Original testimony

 I grew up as a preacher's kid. I lived a pretty sheltered life even though my parents were constantly at odds and divorced when I was 16. As a child age 8-12 I just "knew" that when Jesus comes back that it would be on a Sabbath and every Sabbath on the way to and from church I would try to figure out if any of the clouds was the "little cloud, the size of a man's hand" as in: 1 Kings 18:44 KJV "And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not." https://bible.com/bible/1/1ki.18.44.KJV I had been taught that Jesus is going to come back and get would be coming from the east. I knew which way East was and would scan the horizon every Sabbath. Fast forward to around 2009. I was still going to church but I was living a life that today I am ashamed of. I came to a point in my life where I was either going to forget everything that I had ever been taught and quit coming to church or I would have to turn my back on the world and re-surrender my life to God. I decided on surrender. I took a 3x5 card and wrote: I give to God my past. I give to God my future, I give to God my family, I give to God my love. I put that and my jewelry in a tithe envelope and put it in the offering plate at church.  Immediately my family and my life were ripped apart. It has been a long slow road, but God is putting the pieces of my broken life back together again and he has blessed me more than I could ever have imagined.  No, I don't have material wealth, or basically anything at all but I am happier now than I have been since I was 12. I  am still looking for that cloud coming from the East.

Another testimony

 https://www.youtube.com/live/bOh7-elIgpE?si=15NJOY0si3hiFQbD

Sabbath is essential

     What does the Bible say about the Sabbath? Let's begin in Genesis 1:31 KJV "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Genesis 2:1-3 KJV "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.2.1-3.KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.1.31.KJV God established the Sabbath in Eden when there was only Adam and Eve; the Jews as a nation didn't come into existence for many generations later. (As a side note, this is also when marriage between one man and one woman began.) Many years later, the Israelites were wondering in the desert and were hungry. In Exodus 16, God is about to give them manna from heaven. This is the description, Exodus 16:4-5 KJV 4"Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily." Exodus 16:16-30 KJV 16"This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. 17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. 18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. 19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. 20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. 21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. 22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. 24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. 25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. 27 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. 28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 30 So the people rested on the seventh day." https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.16.16-30.KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.16.4-5.KJV God was teaching them even then when Sabbath was. This event took place 4 chapters before the give of the law in Exodus chapter 20:8-11 KJV 8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.20.8-11.KJV In ancient Israel breaking the Sabbath was a death penalty. See Numbers 15:32, 35 KJV 32 "And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp." https://bible.com/bible/1/num.15.32-35.KJV

    So now we must ask ourselves exactly what does it mean in Colossians 2:16 KJV, when it says: "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:" ? https://bible.com/bible/1/col.2.16.KJV Let's go to Isaiah 1:13-14 KJV 13"Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.1.13-14.KJV  Hosea 2:11 KJV "I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts." https://bible.com/bible/1/hos.2.11.KJV So what were these "new moons and sabbaths"? Turn to  Leviticus 23:4, 24, 39 KJV 4 "These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. 39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath." (Read whole chapter for context) https://bible.com/bible/1/lev.23.4-39.KJV Notice in these verses that it did not matter what day of the week that the small (s) sabbaths fell on, they were to observe them as a sabbath, not The Sabbath.  It is currently impossible for every male to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem 3 times in a year. While God still does work according to the calendar that He set up, because God cannot change see Malachi 3:6 KJV "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." https://bible.com/bible/1/mal.3.6.KJV If God could change then satan would be correct in saying that God is arbitrary and unfair. Jesus would not have had to come to save us from sin, because God could then just decide that the wages of sin isn't death, but that is another subject for another time. Exodus 31:18 KJV "And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.31.18.KJV God Himself wrote the ten commandments and not even He can change them. Psalm 111:7-8 KJV 7 "The works of his hands are verity and judgment; All his commandments are sure. 8 They stand fast for ever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness." https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.111.7-8.KJV Proverbs 28:7, 9-10 KJV 7 "Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: But he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be abomination. 10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit: But the upright shall have good things in possession." https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.28.7-10.KJV Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 KJV 13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." https://bible.com/bible/1/ecc.12.13-14.KJV Since every work will be brought into judgment; by what standard does God judge us, if not by His law? 

