Walter R. Martin Vs Walter C. Martin Jr.
(This Website Written By Walter C. Martin Jr.)
Meet Walter Ralston Martin
Walter R. Martin is best known for his dialog with the Seventh day Adventists. From 1955 till his death in June of 1989, Walter worked feverishly to persuade the Seventh-day-Adventist Church to move away from its founding Doctrines and adopt more of so-called Evangelical Doctrines. The Reader will need to decide in his or her mind if Walter's contributions were in line with the direction God would have Adventism go, or, was Walter leading the Church away from God's will. We simply CANNOT have it both ways! If Ellen Whit's Messages were from God, Walter's were not. If Walter's messages were from God, Ellen was an EVIL False Prophet; a Lying, Evil False Prophet!
In the last 10 years of Walter's life his health deteriorated. He had Diabetes and heart problems. Even though he spent most of his adult life trying to persuade Adventists to abandon Ellen White's writings, when he became ill, he went to Wiemar Health Institute for treatment! Wiemar Institute uses all of Ellen White's health writings in their treatment of patients! How ironic that Walter found himself depending on the very visions that he had dedicated his life to destroy!! On June 26, 1989 Walter intended to address a meeting near Loma Linda California in which he planned to give SDAs an ultimatum to either deny Ellen White as an inspired Messenger, or, he was going to publish a book branding Adventists as a Satanic Cult. Is it just a coincident that at 6 AM that very morning, Walter passed away from a heart attack? It could be just happenstance. But, it could be that God allows only so much harassment towards His Prophets. In Old Testament times, a group of young boys were poking fun at the Prophet Elisha when suddenly several she Bears came from the woods and malled those young trouble makers. Would God have allowed Walter to die from a heart attack if the message Walter intended to give the Loma Linda SDA Leaders was beneficial to the Church? In a moment we will look closer at exactly what happened to Walter on that day.
About Walter C. Martin Jr.
I, Walter C. Martin Jr, believe that Walter R. Martin was incorrect. I do not believe God would have allowed one of His Prophets to spend 60 years of her life giving bad information to a Church that He was raising up to give His last-day message to the World. I believe God would have immediately sent messages to that Prophet the moment she made errors before she had opportunity to write out her false messages. I believe that if that Prophet refused to make the corrections given her by the Holy Spirit, God would completely reject that Prophet outright. To say that God allowed one of His Prophets to spend 60 years giving out false messages to a Church that He was raising up for the sole purpose of giving His Last Day Message to the world in preparation for Christ's Second Coming, is an open attack on God's Character! Yet today, many modern Adventist Ministers are saying exactly this!
In a moment we will give documentation for the above. As time passes, more and more Adventists want the SDA Church to diminish Ellen White's writings to just commentaries and suggestions. Some Adventist Ministers have gone further and claimed she was a fraud and a liar. All of these naysayers claim she created an impossible standard, and they all claim she did this on her own, with NO inspiration from God! In a moment we will look at the main focus of these Nay-Sayers. I, Walter C. Martin Jr, TOTALLY DISAGREE With ALL of the Ellen White Bashers!! I'll go one step further! I believe Ellen White Bashers are doing the bidding of the Powers of Darkness?
SDA's ONLY Purpose
Walter R. Martin started a process in 1956 causing much of the leadership of the Church to lose sight of the SDA Church's ORIGINAL and ONLY purpose. Jesus raised up the original Christian Church 2000 years ago through His Disciples in order to fulfill His Gospel Commission. Jesus gave this Commission to them two days before He was crucified. He said, "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached into all the world, for a Witness unto all Nations, and then shall the end come" (Matt.24:14)! As the years past, not only did the early Church lose sight of this Gospel Commission, the Church sank deep into apostasy so much so that it became Satan's channel to the World. Then along came the Reformation, but once again Satan moved into these new Churches and repeated his evil infiltration. Through His Servant, Ellen White, Jesus revealed to His Church how this Commission will be accomplished. One such inspired statement is the following: "When the character of Christ is perfectly reflected in His people [His Church], then He shall come and claim his own" (Christ's Object Lessons p 69)! Inspired statements like these infuriated Satan and he immediately went to work! He knew that if the SDA Church followed Ellen's inspired words on this particular subject, his days would be over SOON, because, as Jesus said, "The end will come!"
Powers of Darkness
If this Gospel Commission is the primary reason God raised up the Adventist Church, the Powers of Darkness will do anything and everything to destroy the Church and thwart its Mission. Following is a brief history of Adventists, then a look at Walter R. Martin's contribution.
Why Did Adventism Become a Church?
The SDA Church organized in 1863. From the beginning a Doctrine emerged declaring that God would have a "Remnant" people reflecting Christian Standards as taught in Scipture. From the beginning the visions of Ellen White were considered messages from God by the founders of the Church. If these visions actually did come from God, there can be no doubt that Satan himself would immediately go on the attack! He would seek out every person among those who regrouped after the "Great Disappointment" of 1844 until he could find persons that would join in his cause to destroy the effect of Ellen's visions. God has never chosen a person to accomplish a special purpose without Satan attacking the person and the message with all of his fiendish power - NEVER!! From day one, Adventists have had to deal with the attacks of Satan, from within and from without!
The Doctrine of living in accordance with the Bible's high standards was not just a Doctrine of the Church, it was its MISSION. As a group—as a Church, God's People would finally fulfill the Gospel Commission Jesus gave His Disciples. The Church was to be a, "Witness unto all nations," proving what will happen when people give their hearts, bodies, minds, and souls completely to God. Jesus told His Disciples this must happen and then the "end" would come and He would return to take His people home to Heaven! Following are His words:
Gospel of the Kingdom
"This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached into all the world, FOR A WITNESS UNTO ALL NATIONS, and then shall the END COME" (Matt.24:14). Underscore, "Then shall the End Come." This is the key!
About 65 years after Jesus said the above to His Disciples, John was an old man on Patmos Island. Jesus met with him there and told him how the nations of the world would "witness" this gospel so that the END would come! Jesus said to John, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, even as I overcame and am set with My Father on His Throne" (Rev.3:21). Jesus instructed John to send variations of this message of, "OVERCOMING" to the Seven Churches, and also throughout Christianity. When Jesus completed His Revelations to John, He once again repeated the "Overcoming" commission. He said to John, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son" (Rev.21:7). Thus 8 times in the Book of Revelation we see these words repeated from Jesus. If Jesus said only once, "He that OVERCOMETH," it would be VERY important. If He repeated it 8 times in Revelation, is it even more important? And if variations of this same message are repeated 100s of times in Scripture, should it be the Top Doctrine in our Church?!? If Jesus considered "Overcoming" as the, "Gospel of the Kingdom that would be WITNESSED by all Nations" and "then the END would come," what should we do? Should we do it, or should we allow an opposing outsider to pretend to be our friend and hold us hostage unless we conform to his opposite beliefs? And what were some of Walter's beliefs? He believed that obeying the Sabbath Commandment is a foolish waste of time! He also believed God will Torture lost people forever and ever! Actually, he opposed almost everything SDAs stand for!!
