7 PILLARS OF OUR ADVENTIST FAITH
7 PILLARS
7 COLUMNS THE FOUNDATION OF THE HOUSE OF WISDOM
This 7 Pillars or beliefs, are essential to us and our faith. Can we spot a difference between a pillar and a foundation? To answer this question, it would be healthy to first define the terms.
Let's see. ① Pillar: (1) A rigid support element, taller than it is wide, and normally with a square or polygonal section, which serves to support the horizontal structure of a building, an arch or other construction. (2) Person or thing considered the support or basis of something. {Source: google.com/search} Thus, when applied to the formation of the Adventist message, we understand that these were the truths that gave solidity and structure to its doctrinal organization. All the teachings of Holy Scripture are of divine origin, but there are truths that are key to the church of Christ.
② Foundation: (1) Principle or origin on which a thing is based. (2) Main or basic motive or reason for a thing. {Source: google.com/search.} So, while a pillar is a rigid support element to support the structure of a building, the foundation is what the pillar rests on , and this same relationship can be found in the formation of the Adventist message. . The Holy Scripture says this, "Wisdom built her house, carved its seven columns." (Proverbs 9:1)
7 COLUMNS ( 7 PILLARS )
Do we believe what we read in The Holy Scripture when it says this, "Wisdom built her house, carved its seven columns." (Proverbs 9:1.)
It is interesting, but the Bible identifies who is the Wisdom that built her house. Let's see who it is, "But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the Wisdom of God ." (1 Corinthians 1:24.)
"But through him you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us by God wisdom , justification, sanctification and redemption." (1° Corinthians 1:30.)
Yes, the Son of God, Christ, is the Wisdom of God. And it is the Wisdom mentioned in Proverbs 8, and which was begotten by God in heaven, in eternity past (Proverbs 8:12, 22-25; John 16:27-28; Micah 5:2; John 1:1- 2).
It is the same Wisdom that, upon coming to earth, founded its church, but also sent its apostles and prophets. Let us notice the following statement in the gospel of Luke, "Therefore the Wisdom of God also said, I will send them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute." (Luke 11:49) Christ founded his church, and that is the house of Proverbs 9:1 that was built on 7 truths, or 7 columns that all point to him and his Father. We are called to uphold this Pillars of our Faith.
CHRIST IS THE WISDOM OF GOD!
The pillars are the truths that God has sent through his own Son. The foundation is the support on which these pillars rest. Christ tells us that a house built without a solid foundation will fall. Let's listen to his own statement, "But he who heard and did not do is like the man who built his house on land, without foundation; against which the river hit with impetus, and then fell, and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:49.)
It is extremely interesting to know that in the Hebrew culture it was prohibited to remove the boundaries or limits of the roads.
Let's see what the Bible says, "Do not cross the ancient boundaries that your fathers set." (Proverbs 22:28)
And David asked, "If the foundations are destroyed, what shall the righteous do?" (Psalms 11:3.) By studying the pillars and foundation in the Adventist movement, We find that Joseph Bates was the first to publish a pamphlet about our pillars.
Elder Bates wrote in 1847, that is, three years after the disappointment of 1844 with the Millerite movement, a pamphlet about pillars or boundaries, based on Jeremiah 31:21 were published.
"Set signs for yourself, put up high poles, carefully note the road; turn back the way you went, virgin of Israel, return to these your cities." (Jeremiah 31:21.)
Today we need to return to the old boundaries or waymarks, so that we can be on the pillars, which rest on a true foundation.
In speaking of the work of purification by the Son of God in heaven, Ellen White wrote,
"The writing that above all others had been both the foundation as the central pillar of the Advent faith was the statement: 'Until two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary will be purified.'" Daniel 8:14. (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 409.)
7 pillars presented since 1844
This statement tells us clearly that the teaching of the sanctuary is a central pillar of our faith. However, let's look at other statements that offer us an expanded list of the pillars in the context of the Adventist message:
"The passage of time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the purification of the sanctuary that was happening in heaven, and having a decided relationship with the people of God on earth, [also] the messages of the first and second angel and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed: 'The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus [including righteousness by faith message]'. One of the milestones under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment shone with its strong rays in the path of the transgressors of the law of God. The non-immortality of the wicked is an old landmark.” (Ellen G. White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 30-31; in English.)
So far, we have seen a list of (5) five pillars.
She repeats the Sanctuary, and uses expressions that for many has become a cause of confusion, since they make an incorrect list, ignoring the other two (2) pillars that are missing to reach the seven (7) pillars that we are looking for.
She has mentioned,
▪ The sanctuary.
▪ The non-immortality of the wicked.
▪ The Law of God, including the Sabbath.
▪ The faith of Jesus (Righteousness by faith message).
▪ The Messages of the Three Angels.
Let's look at the following statement from the Spirit of Prophecy,
"Those who seek to remove old landmarks do not stand firm; They do not remember what they have received and heard. Those who try to introduce theories that would tear down the pillars of our faith about the sanctuary or about the personality of God or Christ, they are acting as blind They seek to introduce uncertainties and leave God's people to the drifts without anchor.” (Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power [Devotional receive Power], p. 235.)
