Introduction
Through the years several erroneous or subversive movements,
based on misinterpretation of Scripture or supposed divine illumina-
tion, have arisen among Seventh-day Adventists. These were firmly
and squarely dealt with by the Spirit of Prophecy counsels given to
meet these situations as they arose. Some of these counsels are in-
cluded in this section
.
Usually closely linked with the supposed new light was a message
of condemnation of the church and its leaders, and often there was
some phase of time setting. One such movement, known as the Loud
Cry of the Third Angel, led by a Mr. Stanton, was met through a series
of articles published in 1893 in the Review and Herald under the title
of “The Remnant Church Not Babylon” (now found in
Testimonies
to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 23-53
, and also in
The Remnant
Church; Its Organization, Authority, Unity, and Triumph, 23-53
). The
materials drawn together in this section make further reference to this
movement and deal in considerable detail with several like movements.
Two prominent cases involving claims to the prophetic gift are also
presented here in the form of counsel given by Mrs. White to those
directly or indirectly concerned. She was in an extremely delicate
position in dealing with situations of this character, but in fulfilling her
office as God’s messenger, she was given instruction that protected the
church from these pretenders to the prophetic office. She emphasized
the point that the genuine manifestation of the prophetic gift would
bear its own credentials, accompanied by ample clear, convincing
evidence
.
As long as there is an adversary to truth, subversive and erroneous
movements will arise and must be met. The Ellen G. White depiction
of several of these movements with their characteristic teachings, and
the counsel given in analyzing the work and teachings, offer much
that may prove of great service in easily and clearly identifying and
meeting again such situations when they appear
.
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