The Last Generation Theology

The Last Generation Theology

I have decided to look into The Last Generation Theology movement in the Seventh-day Adventist church and see what implications it has on the theology of the church.

The names that are connected to the Last Generation Theology are:

Dr. Noman McNutty, Larry Kirkpatrick, Dennis Priebe, Gerard Damsteegt Phd., David Shin and Dr. Kritzinger Phd. There are more names, but these are the major names who promote the last Generation Theology teachings in the Adventist church.

What do the Last Generation Theology movement believe in which is different to what the church believes in?

1. Before the second coming of Christ one can live without sinning 100%.
2. During the time of probation, the saints live without an intercessor.
3. From the book Christ Object Lesson page 69, they use the quotation literarily: When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in his people.
4. The atonement of Christ was not completed at the cross.
5. Because Christ was born with a human nature, we can overcome all sin just like he did whilst on earth.

 

Before the second coming of Christ one can live without sinning 100%

Where do we get such information about a sinless generation before the second coming of Christ? There are statements from Waggoner and Jones during the late 1800´s on the internet believing in this teaching. I would rather have some literary information and that is in the book “The Sanctuary Service” by M. L. Andreasen who makes it very clear what this teaching is all about. I quote two places from the book.

“Thus it shall be with the last generation of men living on the earth. Through them God´s final demonstration of what He can do with humanity will be given. He will take the weakest of the weak, those bearing the sins of their forefathers, and in them show the power of God. They will not yield. They will demonstrate that it is possible to live without sin-the very demonstration for which the world has been looking and for which God has been preparing. It will become evident to all that the gospel really can save to the uttermost God is found true in His sayings.”[1]

“In the last generation God gives the final demonstration that men can keep the law of God and that they can live without sinning. God leaves nothing undone to make the demonstration complete. The only limitation put upon Satan is that he may not kill the saints of God. He may tempt them, he may harass and threaten them; and he does his best. But he fails. He cannot make them sin. They stand the test, and God puts His seal upon them.”[2]

What does the Bible say about this teaching of sinlessness before the second of Christ?

Well like all teachings in the church one has to test them according to the whole of the Bible.

Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Are there people in the Bible who have lived without sinning?

If we can find a person without sin in the Bible, we can use that illustration to verify sinlessness. When looking at the Old Testament we can see that the old patriarchs were not without sin. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations, Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9. Yet in Genesis 9:20.21 it says, “and Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard.” Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and he became uncovered in his tent. Noah did not become drunk by accident. It takes time to plant a vineyard. It takes time to make fermented wine. Noah knew what he was doing, and he drank of the fermented wine and became drunk. Noah was not perfect.

The next patriarch was Abraham. If any patriarch in the Bible could live without sinning it is Abraham, the father of all the patriarchs. Yet in Genesis 20:2.3 we find Abraham lying to Abimelech and saying that Sarah his wife is his sister. It is correct that Sarah was Abraham`s half-sister, but Abraham told a lie her because Abimelech understood Abraham that Sarah was his sister only. The ten commandments say in Exodus 20: 16. you shall not bear false witness, so Abraham sinned her.

Isaac, Abraham`s son followed in his father´s footsteps and also told a lie saying that his wife Rebekah was his sister. Exodus 26:7.

One of the most famous kings of Israel was king David. He was a prophet, the king of Israel. In Psalm 89:27 it says of king David that God will make him his firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Yet in the peak of his life, he sinned a terrible sin against God. 2 Samuel 11:1-27. David had intercourse with another man`s wife Bathsheba og when he found out she was pregnant he had her husband killed on the front line of battle.

One of the most famous apostles in the New Testament is the apostle, Paul. Yet in the later part of his life as a missionary, evangelist prophet and preacher he said in 1 Timothy 1:15 that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Moses is the one who will represent all those who fall asleep in Christ and will rise at the second coming of Christ. Moses was seen up in heaven when Jesus communicated with him on the mount of transfiguration Matthew 17:3. Moses had sinned before he was raised up to heaven because he struck the rock at Meribah, saying shall we bring water from the rock when it was God who brought the water from the rock. Number 20:7-12. He was not allowed to go into the land of Canaan. Deuteronomy 32:48-51. Moses was a sinner.

The other man who was on the mount of Transfiguration was Elijah the prophet. Matthew 17:3. He represents all those believers in Christ who will be alive and be translated into the clouds when Christ comes at his second coming. We find that Elijah was just a mortal man who turned away from God´s work being afraid of Jezebel and ran many miles from her down to the mountain of Horeb. 1 Kings 19:1-10.