    So how are we to keep the Sabbath? Isaiah 58:13-14 KJV 13 "If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.58.13-14.KJV When Jesus came the Jews were so fearful of breaking the Sabbath that they had made it a burden. Jesus came to show us how to keep the Sabbath. Luke 4:16 KJV "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read." https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.4.16.KJV Matthew 12:10-13 KJV 10 "and, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.12.10-13.KJV Jesus showed us by example how to keep Sabbath holy. Isaiah 42:21 KJV "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.42.21.KJV Jesus expounded on the law, He didn't do away with it. In fact He said, John 14:15 KJV "If ye love me, keep my commandments." https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.15.KJV He also said, Matthew 5:17-22, 27-28 KJV 17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.5.17-28.KJV This is what Isaiah meant when he said, "he will magnify the law". 

    So what about the disciples and Paul, what day did they keep? Acts 13:14, 44 KJV 14 "But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. 44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." https://bible.com/bible/1/act.13.14-44.KJV Acts 17:2 KJV "and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures," https://bible.com/bible/1/act.17.2.KJV They kept the Sabbath.  Have you heard something like this, "That was the old covenant, we are under the new covenant?" Well, Hebrews 8:10 KJV "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And write them in their hearts: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people:" https://bible.com/bible/1/heb.8.10.KJV James 2:10-12, 17 KJV 10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." https://bible.com/bible/1/jas.2.10-17.KJV  Can the court system of today judge a person if there is no law? Then how could the God of the universe judge anyone if His laws were not in force? 1 John 3:4 KJV "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.3.4.KJV God fully expected His laws to still be binding on us today, as expressed in Revelation 14:12 KJV "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.14.12.KJV Even in heaven, Isaiah says, in Isaiah 66:22-23 KJV 22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD." https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.66.22-23.KJV In conclusion we can find keeping the seventh day of the week holy from Genesis to Revelation. All the Christian world knows that Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday morning, so according to Matthew 28:1 KJV "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.28.1.KJV  Sunday is the first day of the week and it falls after the Sabbath. God never changes, and He never will.

Separating from the former churches

 But as ministers and religious leaders decided against the Advent doctrine, and desired to suppress all agitation of the subject, they not only opposed it from the pulpit, but denied their members the privilege of attending preaching upon the second advent, or even of speaking of their hope in the social meetings of the church. Thus the believers found themselves in a position of great trial and perplexity. They loved their churches, and were loth to separate from them; but as they saw the testimony of God's Word suppressed, and their right to investigate the prophecies denied, they felt that loyalty to God forbade them to submit. Those who sought to shut out the testimony of God's Word they could not regard as constituting the church of Christ, "the pillar and ground of the truth." Hence they felt themselves justified in separating from their former connection. In the summer of 1844 about fifty thousand withdrew from the churches.

About this time a marked change was apparent in most of the churches throughout the United States. There had been for many years a gradual but steadily increasing conformity to worldly practices and customs, and a corresponding decline in real spiritual life; but in that year there were evidences of a sudden and marked declension, in nearly all the churches of the land. While none seemed able to suggest the cause, the fact itself was widely noted and commented upon, both by the press and the pulpit. GC88 375.3 - GC88 376.1

H E L P

Help--why are you trying to do things on your own, call for help.

