Seventh-day Adventist eschatology

Seventh-day Adventist eschatology is based on their interpretation of the prophecies of Daniel, Revelation and other prophecies in the Bible. They hold a unique system of eschatological (or end-times) beliefs. Adventist eschatology, which uses historicist interpretation of prophecy, is characterized principally by the premillennial Second Coming of Christ. Traditionally, the church has taught that the Second Coming will be preceded by a global crisis with the Sabbath as a central issue. At Jesus' return, the righteous will be taken to heaven for one thousand years and the unsaved remain dead. After the millennium, the unsaved are resurrected to face the final judgment and then be punished by annihilation, while the saved will live on a recreated Earth for eternity.

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The foremost sources are the biblical books of Daniel and Revelation. Jesus' statements in Matthew 24 for instance, as well as many other Bible verses are also used. The classic Adventist commentary on the end-times was Uriah Smith's Daniel and the Revelation. The writings of Ellen G. White have also been highly influential, particularly the last part of her book The Great Controversy. "Prophecy seminars", developed since the mid-20th century, have been a key popular source.

Basis

Fundamental beliefs

The eschatological teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are summarized in the final five of the denomination's 28 fundamental beliefs:[1]

24. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
25. Second Coming of Christ
26. Death and Resurrection
27. Millennium and the End of Sin
28. New Earth

According to a 1985 survey, 29% of North American Adventist lecturers nominated eschatology as the area of greatest contribution by Adventists to then-current theology. This ranked second only to wholism.[2]

Biblical basis and perspectives

Seventh-day Adventism derives its eschatological teachings in large part from its interpretation of the apocalyptic Bible books of Daniel and book of Revelation, as well as Jesus' end-times sermon found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Mainstream Adventism interprets biblical prophecies using the historicist method,[3] which utilises the day-year principle; some of the prophecies of Revelation are yet to be fulfilled.

A 2004 official statement remarks: Adventists' "sense of identity and calling grows from an understanding of Bible prophecies, especially those concerning the time immediately preceding the return of Jesus."[4]

Hermeneutics

Adventists believe the Christian church is the historical continuation of the Old Testament Israel as God's people, centered around Jesus, and that Old Testament end-time prophecies about Israel will be fulfilled more broadly.[5] (This stands in contrast to dispensationalism, a popular conservative Christian view, which sees a prominent place for the nation of Israel in the end-times). Adventist hermeneutics categorically rejects preterism, futurism and idealism as proper hermeneutical systems of interpretation of Bible prophecy.

Ellen White and SDA pioneers

The writings of Ellen G. White have been highly influential in the formation of Seventh-day Adventist eschatology, particularly the final chapters of her book The Great Controversy.

The classic interpretation was Uriah Smith's book, known by its abbreviated title as Daniel and the Revelation. It was affirmed by Ellen White,[6] "and had an unrivaled influence on [Adventist] prophetic teaching."[7] It was based on his earlier works Thoughts, Critical and Practical, on the Book of Revelation (1867), and Thoughts, Critical and Practical, on the Book of Daniel (1873).[8] The book was revised several times during Smith's life and afterwards.[7] The Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia states, "Although a creative writer, he also borrowed from contemporary and early expositors for his materials, especially in his interpretations of prophecy."[7]

Historicist interpretation of prophecy

Prophecies of Daniel
Main article: Seventh-day Adventist eschatology (Daniel's prophecies)

Seventh-day Adventists believe that the Book of Daniel was written in the 6th century BCE by the prophet Daniel. They believe that the prophecies contained in the book are actual foretelling of future history by God using symbols. They believe that the four main prophecies in chapters 2, 7, 8 and 11–12 are parallel to each other and cover the history of the world from the time of Daniel down through the present and on to the future Kingdom of God. They use the historicist method in interpretation of the prophecies.

SDA eschatology is primarily concerned with the 5th and 6th kingdoms (the Present and Future) of the Daniel's prophecies as indicated in the following chart developed on the SDA eschatology (Daniel Prophecies) page.

Chapter Year Summary of SDA historicist Interpretation of chapters 2, 7, 8 & 9 and 11 & 12.[9][10]
Past Present Future
1st Kingdom
612 - 339 BC		 2nd Kingdom
539 - 330 BC		 3rd Kingdom
330 - 168 BC		 4th Kingdom
168 BC - AD 1798		 5th Kingdom
AD 1776 - Now		 6th Kingdom
2 602 BC Head
Gold
Babylon ↓		 Chest & 2 arms
Silver
(Media–Persia)		 Belly and thighs
Bronze
(Greece)		 2 Legs
Iron
(Roman Empire-Papal Rome)		 2 Feet with toes
Clay & Iron
(USA)		 Rock
God's unending kingdom
left to no other people
7 553 BC Winged Lion
(Babylon)
 Lopsided Bear
(Media–Persia)
 4 Headed /
4 Winged
Leopard
(Greece)		 Iron toothed beast
(Roman Empire)
w/Little Horn
(Papal Rome)
(1260 years; 538 to 1798)		 Judgment scene
(began in 1844)
Beast slain		 A son of man comes in clouds
Given everlasting dominion
He gives it to the saints.[11]
8 551 BC The Great
Two-horned Ram
Media–Persia ↑
 The Very Great
Uni- / 4-horned Goat
4 Winds
Greece ↑		 The Exceedingly Great
Little Horn
A Master of Intrigue
(Roman Empire-Papal Rome)		 2300 days until
Cleansing of
Sanctuary
(began in 1844)		 (Kingdom of God)
9 538 BC (70-Weeks: 457 BC to
(2300 days: 457 BC to		 - - - - >
- - - - - - >		 AD 27, Jesus ministry begins,
AD 31 Jesus Crucified,.
AD 34 70-weeks end)		 AD 1844,
2300 days end)
11 - 12 535 BC (Persia) (Greece) (Roman Empire)
(Era of the Roman church)		 Time of the End
(USA)		 Messiah stands up

2300 days -- Pre-Advent Judgement -- 1844

SDA eschatology had its beginnings in the Millerite movement}. The Millerite movement was primarily concerned with the return of Jesus, literally, visually, in the clouds of heaven. The French Revolution was one of several factors that caused many Bible students around the world to delve into the time prophecies of Daniel using the historicist methodology of interpretation. They concluded, to their satisfaction, that the end of the 1,260-“day” prophecy of Daniel 7:25 in 1798 started the era of “time of the end.” So they next turned to the 2,300 "days" of Daniel 8:14.[12]

