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The Pillars of Adventism are landmark doctrines for Seventh-Day Adventist in which the Bible doctrines that defined who they were as a people of faith, doctrines that were non-negotiables in Adventist theology. These pillars include the role of the law of God, Sabbath, the Heavenly sanctuary, the Second Coming of Christ, the State of the Dead, the Three Angels' Messages and the identity and role of Babylon in the great controversy between Christ and Satan.

The Pillars of Adventism

According to Seventh-Day Adventist, the basic pillars are as follow:

• The investigative judgment
• The sanctuary service
• The perpetuity of the Law of God and Sabbath
• The faith of Jesus
• The Three Angels' Messages (exposing the papacy, Babylon, ecumenism, explaining the Sabbath-Sunday question, exalting the law of God, etc.)
• Seventh-day Sabbath
• The state of the dead and the exposure of spiritualism.
• The special gift of prophecy .

Here are the five key discoveries they made:

The Sanctuary doctrine—the whole plan of salvation laid out in type. The ceremonial law God gave to ancient Israel symbolizes Jesus' work throughout history. As the people started unraveling this plan, they began to understand the ministry of Jesus and what had happened on the day of their disappointment.

Out of the sanctuary doctrine and the Great Disappointment, the great message of the Second Advent was formed, the truth about Sabbath was recovered, A Biblical understanding of the state of the dead was unraveled, and the Spirit of Prophecy was established.

These are the main pillars of Adventism, which make this denomination unique.

These doctrines inspired the pioneers to recognize the Three Angels’ Messages, and thereafter the Adventist Church movement was born.

History of formative beliefs of Adventism

The early Adventists emphasized the concept of "present truth" -- see 2 Peter 1:12 (NKJV). James White explained, “The church [has] ever had a present truth. The present truth now, is that which shows present duty, and the right position for us…” ”Present truth is present truth, and not future truth, and the Word as a lamp shines brightly where we stand, and not so plainly on the path in the distance.” Ellen White pointed out that “present truth, which is a test to the people of this generation, was not a test to the people of generations far back.” This view is echoed in the preamble to the 28 Fundamentals. "...Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word." The founders of the SDA church had a dynamic concept of what they called present truth, opposed to creedal rigidity, and had an openness to new theological understandings that built upon the landmark doctrines that had made them a people.

Yet, the possibilities of dynamic change in Seventh-day Adventist beliefs were not unlimited. Those landmark doctrines were non-negotiables in Adventist theology. Collectively they had provided the Seventh-day Adventists with an identity. In their eyes the pillars of their faith—the Bible doctrines that defined who they were as a people—had been thoroughly studied out in the Scripture and had been attested to by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. As Ellen White put it, "When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth. ... Men will arise with interpretations of Scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth. The truth for this time, God has given us as a foundation for our faith. Robert Johnston noted, “Without repudiating the past leading of the Lord, it [the Seventh-day Adventist church] seeks even to understand better what that leading was. It is always open to better insights to learn—to seek for truth as for hid treasure. … Adventists are still pilgrims on a doctrinal journey who do not repudiate the way marks, but neither do they remain stopped at any of them.”

Ellen White wrote,

"There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation."

These pillars, landmarks, way marks, are the investigative judgment, the sanctuary that brings this judgment to light, the three angel’s messages of Revelation, the law of God, the faith of Jesus, Sabbath, the state of the dead, and the special gift of prophecy.

"The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God's people upon the earth, [also] the first and second angels' messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God's law. The nonimmortality of the wicked is an old landmark. I can call to mind nothing more that can come under the head of the old landmarks. All this cry about changing the old landmarks is all imaginary." {CW 30.2}

Adventist Church position

· The landmarks, or pillars, here listed include the following: 1. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. 2. The three angels' messages 3. The law of God 4. Seventh-day Sabbath 5. The nonimmortality of the soul

· The above pillars, or landmarks, represent our more distinctive teachings which set us apart from other Christians.

They are found in the 28 Fundamental Beliefs. In Fundamental Belief #24 which says: 24. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary: There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)

2. The Law of God In Fundamental Belief #19 which says: 19. Law of God: The great principles of God's law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God's love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God's covenant with His people and the standard in God's judgment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is an evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow men. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. (Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.)

3. Seventh-day Sabbath In Fundamental Belief #20 which says: 20. Sabbath: The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God's creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)

4. The Non-Immortality of the Soul In Fundamental Belief #26 which says: 26. Death and Resurrection: The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.)

