SDA to Sunday

In the February, 2000, issue of the "Pacific Union Recorder" (an official SDA church paper of the Pacific Union Conference) on pages 34 & 35 there is an article entitled "Adventist Sunday Church". This article proudly proclaims that the Las Vegas Mountain View SDA church is holding Sunday morning church services all year long. They started holding these Sunday morning church services "on Easter weekend" for the supposed purpose of reaching out to the community, and will continue to worship every Sunday for the next 52 weeks.

In light of the "Adventist Sunday Church" we have an oxymoron. Do you know what an oxymoron is? A few weeks ago I didn't know what it meant so I looked it up. According to Webster's it is "a figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory ideas or terms are combined (e.g., thunderous silence, sweet sorrow)." You see, "Adventist" in this day and age refers to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. This organization has, from its earliest years, loudly proclaimed that Saturday is the seventh day that is to be kept in honor of the fourth commandment and especially set aside to worship God on. Maybe it isn't quite as loud as it used to be, but the denomination is still, by and large, honoring that day. To have one of its churches honoring Sunday by worshiping on it as well is an oxymoron, a contradiction. Maybe the reason more of the SDA institutions are calling themselves "Adventist" rather than "Seventh-day Adventist" is that they want to be more like the other churches, to emphasize what they have in common, and not flaunt their differences.

In the article the statement is made as follows, "Each Sunday Dunfield presents a clearly Adventist message." How can that be? Worshiping on Sunday violates one of the pillars of the Adventist message. The "Mark of the Beast" is a major part of the Adventist message. The "Mark of the Beast" is when Sunday worship becomes the law. How can a "clearly Adventist" message be preached in that church at any time (not just Sunday morning) when there are regular Sunday worship services taking place? In light of the "Adventist Sunday Church" the Adventist message is becoming a bit muddled.

This has not happened all of a sudden. Since the 1980's many SDA churches around the world are following the common Catholic practice of holding Easter Sunday church services. This idea of having SDA churches worshiping on every Sunday to try and attract people from the local community, and beginning these Sunday church services with Easter Sunday, is not new either. Look at what they tried in Diamond Lake, Washington:

"The future was mercifully veiled from the disciples. Had they at that time fully comprehended the two awful facts,--the Redeemer's sufferings and death and the destruction of their city and temple,--they would have been paralyzed with horror. Christ presented before them an outline of the prominent events to transpire before the close of time. His words were not then fully understood; but their meaning was to be unfolded as his people should heed the instruction therein given. THE PROPHECY WHICH HE UTTERED WAS TWOFOLD IN ITS MEANING: WHILE FORESHADOWING THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, IT PREFIGURED ALSO THE TERRORS OF THE LAST GREAT DAY.

"Jesus declared to the listening disciples the judgments that were to fall upon apostate Israel, and especially the retributive vengeance that would come upon them for their rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah. Unmistakable signs would precede the awful climax. The dreaded hour would come suddenly and swiftly. And the Saviour warned his followers: 'When ye therefore shall see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.' WHEN THE IDOLATROUS STANDARDS OF THE ROMANS SHOULD BE SET UP IN THE HOLY GROUND, which extended some furlongs outside the city walls, then THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST WERE TO FIND SAFETY IN FLIGHT. When the warning sign should be seen, judgment was to follow so quickly that those who would escape must MAKE NO DELAY. He who chanced to be upon the housetop must not go down through his house into the street; but he must speed his way from roof to roof until he reached the city wall, and be saved 'so AS BY FIRE.' Those who were working in the fields or vineyards must not take time to return for the outer garment laid aside while they should be toiling in the heat of the day. They must not hesitate a moment, lest they be involved in the general destruction."

The "Abomination of Desolation" was "the idolatrous standard of the Romans" being set up where it ought not to be in a place which was supposed to be holy ground. When this sign was seen the followers of Christ were to find safety in flight making no delay. This happened before the destruction of Jerusalem and not a Christian perished (Great Controversy, page 30) because they all heeded the warning. But, this prophecy "was twofold in its meaning... it prefigured also the terrors of the last great day." Today what would represent the Abomination of Desolation?