H- Hope, hope thou in God. Psalm 119:114, 116 "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.119.KJV  Psalm 42:11 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.42.KJV Isaiah 26:3 "'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.26.KJV 

E- Escape 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.10.KJV 

L-Limit, don't limit God. Psalm 78:41 "Yea, they turned back and tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.78.KJV

P-Prayer Ephesians 6:10-18 "10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.6.KJV

I heard a sermon the other day that was speaking about the night that Jesus sent his disciples in the boat on the lake. The story is found in Matthew chapter 14. Verse 22 says, "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.14.KJV  That word constrained is an interesting word here; it means "To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige" Jesus made the disciples get in a boat that He KNEW was going to be headed straight into a storm. There are many STORMS in this life and before they can touch us, they must pass through the hands of the Almighty God. Satan, as in the case of Job, in the Bible must get permission from God for anything that he does. (see Job chapter 1:6 "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.1.KJV & 2:1 "Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.2.KJV ) Satan does not have free reign to do anything that he wishes; if he did we would all be dead. God knows the trials that you will go through in this life and He is there ready to HELP you if you will ask Him and trust that He has your best interest at heart.  Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JER.29.KJV Back to the boat, in Matthew 14, as soon as Jesus and Peter get back in the the boat, the storm ceases. Jesus had just taken Peter by the hand after he had failed to keep his eyes on Jesus and had begun to sink. Jesus is waiting with outstretched arm to save you too. and then He will walk with you through the rest of your life's journey, just don't take your eyes off of Him. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18, and 20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.28.KJV

Golden age

 Many Christians too, seem to be content with expecting the world to be pervaded by the principles of Christianity, making little or no account of Christ's coming and the resurrection and the new earth. Their "golden age" for the world is made such, at best, by the prevalence of moral and religious truth. They speak as if the kingdom of Christ were a mere figure for the moral influence of his religion, and not as literal an account as can be given of a state or commonwealth having Christ at its head, whose utmost prosperity must therefore be in his person and presence. ARSH January 28, 1862, page 67.7

Thus many are looking for what will never come,-a "golden age" before the end of the world, a millennium of peace. They would better be preparing for the "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation" (Daniel 12:1), for that is what is coming. Thousands read the prophecy in Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 about swords and ploughshares so carelessly as to misread it altogether. This is what the people say; but God says exactly the opposite. See Joel 3:9, 10. Thus Paul wrote, "When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them." 1 Thessalonians 5:3. It is not peace, but war that awaits the world; not a golden age, but a time of trouble. PTUK July 16,  1896, page 452.4

These things are looked upon by very many, as sure tokens of future good; forerunners of a bright, golden age, when all will be converted from sin to holiness, which some vainly think already dawning. And know not that the day of vengeance hasteth greatly, and that these things are foretold signs of the coming of the Son of man, plainly fulfilled before their eyes. ST1853 24.2

The ears of the people are filled with the pleasing fables of the world's conversion, a good time coming, and that we are just entering the golden age. The threatenings of God's word on the proud, the haughty, the vain, the rich, the sinners in Zion, and those out of Zion, are kept back by the false teachers these times. Many of them even dare to teach that the moral code of the ten commandments is abrogated. EMTF 21.5

The prophets describe the last days as dreadful in the extreme. Jesus declares them like those of Noah and of Lot. Paul says they will be perilous, and that in them many will depart from the faith. The doctrine of human progress to a state of perfection and holiness, as held all the way from the most prudent, down to the extravagant Spiritualist — that the golden age is soon to open — we regard as Satan's master-piece to bring the mind of the Christian world into an unprepared state to meet the impending dreadful crisis, described by the prophet Joel. — ARSH September 23, 1862, page 132.16

Thousands are deceiving and being deceived by the delusive dream that the millennial day is softly stealing upon our world, and there shall be the much-talked-of golden age. Alas! for such! Between our time and that future glory of Messiah's reign there lies a region as dark as midnight, strewed with such ruined hopes and blasting terrors as this world has never known-such a time of plagues and tribulation as never was, when all hopes based on finite good shall utterly perish, with all those who have deceived themselves thereby. ARSH January 5, 1864, page 42.1