"He That Overcometh"
Let's look closer at Jesus' message to John in Revelation about "Overcoming." There is another detail that enforces the message, and that details what Walter R. Martin aggressively opposed! Jesus said, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, EVEN as I OVERCAME, and am set down with My Father on His throne" (Rev.3:21). Underscore "Even as I Overcame" because this is the Key, and this is where Walter Martin launched his attack on Adventism. The point Jesus is making is that, He Overcame, and He then commissioned us to "Overcome as He Overcame." In other words, "Overcome the same way He Overcame." This message was proclaimed in the beginning and the end of John's Book of Revelation. Now let's look in the middle of Revelation to see how this will be done.
"The Faith and Testimony of Jesus"
Midway in Revelation John was shown the last day battle between Satan and God's "Remnant" people. John stresses God's people will emulate Jesus. He said Satan would make war on last day believers who "Keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus" (Rev.12:17). Immediately after the above verse, John gave Scripture's most extensive description of Antichrist. John then ended his Antichrist description with the following: "Here is the patience of the saints! Here are they that keep the Commandments of God and HAVE the Faith of Jesus" (Vs.14:12). What does it mean to "have" the "Testimony" and "Faith" of Jesus? We have it, duplicate it, and demonstrate it. The last-day people about whom John prophesied will fulfill Jesus' Gospel Commission by reflecting—duplicating His character. This was the SDA Church's mission from the very beginning! Adventist's took Christ's Commission about "Overcoming" very seriously. It was their message and their mission.
So, What Would Satan Do?
If Jesus Commissioned His Church to be "Overcomers" and thus all "Nations of the World" could "Witness" the Power of the "Gospel of the Kingdom," would Satan stand by and let this happen without a fight? History is clear that Satan successfully infiltrated the Early Church, causing it to apostatize, thus the Dark Ages during which time the Church sank deep into Apostasy. Instead of the Nations of the World witnessing the character of Jesus in the Church, the Church displayed Antichrist, and thus became Antichrist. Then came the Reformation, and once again Churches had opportunity to display the Character of Jesus for all the world to see! The Nation of America owes much of it origin to people fleeing religious persecution, even from Churches that opposed the Universal Church. Through the efforts of Satan, the entire Christian world kept missing Jesus' Commission. Persecuted groups grew into Churches, and as soon as they were organized, they began persecuting other groups. Satan is ALWAYS on his mission!
Did God Raise Up the Adventist Church?
If God raised up the Adventist Church—if He directed those early Advent leaders to fulfill that "Witness" and "Overcoming" Commission from Jesus, would Satan make no effort to destroy that Mission? Let's ask a burning question! If the visions of Ellen Harmon, later Ellen White, were from God, what would Satan obviously do? Of course he'd attack Ellen and her visions from within the Church and from outside the Church! It's a matter of history that he did just that with a vengeance!
This Doctrine/Mission/Commission of "Overcoming" being the "Gospel of the Kingdom to be Witnessed by all Nations," stood within Adventism until the mid 1950s. The Church members that accepted the Spirit of Prophecy held firm to this. For the most part, Satan's attacks on the Church up till this time had failed.
Satan knows what will happen to him if Jesus' Commission is fulfilled. He knows what is meant by, "The End Comes." He and his demons will spend a 1000 years "In chains of darkness" (1Pet.2:4)! For almost 2000 years after Jesus gave His Gospel Commission, the Powers of Darkness have continued their battle to shut it down. Clearly Satan was upset watching the SDA Church grow and spread that Commission. He knew he must do something ASAP! By the early 50s, Adventism's message was spreading and the Church was growing fast. If Satan couldn't stop the growth of Adventism, then he must insert it with Doctrines of his choosing!! If he could do this, the Church could grow with no threat to him. In Fact, if the Adventist Church adopted the Doctrines of his choosing, he'd gladly help it grow!! This is EXACTLY how Satan dealt with the original Early Church when he was unable to stop it, and it is EXACTLY what he is attempting to do now!
Along Comes Walter!
Walter R. Martin was a self proclaimed cult watchdog working under Donald Grey Barnhouse in the early 50s. He'd written a book condemning Christian Cults and included Adventists. The book was NOT a smashing bestseller, so Martin decided to do a re-write of his book with an added feature. He would contact the Denominations he had labeled "Cults" and give them an opportunity to either defend their Cultic Doctrines, or, change them to his satisfaction. He thought if he could rescue some of these Cults from their error and bring them into the, "Fold of Evangelicalism," he could gain some recognition from the religious world, and thus sell more books. And so he began attempting dialog with the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and many others. For the most part, these Churches told him to take a hike, except the Adventists! A few high ranking Church Officials felt Martin might be helpful. Some within the General Conference met with him, resulting in more meetings scheduled.
"Make Some Changes!"
Martin told the SDA leaders he'd consider them Evangelicals, if they'd make certain adjustments in their Doctrines. A few agreed to his demands, even promising to publish a Doctrinal Book showing these adjustments. Martin then his most famous book, "The Kingdom of the Cults," in which he moved SDAs from his Cult column into what could be called semi-Evangelical position. He wrote a special "Appendix" dedicated specifically to Adventists. In this Appendix, Martin complimented the Adventist officials for meeting his demands and changing some of their "bad" Doctrines! Guess what Martin's #1 Doctrine Adjustment was? You guessed it! Get rid of that "Overcoming" Mission! In a moment we will look closer at this "improvement" Martin demanded, but let's look first at Martin's view of Ellen White.
Walter and Mrs. White's Writings
Walter claimed that in his research of SDAs, he read everything Mrs. White wrote. As a result, in the book in which he moved SDAs from his, "Cult" column to a special Semi-Evangelical group he designed especially for Adventists, Martin said Ellen was a, "good woman," but that her visions and dreams were NOT inspired and did NOT come from the Holy Spirit! Let's think about his position for a moment! A, "Good Woman," who lied about Dreams and Visions from God?? That is the very definition of "OXYMORON!" He can't have it both ways!! She was either a Good Woman, or a Blasphemous Liar!!
Martin's Oversight Haunts Him Later
Obviously it never occurred to Martin that if a person lies, claiming to have been given messages and visions from God, when in fact there were no visions, only messages that were made up, such a lying person CANNOT be a good woman in ANY way Whatsoever!!! She'd be a Contemptible Liar, a Blasphemer of the worst type. There is probably no greater sin than this!! Martin’s overlooking of this fact would come back to haunt him many times during the following 30 plus years. It may have even affected him on the day he died, which we will cover in a moment.