"It is well to remind the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and all other Christians, that the Bible does not support them anywhere in their observance of Sunday. Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church." (Priest Brady, in an address reported in the Elizabeth, N.J. "News" of March 18, 1903.)

"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change (from Saturday to Sunday) was her act. It could not have been otherwise, as none in those days would have dreamed of doing anything in matters spiritual and religious without her, and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters." (Letter from H.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons.)

"Neglect to repent and obey His word will bring as serious consequences upon God's people today as did the same sin upon ancient Israel. There is a limit beyond which He will no longer delay His judgments. THE DESOLATION OF JERUSALEM STANDS AS A SOLEMN WARNING BEFORE THE EYES OF MODERN ISRAEL, that the corrections given through His chosen instruments cannot be disregarded with impunity." (Testimonies, volume 4, pages 166,167).

"The religion of Jesus is endangered. It is being mingled with worldliness. Worldly policy is taking the place of the true piety and wisdom that comes from above, and God will remove His prospering hand from the conference. SHALL THE ARK OF THE COVENANT BE REMOVED FROM THIS PEOPLE? Shall idols be smuggled in? Shall false principles and false precepts be brought into the sanctuary? Shall antichrist be respected? Shall the true doctrines and principles given us by God, which have made us what we are, be ignored? Shall God's instrumentality, the publishing house, become a mere political, worldly institution? This is directly where the enemy, through blinded, unconsecrated men, is leading us.

"These things have gone as far as they should without someone protesting against them in plain words. The Lord's time to set things in order has fully come. There are men in positions of trust who have not had an experience in the leading out of this work, and these men should walk with humility and caution. In the night season I was present in several councils, and there I heard words repeated by influential men to the effect that if the American sentinel would drop the word Seventh-day Adventist from its columns, and would SAY NOTHING ABOUT THE SABBATH, the great men of the world would patronize it; it would become popular, and do a larger work. This looked very pleasing. These men could not see why we could not affiliate with unbelievers and non-professors to make the American Sentinel a great success. I saw their countenances brighten, and they began to work on a policy plan to make the Sentinel a popular success.

"This policy is the first step in a succession of wrong steps. The principles which have been advocated in the American Sentinel are the very sum and substance of the ADVOCACY OF THE SABBATH, and when men begin to talk of changing these principles, they are doing a work which it does not belong to them to do. Like Uzzah, they are ATTEMPTING TO STEADY THE ARK which belongs to God, and is under His special supervision. Said my Guide to those in these councils, 'Who of the men among you have felt the burden of the cause from the first, and have accepted responsibilities under trying circumstances? Who has carried the burden of the work during the years of its existence? Who has practiced self-denial and self-sacrifice? The Lord made a place for His stanch servants, whose voices have been heard in warning. He carried forward His work before any of you put your hands to it, and He can and will find a place for the truth you would suppress. In the American Sentinel has been published the truth for this time. Take heed what you do. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.'-- Manuscript 29, 1890." (Counsels to Writers and Editors pages 95-97).

In light of the "Adventist Sunday Church" the SDA church has indeed done exactly what they were warned not to do. Antichrist is indeed being respected by the SDA church. This began long ago when they gave the Pope of Rome a medallion in 1977. This "was a gold covered symbol of the Seventh-day Adventist Church." (Review, August 11, 1977, page 23). They gave the SDA church, in symbol, into the hands of Satan's representative.

The ark of the covenant has always been seen as a symbol of God's presence (Counsels to Writers and Editors page 172; Review & Herald, March 20, 1888; Spirit of Prophecy, volume 1, page 346). Below the mercy seat on the ark were deposited the two tables of stone upon which God wrote all ten of His commandments. In the very bosom or center of these laws is found the Sabbath of God. More than any other commandment, the Sabbath shines with a halo of glorious light (Early Writings, pages 32-33; Testimonies, volume 1, page 76), plainly indicating that the last great final test of all mankind will be over the issue of the Sabbath (Early Writings, page 42). Over and over again, the Sabbath and the ark are inseparably connected together (Signs of the Times, February 3, 1888; January 8, 1894; March 12, 1896; April 7, 1898; Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, pages 273-275; Early Writings, page 255; Review & Herald, December 18, 1888; Manuscript Releases, volume 4, pages 402-403; volume 5, page 94; volume 10, page 280).

