How Can We Save Our Youth from the Apostasy which seeks their Eternal Ruin?

By the Remnant Herald

“Those who love God should feel deeply interested in the children and youth. To them God can reveal his truth and salvation. Jesus calls the little ones that believe on him the lambs of his flock. He has a special love for and interest in the children. Jesus has said, ‘Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me [let no one place any obstruction in the way of the children’s coming to me]; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ Jesus has passed through the trials and griefs to which childhood is subject. He knows the sorrows of the young. By his Holy Spirit, he is drawing the hearts of the children to himself, while Satan is working to keep them away from him. The most precious offering that the children can give to Jesus, is the freshness of their childhood. When children seek the Lord with the whole heart, he will be found of them. It is in these early years that the affections are the most ardent, the heart most susceptible of improvement. Everything that is seen and heard makes an impression on the youthful mind. The countenances looked upon, the words uttered, the actions performed, are not the least of the books the young read; for they have a decided influence upon the mind, heart, and character. Then how important it is that the children come to Jesus in their earliest years, and become lambs of his flock! How important it is that the older members of the church, by precept and example, lead them to Jesus, who taketh away the sin of the world, and who can keep them by his divine grace from the ruin it works. The better acquainted they become with Jesus, the more they will love him, and be able to do those things that are pleasing in his sight. God has sanctified childhood in that he gave his only begotten Son to become a child on earth” (Review and Herald, December 17, 1889).

In light of this wonderful statement from the servant of the Lord, what can we say about the never-ending exhibitions of defiance against the biblical principles of worship seen in too many conference-initiated youth gatherings that are leading our susceptible young people to eternal ruin? Some believe we should not speak out on such matters as that would be considered negative, critical — maybe even an exercise in futility because we cannot halt the changes in Adventism that are also taking place in the world. But we have been charged, in terms that cannot be ignored except at the peril of souls being lost for eternity:

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1

“Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations.” Ezekiel 16:1, 2

“To believe that evil must not be condemned because this would condemn those who practice the evil, is to act in favor of falsehood … Those who feel so very peaceable in regard to the works of men who are spoiling the faith of the people of God are guided by a delusive sentiment” (Special Testimonies, Series B, Number 2, pp. 10, 11).

The year 2023 began with an explosion of incidents in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in which thousands of our young people (joined by older folk whose taste in music also mirrors that of today’s society), swayed and gyrated their bodies, danced and tap-toed their feet, clapped and raised their hands, and shouted and shrieked very loudly during specially-organized events endorsed by the leadership of the conferences and divisions around the world in which these ventures were held (the photographs on the previous page refer to some of these incidences that were reported on the website of Advent Messenger, hosted by Andy Roman). The groundwork for this unrestrained phenomenon in Adventism was laid down a few decades ago. For example, in 1996, a book was published that advocated a change of perspective in Adventism on our Christian standards. Statements like these were interspersed in the chapter, “Thinking About Dancing” —

“Too often we condemn music with a beat … Every music has beat or rhythm which humans respond to. Movement alone is not bad … Many youth attend Christian concerts where people do a modified mosh* and sway or dance to music dedicated to God … The more I think about dancing, the more I recognize that movement is not inherently evil any more than doughnuts are inherently evil … Shall we dance? Definitely! Dance to the music, rhythm, and rhyme provided by the Maker of all things.” Shall We Dance? — Rediscovering Christ-Centered Standards, pp. 93, 94, 95. Edited by Steve Case (Founder of Piece of the Pie Ministries). La Sierra University Press. Riverside, California. 1996

*Note: The dictionary definition of a “mosh” is —

“[To] dance to rock music in a violent manner involving colliding with others and headbanging.” The Oxford English Reference Dictionary, p. 942. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom, 1996.

Is this a form of “worship” that truly gives glory to God?

“Contemporary Adventism” actively promotes and tolerates performances in its churches, convocations, camp meetings, schools and Pathfinder events that are inspired by music borrowed from Pentecostal-charismatic-discotheque-nightclub-rave settings. All this is fulfilling the predictions Sister White delivered over 120 years ago:

“It is impossible to estimate too largely the work that the Lord will accomplish through His proposed vessels in carrying out His mind and purpose. The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place JUST BEFORE THE CLOSE OF PROBATION. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods of making none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January was represented to me would be brought into our camp meetings. The truth for this time needs nothing of this kind in its work of converting souls. A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. THE POWERS OF SATANIC AGENCIES BLEND WITH THE DIN AND NOISE, TO HAVE A CARNIVAL, and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working … But last January the Lord showed me that erroneous theories and methods would be brought into our camp meetings, and that the history of the past would be repeated. I felt greatly distressed. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO SAY AT THESE DEMONSTRATIONS DEMONS IN THE FORM OF MEN ARE PRESENT, working with all the ingenuity that Satan can employ to make the truth disgusting to sensible people; that the camp meetings which have been the means of bringing the truth of the third angel’s message before multitudes, should lose their force and influence … “The Holy Spirit has nothing to do with such a confusion of noise and multitude of sounds as passed before me last January. SATAN WORKS AMID THE DIN AND CONFUSION OF SUCH MUSIC, which, if properly conducted, would be a praise and glory to God. He makes its effect like the poison sting of the serpent.” Selected Messages, volume 2, pp. 36, 37 (Letter 132, 1900). Capitalization supplied by the Remnant Herald Editor.

