in these last days of our world’s history, the enemy of souls is going around with all speed to devour whom he can. He tries, if possible, to deceive and mislead the very elect, plunging them into skepticism and criticism, and implanting doubts in their minds. This is true in regard to the doctrines which stand as pillars of Adventism. The doctrine of the sanctuary, the ministration of Jesus in the most holy place, the prophecies of Daniel 8 and 9, and the manifestation of the gift of prophecy in the true church by the ministry of Ellen G. White, are all targets of the strong attacks of the enemy.

The apostle Paul warned the church at Ephesus to beware of different winds of doctrine that would blow around. He said:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Ephesians 4:11–14.

Just before the apostle Paul departed from Miletus and met the brethren from Ephesus, he warned the believers against the rising up of perverse leaders from among them, clothed in sheepskin, but who inwardly were devouring wolves:

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:28–30.

History repeats itself, above all in these last days. Modern methods of communication have advanced, and some of the opposers of the truth take advantage of these means, introducing their poison in the media (the Internet in particular) to deceive and mislead souls. Not only do they bring forth suggestions and doubts regarding the fundamental truths of the Advent message, but they also strongly attack the position maintained for over 150 years by true Adventists, especially with reference to the Spirit of Prophecy manifested through the person of Ellen G. White. We must say, modern critics are not the first ones to do this work. The Spirit of Prophecy was already under attack in the last century. And who were the bitterest criticizers? Those who had once been strong defenders of the truth.

“The most bitter opposers of truth today are found among those who profess to be its defenders.” 1

“The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us.” 2

The servant of the Lord has warned us that in the last days the special target of Satan’s attack would be the Spirit of Prophecy. If the enemy of souls could implant doubts in the minds of the people of God by leading them to disbelieve the Spirit of Prophecy, his triumph would be great. We read:

“As we near the time when principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places will be brought into warfare against the truth, when the deceiving power of Satan will be so great that if it were possible he will deceive the very elect, we must have our discernment sharpened by divine enlightenment, that we may know the spirit that is of God, that we may not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. Human effort must combine with divine power, that we may be able to accomplish the closing work for this time.” 3

“The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Prov. 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony. He will bring in spurious visions to mislead, and will mingle the false with the true, and so disgust people that they will regard everything that bears the name of visions as a species of fanaticism; but honest souls, by contrasting false and true, will be enabled to distinguish between them.” 4

Here are a few examples: Dudley Marvin Canright left Adventism in February 1887, and in 1889 he published a book entitled Seventh-Day Adventism Renounced. His arguments and views were analyzed and refuted by William Henry Branson in his book entitled In Defense of the Faith. Albion Fox Ballenger began to spread his strange and erroneous ideas around the year 1905, especially about the ministry of Christ in the sanctuary. Ellen G. White had foretold the rising of men declaring that there is no sanctuary in heaven. See The Review and Herald, May 25, 1905. John Harvey Kellogg authored the book The Living Temple, which was permeated with pantheism; he left Adventism in 1907. In 1904 Ellen G. White warned the church about this great danger. See Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 204–206. The deceptions of these and others are now revived and used to confuse the minds of those who wish to discover some startling news. The writings of these critics, all men of renown among Seventh-day Adventists, were already dealt with in the past, their arguments have been refuted, and the messages of truth contained in the Spirit of Prophecy have made progress and exerted a powerful influence for good everywhere.

