine in tithe paying. Making it a requirement in order to hold an office, be a minister or employee. We call that pay to play. Many believe in the papal teaching of works based salvation. What does the law have anything to do with salvation by Grace. We are under Grace and not the law. So I’m not surprised at this. We are saved individually and not collectively. Search the scriptures yourselves. Do not take the word of a fallible man…keeping your eyes on Jesus. We need to be preaching the gospel of Righteousness by Faith.
Double Amen!! When it comes to the Remnant Church of Laodicea, the Lord could not find anything commendable to say, as a matter of fact it made Him so nauseous that He was threatening to not keep their names on His lips of intercession any longer. In the end, He was outside pleading for entrance and it was only the Overcomer that opened. Why was that? Because only a few were willing to totally overcome the world (come over from the world) as He did.(Rev 3:14:22 ;1Jn 4:4-6)
Well Said Mr. Suntag. spot on.
The issue is: The GC does not define what is or isn’t religious liberty. They cannot speak on behalf of the world church, in policy statements when they have no authority to define a position. Since when is it Biblical to vaccinate? Since when has the church voted to agree to blacklist members who don’t? The GC is looking more like the Sanhedrin under Rome every day. Soon they will crucify those they feel are a threat to their power.
At the next GC the question is not about vaccination, but: who has the authority to define what is a religious liberty issue.
I only hope this makes it onto the vote…..
My sincere heartfelt question is : Where do we go from here? Are there any practical suggestions ? What can I do as a sincere, clear thinking, rational, Holy Spirit lead SDA loving person to affect the or make change occur? I am one, my husband makes two we know there are others, but what can we do? Thank you in advance for your prayerful, thoughtful and kind replies.
Arnie Suntag…the world-wide Church of Seventh-day Adventists should be thanking God for the likes of you…courageous and faithful to telling the truth…Just like Conrad Vine and others. You will be hated for this honesty, but I pray it will waken the people of God all around this planet to know that our confidence can never be placed in human hands and minds but only that of our Master, Jesus. There is not one shred of error in your article that I can see. I would that every Adventist alive on Earth could see the truth that God has obviously enabled you to put out there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being God’s man in this very troubled time. You are in may prayers with much thanksgiving.
What an opportunity missed as a
Church, as a people, to stand shoulder to shoulder and say
“we must obey God rather then men” .
what a witness would that have been to the world.
Our creator God is greater then any virus, greater then any unclean vaccine.
Our God given immune system
Is second to none.
We are the temples of the living God .
Our lives are in His hand,
He determines when to live or die.
we must depend on Him, not on science, not WHO not CDC or any medical authority.
Our conscience should be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
We must repent for Denying God for not putting Him first.
A greater test is coming soon
Will we STAND this time.?
Live by Faith not by fear.
AMEN !!! Well said and I have been saying this from day one, especially when other demonizations in the USA and Canada were standing up. Pastors were arrested and stood there ground. Where were we? WHERE WERE WE???? So incredibly sad. I never ever would have believed it if you told me this would be our response.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
The Lord told me very specifically what He thought about what happened at the GC last June. Isaiah 10:1-4 is what God has to say about it. And Isaiah 10:5-6 tells us what He is going to do about it. God is our only help in what is coming!! But know it is coming through the worldwide Socialistic System that has “gathered all the earth”. Isaiah 10:13-14.
The end time Prophet says that the General Conference has built its structure on the sinking sand and it will be swept away. The GC has not been the voice of God for sometime now, and if it is not the voice of God then whose voice is it. I tell you that since Ellen White died the conference has steadily marched back to Egypt and sealed their fate when they officially became a Catholic vassal in accepting the Trinity into their core 28 fundamental beliefs in 1980. They will never change and as Israel of old was plowed like a field so will the SDA Church be plowed as a field and the leadership will face the wrath of an offended God and will be punished first. These leaders know what they are doing just as the scribes and pharisees knew what they were doing. They are in open rebellion against God and His Son and have taken their side on the Great Controversy and it is not the right side. May God call these individual souls to come out of her my people, but as for the structure it is time to come out of her my people.
Thanks for sharing Isaiah chapter 10 which gets to the point. However just to add to your comment, the previous chapter – Isaiah 9:8-21 also tells us of a reorganization (which sis White also told us in Selected Messages book 1 page 204.2) and what God is going to do about it.
We are seeing so many churches being overrun with every wind of doctrine, every kind of unholy teachings. Soon we will even see the collapse of some of our conferences because they have given up our message as some pastors have already done. There are very few pastors who preach the 3angels messages now and some conferences fire those pastors who preach it. God is going to have a people who will not bow to Caesar or diminish our messages. We are so thankful for Pastor Conrad Vine at this time. Our leaders are giving in to the world to keep their government money coming in rather than standing up for truth and justice for Gods people. The love of money will be their doom.
We are at the end of time people! We many only have a couple of years at best. Stand true and stand tall for Gods standards no matter the cost.
“Freedom is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to do what is right.”
I find it interesting the degree to which our GC leadership is a mirror image in so many ways to the tyranny we are seeing in state leadership and the degree that it reveals just how imbued our church is with political correctness. In fact America’s hallmark freedom OF conscience is quickly morphing into the freedom from owning a conscience. Is not the hallmark of Christianity ALSO freedom of conscience? Is what we are witnessing here not the state’s take over of Christianity in many ways? Is it not revealing that love itself is now the elimination of moral boundary? Seems to me too that science has commensurately morphed into a government and now GC owned commodity and given the tightening of our families funds after the past 3 years Im really struggling to know just why we should be tithing to a leadership that is so obviously censoring both spiritual and scientific truths. It really sickens me as someone who came BACK into adventism after 40 years on the convicting wings of SDA eschatology and found a church I certainly did not recognize.