Miller tied the 2,300-day vision to the Prophecy of Seventy Weeks in Daniel 9 where a beginning date is given. He decided that the 70-weeks (490 years) were the first 490 years of the 2,300 year prophecy. He concluded that 457 BC was the beginning of the 2,300 day/year prophecy which meant that it would end about 1843-1844 (-457 BC + 2300 years = 1843 AD).[13]

Later, Samuel Snow presented his position that Christ would return on "the tenth day of the seventh month of the present year, 1844.” Using the calendar of the Karaite Jews, he determined this date to be October 22, 1844. This "seventh-month message" "spread with a rapidity unparalleled in the Millerites experience among the belivers.[14]

On the day after the Great Disappointment — October 23 — Hiram Edson became convinced that "light would be given" and their "disappointment explained." Later that day, he was struck by the idea that the sanctuary to be cleansed was not the earth by fire, but rather something related to the heavenly sanctuary. This led him into an protracted and extensive study with O. R. L. Crosier and F. B. Hahn. They eventually concluded that, "The sanctuary to be cleansed in Daniel 8:14 was not the earth or the church, but the sanctuary in heaven."[15] [16]

Why a Judgment?

SDAs believe that God, being omniscient - knowing everything from beginning to the end, does not need a judgment nor records to jog His memory. [17] Rather, He keeps records and conducts a judgment for the sake of all created beings who need to learn the truth He already knows.[18] The records show the decisions of the people who accept or reject salvation. God, and all inhabitants of heaven, then reviews the decisions that have already been made by those who will enter the kingdom or who will not. The decision is man's, God does not change it.[19]

The judgment displays to the universe not only whom of the human family have accepted His grace, but also His patience and forgiving love, His justice and mercy.[18] Thus the God of the universe provides a full account of His work for the salvation of men. He discloses the sinister influences of Lucifer, who has charged God with being unjust. The central issue is the vindication of the character of God before the whole universe. This is the crisis hour of the universe. Not only are sinful human beings on trial, but God puts Himself is on trial.[20] "For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men."(1 Corinthians 4:9)[17]

He planned it so that the whole universe can study the story of sin and then participate in the vindication of His character. When the judgment ends, every creature in the universe will stand on one side or the other of the issue.[20]

Three phases of judgment
  1. The pre-Advent judgment is the first phase of the final judgement. The Judge and Advocate (defense attorney) is Jesus. The Jury is Heavenly beings. The Accuser is the devil, Satan. The Accused are each individual human that has ever lived. When the pre-Advent judgment in heaven is finished, Jesus will come for His people—those who have been clearly identified by that judgment to the satisfaction of all heavenly beings as the saints of the Most High. At the Advent (the Second Coming) the saints will be taken home to their eternal reward.[21][22]
  2. The second phase of the final judgment occurs during the millennium when the saints that have just been saved will, from the records, judge to their satisfaction the decisions of the unsaved to see why they chose to be excluded from salvation.[22]
  3. The third phase of the final judgement occurs after the wicked are resurrected. God will show them the records and they can see for themselves their own decisions why they are not saved. At that point in time, every human who has ever lived will know the truth. God will be justified from Satan's accusations. All bow to God acknowledging his love and authority. Then, Satan and all his followers will receive the destination of their choice, the ultimate penalty—eternal separation from God—eternal death—eternal non-existence—eternal sleep.[22] This great final cosmic execution of judgment concludes the plan of salvation. The universe is free from sin and death forevermore. The heart beat of all throughout the universe will beat to the pulse of eternal love.[21]

Thus SDAs believe that the world is currently in the process of being judged, and which is thought to be finishing up "soon."

Time of the End kingdom

USA is the last earthly kingdom beginning in 1776 and last to the second coming of Jesus which brings in God's kingdom, the final kingdom.[23][24]

Eschatological events

In traditional mainstream Adventist teaching, the end times consists of four distinct episodes:

Timeline of eschatological events in traditional Seventh-day Adventist teaching.

Events prior to 1844

The Roman Empire was a world power active during the ministry of Jesus. Adventists believe the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 was a partial fulfillment of Jesus' end-times discourse in Matthew 24.

The empire continued several centuries into the Christian era, when it was ultimately replaced by the papacy. The papacy is identified with the "man of sin" of 2 Thessalonians, the "Antichrist" of 1 John and the "little horn" of Daniel chapters 7 and 8.[25] It is believed that the Roman Catholic religion grew into a corruption of original, authentic Christianity. Among other things, it is considered to have changed the church's day of worship from Saturday to Sunday.

The "1,260 days", "42 months" or "time, times and dividing of time" of apocalyptic prophecy are equated, and are interpreted as 1260 years, based on the day-year principle. This has traditionally been held to be the period AD 538 to 1798, as the era of papal supremacy and oppression as prophesied in Revelation 12:6, 14-16.[26][27] This period began with the defeat of the Ostrogoths by the Roman General Belisarius. In Adventist belief, this was the last of three Germanic tribes (including also the Heruli and the Vandals) to be defeated by Rome (see Daniel 7:20, Daniel 7:24 and other passages). The period ended with the successes of Napoleon of France; specifically, the capture of Pope Pius VI by General Louis Alexandre Berthier in 1798, which was a blow to the papacy. This capture of the pope by the French army was understood as the "deadly wound" of Revelation 13:3.[28][29] Today many Adventist scholars believe the end-points cannot be given precisely, because the history was more of a gradual rise and fall; however the mainstream view does support a period of 1260 years.[30] A minority view by Samuele Bacchiocchi is that the rise to "supremacy" and the "downfall" of the papacy are events spanning a larger time, and cannot be pinned to such points in time.[31]

After the end of the 1260 days, and prior to 1844, several significant events took place. In 1755 a massive earthquake hit Lisbon. On May 19, 1780, northeastern America experienced a day of extraordinary darkness followed by a blood-red moon that night. On November 13, 1833, a spectacular Leonids meteor shower occurred. These three events were thought to be a fulfillment of Revelation 6:12, paving the way for the final events of history.[32]

Three angels' messages
Main article: Three Angels' Messages

During the 1830s and 1840s the Millerite movement proclaimed the soon return of Jesus. Adventists have traditionally interpreted this as the initial proclamation of the three angels' messages.

The Investigative judgment
Main article: Investigative judgment

The investigative judgment commenced in 1844 "at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days".[1] During this time, Jesus Christ is believed to be ministering in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, "blotting out" the sins of all who are found to truly believe in him. Meanwhile, on earth, the remnant church proclaims the "three angels' messages" of Revelation 14; it "announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent." As a result, there is "a work of repentance and reform on earth."[1]

The completion of the investigative judgment marks the "close of probation". In Adventist teaching, this is a crucial moment when sinners will no longer be able to repent and be forgiven, because Christ will have ceased his intercessory ministry.

Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, "It is done;" and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death."

— Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy[33]

The time of trouble
1863 prophetic chart including the beasts of Revelation interpreted as paganism, the papacy and Protestantism
Note: This section describes the traditional view of the church.

Following the close of probation will be a "time of trouble," a brief but intense period of time immediately preceding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Adventists believe the Roman Catholic Church will return to prominence during the end times, fulfilling the prophecy of the first beast of Revelation 13 (the leopard-like beast from the sea) whose "deadly wound" (i.e. the deposal of the Pope in 1798) will be healed.[34][35] The United States of America, meanwhile, will establish ties with the Papacy, in fulfilment of the second beast of Revelation 13 (the lamb-like beast from the earth).[36] Some of the more liberal Adventists do not share these convictions about the Roman Catholic Church, or are more cautious.[37] (J. N. Andrews was the first Adventist to identify America in prophecy, in 1851).[38]

Ultimately, the Protestant churches of America will join the confederation between the beasts, forming the "image to the beast" (Revelation 13:14–15). At this time, a conflict will ensue that will "involve the whole world," and in which "the central issue will be obedience to God's law and the observance of the Sabbath."[39] Religious and civil authorities will combine to enact a "Sunday law" which requires all people to observe Sunday as a sacred day. The "Sunday law" is interpreted as the meaning of the "mark of the beast" described in Revelation 13:16–17.[40][41]

In contrast to those who choose to obey the "Sunday law," and therefore receive the "mark of the beast," people who observe the seventh-day Sabbath will receive the "Seal of God" (mentioned in Revelation 7:2ff.).[42] Sabbath keepers will experience fierce persecution from world governments, which will include economic coercion and ultimately the death penalty.[43]

As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. ... This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism in the Old World and apostate Protestantism in the New will pursue a similar course toward those who honor all the divine precepts.

— Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy[33]

Despite being almost overwhelmed by persecution, the people of God will be delivered by the second coming of Jesus Christ, when he returns to earth in glory.

The "time of trouble" has also been known as the "Time of Jacob's Trouble," described as "a brief period of extreme tribulation" just before the Second Coming, and after the close of probation. It is contemporaneous with the seven last plagues. The term comes from Jeremiah 30:7, and is based on the narrative of Jacob's wrestling with God in Genesis 32:22–30, and Jeremiah's description of Israel's captivity in Babylonia prior to the predicted liberation in Jeremiah 30 verses 3, 7–9, 11.[44]

Recent arguments claim an allusion from Revelation 14:7 in the three angels' messages to Exodus 20:11 in the fourth of the Ten Commandments. Thus in the end time, the battle over worship will include the Sabbath.[45]

The Second Coming

Seventh-day Adventists believe the Second Coming of Jesus will be literal, personal, sudden and universally visible. The second coming coincides with the resurrection and translation of the righteous, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16.[46] (See fundamental belief number 25.)

Adventists reject an intermediate state between death and resurrection, and hold that the soul sleeps until the resurrection of the body at Christ's coming. They also reject the doctrine of the pretribulational rapture. The Seventh-day Adventist Church does not hold the traditional view of the premillennial and none of the postmillennial schools of end-time belief. As both of these schools believe that Christ will literally and physically be on the earth at his second coming. In contrast to this Adventism teaches that the righteous will rise up and meet Christ in the air at His second coming and are taken with Him to Heaven.[47]

The Millennium

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ marks the beginning of the Millennium, according to Adventist teaching. At the second coming, the righteous dead will be resurrected (the "first resurrection", Revelation 20:5), and both they and the righteous living will be taken to heaven to reign with Christ for 1000 years. The rest of mankind (the wicked, or unrighteous) will be killed at the second coming, leaving the earth devoid of human life.

During the millennium, Satan and his angels will occupy the desolate earth; this is how Adventists interpret the "binding" of Satan described in chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation. The millennium will be the time when the wicked will be judged. Satan and his angels will be loosed at the end of the millennium when the wicked, or unrighteous are brought back to life to face judgement.

The destruction of sinners and new earth
See also: Seventh-day Adventist theology § Hell and the state of the dead, and Annihilationism § Seventh-day Adventist Church

At the close of the Millennium, Adventists believe that Christ will again return to earth together with the righteous and the "Holy City" (the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:10) to implement His judgment on the wicked. He will then raise the wicked (the "second resurrection"), who will surround the New Jerusalem along with Satan. At this point Satan, his angels, and wicked humanity will suffer annihilation in the Lake of Fire ("the second death", Revelation 20:8). Adventists disagree with the traditional doctrine of hell as a place of conscious eternal punishment.

Finally, God will create a new earth where the redeemed will enjoy eternal life free of sin and suffering.

Additional interpretations

Ellen White's book (The Great Controversy) has been a frequent evangelistic handout. While much of it presents Christian and Adventist church history, the later chapters describe end-time events. Her views expressed in the book represent the mainstream opinion in Adventism. Some alternative views about eschatology have been proposed by individuals and groups in the Adventist church.[48]

Critics[49][50] have written on issues regarding the book The Great Controversy.[51] One critic has stated "There can be little doubt that the Roman church courted much of the antagonism it received." [...] "incredibly arrogant and contemptuous of democratic principles" in the U.S. "The Roman Catholic Church of those days was a contemptuous and contemptible organization, rightly perceived as a threat to the nation and the world." "But those days are over. The world has changed. The United States has changed. And even the Roman Catholic church has changed, in the second half of our century, having reconciled itself with progress, liberalism and modern civilization. It is no longer the Bible-suppressing, science-resisting, liberty-opposing, Protestant-hating, culture-ignoring, Latin-mumbling, obscurantism-loving ecclesiastical organization of former years, intent on ruling the world from Rome. Vatican Council II transformed all that."[52]

However Ellen White stated...

The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity. She possesses the same pride and arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the prerogatives of God. Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now than when she crushed out human liberty and slew the saints of the Most High.

— The Great Controversy, Ellen White, p. 571

Opinions vary in regards to this topic.[53][54]

Prophetic interpretation of Revelation

Traditionally, Adventists interpret the letters to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3 as fulfilled in consecutive periods of church history.

