Rising Apostasy
TimeWatch Editorial
July 03, 2017
In The Ministry magazine, October, 1977, Robert H. Pierson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, published an article entitled “The Omega of Apostasy.” The president clearly understood that, according to the word of God, there would be a repetition of, or for that matter a worsening of the original apostasy that had occurred previously. Listen to how he opened that article.
“DURING THE first decade of this century, the Seventh-day Adventist Church experienced the Kellogg apostasy. It was described by Ellen White as "the alpha of deadly heresies." Selected Messages, book 1, p. 200. Assessing not only the damage wrought by this subtle insurrection, but also an even more devastating one yet to come, the servant of the Lord wrote: "Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega will be of a most startling nature." Selected Messages, book 1, p. 197:” President Robert H. Pierson, “The Omega of Apostasy” page 8
For those who were born after the Alpha of Apostasy, it is sometimes difficult for them to grasp the threat to truth that the rising error has produced. This is why the President reviews some of the issues dealt with in a previous article.
In the August issue of THE MINISTRY we restated some of the identifying marks of the alpha with its "deadly heresies." It perhaps was somewhat of a prototype of what we may expect will threaten the unity of the church again in the not too distant future. It would be well for every Seventh-day Adventist leader to prayerfully study the subtle plans of the apostate "angel of light" as he seeks to thwart the triumph of the Advent Movement. Get out your Bibles and the Spirit of Prophecy (especially Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 193-200). President Robert H. Pierson, “The Omega of Apostasy” page 8
Looking around us today, we can see the beginnings of the Omega. Here is the list referred to;
Note well what Ellen White warns could mark the work of the omega:
1. "The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded." {1SM 204.2}
2. "The truth will be criticized, scorned, and derided." Ibid., p. 201.
3. It will "make of no effect the truth of heavenly origin." Ibid., p. 204.
4. "Our religion would be changed." Ibid.
5. "The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it." Ibid., p. 205.
6. "The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error." Ibid., p. 204.
7. There would be a "supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith." Ibid.
8. "A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced." Ibid.
9. The new philosophy would "rob the people of God of their past experience, giving them instead a false science." Ibid.
10. It would seek to weaken the preaching of the Second Advent by teaching "that the scenes just before us are not of sufficient importance to be given special attention." {1SM 204.2}
11. "Books of a new order would be written." {1SM 204.2}
12. "A new organization would be established." {1SM 204.2}
13. "Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement." {1SM 204.2}
President Robert H. Pierson, “The Omega of Apostasy” page 8
The president’s counsel is worthy of your attention. For we sit in the midst of the final hour of this earth’s history. Says Pastor Pierson:
“Now go back over those thirteen points. Study them carefully and prayerfully. You may have to meet them sooner than you expect. The seeds of such apostasy are in the churches of Christendom all around us. Before Jesus returns, the Seventh-day Adventist Church may well be confronted with a crisis that will exceed in magnitude the Kellogg alpha apostasy. It "will be of a most startling nature." Knowing what is ahead for the people of God should keep us as leaders on our knees and alert for every subtle move of the evil one. This is God's church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, but God's leaders must be eternally vigilant.” President Robert H. Pierson, “The Omega of Apostasy” page 8
Be warned!!
Cameron A. Bowen