The world's conversion, and a thousand years of peace and holiness before the second coming of Christ. Those who cherish this hope, look for its consummation in the seventh Millennium, in the last days. But have the prophets, Christ and apostles, spoken of the last days as a period of peace, prosperity and holiness? Nay, verily. The prophets speak of the last days as a period that waiteth for the wrath and fierce anger of the Lord to "lay the land desolate, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Christ declares that as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at his coming; that the wheat and tares should grow together until the harvest, and that the harvest is the end of the world. The apostles speak in harmony with the prophets and Christ. Says Paul, "In the last days perilous times shall come;" etc. 2 Timothy 3:1-8. Compare his description of the last days, with the picture of the good days to come, the golden age now opening before us, held forth from the pulpit and the religious press, and it will be seen that the popular churches are deceived by a false hope. Their ears are turned from the truth unto a pleasing fable. ARSH December 11, 1855, page 85.11

The time of trouble spoken of by both Daniel and our Saviour, is actually upon us. "Like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt," so it is now with the troubled masses. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." This is now the moral phase of society, and precisely our prophetic whereabouts in the church, our nation, and the world at large. The church is in exile, weeping and praying, "even so, come Lord Jesus." While the latter-day "scoffers" in derision are saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" thousands are "deceiving and being deceived" by the delusive dream that the millennial day is softly stealing upon our world, and there shall be the much talked of golden age. Alas for such! Between our time and that future glory of Messiah's reign there lies a region as dark as midnight, strewed with such ruined hopes and blasting terrors as this world has never known - a time of plagues and tribulation as never was, when all hopes except those based on the truth shall utterly perish, with all those who have deceived themselves thereby. ARSH July 22, 1862, page 58.21

The professed Christian church, wedded to worldly governments, declaring virtually by precept and practice their corrupt union, and that they have no king but Caesar, looking and hoping that human governments will bring about peace and prosperity to the nations, and the good time coming, and a golden age of millennial blessedness, without her Lord—lukewarm in respect to her love for the appearing of the King-cold and formal in her religion-making the house of prayer a house of merchandise-and in love with the present world-knowing that if her Lord does come, he will disfranchise her from human governments, sever the cord that binds church and state, and destroy all the kingdoms of the nations; knowing that when the king does appear he will separate between the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares; knowing that when he shall come he will overturn the money changers, and drive from his temple all buyers, and sellers, and lovers of the world; and finally, that those that love not his appearing, but are saying, "The Lord delayeth his coming," shall have their portion in the burning lake; aware of this fact, any intelligence that his coming is near at hand is unwelcome news-exciting alarm and hate. Their hearts fail them for fear, which will increase to consternation at his advent. ARSH May 30, 1865, page 201.18

The scriptures plainly teach that man is to become more and more corrupt, and ripen for the day of wrath as that wrath approaches. Look at the metallic Image of Daniel second chapter, given to illustrate the four universal kingdoms, preceding God's everlasting kingdom. Why was not the head of clay and iron, its breast and arms of brass, its belly and sides of silver, and its legs and feet of gold? It would then much better illustrate the view of many that the world has been growing better, and that even now we are entering the golden age. Those who talk of this being the golden age, have this Image turned topsy-turvy, standing on its golden head. But let it stand up on its feet, and the diminution of the value of metal from head to feet, is a fit emblem of the gradual apostasy of man since he left Eden. ST1853 25.1

What EGW says about those who like to debate.

 Discussions not to be Sought

[From a personal testimony.] 

Young preachers should avoid discussions, for these do not increase spirituality or humbleness of mind. In some cases, it may be necessary to meet a proud boaster against the truth of God in open debate; but generally these discussions, either oral or written, result in more harm than good. After a discussion, the greater responsibility rests upon the minister to keep up the interest. He should beware of the reaction which is liable to take place after a religious excitement, and not yield to discouragement.... GW 377.1

Generally, the influence of discussions upon our ministers is to make them self-sufficient, exalted in their own estimation. This is not all. Those who love to debate are unfitted for being pastors to the flock. They have trained their minds to meet opponents, and to say sarcastic things; and they cannot come down to meet hearts that are sorrowing, and that need to be comforted.... GW 377.2