By God symbolically giving the ark into the possession of the SDA church signified that God was especially giving His Sabbath truth into the hands of this church, and that His presence would be with them and sustain them as long as they lived and proclaimed His Sabbath message to the world. But the SDA church has not lived up to her part of the covenant promise with God. In fact, she has sought to remove this distinctive Sabbath banner and sign or seal of God, and for many years has stealthily endeavored to place God's Sabbath truth in the background and to exalt the sabbath of the man of sin. In light of the "Adventist Sunday Church" now openly holding regular church worship services on Sundays shows plainly to all SDA church members that the SDA church no longer has the ark of the covenant in their possession, God has removed it.

The removal of God's ark from the SDA church because of their refusal to exalt only God's seventh-day Sabbath signifies that God's glorious presence has also been removed from the church. (Testimonies, volume 8, pages 247-250) Well might every member cry, "ICHABOD!" as did Eli's daughter-in-law (I Samuel 4:21). Not only the ark has been removed from the church but also the candlestick (Review & Herald, June 7, 1887; July 16, 1895)!

God's glorious presence and the candlestick were the major sources of light in the tent tabernacle and in Solomon's temple. With them both gone we have only darkness left, the kingdom of God has been taken away from the church just like it was from the Jews. Others have been chosen to receive these blessings and to herald God's last saving message of salvation to the world (Upward Look, page 131, Testimonies to Ministers, page 300).

In light of the "Adventist Sunday Church" the SDA corporate church is no longer God's true church in any way, shape, or form. She has proved unfaithful to her trust. Just like the Jewish church before her, the SDA church has become divorced from God, forsaken by Him, is desolate, and is destined to be brought down to hell (Manuscript Releases, volume 12, pages 319-321; Review and Herald, August 1, 1893)! The church no longer stands as a chosen generation and people, no longer do they represent a royal priesthood (Manuscript Releases, volume 5, page 210). The probation of the SDA corporate church is over, and thus the church will continue to do the apostate works of her satanic majesty until Christ descends from heaven with a shout!

The main reason why the SDA church has been removed from being in any way connected with God's cause and work in these last few moments of earth's history is because she gave up the sacredness of God's Sabbath day. She chose to meddle with this ark entrusted her of God, and is no longer only holding forth this banner of God's truth to the world, but is also found holding forth and exalting the banner of Rome!

In light of the "Adventist Sunday Church" it is plainly revealed that the Abomination of Desolation has indeed been set up in the SDA church! No longer is the SDA church a church of God, but has become an image of the Beast of Rome--or another Catholic organization and church! Did you know that the church has officially stated that? Please allow a past president of the General Conference of the SDA church to tell you! President Neal C. Wilson plainly and boldly declared, "...There is another universal and truly catholic organization, the Seventh-day Adventist Church." (Review, March 5, 1981, page 3)

As surprising as this may be, did you know that the SDA church's course of treason against God and His truth was clearly prophesied over two thousand years ago? Ezekiel 8 lists several abominations that took place in Jerusalem, and Ezekiel 9 relates the destruction which occurs because of these abominations. It also reveals that the people of God are sighing and crying to others about these abominations, and trying to warn them about what was occurring within the church. Yes, these abominations are occurring IN THE CHURCH! "...Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those 'that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done' IN THE CHURCH. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel." (Testimonies for the Church, volume 3, page 267)

"...These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAD DEPARTED FROM ISRAEL; although many still continued the forms of religion, HIS POWER AND PRESENCE WERE LACKING... They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and DECEPTION OF ALMOST EVERY KIND ARE IN THE CHURCH... The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed. The great Searcher of hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the workers of iniquity." (Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, pages 210-211)

The last and greatest abomination committed before probation closed upon the church and the individual sealing began in Ezekiel 9 was sun worship! "...At the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, WERE ABOUT FIVE AND TWENTY MEN, WITH THEIR BACKS TOWARD THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, AND THEIR FACES TOWARD THE EAST; AND THEY WORSHIPPED THE SUN TOWARD THE EAST." (Ezekiel 8:16) These 25 men that are ministers and leaders in the temple are supposed to be worshiping God and leading His people to follow Him and His truth. What are these men found to be doing? They are found rebelling against God, turning their backs on Him and His temple, and worshiping the sun in the open air of the temple court. As these men are openly betraying God and His people, who could they be? Who could these 25 individuals be that turn their backs on God and worship the sun?