Now Moses and Elijah represent all those Christians who have died or are living before the second coming of Christ. Yet these men were not perfect or sinless. If these men were not perfect or sinless then God would not expect Christians living in the last days before Christ´s second to be sinless and perfect.

There are no persons found in the Bible that have not sinned, not one. There is only Jesus Christ who is God and took upon himself humanity and did not sin. But all the others who are only human have sinned.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:10. There is none righteous, no not one.

Proverbs 20:9. Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from sin?”

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.

Are we born in sin?

Another argument against sinlessness before the second coming of Christ is the is the text that we are born in sin. Psalm 51:5. David writes, “Behold I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” The proponents of the last generation theology say we decide whether not to sin or sin. But her in this text a baby cannot make those choices. Other texts to support the teaching that we are born in sin. Psalm 58:3. The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. Isaiah 48:8. Referring to Israel and Judah: “And were called a transgressor from the womb.” “Thus, many children have received as a birthright almost unconquerable tendencies to evil”[3]. “By inheritance and example, the sons become partakers of the father´s sin. Wrong tendencies, perverted appetites, and debased morals, as well as physical disease and degeneracy, are transmitted as a legacy from father to son, to the third generation.”[4]

We have all inherited our sinful natures from the fall of Adam. Romans 5:12. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. “The first Adam was created a pure, sinless being, without a taint of sin upon him; he was in the image of God. He could fall, and he did fall through transgressing. Because of his sin his posterity was born with inherent propensities of disobedience.”[5]

Genesis 8:21. For the inclination of men`s heart is evil from his youth.

1 John 1:8. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

The relationship of sin and the law of the Ten Commandments

1 John 3:4. Sin is the transgression of law.

What law is John talking about?

1 John 5:3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.

1 John 2:4. He who says, “I know him,” and does not keep his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him.

Romans 7:7. I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

You shall not covet is taken from the Ten Commandments of God. Exodus 20:17. Deuteronomy 5:21.

Romans 3:20. For by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So the Ten Commandments are written because they are there to reveal our sins. When we have fallen in sin, then we realize through the Holy Spirit that we need a savior, and that is Jesus Christ. We then repent of our sins, ask for forgiveness of our sins, 1 John 1:9., then we believe in Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for our sins.

Romans 4:15. For where there is no law there is no transgression.

Where there is no transgression there is no sin. So what the last generation theology proponents are saying according to the Bible theology about sinlessness is, if you want to live a sinless life on earth before the second coming of Christ you have to do away with the law of the Ten Commandments first. When this is done, then there is no transgression, and one is sinless.

From my understanding of the Bible, the Ten Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ will be the only visible signs between Gods people and non-believers at the second coming of Christ. Revelation 12:17. 14:12.

The last generation theology proponents along with Satan are trying to destroy this teaching. They may be doing this without their knowledge or understanding of the subject, because they have not studied the theological relationship between sin and the law of God.

When you get rid of the Ten Commandments of God to strive for a sinless character, you are on the wrong track. This is an absolute false teaching and an absolute false gospel. Do not be beguiled by these eloquent preachers in the Adventist church. They are clever with their words. They preach eloquently and can entertain an audience and captivate their interests. But if they do not preach according to the theology of sin and the Bible. Do not listen to them. They are like ravenous wolves trying to destroy the sheep, because they do not follow the Bible.

Their emphasis is on Christ and trying to achieve a sinless life before the second of Christ. Whereas the teachings of the Bible and from the book The Great Controversy the emphasis is on the Ten Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. These two teachings are in opposition to one another. The first one is from Satan, and the other is from God and the Bible.

The last generation theology proponents do not seem to understand that there is a difference between believers that sin and non-believers that sin. According to the Bible there is a difference between believers who fall in sin and unbelievers who continue to sin willfully. For example:

Believers who fall in sin in the Bible

Believers who fall in sin in the Bible are those who I have mentioned previously: Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:6.7. Noah became drunk. Genesis 9:20.21. Abraham lied to Abimelech and said his wife is his sister. Genesis 20:2. Isaac also lied like his father and said his wife is his sister. Genesis 26:7. King David sinned against God, by taking another man`s wife and having the husband killed. 2 Samuel 11:1-27. Peter denied his Lord three times. Luke 22:54-62. Paul confronted Peter and said that it was wrong what he was doing in siding with the Jewish believers and refraining from eating with the Gentiles. Galatians 2:11-21.