5. The Three Angels’ Messages In Fundamental Belief #13 which says: 13. Remnant and Its Mission: The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces: 1. the arrival of the judgment hour, 2. proclaims salvation through Christ, and 3. heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has traditionally held the pillars of the Adventist faith as based on the following foundation:

1. FIRST ANGEL'S MESSAGE The church on earth is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy and false beliefs, Gods people are called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant spreads the message of the first angel, the arrival of the judgment hour,

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Revelation 14:6-7.

A warning message to the world: to fear God, our Creator to worship only Him, and give glory to Him by reflecting His character, for the hour of investigative judgment (first for the dead and then for the living) has come, and to proclaim the Everlasting Gospel, which involves the plan of redemption, and salvation from all sin through Jesus Christ the only Mediator between God and man. (For further study: Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:3-6; 1 Kings 8:60; Psalms 19:9; Proverbs 2:5; 3:19; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 5:16, 28:19; John 1:3, 14:6, 17:3; Acts 1:8, 14:15, 17:24-25; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Timothy 2:5; Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 199, 222-229, 231; Testimonies, vol 6, p 19.)

2. SECOND ANGEL'S MESSAGE Then they proclaim salvation through Christ,

"And there followed another angel saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Revelation 14:8.

Babylon fallen represents the moral fall of all Protestant Churches by 1844, because they rejected the light of truth sent to them from heaven as proclaimed in the First Angel's Message. This message is still a call for all Christians to separate from their fallen churches. (For further study: Isaiah 28:7, 48;17-20; Jeremiah 50:6, 51:6, 8, 51:44-45; Ezekiel 21:3,4; Zechariah 2:6-7; Matthew 24:15-16; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20-21; Acts 15:14; Revelation 11:8, 16:19, 17:18, 18:1-5; Testimonies, vol 8, p 118; Patriarchs and Prophets, p 124; Great Controversy, p 383, 606; SDA Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 984-985; Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 230-33, 421, 424-425; Selected Messages, book 2, p 118; book 3, p 405; Fundamentals of Christian Education, p 362; Testimony to Ministers, p 61, 117, 265; Upward look, p 277; Kress Collection, p 124; Review and Herald, October 31, 1899; July 5, 1906; Manuscript Releases, book 12, p 248.)

3. 6. THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE Then they heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.) "And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:9-12

"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18:1-5.

A solemn invitation is given to every truly repentant sinner to accept the righteousness of Christ by faith, which is imputed in justification and imparted through sanctification, enabling them to keep all of God's commandments, overcoming all sin through His grace and strength, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. It also warns all mankind against worshiping the beast (Roman Catholicism), or his image (apostate Protestantism), or receiving the mark of Catholicism (which is submitting to Sunday worship), lest they receive the wrath of God poured out in the seven last plagues. It also warns all of God's people to willingly separate themselves from all unclean apostate, harlot churches of Babylon - including the Seventh-day Adventist Church - or become partakers of her sins and receive her plagues. (For further study: Genesis 19:24; Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6; Psalms 92:7; Ezekiel 22:31; Daniel 3:5-29; Luke 17:29; Acts 2:27; 1 Corinthians 6:15-16, 19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Amos 3:3; Isaiah 52:11; James 4:12; 2 Peter 3:10; Jude 7; Revelation 12:17, 13:1-18, 14:11-12, 15:2, 16:2, 19:10, 20:10, 14-15; Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 278-279, 281, 356, 362-363; Great Controversy, p 444-45, 449, 536, 605; Early Writings, p 219, 221; Testimony to Ministers, p 133; SDA Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 976, 979-980; Manuscript Releases, vol 12, p 248, 250; Word to the Little Flock, p 12.)

4. THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE, ARK, AND IMMUTABLE LAW OF GOD

"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments therefore, even so shall ye make it." Exodus 25:8-9.

"And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament." Revelation 11:19.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

There is a temple in heaven of which the earthly sanctuary was a pattern. This heavenly sanctuary is composed of two apartments; the first is the holy place, the second the most holy place. In the second apartment is found the ark of God containing His immutable law perpetually embodied in the ten commandments which is a transcript of His character. God's divine principles, His moral requirements, are binding upon all men in all ages and constitutes the basis of His covenant with His people and the standard of character in the final judgment. (For further study: Numbers 14:18; Proverbs 28:13; Jeremiah 32:19; Ezekiel 18:30, 33:20, 34:17, 20; Daniel 7:9-10; Matthew 22:1-14; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; All of the book of Hebrews; James 4:12; 1 Peter 4:5; Jude 14-15; Revelation 5:1-9, 11:18, 22:14-15; Great Controversy, p 428, 412.)