Martin calling Mrs. White a, "good woman" while at the same claiming she lied about her visions should have seriously alerted our Adventist leaders. Either God gave her messages or He didn't. God holds His Prophets to a Very strict standard. God knows the confusion that would happen if He gave His Prophet a message on one occasion, then allow that Prophet, to proclaim another message that was entirely the Prophet's personal thoughts. God could never allow such!! If EVER a Prophet lied and said he had a vision, when it was something he made up, we can only imagine how God would deal him. Let's not forget, however, that Jesus warned that in the last days there will be many "False Prophets," but none of these False Prophets will have part-time jobs as God's Prophets. God's Prophets are, "All or Nothing!"
All or Nothing
Throughout Ellen's writings, she repeated over and again that EVERYTHING she wrote for publication was inspired by the Holy Spirit! Either she told the truth, or she was a Blasphemous Liar of the WORST type!!! To say that Ellen was used by God, even though she lied about much of her work, is NOT just an attack in her!! If she was God's Prophet, such accusations are an attack on God Himself!! Things are confusing enough for us down here on this miserable planet, but if God gave a Prophet visions and messages, then allow that Prophet to present his or her own opinions claiming them to be from God, we'd NEVER know truth!?! Would God allow His people to flounder in such darkness! Yet according to Walter, and a great many of today's SDA Ministers, this is exactly what happened.
Greater Light and Lesser Light
Much has been made of Ellen's statement that her writings were a, "lesser light pointing to the Greater Light." The Greater Light of course refers to the Bible. We could take this to mean that Ellen consider herself to be a Minor Prophet, so let's ask a quick question. Does this mean that when the Major Bible Prophets wrote, the Holy Spirit was superintending their writing all of the time, and when Minor Prophets wrote, the Holy Spirit was superintending them only part of the time? The ridiculous nonsense of this question is all too clear. Is the Holy Spirit too busy to give the same inspiration to Major and Minor Prophets? If God is raising up a last day people that He needs to fulfill Christ's last day Gospel Commission, would He select a Prophet and then allow that Prophet to be only partly inspired? Nonsense!!
Did God Need Walter to "Correct" Ellen?
If God gave Ellen White messages, does He now need Walter Martin to correct the messages? If God needs Martin to correct Ellen White's gaffs, then this Adventist is "Outta Here!" I want NOTHING to do with a Prophet that lied and misled my Church for the past 160 Years!!!!! If Martin is correct, we need to completely and resolutely reject Ellen's messages—ALL of them!!
On The Other Hand!
If, however, God raised up Adventism, blessed His Church with a Prophet to help us through the confusion Christianity has fallen into, and if God has guided our Church as it grew to over 17 Million members, do we need a man who teaches that the, "Sabbath is Foolishness," that "the Soul is Immortal," that "the Lost Dead are now being Tortured forever in Hell," and many other "Doctrines of Devils" to come in and escort us back to better Bible truths?!? This the Height and Depth of Total Nonsense!!
Walter Martin and Dudley Canright
During the development of early Adventism, Dudley Canright was a very successful SDA Evangelist. He held meetings in which thousands would attend. But Canright wanted more. He often expressed feelings that he could be a world renowned preacher if he weren’t attached to the unpopular Adventist Message. Finally he decided to leave the Church and make his mark among popular religions. Mrs. White warned him that, instead of the greatness he longed for, he would "die in obscurity." She warned him he would never enjoy the notoriety he thought awaited him. She was exactly right.
Dudley Canright's "Success"
When Canright left the Adventist Church, a Baptist Church with 200 members hired him as their Pastor. The members felt since he was a successful Adventist Evangelist, he'd be great for their Church. Canright reduced their Church to 25 members. Knowing he had miserably failed, Canright turned in is resignation. A few years later, he asked the same church to give him another chance, but again he met with failure after about a year and a half, so he quit again. For the rest of his life, the only thing he was ever known for was a couple of books renouncing Adventists and Ellen White. God blessed his work while he was an Adventist Evangelist, but that blessing ended when he turned against the Church. After loosing his job as pastor, his books didn't generate enough money to sustain his living expenses. He and his wife were still married, but due to insufficient income, she had to move in with an Adventist family. Canright tried selling his book door to door, but with little success, so he began selling Adventist Children's story books written by Edison White, Ellen and James White's son. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg had also turned against Adventists because they had not given him the authority he wanted, so, in order to try to support Canright, he gave him an ongoing one-meal-a-day meal ticket at Battle Creek Hospital kitchen. Not only was this a gesture to help Canright attack Adventists, it became Canright's only assurance of food. It was 25 years after his death before his family finally purchased a little gravestone for him. He did indeed, "Die in obscurity," exactly as Ellen White warned him.
Another note concerning Canright. On many occasions he admitted that he was wrong in leaving the SDA Church. There is much documentation verifying these statements, but those who oppose Mrs. White and support Canright dismiss these documentations as fraudulent. What else can they do? In another Website completely dedicated to Canright, we document all of his admissions of his mistake in leaving Adventists, including him saying, "I'm a Lost man!"
Walter Martin claims he read everything Canright wrote and that on all of the Theology points, he agrees with Canright. Martin says that now, after Adventist leaders have given in to his demands for change, some of Canright's accusations are no longer valid. Martin says after reading both Mrs. White's work and Canright's, he believes Canright's contribution is better.
Canright's Later Years and His Death
Because of his continued battle against the Adventist Church and Ellen White, a Baptist Church in Battle Creek felt a need to give Canright a little office in their basement. He used it very little, so when the Church was doing some renovating, they neglected to tell Canright about the work being done. Canright's health was not good and due to an eye infection, the eye had been removed. One evening he went to the Church after dark. The wooden stair case to the basement had been removed and when he went through the door, he fell about 10 feet to the basement floor. It was 2 days before he was discovered. His injuries caused him to have his leg amputated. After a long stay in the Hospital he recovered enough to go home, but within a little over a year, he died.
Any Possible Connections?!?
We'll let the Reader decide if Canright's failures as an anti-Adventist preacher, his failure as a writer, his many years of health problems, and the tragic way he died has anything to do with his fighting against God's Church? Was all this happenstance? What about his wife having to move in with an Adventist family because he could no longer support her? Canright's goal was to prove Ellen White's visions were nothing but made up lies and hallucinations resulting from an injury she received as a child. Was she having hallucinations when she warned Canright he would, "die in obscurity?" If Walter Martin had really done his homework on Canright, as he claimed he did, he may not have been so complimentary towards him! If Walter had really read ALL of Ellen White's writings, as he claimed he did, possibly he could have taken up where Canright left off before he abandoned Adventism! If Martin and Canright had truly studied and prayed for God's guidance, both might have become effective Adventist Evangelists!!!