What is the solution for a believer who falls in sin?

1 John 2:1.2. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and jus to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Unbelievers who continue in sin

Genesis 4:8. Cain killed his brother.

Genesis 4:23. Lemech had two wives – He killed a man for a wound inflicted on him.

Genesis 6:5. People did evil all the time from their hearts in Noah´s day.

Genesis 18:20. The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah are grievous.

Genesis 19:26. Lot`s wife was turned into a pillar of salt.

Jeremiah 52: Jerusalem was destroyed because of the persistent sin against the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:5.6. The Israelites died in the wilderness because they did evil against the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:8. Then the lawless one will be revealed – – -. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan – – -.

John 5:14. (Man healed at the pool of Bethesda) Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.

John 8:11. (Adulterous receives forgiveness of sin) And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you: go and sin no more.

Matthew 27:2-4. When Judas, who betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, “I have sinned,” he said, “For I have betrayed innocent blood.”

Hebrews 10:26. If we deliberately keep sinning after we have received the knowledge of truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.

Hebrews 6:4.5. It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.

1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in his people, then He will come to claim them as His own.”[6]

This quotation is often quoted by many a last generation theology advocate. There is a video on Youtube.com called: Last Generation Theology Symposium Panel Q&A taken at the Sacramento Central SDA Church, March 2019.  On the panel are some of the key proponents of last generation theology e.g., Damsteegt, McNutty, Priebe and Zynovitch. They were asked what they thought about the context of the above quotation from Christ Object Lessons page 69.

McNutty responded by saying the context is from Revelation 5:22 and 25 and the fruits of the spirit. Damsteegt avoided the question and stated that the above quotation is restoring the image of God and Christ in human beings. Priebe responded by saying, “let the language speak its own.” Zynovitch is the only one who touched on the context of the quotation by saying it refers to seeds of the gospel and harvest.

I am greatly surprised and amazed that a professor from Andrews University like Damsteegt could respond to such a question like the context. It seems like he and Priebe do not understand what context means in the study of the Bible. In Biblical theology we call the response by Damsteegt and Priebe eisegesis as in opposition to exegesis. Exegesis is when you analyze a text in scripture using the textual grammar, syntax, language, word studies, context etc.

Eisegesis on the other hand is when a theologian imposes his own interpretation on the text without doing the real groundwork of in-depth study. This is mainly speculation. This is what Damsteegt and Priebe are doing. They are imposing their own interpretation on the quotation without doing the groundwork especially in the analysis of the context.

We shall now do a contextual study of the quotation from Christ Object Lessons page 69.

The title of the chapter from where the quotation is taken is called, “First the Blade, Then the Ear.” This text is based on Mark 4:26-29 which refers to the parable of the growing seed. Mark 4:26. And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.” The subject of this parable is the sowing of the seed which is likened to the kingdom of God. The result is in Mark 4:29. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.

The text Mark 4:26-29 says nothing about living a sinless life before the second coming of Christ. Even more, this whole chapter in Christs Object lessons says nothing about living a sinless life before the second coming of Christ.

COL page 63. But the Sower of the seed represents the gospel.

COL page 69. The seed to be sown represents the gospel.

COL Page 64. The work of the Sower is a work of faith.

COL Page 65. The Sower casts the seed away on the ground, expecting to gather it many fold in an abundant harvest. So Christ´s servants are to labour, expecting a harvest from the seed they have – – -. We are to work and leave the results with God.

So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall be not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11.

COL page 65. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. (This means when we meet death or be resurrected at Christ´s second coming and not before).

COL page 65. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase. We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in proportion to our privileges. (This citation is related to sanctification and working in the area of sowing seeds of the gospel).

COL page 67. If we keep our minds stayed upon Christ, He will come unto us “as rain, as the latter rain and former rain unto the earth.” (This text is also related to the sowing of the seeds of the gospel).

COL page 67. The object of the husbandman in the sowing of the seed and the culture of the growing plant is the production of grain. (It says nothing about the husbandman concentrating on his own character of deleting sins from his life. This would be a self-centered object. However, the object of the husbandman in this citation is people centered and outward going in sowing the seeds of the gospel, developing the growing and production of believers who receive the gospel message).

COL page 67. The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing, that it may be reproduced in others. Fruit bearing is related to the sowing of the gospel seed so that others might believe. (This says nothing about living a sinless life in this quote).

