Lessons For The 2020s From Germany’s Adventist Past Part 1 The World War I Era

I've learned from the 1914-1915 reform movement that began in Germany and it was called the German reform movement, the small group didn't want to break God's ten commandments and sin! And hence nothing has changed with the mainstream SDA, there are two SDA Reform movements one is a breakaway i thing based on the nature of Christ, i could be wrong there! There was some brethren arguing about something and split. But what i have seen out of the two groups is there is no issues with Bible and Spirit of Prophecy writings, where as Testimonies no longer was seriously taken as God's last day counsel for all SDA members. Eg . Marriage and divorce, this is too much in SDA conference churches

i will translate it into italian

Membership? Would a Seventh-day Adventist lose his membership if he became a regular soldier? No. While the church position is that of non-combatancy, the individual must make his own decision in this matter, and the church respects the conscience of those who choose to bear arms.

“Signs of the Times (Australia), January 1, 1972, page 25.

This was affirmed by, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist in full session, held in Battle Creek, Michigan, May 17, 1865. They declared: “We are compelled to decline all participation in acts of war and bloodshed.”

ELLEN WHITE’S COMMENTS ON THE 1861-1865 CIVIL WAR:

“I was shown that God’s people who are His peculiar treasure, cannot engage in this perplexing war, for it is opposed to every principle of their faith. In the army they cannot obey the truth and at the same time obey the requirements of their officers. There would be a continual violation of conscience. Worldly men are governed by worldly principles. They can appreciate no other. Worldly policy and public opinion comprise the principle of action that governs them and leads them to practice the form of right doing. But God’s people cannot be governed by these motives.” – Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 361.

1914:

That the brethren of the General Conference were fully aware of the position taken by the European Division concerning the bearing of arms is clear in the following statement written by F.M. Wilcox, Editor of The Review and Herald, August 27, 1914:

“Particularly should the church of God today remember our European brethren who are now suffering adversity? Some have been forced into active military service; their lives are constantly menaced, and they are exposed to hardship and danger. Families have been broken up, and those left at home are anxious with fear for those who have gone to the front. The officers of some of our conferences and churches have been compelled to forsake their charges and join the national colors. It should be our earnest prayer that God will save His cause of truth during this trying period, and that He will safeguard the lives of His children. As to just what our European brethren should do under these trying circumstances only they alone in prayer to God can decide. Sometimes in our egotism and foolishness we feel that we can determine beforehand just what position we would take in every emergency, but we cannot know what we shall do until we are brought to the supreme test.”

A “Thus saith the Lord” was abandoned, and a “liberty of conscience” to break God’s law was put in its place. Had the church not yielded to worldly pressure, it would have undoubtedly lost its institutions and churches for the time being. But the course that was followed clearly demonstrated that the leading men and most of the members did not know Christ and His righteousness from personal experience. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Rev 12:11. Here was the crossroads, and worldly policy and government pressure become the determiners of church doctrine-of morality.

Many experiences were made by the faithful few. At the close of the war, liberty was restored in Europe, and the members who had been persecuted and disfellowshipped from Seventh-day Adventist churches all over Europe for refusing to participate in the war found each other. They banded together and referred to themselves informally as the S.D.A. – Reform Movement. Their primary concern was to seek unity with those who had left the original platform of truth. Petitions were sent to the Adventist leaders, expressing the desire for a hearing where the General Conference representatives would be present.

Such a hearing was finally granted, occurring July 20-27, 1920, in Friedensau, Germany. To prevent misunderstandings, minutes (called the “Protocol”) were kept so everyone would have a complete report of all that was said and done. Seventeen delegates from the Reform Movement in Europe were selected to present to the council the position of those who had been disfellowshipped. To make the discussion plain and simple, four questions were asked:

1. “How does the General Conference stand with reference to the position taken by the leaders in Germany in 1914 toward the fourth and sixth commandments?”

2. “What proofs are brought to us that we have not, from the beginning, taken the Biblical path?”

3. What is the position of the General Conference toward the Testimonies of Sister White? Are they inspired? Yes or no? Is health reform still the right arm of the message?”

4. Are our message and people, according to Revelation 14:6-12, national or international?”

Elder A.G. Daniells, President of the General Conference, answered these four questions with reference to the General Conference position.

Representatives of the Reform Movement at the Friedensau Hearing, July 21-23, 1920

Front row, left to right: H. Beckmann, unknown, W. Spanknobel, Vermeulen. O. Welp, E. Doerchler, Balbierer;

Middle row, left to right: Herdfelder, unknown, freyer, P. Waldschmidt, Koch, Riek, C. Spanknobel;

Rear row, left to right: W. Richter, H. Spanknobel, F. Muller.

Efforts were made to reunite with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Seventeen Reform delegates presented to the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, both in Europe and in America, the position of those who had been disfellowshipped during World War I. No reconciliation between the two groups was achieved at this meeting

The following excerpt is quoted from Revista Adventista, an official publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, issued in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 5, 1932.

“At this moment there are about 200 of our church members, including teachers, evangelists [workers] and lay members, on the battlefield. I have recommended to all those with whom I spoke before my departure that they take with them pocket Bibles or Bibles with the New Testament, and that they not forget to do missionary work, even in the trenches. … During these four weeks of my absence from Bolivia, being on a vacation in Mollendo, Peru, I heard that many of our teachers and evangelists had to leave their church schools and churches to march to the front to participate in military operations. … During the time that sons of military age are marching into the battlefield, the older parents and younger brethren consecrate their lives anew to God.

1933:

The following is a letter written by Reinhard Heydrich Deputy Chief of Gestapo concerning the Seventh Day Adventist – Reform Movement.

This document shows the government’s view of Reformers.

“On the basis of edict No. 1 VO of February 28, 1933, by president of the Empire for the protection of people and state, the sect of the “Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement” is herewith dissolved and forbidden. (Empirical Law Journal 1, p. 83.) Their property will be confiscated.

“Violations of this order will be punished according to edict No. 4 VO of February 28, 1933.

“The “Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement” pursues, under cover of a religious garb, aims which are opposed to the world view of national socialism. The adherents of this sect refuse to give the German salute. They declare openly that they are international and that they consider all men as brethren.

“Because the conduct of this sect will create confusion among the people, it became necessary to dissolve them for the protection of people and state.”

“[Signed] HEYDRICH

[Witnessed] Officers of the Chancery”

1937:

“From the records of the special court, Cologne, March 24, 1937. In Aachen, the special court for the circuit of the high provincial court of Cologne sentenced nine defendants to prison for up to six months because they admittedly belonged to the forbidden sect of the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement.” The accused attended meetings of this sect, took part in prayer meetings and evening worship, participated in prayer in private homes and acquired calendars of this sect.” – Kolnische Zeitung (Cologne News), March 24, 1937.

The International Mission Society Seventh-day Adventist – Reform Movement remained loyal to God-given principles. Their decision was: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29. As a result, they were severely persecuted. Many brethren and sisters gave their lives for the truth’s sake. We thank God that He gave them strength to remain faithful unto death. Those whose lives were spared have kept the banner of faith aloft. The seed of those faithful witnesses is now springing up to bear fruit.

Amen

Good to see you Dr. Vine !. I’M STANDING WITH YOU !!.

In Joshua 6 didn't use guns and didn't kill, they were carrying the arc of covenant and were singing.