According to mainstream Adventist thought, prophecies usually have only a single fulfillment. For instance Gerhard Hasel argued apocalyptic prophecy has only "one fulfillment for each symbol." "General" or "classical" prophecy may have dual or multiple fulfillments only if Scripture itself points to this, for instance with the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14 / Matthew 1:22–23), and the latter rain (Joel 2 / Acts 2).[55] In contrast, a minority have argued for multiple fulfillments of other prophecies.[56] Some Progressive Adventists advocate multiple diverse possible fulfillments of prophecy, and some try to include Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who conquered Israel, as a preliminary fulfillment. Most Adventists disagree with this.[31][57]

The themes of Revelation are heavily grounded in the Old Testament, so Adventist scholarship first looks to this background before attempting interpretation. The context and overall literary structure are important for interpretation. For instance Revelation is not always chronological (e.g. Jesus' death in Revelation 12:10,11 cannot follow 11:15 where He reigns; and Babylon's activities in chapter 17 cannot follow its destruction in chapter 16), but many visions are parallel, and progressively illuminate themes. In addition to parallels, there are contrasts such as the Lamb and the beast; and the seal of God and the mark of the beast. Revelation shows a typological connection between ancient Israel's history, and church history.[58]

Cosmic signs
A famous depiction of the 1833 meteor storm, produced in 1889 for the Seventh-day Adventist book Bible Readings for the Home Circle

Great cosmic signs have traditionally been interpreted as the fulfillment of Bible prophecy and signs of the nearing Second Coming, such as the 1755 Lisbon earthquake in Portugal,[59] New England's Dark Day of 1780,[60] and a spectacular meteor shower in 1833.[61] This is based on the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12–17) of the "seven seals", and Jesus' end-times sermon in Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:24–25 (see also Luke 21). Adventists had argued the Dark Day was a supernatural sign. Critics claim that it occurred from natural causes due to forest fires.[62] The interpretations are still commonly held by Adventist, although some have challenged the interpretations.[63][64]

Some state there were bigger earthquakes before Lisbon. Still, they remain highly significant events in history. They believe people were led to God, and these are preliminary signs, but not the ultimate cosmic signs bring in the Second Coming.[65][66]

Many believe their occurrence towards the end of papal supremacy (1798) is significant, and that the order of events matches the biblical prediction.[67] Some believe the context of Jesus' end-times sermon indicates the period stretches from the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70) to the seven last plagues prior to the Second Coming.[65] Jon Paulien claims they are signs of the age, not signs of the end; they do instruct us to keep watch.[68] The events are the "day of the Lord" foretold in Old Testament prophecy.

Spiritualism

Ellen White was critical of spiritualism (which she believed to be communication with evil spirits). Many Adventists see the spreading social acceptance of the belief in evil spirits and their powers such as in witchcraft, the occult, as evidenced in the prominent films, books, and society along with the spread of Spiritual Formation in modern-day churches, and the acceptance of communicating with spirits in modern-day churches in Montanism style movements which have emerged from the late 19th century as an indication of the fulfillment of the prediction.

World empires

The traditional teaching is that Rome was the last world empire prophesied in Daniel 2 and 7, which divides up into the nations of Europe.[69] On the other hand, one historian claimed several subsequent empires which have been larger, including the Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman empires.[70]

Adventists predicted that in WWII, Hitler's forces would not conquer Europe, based on Daniel 2:43 which states the toes of the statue [interpreted as the nations of Europe] would not remain united.

Ottoman Empire

In 1838, Millerite preacher Josiah Litch had predicted the fall of the Ottoman Empire in August 1840, based on Revelation 9.[71] This was regarded as being fulfilled on August 11, 1840, when Turkey responded to an ultimatum by European powers, which affirmed the Millerites' beliefs. [Note: this occurred during the Millerite movement before the start of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, of which Litch did not become a member].[72]

New World Order

Eschatological expectations have prompted some Adventists to closely observe current geopolitical events, in a manner similar to many Christian futurists and dispensationalists. Illinois pastor A. Jan Marcussen has predicted the imminent rise of a global church-state alliance with the Papacy and U.S. Government as key players, along with other bodies such as the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund. The resulting New World Order would precipitate the final events of history: the "sealing" of Sabbath-keepers, a universal Sunday-law, the seven last plagues and Armageddon.[73]

"Not only does the Bible not predict one world government before the kingdom of God; it denies it. "Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom" (Daniel 2:41). The Bible does however warn of "an alliance between church and state (see Revelation 17:3ff)."[74]

"The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns shall cause "the earth and them which dwell therein" to worship the papacy—there symbolised by the beast "like unto a leopard."[75]

He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

— Revelation 13:15-17 NKJV

The beast with two horns is also to say "to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast;" and, furthermore, it is to command all, "both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond," to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 13:11-16. It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns,[76] and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance,[77] which Rome claims as the special acknowledgement of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, "his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Paul states plainly that the "man of sin" will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life." Revelation 13:8. The papacy will receive homage in the honour paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church."[78]


Antichrist

For the mainstream view, see Day of the Dragon by Clifford Goldstein.

Seventh-day Adventists teach that the office of the papacy is the Antichrist, a belief so widely held by Protestants that it became known as the "Protestant view" of prophetic interpretation.[79][80][81] In 1798, the French General Berthier exiled the Pope and took away all his authority, which was later restored in 1929. This is taken as a fulfillment of the prophecy that the Beast of Revelation would receive a deadly wound but that the wound would be healed. Adventists have attributed the wounding and resurgence in Revelation 13:3 to the papacy, referring to General Louis Berthier's capture of Pope Pius VI in 1798 and the pope's subsequent death in 1799.

A minority view by Samuele Bacchiocchi has suggested expanding the Antichrist concept to include also Islam. However the majority Adventist view today disagrees and holds to the traditional Adventist view of the papacy as the Antichrist.[82]

Roman Catholicism

Modern "mainstream" Adventist literature continues to express the traditional Adventist teaching that Roman Catholicism, in coalition with other churches, will perpetrate religious oppression during a final end-time crisis, and that the Sabbath will be a key issue.

Seventh-day Adventists are convinced of the validity of our prophetic views, according to which humanity now lives close to the end of time. Adventists believe, on the basis of biblical predictions, that just prior to the second coming of Christ this earth will experience a period of unprecedented turmoil, with the seventh-day Sabbath as a focal point. In that context, we expect that world religions--including the major Christian bodies as key players--will align themselves with the forces in opposition to God and to the Sabbath. Once again the union of church and state will result in widespread religious oppression.