COL page 67. So no man is to live unto himself. (For example, living a self-centered life trying to delete sins from his life). The Christian is in this world as a representative of Christ, trying to win souls to Christ.

COL page 67.68. There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self. (For example, trying to delete our sins from our lives). If you have accepted Christ as a personal Savior, you are to forget yourself and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of his goodness – – – and by every means in your power seek to save the lost.

(From my own experience I find door to door work in proclaiming the gospel message and the three angel’s messages produces a Christ like character. Why? Because this work is one of the most difficult to do when talking to people from door to door personally. You are totally dependent on God with humbleness and in prayer. When I go from door to door, I hand out the book: The Great Controversy, for free because this book contains the three angel’s messages and warning for the last days. When we do this work, you become not self-centered in trying to delete sins from our life, but Christ centered in trying to reach people and you become people centered).

COL page 68. As you receive the Spirit of Christ – the spirit of unselfish love and labour for others – will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen your character. (Character in this citation is related to love and labour for others in coming to know Christ. It has nothing to do with being self-centered and trying to delete one’s sins).

COL page 69. When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. (Which harvest is E. G. White talking about? The harvest from the results of sowing the seeds of the gospel to people). Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as his own. (What part of the character of Christ is the context talking about? God`s people should be engaged in unselfish work in sowing the seeds of the gospel to all people just like Christ did when he was on earth in the New Testament)

COL page 69. It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Pet 3:12, margin). Where all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. (Again, the context is talking about the sowing of the seeds of the gospel by all Christians especially in the Adventist church. Christ will come when this work is done. The context says nothing about living a sinless life before the Christ comes again).

Conclusion

The title of the chapter from where the quotation is taken is called, “First the Blade, Then the Ear.” This text is based on Mark 4:26-29 which refers to the parable of the growing seed. Mark 4:26. And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.” The subject of this parable is the sowing of the seed which is likened to the kingdom of God. The result is in Mark 4:29. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.

The context of the citation, “When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people,” has nothing to do with living a sinless life or deleting sins from our lives. This is only speculation. In fact, there is no mention of sin or perfection related to sin in the context.

Damsteegt has made a great mistake in his speculative eisegesis of the text in question. I am surprised that a most respected conservative historical theologian from Andrews University could make such a statement, that we can become perfect as related to sin before the second Coming of Christ. He should be ashamed of himself of making such a statement without analyzing the context.

Reasons for the delay In Christ`s Second Coming

The reason for the delay in Christ`s second coming is not that we should spend time in being self-centered and trying to delete all our sins. There is another cause that many Adventists are avoiding. I have found about 11 citations from E. G. White stating the cause for His delay.

1. It is not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and his people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God. As they refused to do the work which he appointed them, others were raised up to proclaim the message. In mercy to the world, Jesus delays his coming that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning and find shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out.[7]
2. If all who had laboured unitedly in the work in 1844, had received the third angel`s message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago, the inhabitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work completed, and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people.[8]
3. Had the purpose of God been carried out by his people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God.[9]
4. If every soldier of Christ had done his duty, if every watchman on the walls of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound, the world might ere this have heard the message warning. But the work is years behind.[10]
5. If those who claimed to have a living experience in the things of God had done their appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would have been warned ere this, and the Lord Jesus would have come in power and great glory.[11]
6. Had the church done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned, and the Lord Jesus would have come to our earth in power and great glory.[12]
7. Brethren and sisters from the light given to me, I know that if the people of God had preserved a living connection with him, if they had obeyed his Word they would today be in the heavenly Canaan.[13]
8. Where all who profess His name bearing fruit to his glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.[14]
9. With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon coming Savior might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come – the end of suffering and sorrow and sin![15]
10. I also saw that if you (the delegates at the Minneapolis conference) had accepted their (Waggoner and Jones) message, we would have been in the kingdom two years from this date (1888), but now we have to go back into the wilderness and stay forty years.[16]
11. If the people of God had gone to work as they should have gone to work right after the Minneapolis meeting in 1888, the world could have been warned in two years, and the Lord would have come.[17]

Dennis Priebe – Challenges to Truth

Dennis Priebe has put in the internet free documents and called them challenges to truth. It is a dialogue between Dennis Priebe and a book written by theologians from Andrews University with Dr. Jiri Moskala and John Peckham as the editors.  The book is called: God`s Character and the Last Generation Theology. The book is written against last generation theology, and Priebe is answering their accusations. I have highlighted some of the things Priebe mentions to make his theology clear.