5. CHRIST'S MINISTRY IN CLEANSING THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY

"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Daniel 8:14.

"...I have appointed thee each day for a year." Ezekiel 4:6.

Christ's first apartment (holy place) ministry began at His ascension and continued until October 22, 1844 at the end of the 2300 days/years when He entered into the second apartment (most holy place) to begin His final mediatorial work of intercession, atonement, and investigative judgment to cleanse the heavenly sanctuary as our High Priest. (For further study: Leviticus 16, 23:27-32; Numbers 14:34; Hebrews 6:19-20, 9:3, 7, 11-15, 12:24; Great Controversy, p 352, 409, 412-22, 428, 480, 647-48; Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 265-270, 431, 440; Early Writings, p 36, 54-56, 256; Testimonies, vol 6, p 364; vol 5, p 86, 575; Counsels to Writers and Editors, p 78; Testimony to Ministers, p 37, 445; Manuscript Releases, vol 12, p 392; Selected Messages, book 1, p 124-126, 232, 344; Notebook Leaflets, p 99, col 1; Battle Creek Letters, p 116-117; Review and Herald, January 21, 1890.)

6. THE SABBATH

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy god: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hollowed it." Exodus 20:8-11.

God Himself, after six days of creationary work, blessed, sanctified, and rested on the seventh day as His only Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3). This fourth commandment of God's written holy law requires all of His true followers to devote the seventh day of each week, beginning at sunset Friday through sunset Saturday, to the worship of God as their Creator. Thus it is a sacred day of rest requiring abstinence from all unnecessary labor and secular work, and the performance of sacred and religious duties. This Sabbath commandment contains God's official seal which includes His name - "Lord thy God"; His official position - "Creator"; His domain - "heaven and earth". Therefore the seventh day Sabbath is the seal of God's creative and sanctifying power which is exercised through the Holy Spirit in the lives of His obedient people. (For further study: Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31, 2:2-3; Nehemiah 13:19; Isaiah 8:16, 58:12-14; Ezekiel 20:12; Daniel 7:25; Matthew 5:17-19; Mark 1:32, 2:27-28; Luke 23:54-56, 24:1; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 4:4-10; James 2:10-11; Revelation 12:17, 14:12; Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 279-281, 395-96, 457; Testimonies, vol 1, p 116; vol 6, p 349-368; vol 8, p 117; Patriarchs and Prophets, p 336.)

7. NON-IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL (State of the dead)

"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun... for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, 10.

Death is a state of silence, inactivity, and entire unconsciousness, referred to in the Bible as "sleep". Therefore the scriptures clearly confirm that all apparitions of those who have died, including the Virgin Mary, are the spirits of demons working miracles to deceive, if possible, God's people (see Revelation 16:14). The investigative judgment determines whether the dead will awaken at Christ's second coming being raised in the first resurrection to inherit everlasting life, or remaining in the grave until the second resurrection to be consumed in the lake fire which is the second death. (For further study: Job 14:21; Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 22:30; John 11:24-25; Acts 2:29, 34; Colossians 3:4; 1 Corinthians 15:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 14:13, 20:5, 21:4; Hebrews 9:24; Isaiah 26:14; Ecclesiastes 3:20; Desire of Ages, p 527; Early Writings, p 262; Acts of Apostles, p 289; Testimony to Ministers, p 457.)

Health reform

Ellen White expounded greatly on the subject of health and nutrition, as well as healthy eating and a balanced diet . At her behest, the Seventh-day Adventist Church first established the Western Health Reform Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1866 to care for the sick as well as to disseminate health instruction. Over the years, other Adventist sanitariums were established around the country. These sanitariums evolved into hospitals, forming the backbone of the Adventists' medical network and, in 1972, forming the Adventist Health System.

