There are a variety of people who hold to the Historic/Traditional SDA teachings. People both inside and outside of the SDA denomination. These include independent groups like Hope International who work within the SDA church to groups who have left the SDA denomination such as Shepherd's Rod and Creation 7th Day Adventists.
Click here to view sample articles from Hope International magazine "Our firm Foundation". Visit their Home page at: http://www.hopeint.org
Mail address: Hope International 41008 Ski Park Rd. Eatonville, WA 98328 (360) 832-6602
Shepherd's Rod and Creation 7th Day Adventists are fundamentalists which have left the SDA church but who hold to many of the teachings espoused by the Historical/Traditionalist SDA's.
Certain groups have in their fundamentalist zeal denounced the SDA church and broken off relations with it. Some in the past such as the Shepherd's Rod, and some recently such as the Creation 7th Day Adventists. Click on the group names to read some of their writings and find their web sites.
The Historical/Traditionalists, regardless of their organizational affiliations have at least one thing in common, a fanatical belief in Ellen G. White as an authority, a messenger of God. There are numerous sites which deal with the subject of Ellen White. Both pro Ellen White and against Ellen White.
A book online from the Historical Adventist perspective is The Foundation of Our Faith Over 150 Years of Seventh-day Adventist Christology by Allen Stump
Instead of trying to define the
Historical/Traditional SDA view point I would rather that they define it themselves.
Hopefuly these web sites and magazine articles will help in that regard.
Historic/Traditional SDA's Vs.
Progressive SDA's General Differences
The following articles are from the Hope International organization:
Preparation for the Last Days, Part 2 by Jeff Wehr
More Than a Shade of Difference The Tragedy of the 1888 Message
Study Committee by Kevin Paulson
Know Your Enemy Ron Spear
From http://www.hopeint.org/off/9701-05.htm
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." Ephesians 6:12.
Every Seventh-day Adventist knows that there are demons. We believe that the sin problem began in heaven, and that there was a war. Christ, the Creator General of the universe, and His mighty army defeated Lucifer and his rebels who attempted a coup in heaven. We all understand how the sin problem came to this planet. The Genesis story reveals the tragic failure of Adam and Eve--how Satan wrested the princeship from Adam, and then how the Creator, Christ, was willing to become Jesus Christ, the Son of God, incarnated into the human family. By His perfect life, death, and resurrection, He provided for all who would accept it--a way of escape from the death penalty.
As the prince of this world, Satan enlarged his rebellion against God and attempted to take over the universe, and be God. See Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28.
Yes, we believe in a real devil, but do we know him as our great enemy?
Satan invented what we call the lukewarm condition of
As we approach the end, many will apostatize and join the ranks of Satan's army. See Testimonies, vol. 8, 41. Leaders, pastors, lay leaders, and members will be among those who will be the accusers of the faithful and loyal in God's army.
Listen to the prophet of God explain this treachery which will soon be revealed:
"Ministers who have preached the truth with all zeal and earnestness may apostatize and join the ranks of our enemies, but does this turn the truth of God into a lie? 'Nevertheless,' says the apostle, 'the foundation of God standeth sure.' 2 Timothy 2:19. The faith and feelings of men may change; but the truth of God--never. The third angel's message is sounding; it is infallible.
"No man can serve God without uniting against himself evil men and evil angels. Evil spirits will be put upon the track of every soul that seeks to join the ranks of Christ, for Satan wishes to recover the prey taken from his grasp. Evil men will give themselves over to believe strong delusions, that they may be damned. These men will put on the garments of sincerity and deceive, if possible, the very elect." Testimonies, vol. 4, 595; see also Testimonies, vol. 5, 69-83; The Great Controversy, 608.
"Satan is working to crowd himself in everywhere. He would put asunder very friends. There are men who are ever talking and gossiping and bearing false witness, who sow the seeds of discord and engender strife. Heaven looks upon this class as Satan's most efficient servants. But the man who is injured is in a far less dangerous position than when fawned upon and extolled for a few of his efforts which appear successful. The commendation of apparent friends is more dangerous than reproach." Ibid., vol. 4, 607.
