JAK wrote;

"This means that I do not look to the pastor, the teacher, my parents, friends or anyone else, including Ellen White, for the meaning of God's Word. God Himself will give the meaning. (Philippians 3:15)
This is not to be understood that we CAN NOT get help from them, but that the final decision of what we believe ultimately rests with the individual.

Therefore, each individual MUST interpret Scripture for themselves.

(NOTE: There are pre-existing conditions that apply to the above which I have not enumerated, but will if you ask for them.)" (bold emphasis mine)

If I may clarify; Each individual must learn how to interpret Scripture correctly. Each of us is responsible to accept Christ and His word in accordance with God's will. If we get it wrong or follow the wrong people, we can lose our souls.

If I may mention a few principles;

1) Divinely Inspired writings are always "thought inspired", and not "verbally inspired". Jeremiah 36:31-32

2) Always take into account the context in which the Bible verse is written.

3) Always study in the context with the whole of Scripture. (word or phrase comparisons)

4) Always allow the Bible to interpret itself.

5) Always take Scripture to mean just what it says unless it is shown to speak symbolically or prophetically.


I have found these principles to be invaluable in understanding Scripture properly.

That's a no-brainer.

Sometimes stating the obvious is painful - but necessary.

There's a lot of SDA that does not practice the health message and accepts the SOP. I would even say that most SDAs(80% or more) does not practice the health message at home. I think this reason is false. I'm one of those odd ones that is a strong supporter of the health message, but my interpretation of scriptures now differ from the Church. And it is not because I wanted to differ from the SDA or bitter at the Church or whatever reason you want to use. I came where I am because I started to seriously study scriptures for I was seeking life directions from the Lord. I haven't received my life direction yet, however the studies went in places I wasn't looking for.

One main problem that I see for rejecting the SOP is the Church and some members are using her writings as authoritive and as source of interpretation by which Ellen and James both disagreed of using her writings as such. We are suppose to be a scripture and Holy Spirit alone kind of people.

I think the Overcomers of the end are people that hears and follow the voice of Jesus and receives scripture interpretation from the leadings and teachings of the Holy Spirit.

SDA have lost their bearings and have become the image of the papacy. Their mantra is "what does EGW say?" And having a different viewpoint is exposing yourself like a sore thumb to be marked and watched.

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Agreed MM. We don't want to avoid or ignore the obvious.

If you differ fundamentally with the SDA Church it stands to reason you are rejecting fundamental portions of the SOP.

SDA members and leaders pledge to live in harmony with the biblical truths contained in the Bible and reinforced in the SOP and conveniently presented in the 28FB. Members and leaders who reject these biblical truths and/or refuse to live in accordance with them would do themselves and the church family a favor by withdrawing themselves and worshiping with like-minded believers elsewhere. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Are they lost or damned? Only Jesus knows the conscience. Only Jesus can read the heart and discern motives. If they are living up to the light they truly, genuinely believe is right and true, then yes, of course, they are in a saved state (they will be resurrected when Jesus returns). However, they cannot proclaim the 3AM. Why not? Because their views of truth are incorrect. During the final movements, if they are truly sincere, they will embrace the 3AM as proclaimed by faithful SDA believers. They will abandon Babylon and join the SDA Movement. The only believers who will be translated alive when Jesus arrives are those believers who embrace the 3AM as proclaimed by faithful SDA believers. Everyone else will receive the mark of the beast and perish with the unsaved.

Sorry, MM, but I abandoned that fanatical position a long time ago. Scripture has zero support for that idea.

MM wrote;

"SDA members and leaders pledge to live in harmony with the biblical truths contained in the Bible and reinforced in the SOP and conveniently presented in the 28FB. Members and leaders who reject these biblical truths and/or refuse to live in accordance with them would do themselves and the church family a favor by withdrawing themselves and worshiping with like-minded believers elsewhere. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?""

I find nothing fanatical about MM's position! I find it very sound and simple.

The seventh-day Adventist Church was raised up for a very distinct purpose! And if someone really doesn't agree with that purpose, that is fine. But, they should look for like-minded believers to worship with and leave our church to be like-minded believers.

People insist on changing this church from within and the changes are unBiblical and dangerous to the purpose for which we exist! We should be left to our purpose without these distractions and interruptions.