The beginnings of this health ministry are found in a vision that White had in 1863. The vision was said to have occurred during a visit by James and Ellen White to Otsego, Michigan to encourage the evangelistic workers there . As the group bowed in prayer at the beginning of Sabbath, Ellen White reportedly had a vision of the relation of physical health to spirituality, of the importance of following right principles in diet and in the care of the body, and of the benefits of nature's remedies—clean air, sunshine, exercise and pure water. Previous to this vision, little thought or time had been given to health matters in the church, and several of the overtaxed ministers had been forced to become inactive because of sickness. This revelation on June 6, 1863 impressed upon the leaders in the newly organized church the importance of health reform. In the months that followed, as the health message was seen to be a part of the message of Seventh-day Adventists, a health educational program was inaugurated. An introductory step in this effort was the publishing of six pamphlets of 64 pages each, entitled, Health, or How to Live, compiled by James and Ellen White. An article from White was included in each of the pamphlets. The importance of health reform was greatly impressed upon the early leaders of the church through the untimely death of Henry White at the age of 16, the severe illness of Elder James White, which forced him to cease work for three years, and through the sufferings of several other ministers.

Early in 1866, responding to the instruction given to Ellen White on Christmas Day in 1865 that Seventh-day Adventists should establish a health institute for the care of the sick and the imparting of health instruction, plans were laid for the Western Health Reform Institute, which opened in September, 1866. While the Whites were in and out of Battle Creek from 1865 to 1868, James White's poor physical condition led them to move to a small farm near Greenville, Michigan.

White's idea of health reform included vegetarianism in a day and age where "meat and two vegetables" was the standard meal for a typical North American. Her health message inspired a health food revolution starting with John Harvey Kellogg in his creation of Corn Flakes. The Sanitarium Health Food Company as it is now known was also started by this health principle. It is also based on White's health principles that Kellogg differed from his brother's views on the sugar content of their Corn Flake breakfast cereal. The latter started Kellogg Company. White championed a vegetarianism that was intended to be spiritually helpful and with regard to the moral issues of the cruel treatment of animals .

Her views are expressed in many of her writings such as Important Facts Of Faith: Laws Of Health, And Testimonies, Nos. 1-10 (1864), Healthful Living (1897, 1898), The Ministry of Healing (1905), The Health Food Ministry (1970), and Counsels on Diet and Foods (1926).

Education

White's idea of creating a Christian educational system and its importance in society is detailed in her writings Christian Education (1893, 1894) and Education (1903).

Overview

In addition to holding many standard Protestant positions, the SDA's have embraced the Three Angels messages, which are associated with a number of doctrinal Pillars. This remarkable paradigm has changed the eschatological platform for the modern Protestant church. Which is why all denominations today embrace the pre-millennial and literal Second Coming of Christ instead of a thousand years of peace and prosperity that was taught back in the early 19th century.

This major revision about how the world will end is the result of William Miler's discovery, (in 1818), and proclamation, (1839-44), of the 1st Angels Message. Although Miller's theology was incorrectly repudiated by every denomination in the 1840's, things have changed dramatically because now all denominations embrace what they once condemned.

So the Advent Movement has had a major impact on Protestant theology, even though few know or acknowledge this fact today. Thus Miller's fundamental teaching is normative for the entire church today.

No other modern denomination has anything like this living prophetic history that contains seven fundamental doctrines, including the Gospel as the # 1 pillar and the Second Coming as the Day of Judgment, the # 2 pillar. These twin doctrinal pillars represent the 1st Angels message. They are normative Christian doctrines, even as they form the foundation of the Advent Movement.

Those two great truths in the 1st Angels Message are followed by the 2nd Angels Message, which features the doctrine of separation from the world in order to escape the direct impact of the last Judgment. This is the #3 pillar within the Adventist Apocalyptic. This too is standard Christian doctrine, which is why the church was formed, to separate from the world. So this is not really new, but a re-emphasis of New Testament teaching.

The truth about the non-immortality of the soul, pillar # 4, is also part of the early teaching from Historic Adventism. And while this may seem at odds with the majority of Protestants, it nonetheless represents the truth that immortality is only possible through Christ. This doctrine supports the teaching of the resurrection and thus it is a very important part of the Adventist eschatological model.

After the close of the 2nd Message, on October 23, 1844, there was a new doctrinal pillar immediately added to the unfolding paradigm. This 5th Pillar was focused on the Heavenly Sanctuary. It corrected Miller's obvious error about Dan 8:14 where he taught that the earth was the sanctuary to be burned with fire at the Second Coming.