Once again the prophet explains:
"The multitude of deceptions that will prevail in these last days will
encircle you, and you will change leaders, and not know you have done so."
Review and Herald,
If we are not walking carefully every day in God's way, we can change leaders
and not know we have done so. We will not be capable of recognizing Satan as
our enemy. Inspiration reveals it to us anew:
"They have to a great extent forgotten his past record; and when he
makes another advance move, they will not recognize him as their enemy, that
old serpent, but they will consider him a friend, one who is doing a good
work." Testimonies, vol. 5, 294.
Once more the prophet warns us:
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those who overcome as Christ overcame will need to constantly guard themselves against the temptations of Satan. The appetite and passions should be restricted and under the control of enlightened conscience, that the intellect may be unimpaired, the perceptive powers clear, so that the workings of Satan and his snares may not be interpreted to be the providence of God. Many desire the final reward and victory which are to be given to overcomers, but are not willing to endure toil, privation, and denial of self, as did their Redeemer. It is only through obedience and continual effort that we shall overcome as Christ overcame." Ibid., vol. 3, 491.
"
"Some who occupy the position of watchmen to warn the people of danger
have given up their watch and recline at ease. They are unfaithful sentinels.
They remain inactive, while their wily foe enters the fort and works
successfully by their side to tear down what God has commanded to be built up.
They see that Satan is deceiving the inexperienced and unsuspecting; yet they
take it all quietly, as though they had no special interest, as though these
things did not concern them. They apprehend no special danger; they see no
cause to raise an alarm. To them everything seems to be going well, and they
see no necessity of raising the faithful, trumpet notes of warning which they
hear borne by the plain Testimonies, to show the people their transgressions
and the house of
"These are the true feelings of many of our people. And Satan exults at his success in controlling the minds of so many who profess to be Christians. He has deceived them, benumbed their sensibilities, and planted his hellish banner right in their midst, and they are so completely deceived that they know not that it is he." Ibid., vol. 2, 439-440.
"The reason why our preachers accomplish so little is that they do not walk with God. He is a day's journey from most of them." Ibid., vol. 1, 434.
Without strong spiritual leadership, the church cannot have on its armor, and is unprepared for the last, great battle.
According to Revelation 12:17, if commandmentkeepers are the special targets of the dragon's wrath; if, while he cannot read our thoughts, he is a close observer and shrewd analyst of everything about us (see Testimonies, vol. 2, 172); if he knows the points in our individual characters that are most vulnerable, then you and I must:
(1) Beware! "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
"The present activity of Satan in working upon hearts, and upon churches and nations, should startle every student of prophecy." Testimonies, vol. 5, 537.
(2) Prepare! "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11.
"Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day. He will so arrange affairs as to hedge up their way, entangle them with earthly treasures, cause them to carry a heavy, wearisome burden, that their hearts may be overcharged with the cares of this life and the day of trial may come upon them as a thief." The Great Controversy, 625-626.
This then is a necessary subject to present. Satan has control of those who are in the Laodicean condition. If our enemy has all of his subjects on earth under his control, and "all who are not decided followers of Christ are servants of Satan" (Ibid., 508; see also Thoughts From The Mount of Blessing, 94); if, under his hypnotic spell, millions give allegiance to his principles as "god of this world" (see Testimonies, vol. 5, 192-193); and if he has also at his command uncounted thousands of demons--one-third of the original host of heaven--then you and I need angel reinforcements continually to guard us:
"Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard." The Great Controversy, 589.
"Evil angels are upon our track every moment." Testimonies, vol. 1, 302.
"We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan's temptations, until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under His watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from heaven to protect them." The Great Controversy, 517.
If Satan can forecast future events with uncanny accuracy because he can control the thoughts of all whose minds are not controlled by the Holy Spirit (see Testimonies to Ministers, 79); if he [Satan] is a diligent student of the Bible and well versed in its prophecies (see Testimonies, vol. 9, 16; The Great Controversy, 539; The Desire of Ages, 115), then how much more earnestly you and I should be studying the Word! "Here are revealed the wiles of the tempter and the means by which he may be successfully resisted." The Great Controversy, 530.