Many try today to speculate and to philosophize on certain doctrinal points from the Spirit of Prophecy; and because they do not understand them, instead of waiting patiently for the Lord to reveal the truth to them in His own appointed time, they begin to doubt their inspiration. We must admit that not everything can be understood, or will be understood to the full, either in the Spirit of Prophecy or in the Bible. There are many things which we will learn only in the hereafter. If we wish to know the truth and whether the Spirit of Prophecy is indeed inspired by God, the best thing we can do is to prayerfully study the writings, and the Holy Spirit will convince us of the truth. But those who are looking to criticize will always find some sort of grounds for doubt. We have been forewarned:

“There are many things apparently difficult or obscure, which God will make plain and simple to those who thus seek an understanding of them. But without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall be continually liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases a positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed upon God, or in harmony with His will, the mind is clouded with doubts; and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are not correct. Whenever men are not in word and deed seeking to be in harmony with God, then, however learned they may be, they are liable to err in their understanding of Scripture, and it is not safe to trust to their explanations. Those who look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies, have not spiritual insight. With distorted vision they will see many causes for doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple.” 5

All that we need to understand for our salvation is clearly revealed in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. The following paragraphs provide timely counsel about what our attitude should be when Satan assaults us with doubts:

Christ has said, “If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching.” John 7:17, R.V.

“Instead of questioning and caviling concerning that which they do not understand, let them give heed to the light which already shines upon them, and they will receive greater light. Let them do every duty which has been made plain to their understanding, and they will be enabled to understand and perform those of which they are now in doubt.” 6

“Light and darkness, truth and error, are before us. We are free to choose. God will never remove all excuse for unbelief. . . . It is far easier to suggest doubts than to inspire faith. Because the natural heart is at enmity with God, a greater effort is required to believe than to doubt the word of the Most High. And Satan himself opposes everything that would strengthen faith.” 7

“While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God’s word until every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come to the light.” 8

“If rational beings really desire the truth, God will give them sufficient light to enable them to decide what is truth. If they have a heart to obey, they will see sufficient evidence to walk in the light. But if they in heart desire to evade the truth, he will not work a miracle to gratify their unbelief. He will never remove every chance or occasion to doubt. . . . There are those who walk amid perpetual doubts. They feed on doubts, enjoy doubts, talk doubts, and question everything that it is for their interest to believe. To those who thus trifle with the plain testimonies of God’s word, and who refuse to believe because it is inconvenient and unpopular to do so, the light will finally become darkness; truth will appear to the darkened understanding as error, and error will be accepted as truth. When thus shrouded in error, they will find it perfectly natural and convenient to believe what is false, and will become strong in their faith.” 9

“But others will be greatly helped by the messages. Though not personally addressed, they will be corrected, and will be led to shun the evils specified. . . . The Spirit of the Lord will be in the instruction, and doubts existing in many minds will be swept away. The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as scripture is explained by scripture.” 10

“I know your danger. If you lose confidence in the testimonies you will drift away from Bible truth. I have been fearful that many would take a questioning, doubting position, and in my distress for your souls I would warn you. How many will heed the warning? As you now hold the testimonies, should one be given crossing your track, correcting your errors, would you feel at perfect liberty to accept or reject any part or the whole? That which you will be least inclined to receive is the very part most needed. God and Satan never work in copartnership. The testimonies either bear the signet of God or that of Satan. A good tree cannot bring forth corrupt fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. By their fruit ye shall know them. God has spoken. Who has trembled at His word?” 11

“My brethren, beware of the evil heart of unbelief. The word of God is plain and close in its restrictions; it interferes with your selfish indulgence; therefore you do not obey it. The testimonies of His Spirit call your attention to the Scriptures, point out your defects of character, and rebuke your sins; therefore you do not heed them. And to justify your carnal, ease-loving course you begin to doubt whether the testimonies are from God. If you would obey their teachings you would be assured of their divine origin. Remember, your unbelief does not affect their truthfulness. If they are from God they will stand. Those who seek to lessen the faith of God’s people in these testimonies, which have been in the church for the last thirty-six years, are fighting against God. It is not the instrument whom you slight and insult, but God, who has spoken to you in these warnings and reproofs.” 12

“When you find men questioning the testimonies, finding fault with them, and seeking to draw away the people from their influence, be assured that God is not at work through them. It is another spirit. Doubt and unbelief are cherished by those who do not walk circumspectly.” 13