Omega

During the course of the conflict over Kellogg’s pantheism, Ellen White made some statements about a repeat appearance of such apostasy to occur at the end of time. “In the book Living Temple there is presented the alpha of deadly heresies. The omega will follow, and will be received by those who are not willing to heed the warning God has given” (Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.200). And again, “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” (Ibid, p.197).

When this omega apostasy will come, and in what form, has been a subject of interest since these statements were made. One interesting book on the subject has been written by Lewis R. Walton (Omega, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1981). Walton explores the developments of the alpha apostasy of Kellogg, analyzing the nature of the attack it made on the church with a view to identifying the characteristics by which the omega apostasy may be recognized. This list of characteristics makes an excellent checklist for recognizing any apostasy, whether “the omega” or any “ordinary” apostasy that may precede it. The characteristics he identified, writing 30 years ago, are chillingly visible today in regions of the Adventist Church where the philosophies of Paul Borden have become prominent. Consider:


We have seen something called the alpha apostasy sweep across the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the turn of the century. … And we have heard the warning that something even more dangerous would come someday. For that reason it is vitally important that we analyze what happened earlier and seek to recognize the signals that may herald the approach of the last great apostasy.

1. Deception: One of the major characteristics of the alpha was deceit. Sometimes outright untruths were told. Sometimes only part of the truth was given, and thus even truth could be made to give false impressions. Once Ellen White wrote to Dr. Kellogg advising him about a large building in Chicago. He often cited that testimony as proof that Ellen White was in error; no such building ever existed, he asserted smugly, and Sister White had simply been mistaken. What Dr. Kellogg did not bother to add was that his people at Battle Creek had fully intended to build it, proceeding so far as having a full set of architectural plans drawn, before the project got stopped.

Particularly did Mrs. White warn that some people would be dishonest about their belief in the Spirit of Prophesy and in the basic doctrines of the church. In vision she saw groups of people at Battle Creek counseling together and specifically planning to hide their antagonism to her writings and to certain fundamental beliefs. Thus concealing their true feelings, they felt they could more effectively appeal to Adventists who were basically loyal to the church and who would never listen to them if they disclosed their full intentions at the start. Again and again throughout the alpha one finds the truth being bent for the sake of some immediate goal. Perhaps Ellen White put it most graphically: “Mischievous tongues and acute minds, sharpened by long practice in evading the truth, are continually at work to bring in confusion.” [Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p.195] …

2. Divisiveness: The alpha disclosed the paradox of men claiming some wonderful new truth while at the same time dividing the church wherever their ideas were voiced. National boundaries seemed to have no effect on this splitting phenomenon. The Battle Creek tabernacle descended into turmoil. Churches in England, Scotland, and Wales also saw commotion when theories were advanced at variance from Adventist beliefs. Wisely, Christ has given His church the test of behavior by which the truth or falsity of new doctrine can be tested. Should the divisive elements of the alpha reappear in Adventism, history suggests that our people ought to be particularly wary.

3. Attack on fundamental beliefs: All major apostasies have shared the common ground of attacking the most basic Adventist beliefs, among which are the sanctuary, the investigative judgment, and the inspiration of the Spirit of Prophecy. At the turn of the century Ellen White could recall that over the past fifty years significant efforts had been made to subvert the fundamental truths of the church, particularly those of the sanctuary doctrine. To the student of history it is fascinating to watch this particular attack recur cyclically, each time with new fervor, as though it is being discovered for the first time. Often, advocates of change will use the rationale that even Ellen White urged receptivity to new light. They seldom add the conditions upon which she urged this: counsel with the brethren of experience, and if the organized church does not see value in the idea, let it rest. And in no event will “new light” obliterate long-established fundamental truths. “Men and women will arise professing to have some new light or some new revelation, whose tendency is to unsettle faith in the old landmarks. …False reports will be circulated, and some will be taken in this snare. They will believe these rumors, and in their turn will repeat them. … Through this means many souls will be balanced in the wrong direction.” [Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp.49, 50] …

