It has come to my attention that classic Adventist belief has recently acquired a new[1] moniker– a new label. This relatively new designation is called Last Generation Theology.
It might be tempting to consider the ideas associated with this new term to be simply the product of another dissident faction, another independent segment or maybe even a “lunatic fringe” of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. But make no mistake about it, Last Generation Theology is a classification being used by certain “thought leaders” within Adventism to describe beliefs that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has held for more than one hundred years. In reality, Last Generation Theology rightly understood (not the misrepresented, straw-man version described in certain publications)[2] is the message that this church has adhered to and proclaimed faithfully for most of its existence, until recent decades. Its primary purpose is to prepare a people to stand in the presence of our glorious Savior when He returns.
For some time now, there has been a gradual and deliberate drive on the part of some persons to move the theological foundations of Adventism further and further away from certain doctrines and beliefs which have apparently not placed us (SDAs) in a favorable light before other communions in the modern Christian world. This is not an action of the church as an organization, per se, but rather a robust push being overseen by certain individuals with considerable influence within the denomination. For some among us, it appears that the acceptance and approval of the general Christian community is a thing of great importance. The goal of this article is to invite the members of the body to examine this matter for themselves in the light of God’s inspired Word, seeing that these issues have been placed before the public in published materials and live presentations, as well as through formal educational channels. History teaches us that there is great danger in a failure to discover truth for one’s self under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, thereby committing the eternal fate of our souls to erring mortals.
Some of our apparently “problematic” teachings have to do with character perfection and the close of probation, the vindication of God and whether human beings play any part in it, the identity of Christ with “sinful flesh” in the incarnation, and the place of sanctification in the plan of salvation. Other issues that are, at different levels, connected to these are the nature of sin, the credibility and the veracity of the doctrine of the investigative judgment as Adventists have understood it and the authority of Ellen White in the Adventist Church. More and more voices are proclaiming the message these days that long-held positions in these areas are in need of revision, in order for Seventh-day Adventists to be held in respect and regarded as a legitimate faith community by the modern Christian world.
There is a major problem, however. If the Scriptures are to be believed, we cannot escape the conclusion that the modern Christian world is in error on almost every major point of doctrine, even with the acknowledgement that many faithful followers of Christ are to be found in almost every Christian church. This is precisely what the angelic messages declare in Revelation 14:8 and 18:1-4. If this is the case, then a drawing nigh towards the modern Christian world represents a drawing away from the Christ of Revelation and the truth of His Word. Those advocating this coming together[3] of Adventism and Evangelicalism are certainly promoting a cause that is theirs, but not necessarily Christ’s. Christ’s interest is that we be faithful to the unique message and mandate to which we have been assigned, without preoccupation for its peculiar and controversial characteristics. Now, if Last Generation Theology (read traditional Adventism) is to be discarded, then it is reasonable to wonder and to query as to what should replace it in order to make Adventism truly ‘belong’ and feel at home in the modern Christian world.
The proposed modifications offer up a most intriguing theological cuisine. Simply put, several changes are deemed necessary. Adventists, like other Christians, must believe that it is impossible to cease from sin. They must accept, like other Christians, that the Ten Commandments can never be obeyed, whether by the power of the Holy Spirit or otherwise. Whatever meaning they might assign to Scriptures such as John 14:15, 1 John 2:3-6, Hebrews 12:14, Revelation 12:17, Revelation 14:12 and similar passages, they must understand that it can never be literal. Like other Christians, Adventists must subscribe to a definition of sin that goes beyond a personal choice to go against God’s will. They must accept the Augustinian teaching of ‘original sin’ which affirms that all the children of Adam are born guilty and condemned, not because of their own departure from God’s will, but because of Adam’s sin, thereby intimating that we are not entirely responsible for our sins! In keeping with that theory, they must accept, like other Christians, that they will keep on sinning until the day Jesus returns and they must believe that Jesus will transform their faulty characters at His Second Advent.[4]
In addition to the preceding, Adventists must now believe, like other Christians, that Christ was not made in the likeness of sinful flesh, did not take our fallen human nature, and therefore cannot be seen as the Example for human beings to live in total obedience to God. They, like other Christians, must reject the idea that God wants to make them holy, and accept that all He is concerned about is declaring them to be holy without actually producing real purity in their lives through the Holy Spirit.[5] Like other Christians, they must accept that although separation from sin is not a bad thing in principle, it is certainly not something that is required for entry into Heaven. Essentially, the “good news” of this gospel variant is that we will be saved in our sins.