Should this not alarm us concerning the extent to which evil spirits are now infiltrating Adventism? Shall we remain indifferent to this demonic phenomenon, unconcerned with what our vulnerable young people are being exposed and subjected to, as well as the church at large?

We should prayerfully consider what Pastor Kenneth H. Wood (editor of The Review and Herald/Adventist Review from 1966 to 1982) articulated in the early 1970s:

“We feel, however, that we must sound a note of warning. A trend seems to be developing in some places that not merely obscures but destroys the line that separates the sacred from the profane. This trend prevails not merely in the music itself but in the way it is presented. The situation would be serious enough if only the beat of the music were considered, BUT WHEN THE PLATFORMS OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES ARE TREATED AS SECULAR STAGES, when singers sway in unison with the music like dances in a chorus line or performers in a night club, the situation becomes alarming. Were the Master to enter His house as He did anciently, it is altogether likely that He would command with authority, ‘Take these things hence.’

“Will the Laodicean church, through its lukewarm, self-satisfied attitude, be oblivious to the perils it faces? Will it permit worldly customs, standards, and values to alter gradually and imperceptibly its distinctive nature? WILL THE MUSIC OF THE WORLD BECOME THE MUSIC OF THE CHURCH?

“The answer rests with those charged with leading the church in these solemn times, and with all who ‘sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof’ (Ezekiel 9:4).” Review and Herald, January 20, 1972. Capitalization supplied by the Remnant Herald Editor.

During the General Conference presidency of Robert H. Pierson, the 1972 Annual Council — which was convened in Mexico City, Mexico — issued a comprehensive series of guidelines on the proper use of music in the church. These long-forgotten counsels were furnished in light of what Pastor Kenneth H. Wood had written regarding the rapid infiltration of worldly music styles and methods of performance in the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

“Young people tend to identify closely with the music of the contemporary youth culture. The desire to reach these youth where they are with the gospel of Christ sometimes leads to the use of certain questionable musical idioms. In all these idioms, the element which brings the most problems is rhythm, or ’the beat.’

“Of all the musical elements, rhythm evokes the strongest physical response. Satan’s greatest successes have often come through his appeal to the physical nature. Showing keen awareness of the dangers involved in this approach to youth, Ellen G. White said: ‘They have a keen ear for music, and Satan knows what organs to excite, to animate, engross,  and charm the mind so that Christ is not desired. The spiritual longings of the soul for divine knowledge, for a growth in grace, are wanting’ (Testimonies for the Church, volume 1, p. 497). This is a strong indictment of the way in which music may be put to a use that is in direct opposition to God’s plan. The previously mentioned jazz, rock, and related hybrid forms are well-known for creating this sensuous response in masses of people.

“The Christian will not sing songs that are incompatible with the ideals of truth, honesty, and purity. He will avoid elements that give the appearance of making evil desirable or goodness appear trivial. He will try to avoid compositions containing trite phrasing, poor poetry, nonsense, sentimentality, or frivolity, which lead away from the counsel and teachings found in Scripture and in the Spirit of Prophecy.

“He will consider music such as blues, jazz, the rock idiom, and similar forms as inimical [opposed] to the development of Christian character, because it opens the mind to impure thoughts and unholy behavior. Such music has a distinct relationship to the permissiveness of contemporary society. The distortion of rhythm, melody, and harmony as employed by these styles and their excessive amplification dulls the sensibilities and eventually destroys the appreciation for that which is good and holy.” Review and Herald, November 30, 1972

Despite the passage of time, notwithstanding the accelerating deterioration of morals in society and the spirituality of the church, these words are still relevant for our people in the 21st century. How different are these counsels from 1972 compared with those almost 25 years later, as published in the book, Shall We Dance? Is not this in itself an indication of how far the Omega of Apostasy has progressed in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination?

When “Celebration Music” made its inroads in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1980s and 1990s, some men were stirred to lift up their voices and cry out against this “abomination” that was spoiling the faith of our youth and children. John Osborne, the late Terry Ross, Jan Marcussen, Vance Ferrell, Colin and Russell Standish and others warned about the dangers these permissive attitudes towards worship would have upon the church — declaring, in the words of Pastor Russell Standish:

“…Church leadership for many years now has supported a policy of permissive promotion of apostasy and irreligious church services which are an affront to our Father in heaven.” Half a Century of Apostasy —The New Theology’s Grim Harvest (1956-2006), p. 151. Russell and Colin Standish, Highwood Books, Narbethong, Victoria, Australia, 2006.

