by Mark Swarbrick

What is the Gospel?

If you ask a Christian what the Gospel is, they can answer in a heartbeat. Why? Because they have experienced it. A born-again Christian can readily explain that Christ died on the cross for the remission of their sins, that he rose from the dead and lives to intercede for us before the Father. All those who repent and put their faith in Christ are born-again, the Spirit of Christ enters them and begins changing them from the inside out. At that moment of conversion, all of their sins are forgiven, cast into a sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered against them again. As it is written:

“I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12)

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” (Hebrews 10:17)

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12)

“You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19

“He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” (Colossians 1:22)

The Living Bible paraphrases that last verse this way:

“Christ has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are standing there before him with nothing left against you—nothing left that he could even chide you for.” (Colossians 1:22)

The Scripture is clear, if we repent and come to Christ, all of our sins are forgiven, never to be remembered against us again. That is the Gospel.

Adventists Don’t Know the Gospel

If you ask an Adventists what the Gospel is, they cannot tell you. I recently saw the question posted in a Facebook group, asking Adventist pastors to explain what the Gospel is. Though many Adventists answered, none of them could present the Gospel. They ranted and raved against the question, and went on and on about “The Law” and “The Sabbath.” Some insulted the poster who asked the question, saying they can’t tell him because he is too stupid and blind to hear the truth.

In all of those answers, not one Adventist even attempted to explain the simple Gospel of salvation through Christ’s atoning blood. They can’t answer, because most of them, it seems, do not know the Gospel. Perhaps some Adventists do, for not all Adventists are lost, but it appears that the vast majority of them cannot explain the new birth and redemption through Christ’s blood.

The Investigative Judgment

A big reason for this is the convoluted teaching that the SDA prophetess spewed forth about the atonement, a teaching which she called the Investigative Judgment. Ellen White taught that on October 22, 1844, Jesus entered a place called the Holy of Holies in heaven in order to begin the work of Investigative Judgment so that He could discover who was worthy of being saved. This “investigation” by Christ is to go on until the end of time.

According to Ellen White, God does not know who will be saved. It is up to Jesus to investigate the matter and that is what he is doing right now. He is digging through all the sins of believer’s lives so He can decide who is saved and who is lost. In other words, after God threw all of a believer’s sins into the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered again, Jesus has now gone fishing in that sea, in order to dig them up and investigate them.

This raises a few questions. How an omniscient God cannot know who will be saved is a mystery that Ellen White does not bother to explain, nor does she explain why it takes an all-knowing God centuries to figure this out.

Of course, none of this nonsense is in the Bible. You cannot find October 22, 1844 in Holy Scripture. Why did she pick that date? Because that is the day thousands of “Millerites” thought Christ was returning and gathered on hilltops to await Jesus’ arrival. Miller’s Hill, near White Cloud, Michigan, was one of the places where hundreds gathered.

White was a devoted follower of William Miller and completely believed that Christ would return on the day Miller specified. When it didn’t happen, she formed her own cult and taught that Christ did do something significant on that date. She claimed Christ began what she called the Investigative Judgment on that day, saying that William Miller had the date right, he just had the event wrong. In short, she chose that date to cover up for her being so terribly misled and in order to draw away Millerite disciples after her.

Here is what Ellen White wrote. These writings are considered to be infallibly inspired by God by Adventists:

“In 1844 our great High Priest entered the most holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary, to begin the work of the investigative Judgment.” (Ellen White, Review and Herald, March 22, 1887, para. 9.)

“In 1844, attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies, and there appears in the presence of God, to engage in the last acts of his ministration in behalf of man, to perform the work of investigative Judgment, and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits.” (Great Controversy, (1888), 479.)

Just before Christ died on the cross, he said, “It is finished.” Theologians have always maintained that this signified that Christ’s atoning work was finished at Calvary. But not according to Ellen White. She says Christ is even now in heaven to “make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits.” Note that this atonement is only for those deemed “entitled to its benefits.” This is salvation by works. According to Adventist theology you have to keep the law and keep the Sabbath to make yourself worthy of atonement. Hear Ellen White:

“All must pass through the investigative judgment to determine whether or not they will be saved.”  (Great Controversy, (1888), 479.)

What an abominable teaching! You can’t know you are saved. Not even Jesus Christ knows if you are saved. He has to investigate all your sins and then someday he will decide! What a devilish, demon-inspired doctrine!