Furthermore, Adventists, like other Christians, must reassess the concept of an investigative judgment and believe that Christ was actually in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary from the time of His ascension, and therefore did not move there in 1844. They must understand that 1844 is of no significance as far as a “day of atonement” is concerned.” All Jesus is doing in Heaven now is “applying benefits,”[6] not an actual investigation which involves reviewing the lives of professed believers to determine their fitness for eternal life. There is therefore no need for us to now sound an alarm, afflict our souls, and for our leaders to weep between the porch and the altar, seeking for inner cleansing while the temple above is being cleansed, as the second chapter of Joel enjoins.[7] After all, we are already holy, we are told, counted as such because we believe in Jesus! Adventists must cease to think too seriously about the close of probation, because, like other Christians believe, Jesus will still forgive their sins right up until the day He returns. They must ditch the concept that the full development of Christian character has anything to do with vindicating God in the great controversy with Satan.[8] And, among other things, they must relinquish their estimation of Ellen White as an authentic and authoritative prophetess of God, and simply consider her as a devotional author, just like every other Christian commentator who writes on religious subjects. This is a sampling of the major adjustments that would be necessary for SDAs to fit in with modern Christianity and be relieved of the label of a non-Christian cult. And all of these unfortunate and soul-destroying ideas are teachings being boldly espoused by important people – molders of minds, “thought leaders” in our embattled church today!
Methinks if we are willing to go that far, we might as well also renounce our ideas on the state of the dead (as some have), our position on the Seventh-day Sabbath (as some have), and our preaching of the three angels’ messages of Revelation (as some already have). Why not also become pluralists, futurists and dispensationalists while we are at it? If we want to become Evangelicals, then we might as well go all the way. Can we really be half-Evangelicals? Is there such a thing as a hybrid Adventist? And why is it that the arguments against Last Generation Theology are so scripturally weak, mostly consisting of statements of objection, opinions of various theologians and lengthy explanations devoid of a clear “thus saith the Lord?”
In practical terms, one who decides to be a part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church today must make one of two choices: hold on to the faith that has been ours well over a century (now conveniently labeled Last Generation Theology) or reject those ‘unpopular’ and ‘embarrassing’ ideas and join the movement that will place us on common ground with Evangelical orthodoxy in both our theology and our practice. I am not sure when the call to be a part of God’s special people in these times metamorphosized into a call to be “like other Christians,” but it appears that this call is getting louder and more vociferous as we approach the end of all things.
It is not my place to decide for the reader which choice to make, but I will make this statement: the message that God has given to this people (Seventh-day Adventists) did not come about by the maneuvering or manipulation of men. This church was established by God upon a sure foundation, rooted in the Scriptures and confirmed by the Spirit of Prophecy. The experience of God’s true children outlined by Inspiration does not paint a picture of harmony, acceptance and fond co-existence with the modern Christian world. Those who are faithful to God in these last days will be hated, denounced, misrepresented and ridiculed for holding on to “unpopular and embarrassing” beliefs. They will be called extremists, legalists, fanatics and regarded as a hated sect deserving to be rooted out. In other words, those who follow the Lamb in these times will receive the very same treatment that the Lamb received. Can we not see how this scenario is even now beginning to play itself out? And these evils will be perpetrated not so much by those who reject Christianity altogether, but rather by the zealous leaders of the modern Christian world!