In the presentation of unpopular truth, which involves a heavy cross, preachers should be careful that every word is as God would have it. Their words should never cut. They should present the truth in humility, with the deepest love for souls, and an earnest desire for their salvation, and let the truth cut.—Testimonies for the Church 3:213-218. GW 377.3

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Discussions cannot always be avoided.... People who love to see opponents combat, may clamor for discussion. Others, who have a desire to hear the evidences on both sides, may urge discussion in all honesty of motive; but whenever discussions can be avoided, they should be. They generally strengthen combativeness, and weaken that pure love and sacred sympathy which should ever exist in the hearts of Christians, although they may differ in opinion. GW 377.4

In this age of the world a demand for a discussion is not real evidence of earnest desire on the part of the people to investigate the truth, but comes through the love of novelty and the excitement which generally attends discussions. God is seldom glorified or the truth advanced in these combats. Truth is too solemn, too momentous in its results, to make it a small matter whether it is received or rejected. To discuss truth for the sake of showing opponents the skill of the combatants, is ever poor policy; for it does very little to advance the truth. GW 378.1

Opponents of the truth will show skill in misstating the positions of its defenders.... They will generally deride sacred truth, and place it in so false a light before the people that minds that are darkened by error and polluted by sin, do not discern the motives and objects of these designing men in thus covering up and falsifying important truth. Because of the men who engage in them, there are few discussions that it is possible to conduct upon right principles. Sharp thrusts are too frequently given, personalities are indulged in, and often both parties descend to sarcasm and witticism. The love of souls is lost in the greater desire for the mastery. Prejudice, deep and bitter, is often the result.... GW 378.2

Many choose darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. But there are those who, if the truth had been presented in a different manner, under different circumstances, giving them a fair chance to weigh the arguments for themselves, and to compare scripture with scripture, would have been charmed by its clearness, and would have taken hold of it. GW 379.1

It has been very indiscreet for our ministers to publish to the world the wily sophistry of error, furnished by designing men to cover up and make of no effect the solemn, sacred truth of Jehovah. These crafty men who lie in wait to deceive the unwary, give their strength of intellect to perverting the word of God. The inexperienced and unsuspecting are deceived to their ruin. It has been a great error to publish to all the arguments wherewith opponents battle against the truth of God; for in so doing minds of every class are furnished with arguments which many of them had never thought of. Some one must render an account for this unwise generalship. GW 379.2

Arguments against the sacred truth, subtle in their influence, affect minds that are not well informed in regard to the strength of the truth. The moral sensibilities of the community at large are blunted by familiarity with sin. Selfishness, dishonesty, and the varied sins which prevail in this degenerate age, have blunted the senses to eternal things, so that God's truth is not discerned. In giving publicity to the erroneous arguments of our opponents, truth and error are placed upon a level in the minds of the people, when, if they could have the truth before them in its clearness long enough to see and realize its sacredness and importance, they would be convinced of the strong arguments in its favor, and would then be prepared to meet the arguments urged by opposers. GW 379.3

Those who are seeking to know the truth and to understand the will of God, who are faithful to the light, and zealous in the performance of their daily duties, will surely know of the doctrine; for they will be guided into all truth.—Testimonies for the Church 3:424-427. GW 380.1

***** 

Whenever it is necessary for the advancement of the cause of truth and the glory of God, that an opponent be met, how carefully, and with what humility should they [the advocates of truth] go into the conflict. With heart-searching, confession of sin, and earnest prayer, and often fasting for a time, they should entreat that God would especially help them, and give His saving, precious truth a glorious victory, that error might appear in its true deformity, and its advocates be completely discomfited.... GW 380.2

Never should you enter upon a discussion, where so much is at stake, relying upon your aptness to handle strong arguments. If it cannot be well avoided, enter the conflict, but enter upon it with firm trust in God, and in the spirit of humility, in the spirit of Jesus, who has bidden you learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart.—Testimonies for the Church 1:624-626. GW 380.3

https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/35.1958