The Bible teaches that all who come to Christ are saved, regardless of what sins they have committed.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’” (Romans 10:9-10)

That is the Gospel, the Gospel that Adventists know nothing of and cannot repeat when asked. Instead, they must believe Ellen White when she tells them Christ is “investigating” their sins to determine if they are “entitled” to atonement, which they may or may not be, but only if they have kept the Sabbath.

Ellen White, the infallible false prophetess of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church says:

“If they have light upon the Sabbath, they cannot be saved in rejecting that light…After the light shone upon the Sabbath those that have received it and cast it away, there is no hope for them.” (Ellen White, Historical Sketches, 234; Manuscript 5, 1849, written Sept. 23 at Topsham, Maine, a summary of remarks made by Ellen White in vision, unpublished and on file at the White Estate.)

Clearly, keeping the Sabbath (Saturday) is a matter of salvation to Adventists, even though many will deny it. Salvation, to Adventists, is by works, not by faith. You must keep the Sabbath or you are lost. And even if you do, you may be lost anyway. Who knows? Not even God, apparently! The Adventist has no assurance of salvation, for not until Christ completes His investigation of all of an Adventist’s sins can the Almighty know if they will be saved.

This is the “other gospel” that the Apostle Paul warned about. He specifically warned against distortions of the true Gospel by false teachers. Ellen G White certainly falls into this category, and according to Paul, she is accursed and so is her teaching:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

Here is what the Bible teaches:

“The Lord knoweth them that are His.” (2 Tim. 2:19).

Thus, there is no need for any so-called investigative judgment for God to figure out who is saved. He already knows who are His. The idea that our omnipotent, omniscient Heavenly Father needs hundreds of years to figure out who is saved is about the dumbest idea I have ever heard. Adventists want us to think that for nearly two thousand years after Calvary, God did not know who would be saved? And He only started working on the problem in 1844? That anyone believes such nonsense is astounding. Here is what God says:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24 RSV).

God’s Word says believers do not come into judgment but Ellen White says they do. Adventists must choose between God and their infallible pope. Here is some more Bible truth:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1).

“We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Rom. 5:11).

There is “no condemnation” for believers. All believers have “now received the atonement.” That is the Gospel. But the other gospel of Adventism says otherwise. Adventism says the work of atonement is still going on. Christ said on Calvary, “It is finished.” Ellen White says it is not finished. She says, if you do not observe Saturday you are condemned. Ellen White says so, therefore Adventists are required to accept that without reservation, regardless of what the Bible says. Ellen white says if an Adventist tells you about the Sabbath, and you don’t except their distortions, then “you cannot be saved.” She says, “there is no hope for them.” Adventists will try to deny this, but their infallible prophet wrote this down, so they are compelled to believe it. And many, probably most, do believe it. But they will deny it to your face.

Cognitive Dissonance

This is called cognitive dissonance, the psychological discomfort or tension that arises from holding two or more conflicting beliefs. Adventists say they don’t follow Ellen White, but their official statement of faith says they must, for her writings are infallible and inspired by God.

They say they don’t believe in salvation by works, yet they insist that if you don’t obey certain Old Testament laws, then you are a lost sinner. They say something called “ceremonial laws” are done away with, but at the same time claim God’s laws can’t be changed.

They insist ceremonial laws don’t apply, yet insist that the some of the dietary regulations of the Old Testament be followed, but only some of them. God gave the Israelites quail to eat, but Adventists believe it is wrong to eat meat. They claim to believe in salvation by faith, while believing that not even God knows who will be counted worthy of salvation until after the investigative judgment is completed.

My heart goes out to Adventists, for they are required to believe so many conflicting things. It is no wonder they become stressed when asked to explain the simple Gospel of Christ, for they themselves do not know what it is. They claim to believe in salvation by grace through faith, while at the same time believing if you don’t keep the Sabbath you are lost. It is a wonder they don’t go mad with the stress of cognitive dissonance. It is no wonder that Ellen White had night terrors, causing her to wake her husband to comfort her from the terror of being lost.

I know Adventists well. I have attended their churches. I have listened to them hour upon hour as they preach their many strange doctrines of law-keeping, Sabbath-keeping, vegetarianism, and investigative judgment. It is clear that instead of teaching how to walk close to Christ in love and compassion, Adventists are drilled on out-of-context verses and how to use them to make converts, not to Christ, but to Ellen White and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

They listen to sermons that rail against all other churches while instilling religious pride in themselves for being part of the only correct church on the planet. Their idea of sharing the Gospel is to smugly present themselves as teachers of the law, delighting in arguing and railing against Christians who do not accept their peculiar and twisted gospel.

