When Pastor David Gates gave his “Even at the Door” sermon in mid-October 2018, many supported his ideas and others rejected them. Gates and others who endorsed his ideas gave alternative responses to the criticisms.
But there is also a problem related to deceptive spiritual influences that should be addressed. So here are some answers to their arguments.
But Concerning The Times And The Seasons…
We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3:
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape”.
Note that “times” and “seasons” refer specifically to “the day of the Lord” (vs. 2, 3). The Greek word translated as “times” is “chronos”, which refers to periods of time; while the term “seasons” in Greek is “kairos” which refers to a specific time: punctual. That is, the biblical text points to both a chronological time and a specific time, such as a date. But the biblical text does not state how long that period is and thus does not state events concerning dates.
So what do the times and seasons depend on regarding the imminence of Christ’s return? The Bible passage tells us that, “when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (v. 3). This means that Christ’s imminent return does not depend on knowing a specific period and date (Acts 1:7) but on the signs of the end (cf. Luke 21:28).
That is why we read in Early Writings:
“The Lord has shown me that the message of the third angel must go, and be proclaimed to the scattered children of the Lord, but it must not be hung on time. I saw that some were getting a false excitement, arising from preaching time; but the third angel’s message is stronger than time can be. I saw that this message can stand on its own foundation and needs not time to strengthen it; and that it will go in mighty power, and do its work, and will be cut short in righteousness.”[1]
When we read in Revelation 10: 6 “that there should be time no longer”, the Word “time” in verse 6 is “chronos” (time period); and is the same used for example for the 1260 years, as it is established in Revelation 12:14 (cf. v. 6).
The Spirit Of Prophecy And The 1290 And 1335 Days
After quoting Daniel 12: 8-12 (which mentions the 1290 and 1335 days), she wrote that “It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who unsealed the book and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days. […] The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history”.[2] Note that the seal is removed after she quoted the 1290 and 1335 days, and according to Ellen White, “When the book was opened, the proclamation was made, “Time shall be no longer.” (See Revelation 10:6.)”[3] So now his next words are clearer:
“This time which the angel declares with a solemn oath, is not the end of this world's history, neither of probationary time, but of prophetic time, which should precede the advent of our Lord. That is, people will not have another message upon definite time”.[4]
But several quotes have been misinterpreted as saying that those periods are in the future. Let’s see just one:
“In the Scriptures are presented truths that relate especially to our own time. To the period just prior to the appearing of the Son of man, the prophecies of Scripture point, and here their warnings and threatenings pre-eminently apply. The prophetic periods of Daniel, extending to the very eve of the great consummation, throw a flood of light upon events then to transpire.”[5]
To understand that quote, let’s remember the time of the end began in 1798 (Daniel 11:34, 35; cf. 12:7; 7:25; 11:36-40a). Ellen White wrote that “that part of his prophecy which related to the last days, Daniel was bidden to close up and seal “to the time of the end.” […] But since 1798 the book of Daniel has been unsealed”[6]
She wrote in several quotations that the great consummation was being lived out in her time. She wrote for example that “should we not be more earnest and zealous and faithful now that we are so much nearer the great consummation?”[7] But there are many quotes where this same thought is expressed.[8]
Since the “time, and times, and half a time” of Daniel 7:25 and 12: 6 or 1260 prophetic days (538-1798); the 1290 days of Daniel 12:11 (508-1798); the 1335 days of verse 13 (508-1843) and the 2300 evenings and mornings of Daniel 8:14 (457 B.C.-1844 A.D.) ended at the time of the beginning and, a few years after the beginning of the time of the great consummation or 1798, is much better understood.
The 4000 And 6000 Years Argument
Ellen White wrote that Satan was deceiving the world “For six thousand years”, and therefore, she did not place the end of this period at the return of Christ, but in her time.[9] But she also wrote that the great controversy between Christ and Satan progressed “For six thousand years”.[10]
Regarding the four thousand years, Ellen White points out that from the moment Jesus accepted to take human nature (at his birth), four thousand years had passed,[11] but in another quotation, she places the four thousand years from Adam until the moment Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (that is, with a difference of at least some thirty years between the first quote and this last one).[12]
Ellen White herself explained that the reference about six thousand years was an approximate and not an exact time:
“Infidel geologists claim that the world is very much older than the Bible record makes it. They reject the Bible record, because of those things which are to them evidences from the earth itself, that the world has existed tens of thousands of years. And many who profess to believe the Bible record are at a loss to account for wonderful things which are found in the earth, with the view that creation week was only seven literal days, and that the world is now only about six thousand years old.”[13]
Thus, she accepted that it was an approximation concerning the data of the Bible. So to claim that we are in the last seven years of history as has been claimed is unfounded:
“Men need to be aroused to realize the solemnity of the time, the nearness of the day when human probation shall be ended. God gives no man a message that it will be five years or ten years or twenty years before this earth’s history shall close. He would not give any living being an excuse for delaying the preparation for His appearing.”[14]
David Gates And Prophetic Speculation
David Gates said in October 2018: “I wanted to make that very clear [that “he’s not” setting dates] and even though I’ll make it clear I know that some people will still state that I am doing it and I am willing to take that chance and at risk […]”[15] But he claimed Sunday Law will come in March 2019. Is not that setting dates?