— How Seventh-day Adventists View Roman Catholicism (official statement)

666: Vicarius Filii Dei
Further information: Vicarius Filii Dei § Seventh-day Adventist claims

Some Adventists have interpreted the number of the beast, 666, as corresponding to the title Vicarius Filii Dei of the Pope. In 1866, Uriah Smith became the first to propose this interpretation to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[83] See Review and Herald 28:196, November 20, 1866. In The United States in the Light of Prophecy, he wrote,

The pope wears upon his pontifical crown in jeweled letters, this title: "Vicarius Filii Dei," "Viceregent of the Son of God;" the numerical value of which title is just six hundred and sixty-six The most plausible supposition we have ever seen on this point is that here we find the number in question. It is the number of the beast, the papacy; it is the number of his name, for he adopts it as his distinctive title; it is the number of a man, for he who bears it is the "man of sin."[84]

Prominent Adventist scholar J. N. Andrews also adopted this view.[85] Uriah Smith maintained his interpretation in the various editions of Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, which was influential in the church.[83] The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states, "Whether the inscription Vicarius Filii Dei appears on the tiara or the mitre is really beside the point. The title is admittedly applied to the pope, and that is sufficient for the purposes of prophecy.[86] Various documents from the Vatican contain wording such as "Adorandi Dei Filii Vicarius, et Procurator quibus numen aeternum summam Ecclesiae sanctae dedit",[87] which translates as is "As the worshipful Son of God's Vicar and Caretaker, to whom the eternal divine will has given the highest rank of the holy Church".

Samuele Bacchiocchi an Adventist scholar, and only Adventist to be awarded a gold medal by Pope Paul VI for the distinction of summa cum laude (Latin for "with highest praise").[88] has documented the pope using such a title.[89][90]

We noted that contrary to some Catholic sources who deny the use of Vicarius Filii Dei as a papal title, we have found this title to have been used in official Catholic documents to support the ecclesiastical authority and temporal sovereignty of the pope. Thus the charge that Adventists fabricated the title to support their prophetic interpretation of 666, is unfair and untrue.

— ' Samuele Bacchiocchi, http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/et_196.htm slide 116

The Adult Sabbath School Lesson for April–June 2002, principally authored by Ángel Rodríguez, cast doubt on the early interpretation, instead advocating a symbolic interpretation of "intensified rebellion, six used three times, and total independence from God". see Adult Sabbath School Lesson for April–June 2002. See lesson 10 (June 1–7), "The Dragon Versus the Remnant Part 2"; particularly the studies for Thursday and Friday. The quarterly topic was "Great Apocalyptic Prophecies".

Sunday law

Traditionally, Adventists teach that right at the end times the message of the Ten Commandments and in particular the keeping of the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as Sabbath will be conveyed to the whole world and there will be a reaction from those who hold to Sunday as the day of worship. Adventists have taught that a persecuting "Sunday law" will be enacted at some stage in the future, as part of the final events of earth's history before Jesus returns, as stated in significant publications such as Questions on Doctrine (1957),[91] Seventh-day Adventists Believe… (1988),[92] and Ellen White's classic The Great Controversy.[93] Jon Paulien has argued for a parallel between Revelation 14 and the fourth of the Ten Commandments (the Sabbath), in Exodus 20. He hence argues the Bible features Sabbath in the end-times.

Some progressive Adventists,[94] including a few scholars,[95] disagree with specific traditional views about the "time of trouble." and the coming Sunday Law[96]

Armageddon

Adventists believe in a future final battle prior to Jesus' return.

This battle is termed "Armageddon" in Revelation 16:16, a term which occurs only once in the Bible. It derives from the Hebrew for "Mountain of Megiddo", and occurs only in Revelation 16:16 in the Bible. Modern Adventist scholarship believes it refers not to a physical battle in the Middle East, but is a metaphor for a spiritual battle. There is no mountain called "Megiddo", but the city Megiddo, now ruined, lies in the Jezreel Valley, at the foot of Mount Carmel which was the site of Elijah's conflict with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Based in this imagery, Armageddon is understood as a worldwide 'spiritual' battle – a battle for the mind. Paulien believes it is not literal fire, and not literally on Carmel, but likely false prophets and false Christs performing miracles in the world (Matthew 24:24). The Euphrates river is equated with the "many waters" the prostitutes sits on, which the Bible identifies as peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. Thus the drying of the river is the removal of the political powers supporting Babylon.[97] (Earlier, Uriah Smith viewed the drying of the Euphrates river (Revelation 16:12) as the shrinking of Turkey, the nation occupying most of the river; however today this is Iraq. He saw Armageddon as a literal battle at Megiddo in Israel due to its strategic military location, and the three unclean spirits as spiritism.[98])

Sources

Prophecy Seminars

A "prophecy seminar" is a common form of outreach used by Adventist ministers, in which Bible prophecies such as those in the books of Daniel and Revelation are presented.

In 1969 George Knowles developed a small group seminar. He joined It Is Written, and together with George Vandeman prepared a day-long seminar, which developed into the It Is Written Revelation Seminar by 1975. Soon others ran their own seminars. A resource center founded in Texas in 1980 was named Seminars Unlimited in 1986, and by the 1990s was distributing evangelistic materials to Adventists worldwide.[99]

Some currently used seminars are:

  • Prophecy Seminar. USA: Seminars Unlimited, 1989. 32 studies
  • Revelation Seminar. Review and Herald / Revelation Seminars (by Seminars Unlimited of Keene, Texas), 1983. 24 studies
  • Focus on Prophecy. Voice of Prophecy, 2000. 21 studies, consisting of Focus on Daniel (studies 1–7) and Focus on Revelation (studies 8–20); number 21 is a summary, The Prophecies of Daniel and Revelation
  • Daniel. Ringwood, Victoria: Australian Union Conference Resource Centre, 2004. 16 studies

The seminar Revelation: Hope, Meaning, Purpose was written primarily by Jon Paulien and Graeme Bradford, and "published under the guidance of the Biblical Research Committee of the South Pacific Division [...]" in 2010. It consists of 24 sessions, available as printed booklets and also on 12 DVDs.[100]

Daniel and Revelation Committee Series

The Daniel and Revelation Committee Series (DARCOM) is one of the foremost Adventist sources, and consists of the following volumes:[101]

  • Vol. 1 Selected Studies on Prophetic Interpretation by William H. Shea (publisher's page)
  • Vol. 2 Symposium on Daniel, edited by Frank B. Holbrook (publisher's page)
  • Vol. 3 70 Weeks, Leviticus, and the Nature of Prophecy, edited by Frank B. Holbrook
  • Vol. 4 Issues in the Book of Hebrews, edited by Frank B. Holbrook
  • Vol. 5 Doctrine of the Sanctuary, edited by Frank B. Holbrook
  • Vol. 6 Symposium on Revelation-Book I, edited by Frank B. Holbrook
  • Vol. 7 Symposium on Revelation-Book II, edited by Frank B. Holbrook

Evangelists

Adventist evangelists such as Mark Finley,[102] Doug Batchelor, Dwight Nelson, John Carter, John Bradshaw, and Joey Suarez form a major popular face of the church, through their ministries at a local level and/or their appearances in public and on Adventist television networks such as 3ABN, It Is Written, and the Hope Channel.[103] 3ABN founder Danny Shelton is comparable.[104]

Comparison to other Christian views
See also: Summary of Christian eschatological differences
Comparison of Christian millennial interpretations

The Seventh-day Adventist Church fits into the premillennial school of end-time belief, although it is taught that the millennial reign of Christ takes place in heaven instead of on Earth. There are several unique aspects of the denomination's teaching, such as the investigative judgment and the idea of a "Sunday law", which are shared by no other Christian denomination.