But through it all, God will be by the side of His children. He will purify their lives and He will sustain them in the time of trouble. He will demonstrate through them the full power of the everlasting gospel. Those who love not their lives unto the death will be given special grace to witness for their Lord as modern day martyrs for the Lamb, and their blood will lead thousands to embrace their peculiar but biblical faith and receive the crown of life![9] He will give to them the very faith of Jesus and strengthen them for the trials that they will face from the modern Christian world, that terrible image to the beast, which, rather sadly, will include many of their former brethren.[10]
Those who are looking for a way to avoid these troubles, stay away from persecution, and receive the approval of the modern Christian world will take their place with those who are promoting the Evangelical agenda. Yes, a broad road has now been cut for Seventh-day Adventists who despise the biblical description of the 144,000 – the followers of the Lamb, that last generation that will be alive to welcome their Redeemer and Friend. A way of escape has been provided for those who are not so keen on the perils of the narrow and rugged way. These are they that say in their hearts: “The Lord may have trod the narrow and bloody path. Not so with us.” But alas! Where does that wide road lead, and how does that story end? Oh! Solemn are the issues upon which all must now decide!
As for those who see no need for this new “reformation,” I say, hold fast to your faith, label or no label, for now your salvation is nearer[11] than when you believed!
Don West resides in Palmer, Alaska.
[1] The word ‘new’ is perhaps only partially applicable, due to the fact that Last Generation Theology is a term that has been in usage in theological circles for several decades now, although large sections of the worldwide membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have little or no familiarity with it.
[2] The following books were all published in 2018, each one denouncing Last Generation Theology which, in a number of instances, is presented in an unfortunately inaccurate portrayal: God’s Character and the Last Generation, eds. Jiri Moskala, Jon Peckham; End-time Events and the Last Generation: The Explosive 50s, by George Knight; In All Humility: Saying No to Last Generation Theology, by Reinder Bruinsma.
[3] See George R. Knight, End-Time Events and the Last Generation, pp. 23-25.
[4] The following quotation is provided with the hope that it will aid the reader in avoiding this eternally devastating error: “Many are deceiving themselves by thinking that the character will be transformed at the coming of Christ, but there will be no conversion of heart at His appearing. Our defects of character must here be repented of, and through the grace of Christ we must overcome them while probation shall last. This is the place for fitting up for the family above.” Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p.319.
[5] Note the following statement: "This word ‘justify.’ It never means to make righteous inside. It means, strictly, to count righteous...The whole of true religion revolves around this issue…" -Desmond Ford, Right with God Right Now, p.19. A rather remarkable concept! Now, let us consider the loathsome leper of Luke 5, who petitioned Jesus, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Imagine that upon hearing the words of Jesus, “I will, be thou clean,” he examines his skin and sees no change, and then says to the Lord, “But Lord, I still have the leprosy!” Imagine the Savior saying to that poor soul, “Never mind what you see, I have declared you clean. From here on, for Me, you are counted as clean. Go on now and show yourself to the priest. If there are any questions, let him know that Christ has declared you free of leprosy.” Such is the fallacy of the preceding doctrine of how God deals with the leprosy called sin. Indeed, “the whole of true religion revolves around this issue!”
[6] See Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine, p. 353, and George R. Knight, End-Time Events and the Last Generation, p. 41.
[7] In the book The Great Controversy, page 489, author Ellen White provides the following insight: “We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance… The work of preparation is an individual work… Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.”
[8] Ellet Joseph Waggoner, “Witnesses for God,” Present Truth, December 14, 1893, 577-578. In this article Waggoner correctly states, “The character of God and the justice of his dealings with his creatures are on trial before the universe…Jesus Christ came into the world to demonstrate…that God is love.” He continues “Our lives are a constant testimony either for the principles maintained by God, or for the assertions maintained by Satan.” Some thinkers in modern Adventism have become increasingly critical of this important function of the final generation.
[9] See Revelation 12:11; 20:4.
[10] In the book The Great Controversy, page 608, we read this very sad prediction: “As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren.”
[11] See Romans 13:11.