Seventh Day Adventists, Who Are They?

Many have heard of the SDA's but are unclear of who there are and what their message is all about.

They are a religious group that was formed back in the nineteen century, after being part of William Miller's group.

The William Miller group believed in Jesus Christ and that he would return to earth and claim his believers.They experienced a 'great disappointment' in 1844 when they thought Jesus was making his return to earth, it was a miscalculation or

in other words misunderstanding of what was taking place with Jesus. It is said that Jesus had then entered into the most "Holies Of Holy" place to start the investigative judgment.

Many who does not believe in Jesus will be left out of the kingdom of God.

Ellen White was a woman back in the nineteenth century that resurrected the Milerite group to form the Seventh Day Adventists or SDA. Ellen White is said to be inspired by God and have said to to have had

over 2000 visions which inspired 58 books. Her books which are the lesser light are said to be used in conjunction with the bible which is the Greater light as background to the truth.

One author's claimed, if an SDA member does not accept Ellen Whites writings as 'infallible they have no salvation'. This however, is incorrect. In a recent interview with an SDA leader clarified, one can only receive salvation from God and that salvation has no contingency on whether one believe in Ellen White's writings. However, God does communicate his plan of salvation through is written word as well as his servant which is Ellen White.

One criteria of Seventh Day Adventism is keeping the sabbath day, as stated in the old testament of the bible. They believe in obeying the ten commandments which includes the sabbath, on which day they are not allowed to work or do any physically challenging duties, this is the day that major congregational worship is done.

Sabbath keeping is in confirmation to Ellen White's vision that Sunday worshiping will be the mark of the beast.

SDA's believes that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and was sinless, he took on mankind sins and paid the ultimate price for them......death.

He however, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven where he is preparing his kingdom for those deserving people that obeyed his commandments and served him.

Another important factor of belief for the Seventh Day Adventist is about the state of the dead. "The living knows they will die but the dead knows nothing" is how they perceives death, once death as occurred the spirit goes back to God and knows no existence until the day of resurrection when the dead in Christ shall rise first to meet him in the air.

The sinners will then rise to be judged and given their just reward.

Education is a very important aspect of the religion as they believe in higher education. There are almost 500 hundred universities and colleges world wide, over 1000 high schools and 4000 elementary schools. Majority of their members have had post secondary education.

Further more, SDA's does not believe Ellen White to be inerrant or fallible, but a human that's inspired in her writings. What they do have, is a great belief in the atonement and that it did not take place on the cross but, that Jesus is doing the investigative judgment at this time. They also content that one should be ready or prepared because you never know when Christ will return.