Seventh-day Adventism's eschatological teaching may be contrasted with:

See also

Footnotes
  1. Seventh-day Adventist Church. (n.d.). Fundamental Beliefs. Retrieved 24 August 2020, fromwww.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental-beliefs/
  2. Bull, M.; Lockhart, K. (October 1987). "The Intellectual World of Adventist Theologians" (PDF). Spectrum. Roseville, California: Adventist Forums. 18 (1): 32–37. ISSN 0890-0264. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  3. Holbrook, F. (1983). "What Prophecy Means to This Church". Biblical Research Institute. Biblical Research Institute (originally published in Ministry). Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  4. Seventh-day Adventist Church. (n.d.). Values. Retrieved on 24 August 2020 from www.adventist.org/articles/values
  5. Cottrell, R. (1955). The Role of Israel in Old Testament Prophecy. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary. LaRondelle, H. (1997). Understanding Israel in Prophecy. Ministry, 70:6, p 5-8. LaRondelle, H. (2007). Israel in Biblical Prophecy. Ministry 79:1, p. 17-21.
  6. White, statements compiled in Colporteur Ministry, chapter "Chap. 20 – Our Large Message Books", p123. An early minister A. C. Bordeau claimed White had a vision that God is "leading his mind by His Spirit, and an angel is guiding his hand in writing" the book (quoted in a letter from J. S. Washburn to Meade MacGuire on February 18, 1923; as quoted on a website). The White Estate states this is "seriously undercut by the historical facts." "Statements Mistakenly Attributed to Ellen G. White", accessed April 2010
  7. "Uriah Smith". Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, p1355–1356. Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald, rev edn, 1976. As reproduced on a website
  8. Thoughts on Daniel [...] 2nd edn (1883) online
  9. Smith 1944.
  10. Anderson 1975.
  11. "Who's in Charge?" by Ervand Abrahamian London Review of Books, 6 November 2008
  12. Knight 2000, pp. 42-44.
  13. Knight 2000, pp. 44-45.
  14. Samuel S. Snow, The Advent Herald, August 21, 1844, 20.
  15. Knight 1993, p. 305-306.
  16. Knight 2000, pp. 55-58.
  17. Maxwell 1981, pp. 119-120.
  18. Anderson 1975, p. 99.
  19. Shea 2005, pp. 214-215.
  20. Anderson 1975, p. 98.
  21. Shea 2005, p. 212.
  22. Pfandl 1975, p. 73.
  23. White 1947, pp. 360.
  24. White 1899, pp. paragraphs 30–31.
  25. Seventh-day Adventists Believe (2nd ed). Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. pp. 182–184, 356–357. ISBN 1-57847-041-2.
  26. The Great Controversy by Ellen White, p266. "Chap. 15 - The Bible and the French Revolution"
  27. Seventh-day Adventists Believe (2nd ed). Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. pp. 184–185. ISBN 1-57847-041-2.
  28. The Great Controversy by Ellen White, p439. "Chap. 25 - God's Law Immutable"
  29. Samuele Bacchiocchi believes a more significant humiliation was in 1870 when king Victor Emmanuel II of Italy captured Rome; "But there is no reason to debate over which of the two dates (1798 or 1870) have affected more adversely the papacy, because neither of the two events have significantly weakened the worldwide influence of the papacy." He interprets the healing of the wound as the Lateran Treaty with Italian Prime Minister Mussolini in 1929
  30. For instance the Adult Bible Study Guide, The Gospel, 1844, and Judgment, 3rd quarter 2006, lesson 4 "Daniel 7", section "Time, Times, and Dividing of Time" for July 19, p34. Quote: "If we date the beginning of papal Rome to the late fifth, early sixth century, 1,260 years later brings us to the late eighteenth, or early nineteenth, century."
  31. For example, Samuele Bacchiocchi. http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/eti_87.html
  32. Seventh-day Adventists Believe (2nd ed). Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. pp. 378–380. ISBN 1-57847-041-2.
  33. The Great Controversy, Ellen G. White, chapter 39
  34. Seventh-day Adventists believe (2nd ed). Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. pp. 185, 382.
  35. Dwight Nelson (1998-10-31). "Beauty and the Beast (NeXt Millennium series, lecture 17)". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  36. Dwight Nelson (1998-01-11). "When the Clock Runs Out on America and the New World Order (NeXt Millennium series, lecture 18)". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  37. For instance Loren Seibold, "Letting Roman Catholics Off the Hook: Seven Reasons for Rethinking Our Enemies List". Adventist Today (Winter 2010), p22–23. Preview posted online on 4 January 2010
  38. John N. Andrews, Thoughts on Revelation XIII and XIV, Review and Herald, May 19, 1851, p. 81.
  39. Seventh-day Adventists believe. Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. p. 296.
  40. Seventh-day Adventists believe. Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. pp. 194–197, 296.
  41. Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine. Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C. 1957. Chapter 18 "Historic Concept of the Mark of the Beast.".
  42. Seventh-day Adventists believe (2nd ed). Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. p. 284.
  43. Seventh-day Adventists believe (2nd ed). Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. p. 382.
  44. "Time of Jacob's Trouble", p623–24 of Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia. Commentary Reference Series vol. 10 (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1966), ed. Don Neufeld
  45. Jon Paulien, ""Revisiting the Sabbath in the Book of Revelation".". Journal of the Adventist Theological Society 9:1–2 (1998), p179–186. Also Paulien and Bradford's Revelation seminar
  46. General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. "Seventh-day Adventists Believe (2nd ed, 2005)". Pacific Press Publishing Association: 374–378. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  47. Fundamental Belief#25 The Second Coming of Christ. "The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is near. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-6; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21.)"
  48. Historian George Knight has outlined two approaches to Jesus' return: a sense of "immediacy" or expectation, and "occupying" or establishment. The danger of taking the former to an extreme is date-setting, which has often occurred in the church; and the danger of the latter is living in practice as if Jesus were not coming soon, as with the postmillennial belief (which is rejected by Adventists). The sensationalism of some approaches has brought people attention or money. He advocates balance, arguing from Jesus' end-times message in Matthew 24 and 25. 24:1-41 promotes the "expectancy" side of the picture, whereas the rest promotes the "waiting and occupying aspect of the tension." Of the five parables in this section, the first three emphasize watching (24:42- 25:13), the fourth on the talents emphasizes working while watching (25:14-30), and the final one on the sheep and the goats (25:31-46) emphasizes the social concern and nature of the working. He concludes "The ideal, of course, is to live responsibly in the interim." See George R. Knight, "Adventist Approaches to the Second Coming". Ministry 73:6/7 (June–July 2000), p28–32
  49. Adventist Today special issue (1:3) "Sacred Texts: Cast Iron or Free Form? How Should We use The Great Controversy?" rejects "literalistic reading" which ignores context (Bible or EGW). Principles extracted and reaffirmed in the reader's context.See Fred Veltman, "Text and Community in Dynamic Relationship". Adventist Today 1:3 (September 1993), p16, 19