DennisPriebe.com/free-documents/challenges-to truth.

A.U. stands for Andrews University and make their statements.

Priebe makes his remarks after each statement.

1. A.U. Edward Heppenstall . . . defined sin as a state of being. Page 37.

Priebe: This marks the beginning of the entrance of original sin into Adventist theology.

My remarks: It seems like Priebe does not understand the Roman Catholic theology of original sin. Let me explain from Wikpedia.org/wiki/original_sin, from Augustine of Hippo.

“When Adam sinned, human nature was thenceforth transformed. He believed that prior to the fall, Adam had both the freedom to sin and not to sin, but humans have no freedom to sin and not to sin after Adam´s fall.” This means that when a Roman Catholic sins he cannot control his sin, hence the only solution is to visit a priest and ask for forgiveness, then he is free to continue in his sinful practices.

However, the Bible does not condone this practice. According to the Bible we have inherited tendencies to sin from Adam. Romans 5:12-21. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all have sinned. We are born in sin. Psalm 51:5. I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. The solution for the unbeliever is to believe in Christ as his savior, repent of his sins ask God to forgive him of his sins, being born anew through the Holy Spirit, and stop sinning willfully.

Because of our sinful tendencies 1 John 2:1-3 says My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. This means that when we fall in sin, we can come to Christ our high priest up in heaven and ask for forgiveness. And Christ will forgive us in 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

2. A.U. We sin both voluntarily and involuntarily. Page 48.49.

Priebe: Sinning has always been about choice from Adam to David to Christ to us.

My remarks: What about babies do they sin with a choice?

3. A.U. True believers, justified persons, are still sinners . . .even after conversion through works wrought in them by the Holy Spirit. Page 78.

Priebe: This theology means that conversion does not eliminate sin; it just eliminates condemnation for our continued sin.

My remarks: It seems like Priebe does not understand or has done a Biblical definition of sin.

4. A.U. One can never speak of total sinlessness or of being without sin. Page 110. 115.

Priebe: If we can never be without sin then there can be no close of probation.

My remarks: Again, Priebe is making statements without doing an in-depth study of the subject of sin and probation.

5. A.U. Every human being comes into the world as a sinner separated from God. Page 119.

Priebe: This is simply Catholic original sin.

My remarks: Priebe has not followed the Bible in relation to sin at birth. He is again just making a rational statement.

6. A.U. Jesus did not need to be exactly like us to function as our example. He did not . . . need to be exactly like us, burdened with inherited inclinations to sin. Page 168. 169.

Priebe: If he did not have inherited inclinations to sin, how can he show me how to overcome my inherited inclinations?

My remarks: Priebe has not done a study from the Bible or Ellen G. White on inherited sin and Christ`s nature.

7. A.U. The work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary should be understood as the application of the benefits of the atonement already made on the cross, and not as a continuation of the work of atonement that began at the cross. Page 201-203. 206. 207.

Priebe: We are told there is no final atonement in the Most Holy Place – – – this is what the evangelicals have been hurling at us for 100 years and now they are coming from the seminary professors.

I agree with Priebe that the atonement was not completed at the cross. For example, when we look at Leviticus 1:9.10. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord`s lot fell and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement over it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.

The word atonement is part of the process of transferring sins from the sinner to the articles in the sanctuary by means of the blood, the person of the High Priest and the scapegoat. Not until the High Priest has finished with all these ritual practices on the day of atonement and has taken his clothes off, washed himself, put his garments on and made atonement for himself again and the people, is the day of atonement completed. The day of atonement is not completed when the goat is sacrificed symbolizing the death of Christ on the Christ. This is only part of the ritual of the transference of sins from one place to another in the sanctuary.

Leviticus 16:15.16. Then he (Aaron) shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place.

Leviticus 16:20.22. The scapegoat is released in the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:24. And he (Aaron) shall wash his body with the water in a holy place, put on his garments, come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people.

“The last solemn service of the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16:21. In a like manner when the work of atonement in the heavenly sanctuary has been completed, them in the presence of God and the heavenly angels and the host of the redeemed the sins of God`s people will be placed upon Satan – – -. And as the scapegoat was sent away into a land not inhabited, son Satan will be banished into the desolate earth, and uninhabited and dreary wilderness.”[18]

“Not until the goat had been thus sent away did the people regard themselves as freed from the burden of their sins. Every man was to afflict his soil while the work of atonement was going forward.”[19]

Priebe quotes from the book by Ellen G White: In Heavenly Places, page 146.