4. Covert attacks on the structure of the church: One of the most startling charges ever made by Ellen White was that “spies” were at work, seeking to subvert even the basic structure of the church. Conscious plans were laid to gain control of major institutions. Even conferences were threatened by this tactic, she said. In vision she witnessed secret meetings in which men planned how they could best gain control, win the sympathies of the people, and alter the structure of the church, and she described a conspiracy in which men were “linked together to support one another.” [Letter to G.C. Tenney, June 29, 1906] One can hope, but it would be naïve to assume, that such a threat would not be faced again. It is a particularly deadly threat to the work of God because it proceeds so quietly, spreading beneath the surface of an apparent calm until it is too late. If one is looking for indicia of the omega, this is a factor that cannot safely be ignored. And there are signs for which history tells us to look. Political struggles within a church or conference, as happened at Battle Creek. Evidence of well-organized movements at committee and constituency meetings that advocate ideas counter to the positions of the church. Widespread attacks against those who urge loyalty to the organized church and its teachings. Manipulation of institutional funds. (A famous book attacking the Spirit of Prophesy came out of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, written by doctors on its staff; funding for the project occurred under the most mysterious circumstances.) And perhaps the most disheartening sign of all, readily visible in the alpha: ministers, still on church payroll, who may profess loyalty but whose actions tend to support movements at variance from the church. All are the visible signs of something very much larger. In a spectacular vision in 1904 Ellen White saw the church, symbolized as a ship, heading toward an iceberg. Only the tip of the iceberg could be seen, but it disclosed a danger that was deadliest below the waterline. The divine instruction was to “meet it”—hit it head-on. There would be a bone-jolting collision; everyone aboard would be shaken, but the ship would remain afloat. Hit the obstacle a glancing blow, and one would only open a gash into which the sea would flood uncontrollably. …The lesson of the symbol is crystal-clear: many of the dangers the church will face are hidden beneath the surface, disclosed only by a few indicia that are just the tip of a larger iceberg. These are the deadliest threats of all, and in Ellen White’s vision they were met by hitting the obstacle head-on, with all the force the church could muster.

5. Special efforts to attract the youth: John Harvey Kellogg wrote a book in which he advanced ideas that could “sweep away the whole Christian economy.” [Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p.37] He insisted on publishing it after Ellen White had warned against the subtleties of pantheism, after the General Conference had voted the project down, after the Review and Herald had burned to the ground. Upon publication he immediately courted the young people of the church, seeking them as allies in distributing his new theology. Every effort was made to reach the youth, including the reopening of Battle Creek College against divine counsel, preparation of special brochures aimed at young minds, and sending out representatives who actively recruited the youth for the Battle Creek venture. If he had been successful, the history of the Adventist Church might have been different. …

6. Special attacks on the Spirit of Prophecy: Few elements of the church draw so much fire during apostasy as does the Spirit of Prophecy. “The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. … Satan will work ingeniously in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony.” [Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p.48] Upon a little reflection it becomes apparent why this is so. Deception at the very end of time will be extremely powerful and subtle, and the promise is given that “all who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White, and has given her a message, will be safe from the many delusions that will come in these last days.” [Letter 50, 1906] It would be astonishing if satanic power were not directed against this vital help for God’s people. Sadly, he gains some of his strongest allies in the form of Adventists who depart the faith in search of something new, and who were conditioned to do that by first rejecting the truth God had left in their path. …

7. A climate of personal attack: Repeatedly in the alpha one sees authoritarian coercion on the part of those advocating the new teachings. Opposition to their ideas seems to have evoked a very personal reaction, to which they responded with personal attacks. In describing this unique feature of the apostasy, Mrs. White said that “nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement.” [Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p.205] This is borne out as we recall the incident when the General Conference leader was threatened by a young worker avidly supporting the new theology. That gentleman warned that if Elder Daniells did not line up, he would be turned out of office and “rolled in the dust.” Many, including Kellogg and Ballenger, attacked Ellen White. Opposition to the alpha seemed to be the signal for an attack against anyone, including the highest levels of church leadership, who opposed it. That too is a type of behavior for which Adventists should be watchful as the omega approaches.

8. Attacks on church standards: The ideals of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have always been high, a behavioral message to the world that humanity will soon stand before a righteous God. Frequently those standards have been attacked by people who claim that Adventists are legalists trying to work their way to heaven. When that accusation comes from outside the church, most of God’s people are able to recognize it for what it is. But what would be the effect of that attack should it ever come from inside the church? The Spirit of Prophecy has a sobering answer, given in the very words of Lucifer as he counsels with his fallen angels on how best to destroy the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

“‘Through those that have a form of godliness but know not the power, we can gain many who would otherwise do us harm. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God will be our most effective helpers. Those of this class who are apt and intelligent will serve as decoys to draw others into our snares. Many will not fear their influence, because they profess the same faith. We will thus lead them to conclude that the requirements of God are less strict than they once believed, and that by conformity to the world they would exert a greater influence with worldlings. Thus they will separate from Christ; then they will have no strength to resist our power, and erelong they will be ready to ridicule their former zeal and devotion.’” [Testimonies to Ministers, p.474, italics supplied]

9. The claim of a reform message for the church: There is terrible danger in misidentifying this point, for the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy plainly indicate that there will be reform in God’s church; the problem is in identifying the true and separating it from the false. Fortunately, there is an answer.

“The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the 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.” [Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p.204] The test, therefore, seems to be whether “reform” agrees with established truth (in which case it is the true reform that matters, reform of life) or whether it urges abandonment of old truths in favor of something new (in which case it is a spurious reform of doctrine rather than life). It may be that this is a danger against which Adventists ought especially to guard. They are a reform-minded people; their whole message urges reformation. And hence if the enemy comes to them through this avenue, there is a possibility they might be more easily deceived, simply because the “goal” of the new doctrine seems to be something everyone has always wanted. The discriminating test is simple: Does the new teaching urge reform of life, or change of established truth?

(Omega, pp.77-85)