Seventh-day Adventists hold that heaven is an actual location where Christ will prepare a place for them when He returns, this doctrine being one of its 28 Fundamental Beliefs.
Ellen White’s many visions and writings shaped much of their doctrine; yet some of her beliefs were controversial, such as her unorthodox views on soul sleep and annihilationism.
What is the doctrine of annihilationism?
Annihilationism is the belief that, following final judgement, wicked people will be eliminated or cease to exist altogether. This theory stems from God being too loving to permit eternal punishment; and that such punishment does not fit their crimes adequately.
Seventh-day Adventists adhere to a literal interpretation of Daniel, particularly its statue vision depicting Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Papal Rome as world kingdoms. Furthermore, they adhere to a historicalist view of Bible prophecy which rejects preterism, futurism and idealism as suitable systems for end-time interpretation.
They believe the papacy is the Antichrist, with General Berthier’s capture and exile of Pope Pius VI as fulfilling Revelation 13:3. Furthermore, they anticipate that the Second Coming will be preceded by a worldwide crisis, necessary for its establishment as well.
What is the doctrine of soul sleep?
Some Christians hold that when you die, your soul enters a state of sleep. They claim this belief is supported by Scripture – using passages like Ecclesiastes 9:5 as examples to support it – yet this doctrine is false.
Some who hold this view often refer to Revelation 6:9 as evidence for this theory. According to them, those whose souls have been beheaded are reigning with Christ in some form after death – however this misreading of Revelation is inaccurate.
The passage states that those asleep will be reunited with their bodies when Jesus returns, contrary to scripture which clearly indicates they become unconscious upon death and thus this doctrine contradicts biblical passages, denying that God is merciful and loving.
What is the doctrine of the abomination of desolation?
“Abomination of desolation” is one of the more difficult concepts found within Scripture. This phrase first appears in Matthew 24:15 when Jesus quotes Daniel to warn of an impending “abomination of desolation,” leaving holy sites “desolate.”
Abomination refers to something which offends or insults God; oftentimes this refers to idolatry or sexual sins in Scripture.
Scholars believe that Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled this prophecy when he stopped temple sacrifices in 168 B.C. Others see it fulfilled at some future date when an outside force sets up its own worship center in Jerusalem – signaling the start of end times.
What is the doctrine of the scapegoat?
Seventh-day Adventists believe that Satan is responsible for all believers’ sins, and must bear this burden in the future. This view stems from an interpretation of scapegoat ritual performed during Day of Atonement; Ellen White wrote that once Christ completes His work in heaven’s sanctuary He will place all their sins onto Azazel (a goat commonly used as an Azazel substitute), before transporting him away into the wilderness.
Note that transferring sins does not equate to making atonement for them; atonement must be made directly to God; it would violate God’s Law for Satan to make atonement on behalf of these sins, rather than receiving punishment himself for them.
What is the doctrine of the millennium?
The Bible reveals that there will be an eighteen hundred year period called the millennium during which Christ will reign as King over His people and Satan will be locked up so he cannot deceive anyone again.
Adventists believe that this millennium will commence with Jesus’ second coming and at that time all righteous dead will be resurrected to life forever while those guilty of sin will be judged and put to sleep forever. After this event the righteous dead will ascend into heaven to reign alongside Christ for one millennium without experiencing sin’s effects – thus keeping Sabbath as their day of rest.