Welcome to the new fundraising in Adventism. For only $250,000 you can get up on the stage with the stars and be officially recognized by AdventHealth. [1] The event is called the “AdventHealth DRIVE-IN to the HOLIDAYS” and will feature famous country and pop music stars. AdventHealth describes their December 6, 2020 concert in Ocoee, Florida with the following words:
“In your festive attire, hear your favorite holiday sounds live with Country Hall of Famer, Vince Gill and Contemporary Christian artist, Amy Grant in this unforgettable performance under the stars. From the comfort of your own vehicle, enjoy a family friendly dinner delivered straight to your window.” [2]
Amy Grant isn’t just a “contemporary Christian artist.” She crossed over to secular pop music way back in 1985. [3] She is also a LGBT+ advocate. [4] Contributions for the event are said to benefit AdventHealth. They are inviting the general public, their families and Seventh-day Adventists. Now if you don’t have $250,000 to attend their 2 1/2 hour concert, well, you are in luck. AdventHealth also has more affordable tickets for you at only $100,000; $50,000; $25,000; $12,500; $5,000 or $500. But you won’t be able to get onstage with the stars. Sorry.
Here’s the biggest problem with selling $250,000 country/pop concert tickets. God says “NO” to these types of fundraising efforts:
“As Christian workers, we are not to seek money from worldly, unconverted people by pressing and teasing. We are not to imitate the churches by instituting bazaars and various God-forbidden expedients to bring in a little means. We see no directions in the Word for fancy fairs, concerts, and other objectionable practices for raising funds to advance His work. The curse of God is upon all this kind of work. It is polluting and degrading the work of God, defiling His holy temple” (Letter 113, 1897).
The Testimonies of God are being made of “none effect” by these kinds of activities. God’s counsel goes unheeded. Selling $250,000 tickets for country and pop music concerts is incompatible with the three angel’s messages and the self-sacrificing efforts that will accompany God’s people in the closing work. The Testimonies are “disregarded” by those in leadership as the methods of the world are being adopted.
The 2020 Annual Council in session.
Is it just a coincidence that last month on Sunday, October 11, 2020 the General Conference Executive Committee voted to recommend that the 61st General Conference Session in 2021 approve a “Statement of Confidence in the Writings of Ellen G. White.” Do you know what this statement says?
“We believe that the writings of Ellen G. White were inspired by the Holy Spirit and are Christ-centered and Bible-based … We commit ourselves to prayerfully study the writings of Ellen G. White with hearts willing to follow the counsels and instructions found therein. Whether individually, in the family, in small groups, in the classroom, or in the church, we believe that the study of her writings brings us closer to God and His infallible Word—the Scriptures—providing us a transforming and faith-uplifting experience.” (2020 Annual Council Agenda, p. 33) [5]
So the General Conference is asking the World Church in session to approve a “Statement of Confidence in the writings of Ellen G. White” in 2021. Are we also building up the tombs of the dead prophets while disregarding what they said (Matthew 23:29)? Was this vote that just passed at the 2020 Annual Council made out of a pretended respect and honor for the prophet, just like the Pharisees did in the days of Christ?
The motion approving the “Statement of Confidence” in the writings of Ellen White.
Well, if it is true that we are asking the World Church to read and follow the counsels of Ellen White, then let’s begin by acknowledging what she said about this fundraising scheme being planned by AdventHealth. According to the prophet, this country/pop music concert is “polluting and degrading the work of God” and “defiling His holy temple.”
If we do not stop this and other disreputable practices that go against the advice given by the Spirit of God in those Testimonies, then this voted “Statement of Confidence” in those same Testimonies is just for show. It becomes hypocrisy. We are only giving lip service to the Testimonies. It is a false affirmation to the dead prophet. It’s a lie. We become actors pretending that our actions are pure and noble while NO repentance or change is forthcoming. And somehow we think that we are going to receive the Latter Rain. When we refuse the Spirit of God in the Testimonies, we reject the Holy Spirit:
“Yet now when I send you a testimony of warning and reproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinion of Sr. White. You have insulted the Spirit of God” (Testimony for the Battle Creek Church, p. 45).
God’s people have been given light. And when we reject the light, we are given over to the deceptions that we love. We will NOT receive increased light, but only darkness. That’s what the prophet said:
“The Lord Jesus does not give increased light to those who refuse to act upon and walk in the light already given” (Youth Instructor, August 17, 1893 Par. 5).
“But it should be remembered that the greater the light bestowed, the greater the darkness of those who pervert and reject it” (Great Controversy, p. 572).
“I was shown that God had given light through the gifts placed in the church, which would instruct, counsel, guide, reprove, and warn. These testimonies which you have professed to believe were from God, you have not regarded to live them out. To disregard light is to reject it. The rejection of light leaves men captives bound about by chains of darkness and unbelief” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 93).
And, of course, we have all heard of this, also from the same prophet, who is revealing to us that we are at the end of time:
“The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ Proverbs 29:18” (Selected Message, vol. 2, p. 78).
This is also proof that we are living in the time when Satan works “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Why must this be so? Because unfortunately, today many Adventists love pleasure, shows, amusements and concerts more than they love the truth. We love the praise and the approbation of man more than the approval of God.
The same prophet reveals to us that those who reject the warnings from the Spirit of God in the Testimonies are not headed for Canaan. They are headed to Egypt:
“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt, and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from His word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, page 217).
Satan laughs at us because this is all part of his last great deception. This is why God’s word tells us to:
“Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20
God’s promises and blessings have been delivered to us by His prophets, and consequences have also been given to us if we don’t pay attention. Obedience will bring prosperity and success; disobedience will frustrate God’s promise, grieve His Holy Spirit and bring ultimate defeat.
Sources
[1] https://www.adventhealth.events/event.cfm?id=8029
[3] https://www.biography.com/musician/amy-grant
[5] https://executivecommittee.adventist.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-Annual-Council-Agenda.pdf
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