One Adventist, whom I knew well, considered himself an exemplary Christian, for he “kept the law,” observed Saturday, did not eat meat, and totally believed anything written by Ellen White. Her writings were his Bible. Yet he was rude and unloving to his wife, flirted with a female coworker, and insulted Christians who would not convert to Adventism. I did not see the fruit of the Spirit in his life. His marriage disintegrated and ended in divorce. Eventually he backslid completely and lived a wild life, while his abandoned wife committed suicide.

That is not the only example. Virtually every Adventist I have known, and I have known quite a few, eventually backslid. It is no wonder. They do not believe in the gifts of the Spirit for believers, only for Ellen White. They do not have the Gospel that would bring them joy. They live under fear of punishment for sins if the Investigative Judgment does not find them worthy. They are not taught practical matters on how to love their wives and children, but are instead drilled on how to proselytize people from other churches. They have shut themselves off from the joy of interacting with Christians from other churches, for they believe they alone are the one true church on the earth.

Colossians 2:13 describes Adventists’ law keeping  perfectly:

“Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”

 

If you enjoyed this article you would like the author’s comprehensive book on Adventism. Available in Kindle eBook, Paperback, and Audiobook. Only $2.99 on Amazon. Click HERE to purchase. 175 pages of documented facts. Learn about:

• False predictions of Ellen White
• The Investigative Judgment
• Soul Sleep
• Sabbatarianism

 

Back to Seventh Day Adventism Main Page

 

Books by Mark Swarbrick…

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Real Science vs Evolution: The Scientific Evidence against Evolution

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Seventh-Day Adventism Examined: A Concise Summary of Adventism’s Unbiblical Doctrines

Author Mark Swarbrick meticulously dissects the myriad of false teachings within Adventism, contrasting these interpretations with scriptural truth. 

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The Pre-Trib Rapture: Biblical Truth of the Blessed Hope

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Hidden History: The Untold Story of the Democratic Party

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The Carnivore Diet: The Science, the Promise, and the Pitfalls

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Heavenly Miracles: True Stories of Supernatural Intervention

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King James Onlyism: Is the KJV the Best Bible Version?

KJV Onlyists have troubled the hearts of many a Christian and have split churches in half. Controversy, factions, and strive are their forte. No doubt, they are sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.

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End of Days: What the Bible Says Happens Next

Within the pages of this book, you will find sound biblical exegesis of end-time prophecy. With careful historical analysis and fresh insight, the author reveals previously unknown prophetic fulfillments that transpired during World War II. 

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The Hidden Truth about Catholicism

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Life after Death: What Happens When We Die?

A refutation of soul sleep, the idea that people are unconscious or nonexistent until God raises their bodies from the dead at the resurrection.

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Mormonism Examined: The Bizarre History and Unbiblical Doctrines of Mormonism

This is not an anti-Mormon rant, but a thoughtful analysis of Mormonism in the light of the Holy Bible and historic Christian doctrine.

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Truly Amazing: The Real Story of Adam and Eve

Children get bombarded with confusion about gender, marriage, and evolution at a very young age. This book shows what God has to say on these crucial matters. This book is a creation story for kids that explains the creation and the fall in an interesting way that children can relate to. 

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Global Warming: Socialism in Disguise

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Beyond Redemption: Love and Longing in the Old West  (Book 1)

A thrilling historical western and romance packed with Gospel truth. A perfect gift for someone you want to share the Gospel with. Here is what one reader said about Beyond Redemption:

THIS READ IS A GRIPPING JOURNEY back in time to the rugged Wild West, where love, justice, and redemption entwine in a tale that will leave you captivated. Author Mark Swarbrick skillfully weaves historical detail into this action-packed narrative, giving readers an authentic and suspenseful experience. The story revolves around Cal Chandler, an unlikely outlaw forced into a life of crime, and his love for Jessica Lorena McKenzie, a devout Christian, creating a captivating clash of faiths and emotions. For fans of historical depth, “Beyond Redemption” is a must-read that brings the people of the Wild West to life as they truly were.” — Jerry Rubenstein

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Other books by Pastor Mark Swarbrick, click the image below…