  50. One lecturer claims "The symbolic, apocalyptic prophecies have always been a playground for egomaniacs, charlatans, and the sincerely misguided who play upon human fascination for a knowledge of the future, for soothsaying and fortunetelling. Prophetic exploiters motivate through fear and apprehension." He recommends instead: using sound judgment rather than being swayed by charisma, "safety in consensus", and loyal opposition (possibly) but not fault-finding. The prophecies are given to show "God's hand in history", to be "mindful that time is 'short'", the great controversy, and to remind "that Christ will triumph over evil" – we should not fear but hope for his return. See Steven Vitrano, "Prophecy: A Blessing and a Danger". Adventist Today 1:3 (September 1993), p17
  51. "The World of E. G. White and the End of the World" by Jonathan Butler. Spectrum 10:2 (August 1979), p2–13. See responses in Spectrum 11:1 (July 1980), p24–34 by Harold E. Fagal, Thomas A. Norris, W. Larry Richards, and a reply from Butler
  52. Paul J. Landa, "American Anti-Catholicism: History and Evaluation". Adventist Today 1:2 (July–August 1993), p12, 18
  53. Clifford Goldstein, "The Great Controversy Vindicated". Adventist Today 1:2 (July–August 1993), p10. An excerpt from Day of the Dragon
  54. Donald Casebolt, "Is Ellen White's Interpretation of Biblical Prophecy Final?" Spectrum 12:4 (June 1982), p2–9
  55. Gerhard Hasel, "Fulfillments of Prophecy", p288–322 in 70 Weeks, Leviticus, Nature of Prophecy
  56. c. 1919. As cited in Hook, p34, 37 footnote 17
  57. Ford, Daniel, p172–174, 186–188. Ford has written an article on the "apotelesmatic principle" of multiple fulfillments, c. 2008, and see his commentaries on Daniel and Revelation. See also: Raymond Cottrell. "Exegesis of Daniel".. A critical perspective is Roberto Ouro, "The Apotelesmatic Principle: Origin and Application".. Journal of the Adventist Theological Society 9:1–2 (1998), p326–342
  58. Hans LaRondelle, "The End-Time Message in Historical Perspective". Ministry 69:12 (December 1996), p10–13. "An approach to Revelation 12–14"
  59. Second Coming Predictions Fulfilled - A Great Earthquake
  60. Second Coming Predictions Fulfilled - The Sun Turned To Darkness
  61. Second Coming Predictions Fulfilled - Stars Falling From Heaven
  62. Merton E. Sprengel, "The Dark Day Plus 200 Years". Adventist Review 157:26 (May 22, 1980), p5–8; DjVu version, PDF version also. Series: May 29, and June 5. Kenneth Wood, "The Dark Day" editorial, p13–14 in the former issue
  63. MORE THAN A PROPHET. by Dr. Graeme Bradford, page 138
  64. For instance Donald Casebolt, "Is Ellen White's Interpretation of Biblical Prophecy Final?" Spectrum 12:4 (June 1982), p2–9
  65. Hans LaRondelle, "Viewpoint: The Application of Cosmic Signs in the Adventist Tradition". Ministry 71:9 (September 1998), p25–27
  66. George R. Knight, Matthew. Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press, 1994, p236–237; as cited by LaRondelle
  67. For instance C. Mervyn Maxwell, God Cares. Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press, 1985, vol. 1, p214. As quoted by LaRondelle
  68. Jon Paulien, What the Bible Says about the End Time. Hagerstown, Md: Review and Herald, 1994), p157
  69. Seventh-day Adventists believe. Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. p. 376.
  70. Carlos Espinosa (September 29, 2006). "The Adventist Message and the Book of Daniel". Spectrum website.
  71. Josiah Litch, The Probability of the Second Coming of Christ About A.D. 1843 (1838)
  72. "Litch, Josiah (1809–1886)" in Gary Land, Historical Dictionary of Seventh-day Adventists, p170–171. See Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p334. Some scholars today such as Casebolt are critical of this history
  73. A. Jan Marcussen (1986). National Sunday Law. Mountain Missionary Press. ISBN 0-912145-08-0.
  74. Article from the Religious Liberty Magazine entitled: The Hidden Danger of Conspiracy Theories, by William McCall]
  75. The Other Woman (study guide)
  76. The United States In Bible Prophecy
  77. The Mark Of The Beast (study guide)
  78. The Great Controversy Chapter entitled: Liberty of Conscience Threatened by Ellen G. White
  79. 666 Truth
  80. http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/eschatology/reformedescha.html
  81. http://www.presenttruthmag.com/archive/XVII/17-2.htm
  82. "Islam and The Papacy in Prophecy", Endtime Issues no. 86, 6 July 2002. See responses from leading Adventist theologians: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/eti_90.html
  83. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 223
  84. Uriah Smith, The United States in the Light of Prophecy. Battle Creek, Michigan: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association (1884), 4th edition, p.224.
  85. The Three Angels of Revelation XIV. 6-12, p.109. 1877 reprint. Cited from Adventist Bible Commentary
  86. Commentary on Daniel and Revelation,The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Nichol, Francis D., (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association), 2008, ISBN 978-0-8280-1170-9, pgs. 823-824 (from Vol. 7, Philippians to Revelation)
  87. Decree of Paul VI elevating the Prefecture Apostolic of Bafia, Cameroon, to a Diocese: Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Commentarium Officiale, vol. LX (1968), n. 6, pp. 317-319. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. ISBN 88-209-6068-0 ISBN 978-88-209-6068-1.
  88. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/AAR/AAR19751027-V80-43__C.pdf#view=fit
  89. ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 145
  90. ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER NUMBER 146
  91. Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1957. Chapter 18 "Historic Concept of the Mark of the Beast"
  92. Seventh-day Adventists Believe: A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines, Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1st edition 1988, 2nd edition 2005; and chapter 24 http://www.sdanet.org/atissue/books/27/27-24.htm
  93. Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, chapter 38; chapter 36; chapter 25; chapter 38; chapter 36; chapter 38
  94. One author states progressive Adventists generally believe "true Christians can and do worship on Sunday, and Sunday observance is not now, or later to become, the Mark of the Beast, nor is keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath to be the Seal of God." See Ron Corson, "". Adventist Today, 2002
  95. ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No 139
  96. The Adventist Sabbath School Quarterly one time had a different interpretation June 1-7, 2002
  97. William H. Shea. "The Location and Significance of Armageddon in Rev 16:16". Andrews University Seminary Studies. p. 157–162.
  98. Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, p691–701. See also LaRondelle, "Armageddon: History of Adventist Interpretations" in Symposium on Revelation–Book 2, Daniel and Revelation Committee Series 7. Silver Spring, MD: Biblical Research Institute, 1992, p444–449
  99. "Revelation Seminar" in Historical Dictionary of Seventh-day Adventists by Gary Land, p246
  100. Quote from the printed sessions. Website is RevelationHope.com
  101. Biblical Research Institute - Biblical Research Institute One review is Desmond Ford, "Daniel Committee: A Response to the Daniel & Revelation Committee"
  102. For instance Mark Finley, The Next Superpower. Review and Herald; ISBN 0-8280-1918-5. Revelation's Predictions for a New Millennium. Hart, 2001 (distributed by Review and Herald); ISBN 1-878046-55-1
  103. Other evangelist sources include Kenneth Cox, Daniel. Review and Herald, 2005; ISBN 1-883012-37-6
  104. See Danny Shelton and Shelley J. Quinn, The Antichrist Agenda: Ten Commandments Twice Removed. Review and Herald, 2005; ISBN 0-9720888-3-0

