Two Sides in the Final Conflict on Earth A call to true Adventism in the midst of many misleading voices within and without.
Pastor Israel M. Ntshangase
Š Pastor Israel M. Ntshangase Published in 2016 by BK Press P O Box 47055. Greyville 4023 Prepared for publication: Ginny Porter
ISBN 978-1-928245-26-1
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Table of Contents
Foreword ........................................................................................ i Author Profile ................................................................................ iii Author’s Preface ............................................................................ iv
Chapter 1: Criticising the Bride of Christ ...................................... 1 Chapter 2: Splinter Groups and Dissident Movements ................. 23 Chapter 3: Fulfilment of Prophecies in the Last Days ................... 63 Chapter 4: The Remnant Church of God Cannot Be Babylon ...... 102 Chapter 5: Surviving the Shaking .................................................. 122 Chapter 6: God is still in Control ................................................... 132
Foreword
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or the church it’s the best of times and the worst of times. Time of unprecedented danger, but also of unparalleled opportunity. The remnant church, along with other denominations, is a fast growing church, and this rapid growth may present both countless challenges and opportunities. A multitude of new believers swells our ranks. The church operates in universities, colleges, and schools. It’s also involved in hospitals, clinics and sanatoriums. Publishing houses in different parts of the world are networking and spreading the printed page. In many generations the church is iconic and wealthy. We can rightly point to evidences of our Lord’s leading, as countries long resistant to our mission, now open to the preaching of our threefold messages. Yet, somehow the church has a great challenge in maintaining its identity and the future looks like it will present even more challenges. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and revival of true godliness is still the great challenge facing the church today. Church politics seem to have a strong grip on most of our ministers and laity, to the neglect of our great mission and commission. New light also presents problems of its own in various parts of the world. Revival and reformation seem to be confusing to some of us and that leads to false revival and i
reformation. Young people are growing stronger in the Lord, but some leave the faith in pursuance of wealth and fame in the music industry and the like. Like the community so is the church, this is a new trend and it needs to be avoided. The church is the head and not the tail, thus it cannot allow itself to learn from the world, but lead the dark world into light.
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Author’s Preface
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hy is this book titled Two Sides in the Final Conflict on Earth? What does it mean? What is its purpose? Many Adventist Christians today have left the ranks, some back to the world, others to other denominations. Also within the ranks we have some sort of weird ideas formally or informally presented to us. This is the context in which this book is written to address those weird ideas that may confuse us as to why the church is so shaken today. Perhaps to call back some who have mistakenly left the church due to some frustrations or splinter groups, and dissident movements? Actually, Adventists are not easily deceived or swayed for long; they, by the grace of God, come back to their senses and adjust themselves accordingly after a while. Yet not all of them come back after going astray for whatever reason. In this book the reader will find the assurance of God’s words, the Spirit of Prophecy and the evidence from history as to how the remnant church will thrive through challenges within the borders. The Two Sides in the Final Conflict on Earth aims to unearth the view that all is well in the church and provides evidence that the remnant church will withstand the dark stormy night until the day of deliverance dawns. The controversial story would be our space of focus as a matter of alerting the people of God as to what is happening behind the scenes. This book also aims at reviving the Adventist Church to stick to our
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fundamental beliefs in spite of some respectable pastors and laity who seem to challenge the very core our existence. The humble claim that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the true church on earth, and that through it God aims to bring back proper worship to Him and glory to His name, seems to be under attack by some of those who have left the fold and those who are critical of church leaders and the church at large. Some are no longer clear whether they are for, or against, the church. They seem to be critical of the Bride of Christ and in doing so they point to themselves as the select few. Such pastors, elders, deacons, or any member, seem to cling to their view, even if it brings cracks to the body of Christ, the church and they also challenge the global teachings and practice of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For example, the doctrine of Trinity is of late under severe attack and those who do so are not prepared to change their minds and align themselves with this doctrine. Their claim is that the Trinity is un-biblical and is a Roman Catholic teaching within the Adventist church. The Trustees of The Ellen G. White Estate provide us with the blessed assurance. “In the closing moments of earth’s sinful history, surely God’s Holy Spirit is ready to give us the power to finish our work for others and the work necessary for ourselves. Can it be that you will become through whom God will do something special?” (True Revival, Ellen G. White: 2010:8) Certainly this book will revive and reform genuine Adventism v
as opposed to formalism, fanaticism and legalistic view of salvation and again will expose righteousness by faith. May the Lord of the universe bless you as you read this book for reaffirming and encouraging others to do so.
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Chapter 1
Criticising the Bride of Christ (The Church)
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riticising the bride of Christ comes in different shapes and contexts. Some seem to disapprove of the current church state of affairs, claiming that the remnant church has lost its first love. Others claim that the church is fallen and therefore has become Babylon and apply Rev. 18:1-5 as a callout of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The critical question is that such have become so arrogant and disrespectful of church leaders appointed by God, calling them names such as ‘Jesuits’. Perhaps they do not have a full knowledge of who the Jesuits are. Therefore, it is vital for me to explain a bit who the Jesuits are as maybe this definition will assist us not to miss the point by calling leadership we do not agree with the Jesuits. Who are the ‘Jesuits’? The Catholic Encyclopaedia explains Jesuits as “The Society of Jesus”. The Society of Jesus is a religious order founded by Saint Loyola. As has been explained under the title ‘’Ignatius Loyola’’, the founder began his selfreform, and the enlistment of followers, entirely prepossessed with the idea of imitating Christ, and without any plan for a religious order or purpose of attending to the needs of the days.” (The Society of Jesus. In the Catholic Encyclopaedia – New
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York Appleton Company. Retrieved October 20, 2013 from New Advent: http//www.newadvent.org). Having defined the Jesuits in this fashion, I have to certainly establish a statement of departure and qualify my argument, or substantiate it in the following manner. There is no need to call each other names if we have different views on religious matters. Embracing diversity is imperative and not optional. Hence, we need to maintain unity in diversity, rather than unity in uniformity. Uniformity entails risks, such as not applying our own minds as we should. We may be risking following ideas and biases of one person who deems to be our religious guru. Christians of all the people cannot afford not to use their mental faculties regarding God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus in Matthew 24: 4 strongly tells us that we need not be deceived by any person. Deception may be subtle and invisible to the people who are blinded by false convictions of some sort. And again, in actual fact, it is cowardice to stand aloof and pass nasty remarks instead of openly and honestly debating the grey areas. Open and honest debates may prevent unnecessary misunderstandings and judgement of others. Wise people discuss ideas, while fools discuss people, particularly in absentia. Gossip is a relationship killer and yet it is preventable, particularly in Christian communities. Correct biblical and theological foundations are found in studying the Word of God together, rather than standing aloof and passing destructive
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