Martin's Demands
Sabbath
Martin said Adventists could keep their Sabbath. He said the Sabbath was abolished by Jesus, thus SDAs were wrong, but that it was acceptable if they wanted to observe Saturday in honor of the 10 Commandments. Martin said Sunday was the Lord's Day and that all Christians should be honoring it and worshipping on it.
Immortality of the Soul
He insisted the Bible says people never die because the human Soul is Immortal. He said, however, that even though Adventists were completely wrong on this, he would allow it. He actually had little choice in this because Martin Luther. John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and several other reformers taught that when people die, they are dead, and NOT immortal souls going immediately to Heaven or Hell.
Ellen White
Martin said Adventists could continue believing Mrs. White was a councilor and a commentator, but emphatically insisted they make it abundantly clear that they did NOT base ANY Doctrines on Mrs. White's visions, messages, or writings! Martin made it very clear that he completely disagreed that Mrs. White received ANY visions from the Lord. Sadly Adventist leaders agreed to this demand concerning the Church NOT basing Doctrines on Mrs. Whites Visions or Messages. These SDA leaders made public proclamations to such, which delighted Walter.
Investigative Judgment
Martin declared the Investigative Judgment Doctrine was completely wrong, even foolish, but decided he'd tolerate a limited version of it. This was taken care of by our leaders re-wording it in such a way as to say that full atonement was done at the Cross.
All of Martin's Demands Were NON-Biblical
EVERY demand from Martin was COMPLETELY opposed to Scripture. Adventist leaders should NEVER have considered giving in to him in the slightest. Every demand Martin made was a Giant Leap away from Adventist's only purpose for existing. Ellen White warned that certain of our Doctrines would be attacked before Jesus Comes, and Martin's attacks match her list exactly. Although all of Martin's demands were wrong and completely non-Biblical, there is a duel demand, however, that if Adventists allowed, it would certainly delay Jesus' Coming. Jesus said, "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World, for a WITNESS UNTO ALL NATIONS, and then shall the end come" (Matt.24:14)! From the time Jesus said this, Satan has been aggressively designing a False Gospel of the Kingdom, and making ABSOLUTELY certain that no group, Church, or Denomination EVER becomes a "Witness unto all Nations!" Satan knows that when "All Nations Witness the Character of Jesus reflected", his 1000 year Bottomless Pit prison sentence will begin!! Martin's most aggressive demand dispensed with the true "Gospel of the Kingdom" and the "Witness to all Nations!"
Martin's Most Aggressive Demand
"The Nature of Jesus"
Martin demanded Adventists COMPLETELY ABANDON their teachings about the Nature of Jesus and the Nature of Man. He said Adventists must not teach that Jesus had a Human Nature. In other words, Martin insisted Adventists teach that Jesus was NOT truly human, thus not subject to the same temptations as humans. He also insisted that the nature of man must be lowered so that, while humanity is still in its natural born state, humans CANNOT, and WILL NOT be overcomers.
Martin is not alone in either of these non-Biblical Doctrines. A clear majority of Evangelical Christian leaders agree with him on both of these issues. On the surface, this majority position seems quite noble and almost believable. Of course we want to elevate Jesus to the highest possible level, and of course we humans are all sinners. False doctrines almost always have a thread of truth running through them. Is this true here? Let's look first at the Nature of Jesus:
Until Martin, the SDA position concerning the nature of Christ came directly from Hebrews 2:16-18. "For verily He (Jesus) took NOT on Him the nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed [nature] of Abraham. Wherefore in all things, it behooved Him to be MADE LIKE HIS BRETHREN, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in all things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour (help) them being tempted."
Also: "For we have not an High Priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in ALL POINTS TEMPTED like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb.4:15).
Was Jesus "Made like His Brethren" or not? We have a choice! We can say, "Nay Paul!! Thou art WRONG!!" Or we can Accept what the Holy Spirit told Paul to write! Could Jesus be “tempted in all points like as we are” and yet not have a “human nature?”
Jesus Christ is Come in the Flesh
John wrote: "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is the spirit of Antichrist" (1Jn.4:3).
Does “come in the flesh” mean “come with a human nature?”
The Antichrist's John Warned About?
These "Antichrists" John referred to were the Gnostics. In a moment we'll take a brief look these Early Church implants that were responsible for the Church's Apostasy. We have a complete Website on them called "Gnostics - Sabbath Abolishers." The Gnostics formulated and inserted into the Early Church ALL of the popular Evangelical Doctrines Martin demands Adventists emulate.
As mentioned, for the first 100 years of Adventism, these Scriptures were the official position of the SDA Church. But, at Martin's insistence, certain Church leaders began to tweak these Scriptures in order to gain Evangelical acceptance. It worked!! Adventist's new position pleased Martin and the Evangelicals!! It also pleased all Adventists that had felt SDA and Ellen White standards were binding and legalistic. In a moment we'll look at this closer.
Behind the Scenes
Adventists must ask themselves a question. Was their position concerning the Nature of Jesus wrong before 1956? Did they teach error for 100 years passed to them by Ellen White? Did Jesus use power unavailable to humanity when He lived here on Earth? Satan tried desperately to get Jesus to call on His Divine Nature! If Jesus had given in to Satan on this point, Satan would have EXACTLY what he would need going into Judgment Day!! EXACTLY!!! This is why this Doctrine is so important to Satan! Satan knows it's a lie, but he's going to promote that lie literally till his dying day!!
Great White Throne Judgment Day
If Walter, and the Evangelicals, and today's Anti-Adventist SDA Preachers are right, Satan has EVERYTHING he needs to walk boldly into Judgment Day, hold his head up high and proclaim for all the Universe to hear, "UNFAIR, UNFAIR!!!" This would this be his GRAND DEFENSE, and he'd be EXACTLY RIGHT if Walter, Evangelicals, and the Anti-Adventist SDA Preachers are right!!
But, They Are NOT Right!!
Ellen White, and Adventism until 1956, stood firm on the Biblical Position of the Nature of Jesus and the Nature of Man. The Nature of Man is another Judgment Day argument which, if the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy are wrong, Satan will have his winning defense!! Let's look at it.
Man's Human Nature
What about our human nature? Are we so depraved, so wretchedly wicked, so utterly degraded that, even with the help of every member of the Godhead, we can NEVER and will NEVER "overcome, even as Jesus overcame?" (Rev.21:3) Jesus said, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, even as I overcame and am set down with My Father on His throne" (Rev.3:21)? Jesus repeated variations of this statement 8 times in the Book of Revelation alone? Scripture contains literally hundreds of similar statements from Genesis to Revelation? Does Jesus really expect us to do as He says in this Scripture, or is He just taunting and mocking us!!