“Everyone who by faith obeys God´s commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression.”

This quote I cannot find on the page he named.

Priebe quotes from the Review & Herald April 1, 1902.

“Christ came to this world and lived a sinless life, that in his power his people might also live lives of sinlessness.”

When we look at the context of this quotation it is talking about Chorazim and Bethsaida who refused the works of Christ and committed sin willfully. This quotation is referring to the act of committing sin willfully like all non-believers do.

Probation

“During this time the saints have no intercessor.”[20]

What is the context for this quotation?

Revelation 15:8. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

The temple was closed for a period of time until the seven plagues were completed. During this time there is no intercessor for the saints.

The problem is how can the saints live without an intercessor and that is Jesus Christ during this time?

Where their times in the Bible were the temple was closed, and the believers had no intercessor?

1. Matthew 27:51 (At the crucifixion of Christ). Then behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (The temple on earth was closed for a short period of time while the ministration of the priesthood was transferred to the sanctuary in heaven.
2. The temple was closed during the 70 years of captivity in Babylon.

How do believers confess their sins when the sanctuary is closed and there is no intercessor?

3. The closing of the tabernacle in the wilderness occurred every time they packed up the earthly tabernacle and resumed their journey for days in the wilderness.

How did the Israelites confess their sins and to whom during this time?

Numbers 28:3.4. (Daily offering). The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, the other lamb you shall offer in the evening.

These daily offerings pointed to the Lamb of God. John the Baptist pointed to Christ as the Lamb of God at the river Jorden who takes away the sins of the world. John 1:29.

During the time of the closing of the tabernacle in the wilderness the Israelites were under the saving grace of Christ. Ephesians 2:8 We are saved by grace.

We must also remember that Christ lives in our hearts through the Holy Spirit whilst the temple/tabernacle is closed.

1 John 4:12. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us.

2 Peter 1:4. By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature.

James 4:5. Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously.”

Ephesians 3:17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

1 Corinthians 6:19. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own.

Romans 8:9. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.

When we realize that God dwells in us through the Holy Spirit we shall not worry about living without an intercessor. By the time of probation has started all the decisions have been made by Christ of whom comes to heaven and who does not. You are saved by grace. Ephesians 2:8.

Additional quotations from Ellen G. White.

The deception of these false teachers was laid open before me. – – -. They held that those who are sanctified cannot sin.[21]

Sanctification is the work, not of a day, or of a year, but of a lifetime. The struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle.[22]

The apostles never claimed to be without sin.[23]

Conclusion

In conclusion I will say that this teaching of sinlessness or trying to be without sin with Christ´s help before the Second Coming of Christ, is not Biblical. It is a theory or an educated guess that has no foundation in the Bible. All those who believe in this teaching are deceived by it, and do not know their Bibles. This is truly a false gospel.

 

[1] M. L. Andreasen, The Sanctuary Service, (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald pub assoc., 1937), 302.

[2] Ibid., 319.

[3] Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing, (California, Mountain View: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1905), 373.

[4] Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, (California, Mountain View: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1958), 306.

[5] Ellen G. White, Letter 8, 1895.

[6] Ellen G. White, Christ Object Lessons, (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub., Assoc., 1900), 69.

[7] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, (Grantham, Lins: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 458.

[8] Ibid., 458.

[9] Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church Vol. 6, (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press, Pub., Assoc., 1948), 450.

[10] Ellen G. White, 1888 Materials, page 1129, 1130, Ellen White General Conference Bulletin, page 419.

[11] Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, 10-06-1896.

[12] Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1898), 633, 634.

[13] Ellen G. White, General Conference Daily Bulletin, 3-30-1903.

[14] Ellen G. White, Christ Object Lessons, 69.

[15] Ellen G. White, Education, (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1903), 271.

[16] Ellen G. White, Written from Melbourne, Australia, May 9, 1892.

[17] Ellen G. White, General Conference Bulletin, 1892.

[18] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, 658.

[19] Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, 355.

[20] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, 614.

[21] Ellen G. White, Life Sketchers of Ellen G. White, (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc.,1915), 83.

[22] Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol 8, (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1948), 312, 313.

[23] Ellen G. White, Christ Object Lessons, 160.