If one of Satan's chief delights is the "dangerous" condition of God's professed people on the "enchanted ground" of the Laodicean condition (see Testimonies, vol. 5, 454; Early Writings, 120; The Great Controversy, 601), then God help us, by every means at our command, to get out of that condition quickly that all might "recover themselves out of the snare of the devil." 2 Timothy2:26.
"While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord's people may not have mercy or justice." Testimonies, vol. 5, 452. Some of us might be surprised to learn how he uses even good, respectable, orthodox church leaders and members as his agents.
There are other means besides those we have mentioned that our adversary employs. "Satan delights in war." The Great Controversy, 589. The "only delight" of evil angels "is in misery and destruction." Ibid., 517. "Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power." Ibid., 589-590.
Moreover, besides delusions and temptations, and the above disasters, there
are personal tragedies: "The enemy will contend for the life or the
usefulness of the servants of God, and will seek to mar their peace as long as
they remain in the world." Review and Herald,
All this has not been a pleasant picture to draw, or to look at. None are going to say to me that they enjoyed this message. The cry of "Fire!" in the night to people who are sleeping, the warning of unrealized or forgotten danger that lurks to destroy, is disturbing. However, dear friends, if up to this point our contemplation of the activities of the enemy has startled us (and I hope it has), let me say that we have not seen anything yet compared to what is coming!
What is taking place in our world? The New Age movement, the Christian Coalition, the Religious Right and their impact upon our senators and congressmen, the Sunday laws hanging ominously over the horizon, the rank liberalism and worldliness running through some of our beloved churches--all this tells us that the devil has come down with great wrath upon those who keep the commandments of God, believe in the Spirit of Prophecy, and have the faith and the power of Jesus.
Our civilization and physical world have come into a new and different era through the splitting of the atom. In like manner the intensity of the spiritual struggle just before the remnant people will increase in unbelievable proportions.
There must be an intensity as we prepare for the final conflict, for the devil's agencies are at work. Inspiration speaks again:
"He has set all his agencies at work that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut." The Desire of Ages, 636.
That means us, too. We may not be deceived by false doctrines, but we can be occupied with things that, in the light of eternity, are of minor importance. Come what may, "Satan will go to the extent of his power to harass, tempt, and mislead God's people." Testimonies, vol. 1, 341.
Light Is Stronger Than Darkness
The earnestness of this message today has been in proportion to our peril from the malignant power of our enemy. The dark, stark peril has been presented in warnings; but, against it the light of God's promises is all the brighter.
In this last minute of time, as probation is about to close for the remnant
church and the world, let us arise to the occasion of this fateful hour and arm
ourselves. Paul counseled the Christians in the
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11.
Let us give our will to Jesus every day, for our salvation depends upon it. See Steps to Christ, 34, 39, 47. Study and pray. Walk through each day in the attitude of prayer, communing with our Heavenly Father.
The reason so many of us fail is that Jesus is not our close, dear Companion. Listen to God speak to us through Inspiration:
"The Word of the living God is not merely written, but spoken. The Bible is God's voice speaking to us, just as surely as though we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe would we open God's Word, and with what earnestness would we search its precepts! The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with the Infinite One.
"When Satan presses his suggestions upon our minds, we may, if we cherish a 'Thus saith the Lord,' be drawn into the secret pavilion of the Most High.
"Many fail of imitating our Holy Pattern because they study so little the definite features of that character. So many are full of busy plans, always active; and there is no time or place for the precious Jesus to be a close, dear Companion. They do not refer every thought and action to Him, inquiring: 'Is this the way of the Lord?' If they did they would walk with God, as did Enoch." Testimonies, vol. 6, 393.
"Christ and His righteousness--let this be our platform, the very life
of our faith." Review and Herald,
"Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel." Amos 4:12.
It is time--way past time--for every Seventh-day Adventist to stand up with the full armor on, ready for "that great day of God Almighty." Revelation 16:14.
Quicker than a lightning flash, He will come. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1. All the powers of evil cannot conquer that soul who relies upon the sufficient grace of Jesus for victory. Stronger is He than the "strong man armed." Luke 11:21. "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4. God help us to know and recognize the enemy, and defeat him.