Martin, Evangelicals, and Anti-Adventist SDA Preachers
When we use the term, "Anti-Adventist SDA Preachers" we are referring to Preachers still within the Adventist Denomination that are publicly adopting Walter Martin's anti-Adventist position. Once again, if Martin, Evangelicals, and the aforementioned Preachers are right, Satan has a "Screaming Victory Chant" to carry into Judgment Day. Fortunately for us humans, Satan and the Anti-Adventist SDA Preachers are wrong, and Satan will have no choice but to "bow to his knees and confess that he is wrong."
Two Half Lies = A Double Lie
So it is that Satan has promoted 2 lies. The Bible says Jesus came to Earth, "Made Like His Brethren" (Heb.2:17), but Satan's purpose is served if he can change this Bible Truth in 2 directions. Satan says, "No! Jesus had a Nature far above His Brethren" and Satan also says, "His Brethren had a Nature far below Jesus' Nature!" If Satan can sell that lie to the entire Human Race, he'll make a giant leap towards winning his battle against God! HE'LL NEVER DO IT! Some day, when God's People REALLY decide they want to "Reflect the character of Jesus" to a lost and dying world, Satan will, once and for all, be proven wrong for the whole World and the whole Universe to see!!! Despite what Satan and the Anti-Adventist SDA Preachers say, this WILL HAPPEN!!
The Character of Christ Reproduced!
Let's look at just one statement from the Spirit of Prophecy: "When the character of Christ is perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come and claim His own" (Col. Pg.69). This is another way of saying what Jesus said? "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached into all the world, FOR A WITNESS UNTO ALL NATIONS, and then shall the END COME" (Matt.24:14). Ellen is saying, "When all nations witness the character of Christ reflected in His people, then shall the end come?" Mrs. White made similar statements throughout her writings. This author has made an intense study, comparing Ellen's statements with Scripture statements on this subject, and the Scripture statements are stronger than hers. Also, nowhere in Scripture is there a teensy hint to support for the opposers. Nowhere does it say that obedience is legalism!! Nowhere does it say that God is more pleased with those who cast aside Bible standards than those who uphold them. However, smooth talking, silver-tongued ministers have assembled some very clever opposition arguments that are VERY effective. From the time Martin wrote his book till this day, smooth talking SDA ministers have steadily increased their supporters, while those holding to the Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible position have diminished.
Witness Unto All Nations - End Comes!
When Jesus said, "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a WITNESS UNTO ALL NATIONS; and then shall the END COME" (Matt.24:14), what was He Really saying? His key words were "WITNESS" and "END COME." We may not understand Jesus' full message, but Satan and his demons understood, big time!!
What Have All Nations "Witnessed" So Far?
Within months after Jesus left His Disciples and returned to Heaven, Satan's agents were infiltrating the Church. He certainly didn't want the "nations of the world" to "see the character of Jesus reflected in His people." He succeeded on a grand scale. Throughout the past 2000 years, millions of people have been murdered in the name of Christianity. Instead of reflecting Jesus' character, the Church became a killing machine! The Church sank deep into apostasy and thus became Babylon and Antichrist.
Early Church's Transition Into Antichrist
Even before Jesus left the Disciples to go to Heaven, Satan was laying the groundwork for his infiltration into the Church. Church history points to Simon the Magician and Nicolas the Deacon as 2 of the founders what later became the Gnostics. See Acts 6:5 and 8:4-25.
The Gnostics – Satan's Implants
Is there a connection between the Gnostics and Walter Martin? Only about a dozen! But let's look at the 2 we are discussing here - Nature of Jesus and Nature of humans. Gnostics were the founders of the popular Evangelical position claiming Jesus did not have a human nature. They also founded the notion that humans are too depraved to EVER be obedient to the Law Jesus gave to Moses. Paul and all New Testament writers wrote scathing rebukes against the Gnostics. In fact, a large portion of almost every New Testament Bible Book is a direct rebuttal to Gnosticism. Every Scripture passage we've quoted so far in this Website is directed squarely at Gnosticism. We have a complete Website on the origin of the Gnostics and the contributions they made to Christianity today. It's "Gnostics - The Original Sabbath Abolishers"
If the 1956 Adventists leaders had known about Gnosticism, the whole 1956/Martin thing would've been ZAPPED from day one!! If today's Adventists knew about Gnosticism, our Silver-Tongued Martin-Promoting Preachers would not be converting our people with such ease! If all Evangelicals knew about Gnosticism, millions would be studying about how to "Reflect the Character of Jesus" instead of claiming "Grace frees us to disobey God's Commandments!" Walter's version of the Nature of Jesus and the Nature of man is simply a cleaned up version of Gnosticism. Everything we reveal next can be seen on the History Channel and any version of Church History.
Gnostic Doctrines
Everything below has a direct bearing on the subject of either Christ's Nature or Man's Nature. The connection will be very clear as we proceed. We need to warn the Reader that Gnostic's teachings are nonsense, but bear with us, because when you're finished, the connections between Gnostics and the Evangelical/Martin/Anti-Adventist SDA Preachers will be crystal clear. Gnosticism was a carryover from Greek Mythology.
Gnostics say - "Creator God is Evil"
Gnostics said the Creator God was an evil God. They said He was the result of the True High God's wife being angry with Him and producing a child on her own without his help or knowledge. This child grew up to be an evil God who later created our Earth and Adam and Eve. Gnostics call this evil God "The Demiurge." They site sexuality for reproduction purposes as proof the Creator is perverted and evil. Gnostics said everything pertaining to reproduction here on earth is evil.
Gnostics say - "Human Bodies Are Evil"
Because of the evil reproduction system, all humans are inherently evil. Their bodies are evil—their minds are evil. Humans are trapped in these evil bodies until they die, thus it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to be anything but evil. (This "Trapped in evil bodies" notion is used now in today's doctrine claiming that humans CANNOT live lives obedient to God—CANNOT be the "Overcomers" Jesus spoke about)
Gnostics say - "All Souls Are Immortal"
Because Gnostic's roots were Greek Mythology, they expanded on Socrates and Plato's version of Immortality of the Soul determining that man is evil, but has within himself a good "soul" that'll be set free at death; free from that evil body created by the evil God, Demiurge. Gnostic's said the Good, "High God" sent the serpent to Eve in the Garden. The serpent was sent to free humans from Demiurge. The serpent told Eve she and Adam would be rewarded for their disobedience. Gnostics claimed when the serpent said, "Thou shalt not surly die" he told the Truth!(Evangelicals proclaim we never die also. The Evangelicals Martin wants us to appease?!?)