CHRIST IS THE WISDOM OF GOD!
The above statement mentions the sanctuary, again as a pillar of our faith, but also mentions the personalities of God and Christ as pillars, and brings the symbol of an anchor.
The anchor serves to keep a boat safe and stable.
Let's consider one more statement that will help us complete our 7 pillars. "The only safety now is to seek the truth as revealed in the word of God, like a hidden treasure. Sabbath’s themes the nature of man and the testimony of Jesus are the great and important truths that must be understood; these will prove to be an anchor to sustain God's people in these dangerous times."
(Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1 p. 300.)
In this statement we see the testimony of Jesus in the same category than the pillars and referred to as an anchor. Although this statement does not mention the term pillar (or point of reference), presents the anchor symbol as equivalent to pillars and points of reference. Grouping the mentions made by the Spirit of Prophecy, we find
the following list:
❶ The sanctuary.
❷ The non-immortality of the wicked.
❸ The Law of God, including the Sabbath.
❹ The faith of Jesus (Righteousness by faith message).
❺ The messages of the 3 angels.
❻ The personalities of God and Christ.
❼ The Testimony of Jesus (The Spirit of Prophecy)
The Sanctuary and
the personality of God and Christ
These certainly are fundamental doctrines that have great importance, not only for the Adventist, but for every Christian, although sadly, not all are received.
Many Adventists talk about the pillars, they ignore that, even knowing the correct pillars, they are of no use if they are not based on a solid and firm foundation. By that, we must know and be very clear and firm about the foundation on which they rest. What is the foundation on which these pillars rest? According to the Bible, and according to the Testimonies, the teaching that Jesus is the Son of God is the foundation of the Christian experience.
When Jesus and his disciples “came to the borders of Caesarea, Philip asked his disciples saying, Who do men say what is the Son of Man?” (Matthew 16:13.) After giving the opinions of others, Peter rightly stated that Jesus was “the Son of the living God” (v. 16.) Let us observe the response of our Savior, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, because the flesh nor blood, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also I say, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it" (v. 17, 18). The rock is not Peter, because the gates of hell prevailed against him on more than one occasion (Matthew 26:69-75; Galatians 2:11, 12).
Furthermore, the Scriptures point to the context in that same statement given by Peter; that is, the truth on which is the foundation, that Christ is the Son of the living God.
And it's very interesting that many do not understand or see this, even the Spirit of Prophecy is in total harmony with this idea; let's take into action the following statement,
“The truth that Peter had confessed is the foundation of the faith of the believer. It is what Christ himself has declared is eternal life... Peter had expressed the truth that is the foundation of the faith of the church." (Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 412-413.)
CHRIST IS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD
Next, we will see that the foundation of the believers is our Lord Jesus Christ, when the Scriptures declare plainly that "Now therefore you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens of the saints, and members of the family of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;.” (Ephesians 2:19, 20)
In conclusion, the foundation of the apostles stands or rests on this foundation: "Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God." If the pillars do not rest on a solid foundation, their foundation is not firm structure. And what happens when the foundation is not laid in what solid?
Let us remember the words of our Savior, "But he who heard and did not do is like the man who built his house on land, without foundation; against which the river hit with impetus, and then fell, and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:49.) So, the foundation of the church that Christ founded is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and the foundation of the Adventist message is the same statement that came from God through the apostle Peter: Jesus Christ is "the Son of the living God"
And, what is the foundation of the Adventist message? Could it be another? Every Adventist believer should check if they really believe this. Perhaps you were surprised that we have pointed out the need to continue believing the same thing that the apostolic church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, and the same thing that our Adventist pioneers when they received God's message, including the prophetess Ellen White. However, the truth is that many say they believe the same thing, but when they declare what they believe, it turns out that they do not accept the fact that Christ was born in heaven, before coming to earth through the Virgin Mary. This theology moves away from Holy Scripture and is not sound doctrine.
JESUS CHRIST
THE CHIEF CORNER STONE
They use many subterfuges to hide their true belief. But this is what the Scripture says, "Be upon you grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, in truth and love." (2 John 1:3.) Yes, he is the Son "in truth", and not figuratively or because of a temporary role, or because they play a role
The Word of God never lies. Or, as the apostle puts it, "By no means; but let God be true, and every man liar..." (Romans 3:4).
And it is that, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.”(John 3:16).
If you believe it, you will be saved!
Many blessings!
❶ The sanctuary. (Daniel 8:14, Psalms 68:24)
❷ The non-immortality of the wicked.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5, Revelation 20.9)
❸ The Law of God, including the Sabbath.
(Roman 7:12, Exodus 20:8-11)
❹ The faith of Jesus (Righteousness by faith message).
(Revelation 14:12, Galatians 2:16)
❺ The messages of the 3 angels.
(Revelation 14:6-12, 18:1-5)
❻ The personalities of God and Christ.
(John 17:3, John 16:3-4, 1 Peter 1:3)
❼ The Testimony of Jesus (The Spirit of Prophecy)
(Revelation 12:17, Revelation 19:10)
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