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Preparation for the Last Days, Part 2 by Jeff Wehr
From http://www.hopeint.org/off/9701-06.htm
IMAGINE yourself living in
The Bible says, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished." Proverbs 27:12. A storm is coming! "Prepared or unprepared, we must all meet it." Sketches from the Life of Paul, 252. Do we have our spiritual survival kits? Do we know how to avail ourselves of divine protection in the coming hour of crisis? In this article we will look at our defense in the approaching storm.
When we speak about the "time of trouble," we are really referring to two different times. There is the short (or little) time of trouble, which is followed by the close of probation, which is then
followed by the great time of trouble. The saints will suffer during both times. While there will be many martyrs during the short time of trouble, there will be none during the great time of trouble. This almost sounds like a contradiction, except when we remember that martyrdom, during the time when probation still lingers, will be like seed cast out into the world to convince the unrepentant to make peace with God. However, the death of the righteous would serve no purpose after the close of probationary time. Therefore, God prevents them from seeing death.
Study in the Word
Between now and the little time of trouble, which commences with the passage of the Sunday laws, we should spend much time in the study of the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy. My favorite Spirit of Prophecy books are The Great Controversy and The Desire of Ages. These two volumes contain a wealth of information about what is coming, and the kind of life we need to be living to meet it. I recommend the reading or rereading of these books.
We are especially encouraged to study the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation. "To John the Lord opened the subjects that He saw would be needed by His people in the last days. The instruction that He gave is found in the book of Revelation. Those who would be coworkers with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will show a deep interest in the truths found in this book. With pen and voice they will strive to make plain the wonderful things that Christ came from heaven to reveal."Testimonies, vol. 8, 301; see Revelation 1:1-3.
"The solemn messages that have been given in their order in the Revelation are to occupy the first place in the minds of God's people. Nothing else is to be allowed to engross our attention." Ibid., 302.
The Lord's servant wrote, "The people of God need to study what characters they must form in order to pass through the testing and proving of the last days. Men are living in spiritual weakness and backsliding. They know not what they believe. Let us read and study the twelfth chapter of Daniel. It is a warning that we shall all need to understand before the time of the end." Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, 228.
Then, of course, we should be spending a thoughtful hour each day contemplating the life of Christ. As we head into these troublous times we need the patience, longsuffering, temperance, love, and courage of Jesus. By faithfully communing with our Maker with the attitude of following and obeying, we will progressively become like Him. Then, and only then, can we truly be prepared to honor Him in these last days.
Disposing of Property
We need to be prepared to move quickly if we are still living in the cities.
When the Sunday laws come, it will be our last chance to leave the larger
cities for smaller towns and villages, preparatory to taking our flight to
solitary places in the country. The Lord's servant wrote, "It is no time
now for God's people to be fixing their affections or laying up their treasure
in the world. The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we
shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege
of
Of course, when we move to the country in the last days, we are not to be building expensive dwellings there either. "We are about to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Then let us not be dwellers upon the earth, but be getting things into as compact a compass as possible." Ibid., 152. This suggests that these places will be very simple, and perhaps smaller than what we are likely accustomed to now.
My wife and I recently bought a small, remote piece of land, and a singlewide trailer which needed some fixing. We planted our fruit trees this fall, and prepared our grow boxes for spring planting.Our prayer is that our blessed Lord will return before we receive any fruit on the trees. Consequently, we also plan to plant a "poor man's orchard"--many berry bushes.
Some have often asked about when they should dispose of their property? Sister White wrote,"Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs," and then "their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble and have no clogs to weigh them down.
"I saw that if any held on to their property and did not inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: 'The cause was languishing, God's people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. Oh, that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven!' I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased and was consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time; but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell." Early Writings, 56-57. (Emphasis in original.)
Of course, the time will come when we will have to flee to a place in the mountains that our Lord has prepared for us, as He had prepared Brook Cherith for Elijah. When we must leave our gardens behind, the Lord promises, "He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." Isaiah 33:16. We will also find encouragement with the words of Psalm 91. As refugees of faith we would do well to memorize it.