Gnostics say - "Jesus Not Born of a Woman"
Gnostics had several versions as to how Jesus came to live here on earth. They all agreed, however, that Christ was NOT born to Mary, because this would be partaking in Demiurge's evil reproduction. Some Gnostic groups said a human named Jesus may have been born to Mary, but at his Baptism, Christ, a different creature, came down from the High God and indwelled (possessed) Jesus, thus the Jesus Christ. They said while Jesus was being crucified, the real Christ stood outside the crowd laughing and scoffing at the whole scene.
Gnostics say - "Sin All You Want!"
Gnostics had differing views about how humans should deal with being trapped in these evil bodies from Demiurge's evil reproduction system. They took two extremes, both of which are seen in today's religious groups. One extreme said since we're stuck in these evil bodies, just go ahead and indulge. Enjoy it because you can't help it. (Sound familiar?) Lust if you like—commit adultery if you like—participate in any sexual activity that makes you feel good, because it's NOT YOUR FAULT!!. You CANNOT help it!! You can't ask God for help, because, after all HE made you that way!! It is His fault!! (Today's ministers sometimes use the Bible to promote an upgraded version of this. They Quote, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" and "All our righteousness is as filthy rages." These are true Bible texts and they mean exactly what they say. But they do NOT mean what some popular preachers say they mean).
Gnostics - "No Sexual Contact EVER - No Marriage EVER"
The other and opposite Gnostic extreme concerning sexuality was total and absolute Abstinence. This was to defy Demiurge to his face. Believers in Christ were to have no part in his evil, period. (This grew into the notion that Priests and Nuns should not marry. However, the other Gnostic notion of "Go ahead and indulge because you can't help it," obviously found it's way into the Church as can be seen today in the massive corruption reported on the News. It is not just Priests being exposed!! Protestants are guilty. And what do these scoundrels cry when exposed? "I'm just a sinner saved by Grace!")
Gnostics - "10 Commandments are BAD!"
Another Gnostic Doctrine with modern connections was their hatred for God's Law. Gnostics said the Law was given to Moses by the Demiurge, and the Demiurge knew the Israelites couldn't keep that Law, but gave it as a sinister prank because He was an evil God. (Now you know where today's Law and Grace debate comes from).
Gnostics - "Sabbath is BAD"
Gnostics treatment of the Sabbath may be the capstone of Satan's use of them. Gnostics said Demiurge gave Sabbath to the Israelites. They said Christ came to earth to destroy EVERYTHING established by Demiurge. Matthew records Jesus saying, "Think not that I have come to destroy the Law or the prophets. I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill" (Matt 5:17). Gnostics claimed Matthew and all the Disciples abandoned what Jesus taught them. They said Jesus' actual words were, "I am not come to fulfill the law and the prophets, but to destroy them" (See Philip Schaff’s History of the Christian Church, Volume 2 pages 483-486). Gnostics say ONLY Paul and Luke can be trusted. Like today's Evangelicals, Gnostics claimed Paul repeatedly denounced the Sabbath and promoted Sunday instead. And, like modern Evangelicals, they claimed that Jesus repeatedly broke the Sabbath. They said there were multiple Heavens and the highest Heaven was the "Eighth Heaven." This, they said, was dwelling place of the "High God," or "Good God." Demiurge, however, being a lower God, was the God of the "Seventh Heaven." Thus He established the "Seventh Day Sabbath." Christ, in defiance of the Demiurge, destroyed the Seventh Day and replaced it with the "Eighth Day" which follows the Seventh Day. (Look into some Evangelical literature and you'll find references to this "Eighth Day" as Sunday, the "Lord's Day.")
Satan is still promoting modern versions of Gnostic doctrines today in order to keep humanity in his clutches of modern Babylon. THAT is what this whole debate is all about!
Martin - Gnostics Connection?
The connection is ALL TOO Obvious!! Half of the above Gnostic Doctrines are in complete agreement with Martin and most Evangelicals. Adventist Leaders should've walked away from Martin and never looked back! But what did they do? As a result, the Adventist Church is fast filling up with Anti-Adventist SDA Ministers. These Ministers are promoting books written by non-Adventist Authors and literally throwing Spirit of Prophecy books in the trash can. One such Minister brought a trash can into his Church, set it down in front of the pulpit, and one by one tossed Spirit of Prophecy books in it. His Congregation clapped for each tossing!
Book - Questions on Doctrine
Elder Roy Froom put together a book called "Questions on Doctrine." I have the book and have read it. With the exception of a small quote about the Nature of Jesus and the Nature of Man, the book does a nice job of describing SDA Doctrines. That one quote was enough to satisfy Martin, and he kept his promise to give Adventists a semi good report in his book "The Kingdom of the Cults." In the 80s, Martin appeared on the John Ankerberg show and publicly praised the book Questions on Doctrine, calling it "a very good book." One note concerning Martin's SEMI-good report. If Adventist's had dropped the Sabbath, their position on the State of the Dead, the Sanctuary, and our disagreement that God tortures people eternally, Martin would have given us a spot at the very top of Evangelicals!
How Did SDA Ministers Respond?
Soon after 1956 Adventist Ministers began to take sides on "Nature of Christ and Nature of Man" issue. Ministers supporting Martin came up with a new thought. Perhaps Jesus had the nature of Adam before Adam sinned. This seems like a good compromise, until we re-read Hebrews 2:16-18, then something becomes very clear: "For verily He (Jesus) took NOT on Him the nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed [nature] of Abraham [not the seed of Adam]. Wherefore in all things, it behooved Him to be MADE LIKE HIS BRETHREN [not Adam], that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in all things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered BEING TEMPTED, He is able to succour (help) them being tempted."
And then the Text that says it all: "For we have not an High Priest who cannot be touch with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in ALL POINTS TEMPTED like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb.4:15).
How can Jesus "take on Him the seed of Abraham" yet reverse His nature back to Adam? The text seems pretty clear that Jesus took on Himself the human nature of Abraham. But the next sentence settles the question: "Wherefore in ALL things it behooved Him to be MADE LIKE HIS BRETHREN." Is there any Scripture saying Jesus had the nature of Adam before Adam sinned?
Could Jesus say that He was "tempted in all points like as we are," unless He really was?
Who Wins if The Doctrine is Reversed?
One way to check a Doctrine's truthability is to look at who'd benefit and who'd lose. Of course any Bible Truth that is reversed, Satan wins - EVERY TIME! What is Satan's interest in Christ's Nature and Man's Nature? Another Truth Test is, "Does the Doctrine Damage God's Character?" We'll look at this later. We'll just say here that the notion that Jesus was "Not made like His Brethren," and the notion that "Humans are too depraved to be OVERCOMERS" are both serious attacks against God's Character.