We have reached a very low point in Adventism when a non-Adventist “gospel singer” by the name of Kelontae Gavin was invited by the Southeastern Regional Conference to “perform” at its “This is My Why” youth convocation last January. In front of an impressionable young audience, he shrieked these lines during a song he sang:

“You all be having services on Saturday and stuff … ‘Cause the same God over Saturday is the same God over every day … Do me a favor! Look at your neighbor! Make sure they hear you say, ‘PICK YOUR SABBATH, PICK YOUR SABBATH! PICK IT! PICK IT! … IF YOU GOT TO DO IT ON MONDAY, KEEP IT!’” Website of YouTube: Southeastern Conference. This is My Why Youth Convocation. January 28, 2023 (Note: Video apparently taken off YouTube — not accessible as of April 1, 2023)

That this open defiance of the seventh-day Sabbath would be met with cheers and shouts of joy amongst the young people there, with no word of reproof from the adults and leaders present, is a sorrowful and lamentable picture of where the New Theology is leading our people. Satan’s “suggestions” of “improving” the church through a “reformation” of his making, in which “our religion would be changed … the Sabbath would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement” (Special Testimonies, Series B, Number 2, pp. 54, 55), are being fulfilled before our eyes every single day:

“It has been presented to me that Satanic agencies are working in ways that man does not expect … I saw some linking their arms in the arm of Satan, while he talked most earnestly with them, telling them of the many things that needed to be changed in the church. Afterward his words were repeated by those to whom he had talked. They were delighted with what seemed to them to be a clearer perception and better methods of working. I say to all, ‘Be on your guard, for as an angel of light Satan is walking among every church, trying to win members to his side.’” The Gospel Herald, June 1905.

The counsels of Satan, through his chosen instrumentalities, are always of that character to lead people away into rebellion against the principles of God’s government:

“The ungodly are those who do not love and obey the commandments of God, but go contrary to them. This is the class of counselors you are warned to shun — the class which Satan uses to lead youth astray. Their counsel, their suggestions, are of a character to make light of sin, to ridicule righteousness … They are represented as standing in the way of sinners, always leading them out of the straight path of duty and obedience to God’s commandments into paths of disobedience. If it were not for those persons who do wrong and tempt others to do wrong, many sinners might have chosen the path of duty, the life of purity and godliness.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 20, 1886

When we read that “children are the lawful prey of the enemy, because they are not the subjects of grace … evil angels have access to these children” (Review and Herald, September 19, 1854), how urgent is the pressing need to work for their salvation according to God’s instructions?

To safeguard the eternal interests of our precious flock — the children and youth who are the heritage of the Lord — in addition to rearing them up in the ways of righteousness (Proverbs 22:6), parents should keep them from being involved in activities where error, apostasy, and open sin are vigorously promoted. Pastor Russell Standish was right when he said, in concert with his twin brother Colin:

“At all levels of our organization, there appears to be an orchestrated and intense program to destroy our young people and lead them to perdition. Our counsel to God’s people is that the time is here to take your children and youth out of most Early Teen and Youth Sabbath Schools, discard the Quarterlies, remove them from youth camps and Pathfinder camps. Their salvation demands no less.

“Surely sane ministers do not believe that such activities prepare our youth for their heavenly heritage. Are there those in our midst who are determined to lead our youth to damnation? Where are the laypeople in our midst to demand, ‘Halt this carnage among our youth!’?…Why parents do not rise up in righteousness against these fearful assaults on the characters of our young people is a question they will have to answer in the Day of Judgment. So, too, will the members of the Church organizations who dare to distribute such trash to the youth within their churches.” Half a Century — The New Theology’s Grim Harvest (1956-2006), pp. 141, 142, 147. Russell and Colin Standish, Highwood Books, Narbethong, Victoria, Australia, 2006.

There were times when the messenger of the Lord was compelled to warn our people not to send their children to Battle Creek College (Testimony for the Battle Creek Church, p. 3), nor settle their own families in Battle Creek (Special Testimonies, Series A, Number 12, p. 10), due to influences that would lead both parents and youth away from the truth. On another occasion, she was constrained to write this counsel from Preston, Melbourne, Australia, regarding young men and women who needed to be born again so as to be fitted for the work of God in Australia:

“There is a little hope in one direction: Take the young men and women, and place them where they will come as little in contact with our churches as possible, that the low grade of piety which is current in this day shall not leaven their ideas of what it means to be a Christian.” Website of EGW Writings: Letter 16f, 1892.

If an army of youth is to be rightly trained to carry the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour to a dying world (Education, p. 271), they need to be educated and nurtured in an environment that will be conducive to their eternal salvation. A balanced, sanctified upbringing in the truth of God can fortify our children and young people to withstand the temptations of the last days, and have an abiding union with Christ which will make them modern-day Josephs, Daniels, Deborahs, Esthers, Ruths, and other noble, God-fearing examples of the Bible. They deserve a chance to know the truth so that they may be saved. Shall we give them such deserving opportunities?

About: The Remnant Herald is an Australian publication produced by Remnant Ministries. The current editor and author is Elvis Placer, and we have reproduced this article with his permission. You can contact Elvis Placer through email at rh1844@pm.me or call the office clerk at +61 3 9706 2173 to request a FREE subscription to the Remnant Herald.