The next quotation from Ellen White refers not only to Jesus return but to any time period of any future event:
“Let all our brethren and sisters beware of anyone who would set a time for the Lord to fulfill His word in regard to His coming, or in regard to any other promise He has made of special significance. “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.” False teachers may appear to be very zealous for the work of God, and may expend means to bring their theories before the world and the church; but as they mingle error with truth, their message is one of deception, and will lead souls into false paths.”[16]
Now, on November 3, 2018, David and Becky Gates gave testimony at an SDA church in Tennessee, where they shared several supernatural experiences that indicated them that the message they were given was correct.[17]
But what they both must consider is that God was not going to speak to the mind or give signs to know if something was from Him or not because the sign is in the Bible. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we learned that “‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them’” (Luke 16: 29). And that “‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” (v. 31). Thus, God does not give any special signs or biblical texts to confirm whether a message was from Him or not, because according to divine inspiration, the procedure is to study the Bible and the testimonies to verify if what was preached was from He or not.
“Let none cherish the idea that special providences or miraculous manifestations are to be the proof of the genuineness of their work or of the ideas they advocate. When persons will speak lightly of the word of God, and set their impressions, feelings, and exercises above the divine standard, we may know that they have no light in them”.[18]
Divine Warning and Call:
Let’s the Spirit of Prophecy expresses itself:
“Instead of exhausting the powers of our mind in speculations in regard to the times and seasons which the Lord has placed in his own power, and withheld from men, we are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to souls who are perishing for the truth.
Satan is ever ready to fill the mind with theories and calculations that will divert men from the present truth, and disqualify them for the giving of the third angel's message to the world.”[19]
First, I’d like to let the Word of God speak for itself:
“He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
Dear David, Becky Gates, and others: open your heart to the Lord. This is about the Lord and the influence you have on the souls you reach with your ministry. There is time. And God can bless you more if you seek Him in His truth.
For more detailed information regarding the subject, please see the footnote (The Prophetic Speculations of David Gates and Others: An answer from the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White and history).[20]
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Gabriel Piedra and his family are Costa Rican Seventh-day Adventists. They have a supporting ministry to the Adventist Church that helps in the expansion of the Three Angels' Messages, the health message, and family.
[1] Ellen G. White, Early Writings (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), p. 75.
[2] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), pp. 114, 115.
[3] Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), Book 2, p. 105.
[4] Ellen G. White, Manuscript 59, Daniel and Revelation (August 16, 1900).
[5] Ellen G. White (September 25, 1883), The Bible a Means of Both Mental and Moral Culture, The Review and Herald, Vol. 60, No. 39, p. 609.
[6] Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), pp. 346, 347 [356].
[7] Ellen G. White (March 28, 1882), Where Are We Drifting?, The Review and Herald, Vol. 59, No. 13, p. 193.
[8] Ellen G. White, Sketches from the Life of Paul (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), p. 81 [115]; Ellen G. White (December 6, 1892), Let the Trumpet Give a Certain Sound, The Review and Herald, Vol. 69, No. 48, p. 753; Ellen G. White (February 7, 1893), Seek First the Kingdom of God, The Review and Herald, Vol. 70, No. 6, p. 81; Ellen G. White (April 2, 1903), A Prayer for Pardon and Help, The General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 4, p. 57.
[9] Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), p. 11 [X].
[10] Ibid. p. 656, 659.
[11] Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), p. 49.
[12] Ibid. p. 117.
[13] Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 1864), Vol. 3, pp. 91, 92.
[14] Ellen G. White, Maranatha (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), p. 108; quoted from The Review and Herald, November 27, 1900.
[15] (October 17, 2018), “A las Puertas” por el Tio David Gates, David Gates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=828xPWUfcPA; accessed on October 18, 2018.
[16] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), p. 55.
[17] (November, 2018), 20181103 Old Peter / New Peter – David Gates, Village Chapel SDA, McDonald, TN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPifOt1IcrE&t=71m55s; accessed on November 4, 2018.
[18] Ellen G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing (Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. 2010), p. 146.
[19] Ellen G. White (March 22, 1892), “It Is Not for You to Know the Times and the Seasons” [Sermon at Lansing, Mich., September 5, 1891], Review and Herald, par. 3-4.
[20] In English: https://www.docdroid.net/0GUcdas/the-prophetic-speculations-of-dg-and-others-pdf
In Spanish: https://www.docdroid.net/uD2ibdI/las-especulaciones-profeticas-de-dg-y-otros-pdf