IAUA End Time Ministry
Preparing for the End of Time
The Lord is Coming! Are you ready?
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Preparing for the End of Time | |
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in
IAUA
(ee-ah-oo-ah) our Father,
Greetings on this day of preparation for the weekly Sabbath. I pray this newsletter finds you in good health and happy in the service of IAUA. This is the 22nd day of the 2nd month of God's Sacred Calendar in the estimated year 6014 Anno Mundi. It is 1 week and 6 days until Pentecost Sabbath on the evening of the 6th day of the 3rd month (Thursday, May 20 on the 2010 Gregorian Calendar, beginning sunset on Wednesday, May 19th). This year, those who follow the Millerite Calendar determination will be one month later than my research has determined for the Gregorian Calendar dates of God's Sacred Calendar. The dates on the Jewish Calendar are one day earlier in the spring and one day early in the fall. _____ I am continuing to read many articles and receive emails which declare the SDA Fundamental Beliefs contain Biblical errors, particularly in the second belief of the Trinity. It has been a couple of years since I discussed this topic so it is time to revisit the subject.
"2. Trinity: I agree with the fundamental belief though I recognize there are some problems with the wording. In particular, the word Trinity is dangerous because it commits us to the Catholic doctrine which contains subtle errors which lead to dangerous conclusions and teachings. I prefer the use of the word Godhead which is similar in meaning but avoids this commitment to Catholic doctrine. Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. The major error of the Catholic Trinity doctrine, subtly demonstrated in the fundamental belief, is the idea there is only one identical physical essence even though there are three persons. This pagan concept is compared to the trident which has three prongs joined into one spear or like an animal with three heads. The Godhead is united in one purpose but not the same physical essence. This thought will help you understand the concepts you will find in other presentations. Many of the presentations are confusing unless you understand this concept as the basic problem. John 10:30 I and my Father are one. The distinction is subtle but the repercussions are enormous. Satan uses subtle distinctions as the basis of his deceptions. I will mention just one of these as an example. Others are left to your own study and research. One deception denies the humanity combined with the divinity of the Son of God who was 100% divine and 100% human. The error is expressed in the paradox God cannot die so therefore Jesus was not God or He was not human. Both ideas discredit His atoning sacrifice. These subtle deceptions are not clearly spoken on the surface but the unspoken hidden concepts are misleading. II John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. The other extreme of trinity opponents is those who claim there are only two persons in the Godhead. They present subtle interpretations of scripture to teach the Holy Spirit is only a spirit manifestation of the Father or the Son and not a separate person. The presence of all three is seen in this and other verses. Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. I understand the Bible to teach there are three separate persons in the Godhead. The use of the word "persons" can create confusion because the Holy Spirit does not have a physical body. John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. This quote from Ellen White written in November 1905 is valuable insight into her own beliefs, the teaching of the Bible, and the belief of the church she represented. "I am instructed to say, The sentiments of those who are searching for advanced scientific ideas are not to be trusted. Such representations as the following are made: "The Father is as the light invisible; the Son is as the light embodied; the Spirit is the light shed abroad." "The Father is like the dew, invisible vapor; the Son is like the dew gathered in beauteous form; the Spirit is like the dew fallen to the seat of life." Another representation: "The Father is like the invisible vapor; the Son is like the leaden cloud; the Spirit is rain fallen and working in refreshing power."" {SpTB07 62.2} "All these spiritualistic representations are simply nothingness. They are imperfect, untrue. They weaken and diminish the Majesty which no earthly likeness can be compared to. God can not be compared with the things His hands have made. These are mere earthly things, suffering under the curse of God because of the sins of man. The Father can not be described by the things of earth. The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight." {SpTB07 62.3} "The Son is all the fulness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be "the express image of His person." "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Here is shown the personality of the Father." {SpTB07 63.1} "The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fulness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour. There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-- those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ. . . ." {SpTB07 63.2} Do you carefully study to find and understand truth for yourself or do you accept and depend on the words of others? I pray we may all continue to seek love, peace, and unity in truth preparing for the soon coming of IAUShUO (ee-ah-oo-shoo-oh) Messiah, the Son of God.
Frank T. Clark
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