Why?
Jesus defeated Satan throughout the 33 years He was here on Earth as a Human. However, if Jesus "Overcame" Satan's temptations using a power not available to humans, Satan can claim, "Jesus won in His battle with me by using His Divinity! Divinity is a Power Humans cannot use! Thus Jesus is NOT FAIR." In other words, according to Satan, "Jesus cheated." Jesus commissioned His followers to "Overcome even as He overcame" (Rev.3:21)! In other words, Jesus is saying, "Do as He did." The following illustrates why Satan wants us to elevate Christ's Nature above and beyond ours, and degrade our Nature below what it really is.
Mountain Climbers
Your best friend's hobby is Repelling (Rock Climbing). He uses all of the latest equipment. He takes you to Yosemite's "El Capetian" and demonstrates for you how it's done. He then turns to you and says, "Now you do it, only you can't use any Repelling equipment!" Of course you'd know he'd be joking. But, if he were truly serious, he'd be mocking and humiliating you! He'd also NOT be your best friend! He'd be your worst enemy. Satan wants us to think Jesus is mocking us, and mostly that Jesus is NOT our best Friend!! We have a choice!! We can go along with Satan and his Agents, or stick to the Word of God!!
If, however, after your best friend demonstrated for you the techniques of Repelling, fitted you up with the best equipment money could buy, promised he'd be right beside you all the way to the top, THEN he'd truly be your best friend! Ant this is EXACTLY what Jesus has done for us!
"Overcome Even as I Overcame"
Did Jesus mock and humiliate us by asking us to "Overcome as He overcame," or, did He demonstrate for us how to "Overcome the same way He Overcame?" And did He supply us with all the equipment needed to get the task done? "I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me" (Phil.4:13)!
According to Martin, most Evangelicals, and present day anti-Adventist SDA Ministers, "Overcoming" for humans is completely impossible and will NEVER happen! Are they right? If they are right, what did Jesus mean when He said, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and am set down with My Father on His throne" (Rev.3:21)? Jesus either meant EXACTLY what He said, in which case He offers to us the best "Repelling" equipment in the Universe, or He's mocking and humiliating us! Such a charge against Jesus is blasphemy of the worst kind!! Do we really want to join in such an accusation?
"I Can Do ALL Things Through Christ"
Paul said, "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Phil.4:13). According to Martin and his Adventist followers, Paul should have written, "I can do MOST things through Christ who strengtheneth me, with the exception of overcoming as Jesus overcame! This is IMPOSSIBLE, even when Christ strengthens me." Nowhere in Scripture is there anything remotely resembling words like this!! Why then are so many Adventist's dashing to adopt this new doctrine? It's not really new!! Satan introduced it to Eve in the Garden!
So, did Walter Martin bring the SDA Church closer to proclaiming the Third Angel's Message—the message for God's people to "Come out of Babylon?" Are Adventist's more likely or less likely to "Reflect the Character of Jesus" after they adopt Martin's Theology? Or did Martin do exactly as he promised; bring Adventist's away from their Original Purpose and back into "main stream Evangelicalism?" Do we need to remember what separates Evangelicalism from Babylon? Who is "Babylon the Great Harlot" in Revelation? Who are her Daughters? A quick memory Refresher: Her Daughters are Churches teaching that "Remembering the Sabbath" is a sin!! Churches declaring "Grace Frees Us to Disobey God's Commandments!" Churches declaring Satan was right when he said, "Thou Shalt NOT Surly Die!" Churches Declaring, "Lost Sinners are Bellowing and Screaming for Mercy in Hell While God Tortures Them!" Churches declaring that God will show no mercy while He Tortures our lost family members throughout eternity! Churches that refuse to denounce all of these "Doctrines of Devils!" Do Adventists really want to take a Giant Leap back into fellowship with such Churches?!?
Adventist's have become enraptured with believing that, "There are some Wonderful People in those Evangelical Churches." In their enthusiasm, they want to abandon their Mission of "Reflecting the Character of Christ." Thus, instead of living the SDA Church's mission, they are now trying to go as far as possible to take a giant leap backwards towards these other Churches. It is true that there are some "Wonderful People" in these other Churches, and if Adventists would live their mission, these people could see God's Truth and His True Church! The Powers of Darkness will stop at nothing in their satanic mission to prevent this!!
What Eventually Happened to Walter R. Martin?
We hesitate to share how Walter died. We do not want to be snarky or present any "Serves him right" attitude. It was my hope that before Walter died, I would have opportunity to sit down with him and share the things I've presented here. I had hoped that he would see the error of what he was asking of Adventists. After all, Walter and I share the same name, thus I felt a closeness to him. Also, I felt that if Walter had become an Adventist, he could have a profound effect on presenting this Last-Day Message to the Evangelicals. But this was not to be, because in June of 1989 Walter passed away.
All of the details of his death may be only coincidental. But we do know that God is not amused with people that attack His Church or His Prophets. I will relay the details, and let the Readers decide whatever they think. Only God knows!!
Walter's Last Years
We begin the story of the end in 1983. For many years after Martin wrote his book, "Kingdom of the Cults," debates arose among SDA leaders, almost all of which surrounded his demand that the Church change its position about the Nature of Jesus and the Nature of humanity. Martin became increasing annoyed that the Church did not disfellowship the ministers who opposed the changes he insisted upon. Finally, on Feb.22, 1983 he called a meeting in Napa California. He invited the California Church leaders and as many lay persons who'd like to attend, to come to hear his latest demands. In this meeting he said there was still too many Adventists opposing the changes he'd insisted upon. He said they were "Fringe Loons." He warned that if the Church did not get rid of these Loons, and make a clean, clear stand concerning the Nature of Christ, Nature of man, and denounce Ellen White, he would write a new Book about Cult's and renounce his former defense of Adventists. A few years passed and Martin decided that SDA leaders needed one more chance to mend their ways, or he must carry out his threats.
June 26, 1989
There are reports of what Martin's agenda was on June 26, 1989. Vance Ferrell reports that on March 6, 1989, Martin met with some Adventists in Fresno California and told them he was going to come out with a new book in which he intended to label SDAs as a Cult because they continued to regard Ellen White as a Prophet. Ferrell says another meeting was scheduled for June 26, 1989 and this was to meet with some more Adventist leaders for the same purpose; to threaten them. Following is the account his wife gave for the morning of June 26.
She said when she got up that morning, Walt was not in the bed. She went into the next room and noticed him kneeling as if in prayer. She said she went over and nudged him and realized he had passed away. The Sheriff's Department was called because this was the proper procedure.
