Pentecostal Preaching, No Dress Codes, Drumming, Screaming, and Dancing have Invaded Adventism, Signaling that Probation is about to Close

“Our religion would be changed … Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement” (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 204).

On Sabbath, June 10, 2023, Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Greg Nelson, who serves in the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists [1], preached at the First University Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tampa, Florida. Also in attendance was Pastor Pierre François, the Executive Secretary for the Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. During the worship service, there was screaming, drumming, dancing, and Pentecostal preaching. Pastor Greg Nelson was also dressed down in ripped jeans and Air Jordan 4 Retro tennis shoes as he told the congregation not to be Pharisaical by passing judgment on him. Instead, he urged the congregation to follow him.

These days, Seventh-day Adventist churches are increasingly catering to worship services that reject how God has defined what worship should be like. It is evolving into a purely entertaining activity. Drumming and dancing were never part of Adventism. They originated during the Holiness Church Movement of the late 19th Century. This movement was part of the wider outbreak of Pentecostalism and was characterized by lively music, drums, dancing, clapping, shouting, shrieking, and speaking in tongues.

On two separate occasions, these Charismatic displays attempted to enter Adventism but were both rejected. Tragically, today, a new wave of Pentecostalism is sweeping the church with a vengeance, but this time church leaders are welcoming the dancing and drumming with open arms. In 1900, Ellen White categorically denounced this form of worship as a fanatical movement inspired by Satan:

“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” (Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 36).

“No encouragement should be given to this kind of worship. The same kind of influence came in after the passing of the time in 1844. The same kind of representations were made. Men became excited, and were worked by a power thought to be the power of God” (Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 37).

“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 that 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.” (Ibid., p. 37)

Because of Ellen White’s counsel regarding the loud drumming, music, shouting, and dancing that tried to make their way into Adventism both in 1844 and in 1900, this type of worship was rejected. For the past century, we have stayed away from Pentecostal-type worship. Unfortunately, under the Omega of Apostasy, we are told that “Our religion would be changed … Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement” (1SM 204). Despite the clear instructions on how we are to worship God, the majority of church members today defend what is happening. What we are currently witnessing is the normalization of Pentecostalism, the devil’s counterfeit, within the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

More importantly, Sister White also warned that this would take place just before probation ends. In view of the gravity of the hour, Adventists must reject this false worship experience. This is blatant disobedience and open rebellion against God. This is the worship of Lucifer and will lead our people to perdition:

“I feel alarmed as I witness everywhere the frivolity of young men and young women who profess to believe the truth. God does not seem to be in their thoughts. Their minds are filled with nonsense. Their conversation is only empty, vain talk. 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, Vol. 1, p. 496).

“Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse. It excites, but does not impart that strength and courage which the Christian can find only at the throne of grace while humbly making known his wants and with strong cries and tears pleading for heavenly strength to be fortified against the powerful temptations of the evil one. Satan is leading the young captive. Oh, what can I say to lead them to break his power of infatuation! He is a skillful charmer, luring them on to perdition.” (Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 497).

There is a solution. There is no need for anyone to go to perdition. In order to correct this, God does give us the following admonition: “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5).

“A new order of things has come into the ministry. There is a desire to pattern after other churches, and simplicity and humility are almost unknown. The young ministers seek to be original, and to introduce new ideas and new plans for labor. Some open revival meetings, and by this means call large numbers into the church. But when the excitement is over, where are the converted ones? Repentance and confession of sin are not seen. The sinner is entreated to believe in Christ and accept Him, without regard to his past life of sin and rebellion. The heart is not broken. There is no contrition of soul. The supposed converted ones have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus” (Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 18).

Sources

https://www.northeastern.org/pastoral-directory/?_sf_s=nelson