This major correction allowed the SDA Pioneers to go forward within the paradigm and discover the 3rd Angels Message, (in 1847), which featured seventh-day Sabbath and the 10 Commandment Law of God. Thus Sabbath was the 6th Pillar within the Adventist Apocalyptic.

Unfortunately, this 5th pillar about the heavenly Sanctuary was soon revised by the Battle Creek SDA's, and then changed again by the 20th century SDA's without any permission from their founders. And it is this major error that has confused and disoriented the contemporary Advent Movement, causing Millions to leave the SDA church in the late 20th century.

While the original 5th Pillar is normative NT doctrine, except for the date of 1844, which is wrong, other revisions occurred later that changed this early sanctuary doctrine into something very different from its original meaning and intent. And this became a major factor for the 20th century SDA's that is yet to be resolved.

However, in the 19th century, the SDA's proclaimed Sabbath as their primary doctrine. This was the 6th Pillar within the Three Angels Messages. This is what the SDA's promoted more than any other doctrine. In fact, it was viewed as their passion and their mission. They called it Sabbath Reform. They taught that this was the final doctrinal correction for the church prior to the Second Coming.

Although the vast majority of Christians believe that Sunday is new-covenant Sabbath, the SDA's have correctly insisted that this is a theological error from the post apostolic Fathers and the Roman Catholic Church. They viewed it as their duty to correct this error about Sabbath and the Law of God, and they took it very seriously.

However, many think that seventh-day Sabbath represents legalism, and the SDA's are indeed guilty of presenting it as such. Like the Jews, who were the first Sabbatarians and legalists, the SDA's also became obsessed with the Law, and thus they misunderstood the Gospel and the Judgment, which is part of this chief doctrine of the church.

The 7th and last Pillar is Health Reform. This doctrine is about healing, which played a large part of Jesus ministry on earth. The SDA founders went to a great deal of trouble to set up a holistic formula for the preservation of health. They were so successful with their health institutions that the Battle Creek Sanitarium, run by John Harvey Kellogg, the inventor of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, became world famous.

The nature of Christ The sanctuary service The spirit of prophecy The Three Angels' Messages (exposing the papacy, Babylon, ecumenism, explaining the Sabbath-Sunday question, exalting the law of God, etc.) The state of the dead and the exposure of spiritualism

WHAT ARE THE PILLARS OF OUR FAITH? "The passing of time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God's people upon the earth, (also) the first and second angels' messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, 'The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.' One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressor of God's law. The non-immortality of the wicked is an old landmark." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p 30. (For further study: Proverbs 9:1; Hebrews 6:2; 1888 Materials, p 518; Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 258, 313, 377, 399; Testimonies, vol 6, p 91, 144; Evangelism, p 273; Early Writings, p 63, 87, 258; Great Controversy, p 409; Life Sketches, p 278).

WHY PILLARS OF ADVENTISM ARE NEEDED?

"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Psalms 11:3.

"As a people we are to stand firm on the platform of eternal truth that has withstood test and trial. We are to hold to the sure pillars of our faith. The principles of truth that God has revealed to us are our only true foundation. They have made us what we are. The lapse of time has not lessened their value." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p 52.

"Men will arise with interpretations of scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth. The truth for this time, God has given us as a foundation for our faith. He Himself has taught us what is truth. One will arise, and still another, with new light which contradicts the light God has given under the demonstration of His Holy Spirit... We are not to receive the words of those who come with a message that contradicts the special points of our faith." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p 32.

"Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and others... were among those who after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly... "But the waymarks which have made us what we are, are to be preserved, and they will be preserved, as God has signified through His Word and the testimony of His Spirit. He calls upon us to hold firmly with the grip of faith to the fundamental principles that are based on unquestionable authority." Series B#2, p 56-59. (For further study: Isaiah 49:22, 62:10; Jeremiah 6:16, 50:2; Ephesians 4:14-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 16; Hebrews 10:23; SDA Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 985; Selected Messages, book 1, p 161; Evangelism, p 121; Life Sketches, p 430, 448; Upward Look, p 152; Testimonies, vol 4, p 211; vol 5, p 31, 295; vol 6, p 17; Review and Herald, August 20, 1903.)

See also

• Seventh-day Adventist Church

External links

• [http://www.nonegw.org/ballenger/castout.htm Cast Out for the Cross of Christ

by Albion F. Ballenger]