References
  • Anderson, Roy Allan (1975). Unfolding Daniel's Prophecies. Pacific Press Pub. Association. ISBN 0816301808.
  • Knight, George (2000). A Search for Identity. Review and Herald Publishing Association.
  • Maxwell, C. Mervyn (1981). God Cares: The Message of Daniel for You and Your Family. 1. Pacific Press Publishing Association.
  • Pfandl, Gehard (2004). Daniel: The Seer of Babylon. Review and Herald Publishing Association.
  • Shea, William H. (2005). Daniel: A Reader's Guide. Pacific Press Publishing Association.
  • Smith, Uriah (1944). Daniel and Revelation. Southern Publishing Association.
  • Swearingen, Marc Alden (2006). Tidings out of the Northeast. Coldwater, Michigan: Remnant Publication. p. 272. ISBN 1-933291-02-8.

Further reading
  • Roy Allan Anderson, Unfolding Daniel and Unfolding Revelation; reprinted as the single volume Unveiling Daniel and Revelation. Pacific Press, 2006; ISBN 0-8163-2151-5
  • Reinder Bruinsma, Seventh-day Adventist Attitudes Toward Roman Catholicism 1844–1965, Berrien Springs, Michigan, 1994; ISBN 1-883925-04-5
  • Jacques B. Doukhan, Secrets of Daniel. Review and Herald, 2000; ISBN 0-8280-1424-8. Daniel: Vision of the End. Andrews University Press (publisher's page). Secrets of Revelation. Review and Herald, 2002; ISBN 0-8280-1645-3
  • Desmond Ford, Crisis: A Commentary on the Book of Revelation Volumes 1–3, 1982. Daniel commentaries: Daniel, 1978; Daniel and The Coming King, 1996; In the Heart of Daniel: An Exposition of Daniel 9:24–27, 2007; and others
  • Le Roy Froom, The Prophetic Faith of Our FathersDjVu (4 volumes), the classic in-depth study
  • Clifford Goldstein, Day of the Dragon. Pacific Press; ISBN 0-8163-1148-X
  • Norman Gulley, Satan's Trojan Horse: God's End-Time Victory. Review and Herald, 2004; ISBN 0-8280-1746-8
  • Hans LaRondelle. How to Understand the End-Time Prophecies of the Bible (Sarasota, Florida: First Impressions, 1997)
  • Ministerial Association: "Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary" (chapter 23), "The Second Coming of Christ" (chapter 24), "Death and Resurrection" (chapter 25), "The Millenium and the End of Sin" (chapter 26) and "The New Earth" (chapter 27) in Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (1988). Seventh-day Adventists Believe... Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald. ISBN 0-8280-0466-8. See the "Prophecy" entry on p390 of the index
  • V. Norskov Olsen, ed., The Advent Hope in Scripture and History. Review and Herald, 1987
  • Jon Paulien's books, articles and blog posts. Paulien has been considered the leading Adventist scholar on Revelation. For example, The Deep Things of God: An Insider's Guide to the Book of Revelation (publisher's page). Seven Keys: Unlocking the Secrets of Revelation. Pacific Press, 2009; ISBN 0-8163-2373-9
  • Gerhard Pfandl, Daniel: The Seer of Babylon. Review and Herald
  • Ron du Preez, ed., Prophetic Principles. Review and Herald, 2008; ISBN 0-9786054-3-8
  • G. Edward Reid, Sunday's Coming. Fulton, MD: Omega (distributed by Review and Herald), 1994. Rev edn Review and Herald, 2005; ISBN 0-9711134-3-2. A popular, and conservative perspective
  • William H. Shea. Daniel (publisher's page)
  • Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation (reprint), the classic work on eschatology amongst the Adventist pioneers
  • Ranko Stefanovic,Revelation of Jesus Christ (publisher's page). Andrews University Press
  • Zdravko Stefanovic, Daniel: Wisdom to the Wise; publisher's page
  • Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy. (See also the compilation: White, Last Day Events. Pacific Press, 2001; ISBN 0-8163-1879-4)
  • Russell Earl Kelly, Exposing Seventh-day Adventism, 0-595-36342-3 [www.tithing-russkelly.com/sda]

See also "Prophecy" books from AdventistBookCenter.com

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