Having a Sound Body
We are not able to disregard the subject of health in these last days. The Lord's servant wrote, "We need not say: The perils of the last days are soon to come upon us. Already they have come. We need now the sword of the Lord to cut to the very soul and marrow of fleshly lusts, appetites, and passions." Testimonies, vol. 8, 315.
What comes with a healthy body is not only physical stamina and endurance, but mental clarity, clear judgment, alertness, and courage. The simple diet given to our first parents, that was practiced by John the Baptist, and that is emphasized for the remnant church, is not simply a nice alternative, but a necessary part of our preparation for these last days.
We are living in the time of earth's harvest, and the Bible says, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians 6:7-8. If we sow bad health habits we will reap sluggishness, depression, and disease.
Of course, having a sound body means more than what we put on our plate. It includes all the eight laws of health, namely, trust in God and His Word, fresh air, rest, sunlight, water, exercise, nutrition, and temperance.
Preparing Our Heart Toward Others
"We are to do all we can to remove the prejudice that exists in the minds of many against our work and against the Bible Sabbath." Testimonies, vol. 9, 238.
"With hearts melted in tenderness let the Word of Truth be spoken. Let all who are in error be treated with the gentleness of Christ. If those for whom you labor do not immediately grasp the truth, do not censure, do not criticize or condemn. Remember that you are to represent Christ in His meekness and gentleness and love.
"We must expect to meet unbelief and opposition. The truth has always had to contend with these elements. But though you should meet the bitterest opposition, do not denounce your opponents. They may think, as did Paul, that they are doing God service; and to such we must manifest patience, meekness, and long-suffering. . . .
"Even when abused and falsely accused, make no complaint; speak no word of murmuring; let no thought of reproach or discontent enter your mind. . . .
"In the advocacy of truth the bitterest opponents should be treated with respect and deference. . . .
"The influence of your teaching would be tenfold greater if you were careful of your words. . . .
"Every sermon you preach, every article you write, may be all true; but one drop of gall in it will be poison to the hearer or the reader. Because of that drop of poison, one will discard all your good and acceptable words." Gospel Workers, 372-375.
While it is our duty to expose the aims of the Papacy, we should be careful not to make sharp thrusts at the Catholics. The Lord's servant said, "All sharp thrusts will come back upon us in double measure when the power is in the hands of those who can exercise it for our injury. . . . We should not go out of our way to make hard thrusts at the Catholics. . . . Let everyone bear in mind that we are in no case to invite persecution. . . . Let all be guarded in their words, lest they place those not of our faith in deadly opposition against us and give Satan an opportunity to use the unadvised words to hedge up our way." Testimonies, vol. 9, 241-244.
"It is not our work to attack individuals or institutions. We should exercise great care lest we be understood as putting ourselves in opposition to the civil authorities. . . . We should weed out from our writings and utterances every expression that, taken by itself, could be so misrepresented as to make it appear antagonistic to law and order. . . . Let all beware lest by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great crisis which is to try men's souls." Testimonies, vol. 6, 394-395.
"Agree with everyone on every subject that you can. Admit it when he is right; for the acknowledgment will greatly help to draw him nearer to you. He will then have no occasion to think you consider your own opinions infallible. . . . Win hearts, not repulse them." Review and Herald, December 16, 1884.
In summary, we should do all we can to meet people. Time is running out. Yet, we must learn to drop words of kindness, and to direct our conversations to heavenly things. Oh, that we might see our great need to study the Word every day! Oh, that we may lay all our possessions at the feet of Jesus! Oh, that we may glorify God in all that we do--whether we eat, drink, or whatsoever we do! Oh, that we may learn to use words that will win hearts and convince them of the truths for these last days!
In our next article we will discuss how we should react to the Sunday laws. Maranatha--the Lord is coming!
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More Than a Shade of Difference The Tragedy of the 1888 Message Study Committee
by Kevin Paulson
From http://www.hopeint.org/off/9701-04.htm
Due to the length of this article it is not reproduced here. Follow the link above.