The Sheriff Deputy came and filled out his report. Following is what he said he discovered:
The Sheriff's Deputy said that when he arrived, Walter was in the bathroom. It was immediately very clear that Martin had had a heart attack while sitting on the toilet.
My Response
I'll not make disparaging comments about Walter dying while on the toilet. Medical reports say it happens often, and there's no shame in it. But, again, we give the facts and let the Readers decide. One thing is certain. Ellen White was given the gift of a Prophet and God spoke to her! The other certainty is that her position was diametrically opposed to Walter's on key issues. Bottom line - If Walter was right, Ellen was a false prophet! An EVIL false Prophet! If, however, Ellen was right, Walter did something for which God is VERY DISPLEASED!!! If God is displeased with persons, does he stop them if they're threatening His People and His Purpose? If God was in favor with the meeting Martin had scheduled with the Adventist leaders in Loma Linda we suggest God would have made certain the meeting took place. If, however, God did NOT want this meeting to happen, would God see that it didn't?
Let's look at some of Mrs. White's Writings about Christ's Nature and what God wants us to do:
Ellen White - Christ's Nature - Humanities Opportunity
"Everyone who by faith obeys God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression." (E.G. White, Signs of the Times, 7/23/02)
"When Christ bowed His head and died, He bore the pillars of Satan's kingdom with Him to the earth. He vanquished Satan in the same nature over which in Eden Satan obtained the victory. The enemy was overcome by Christ in His human nature. The power of the Savior's Godhead was hidden. He overcame in human nature, relying on God for power. This is the privilege of all. In proportion to our faith will be our victory." (E.G. White, Youth's Instructor, 4/25/01)
"Christ is called the second Adam. In purity and holiness, connected with God and beloved by God, He began where the first Adam began. Willingly He passed over the ground where Adam fell, and redeemed Adam's failure." (E.G. White Youth's Instructor, 6/02/98)
"In order to carry out the great work of redemption, the Redeemer must take the place of fallen man... When Adam was assailed by the tempter, He was without the taint of sin. He stood before God in the strength of perfect manhood, all the organs and faculties of His being fully developed and harmoniously balanced; and He was surrounded with things of beauty, and communed daily with the holy angels. What a contrast to this perfect being did the second Adam present, as He entered the desolate wilderness to cope with Satan. For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in size and physical strength, and deteriorating in moral worth; and in order to elevate fallen man, Christ must reach him where he stood. He assumed human nature, bearing the infirmities and degeneracy of the race. He humiliated Himself to the lowest depths of human woe, that He might sympathize with man and rescue Him from the degradation into which sin had plunged Him. '...Christ took humanity with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man with the possibility of yielding to temptation, and He relied upon divine power to keep Him..." (E.G. White, The General Conference Bulletin, 02-25-95)
"In his humanity Christ partook of our sinful, fallen nature. If not, then He was not 'made like unto His brethren,' was not 'in all points tempted like as we are,' did not overcome as we have to overcome, and is not, therefore, the complete and perfect Savior man needs and must have to be saved. The idea that Christ was born of an immaculate or sinless mother, inherited no tendencies to sin, and for this reason did not sin, removes Him from the realm of a fallen world, and from the very place where help is needed. On His human side, Christ inherited just what every child of Adam inherits,--a sinful nature. On the divine side, from His very conception he was begotten and born of the Spirit. And all this was done to place mankind on vantage-ground, and to demonstrate that in the same way every one who is 'born of the Spirit' may gain like victories over sin in his own sinful flesh. Thus each one is to overcome as Christ overcame. Rev. 3:21. Without this birth there can be no victory over temptation, and no salvation from sin. John 3:3-7.... God, in Christ, condemned sin, not by pronouncing against it merely as a judge sitting on the judgment-seat, but by coming and living in the flesh, in sinful flesh, and yet without sinning. In Christ, he demonstrated that it is possible, by His grace and power, to resist temptation, overcome sin, and live a sinless life in sinful flesh.... In His humanity Christ was as dependent upon divine power to do the works of God as is any man to do the same thing. He employed no means to live a holy life that are not available to every human being. Through Him, every one may have God dwelling in him and working in him 'to will and to do of His good pleasure.' 1 John 4:15; Phil. 2:13." (Bible Readings For the Home Circle, 1916 edition, p. 174)
Conclusion
For the past 30 years, this Author has studied the subject of "Why Jesus Waits." According to the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, Jesus waits because His People are not taking their Commission seriously. Jesus Himself said, "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in ALL the World, for a WITNESS unto ALL NATIONS, and shall the end come" (Matt.24:14)!!! It is now up to us, His Last Day People, to live lives that "Reflect His Character!" If the whole Seventh day Adventist Church follows these New Theology "pied pipers" as they proclaim their message directly from the Powers of Darkness, we will NEVER see Jesus come in our generation. Israel left Egypt and as soon as they settled in their new country, they began trying to be like the nations around them. This was their un-doing, and it will be ours, unless we grasp the Power Jesus has made available to us. Satan is clever! He has developed cute little sayings that are true, but used in the wrong context, will completely destroy the SDA Message.
"There is nothing you can do or say that will cause God to love you any more or any less."
It is clever, and it is actually somewhat true. But, what is the real message of this cute little quip? "No change in behavior is necessary!"
"Jesus Loves You just the way you are."
Again, true, but implies you need not be converted! Why should you? Jesus loves you in your present un-converted, sinful way, just like you are!
We could go on and on. There are dozens of these little Satan-inspired, cute sayings that will ring in our ears for years. And let's not forget that Satan inspires his Pastor Implants so that they can swoon their congregations. Some of SDA's smoothest, most awe inspiring, most interesting Ministers are building mega churches in Adventist Communities. These ministers have the ability to totally captivate an audience. Isaiah was given a vision exactly describing these Last Day preachers of Delusion: "For this [last-day people just before Jesus returns] is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the Law of the Lord! Who say to the seers, 'SEE Not;' and to the Prophets,'Prophecy Not unto us right things! Speak unto us SMOOTH things! Prophesy Deceits" (Isa.30:9-10)!!
We have a choice, Dear Adventist People! We can follow the Word of God, or we can follow delusions of Satan!!
And so, Dear Reader, you'll need to decide whether Walter Ralston Martin helped or hurt the Adventist Church. This Walter Carlton Martin Jr. believes he hurt us, BIG TIME!!! Thank you for your time. May God be with us as we prepare for His soon Coming!
Yours in Christ
Walter Carlton Martin Jr
Other Websites from W. Carlton Martin Jr.
"Anti-Adventist Anti-Bible Adventist Preachers"
"Why Jesus Has Not Come Yet"
"Christ's Character Reproduced in His People"
"Why SDAs Tithe - A Horrible Personal Story"
Walter R. Martin's Contrabution to the Adventist Church