This prophecy about 25 church leaders betraying God and openly worshiping the sun instead of only God's Sabbath day applies to the leadership of the SDA church! Now, we are not trying to read into this any more than what it states in Ezekiel, but what a startling fulfillment by the SDA General Conference leadership and church! The Executive Committee is the power behind the General Conference, "carrying forward its work between the (General Conference) sessions" (1903 General Conference Bulletin, volume 5, number 10, column 2, article 4, section 1, April 10, 1903) It even advises the General Conference president how to "labor in the general interests of the Conference" (The Constitution Bylaws and Working Policy of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, article 4 section 2, April 1959, page 8) So, the Executive Committee, made up of 25 individuals, is the real power behind the throne of the SDA church!

The 1903 General Conference Session did not change the 1901 plan, but indicated who would make up this Executive Committee. (see the 1903 Bulletin, volume 5, number 10, column 3, paragraph 1, article 4, section 2, April 10, 1903) From 1903 until after 1959 the members of the Executive Committee was "NOT TO EXCEED 25 IN NUMBER." (Constitution Bylaws and Working Policy, Article 5, section 1b, April, 1959, page 9) Sometime after 1959 the General Conference Executive Committee was enlarged beyond the limit of 25 members. Today the number of members is somewhere near 400. Some people will point to the significant increase in the number of members in this General Conference Committee as proof that the group of 25 men listed in the prophecy of Ezekiel 8:16 cannot possibly apply to the SDA church today. In a personal request to the General Conference as to its inner administrative structure, this was its reply:

"Here at the General Conference, the highest decision-making committee, of course, is the General Conference Committee. THERE IS A COMMITTEE THAT WE TERM 'GENERAL CONFERENCE OFFICERS' WHICH IS MADE UP OF ABOUT TWENTY-FIVE OR TWENTY-SIX INDIVIDUALS --president, secretaries, and treasurers, with a few other invited individuals. THIS COMMITTEE IS A SCREENING COMMITTEE THAT DETERMINES THE ITEMS THAT NEED TO GO TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE." (Letter from the Office of the President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, B.E. Jacobs, Administrative Assistant to the President, November 1, 1990)

Since this General Conference Officers Committee controls the items which come before the General Conference Committee, they are, in fact, the real power behind the General Conference Committee, and also of the SDA church! How many members make up this Officers Committee? "About twenty-five or twenty-six individuals." This is the exact same language of Ezekiel, "about 25"! Hence, there is still a group of "about 25" individuals which controls the entire SDA church. From 1903 through 1959, it was the Executive Committee of "about 25" individuals. But, when it became necessary to enlarge this committee, then the SDA church simply formed another controlling committee and kept it limited to "about 25" individuals. This number is not a coincidence. It is one of the significant identifying marks clearly showing that the prophecy of the abominations of Ezekiel 8 applies to none other than the SDA church. The 25 church leaders of Ezekiel 8:16, which turn their backs on the Lord and worship the sun, applies to the General Conference leadership!

Since the SDA church has allowed the banner of Rome (Sunday worship services) to take place in SDA churches, clearly showing that the Abomination of Desolation has indeed been set up and planted in the church; that the ark, God's presence, His kingdom, and the candlestick have been removed; that the SDA church has been divorced from God, is desolate, and is no longer God's chosen church; then what should every true follower of Christ do about these facts of truth?

"But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment." Mark 13:14-16.

"And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house." (Ezekiel 9:4-6) "Here we see that THE CHURCH--THE LORD'S SANCTUARY--WAS THE FIRST TO FEEL THE STROKE OF THE WRATH OF GOD. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust... they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus 'Peace and safety' is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. THESE DUMB DOGS THAT WOULD NOT BARK are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God... They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine displeasure." (Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, pages 211-212)

The only people to receive the seal or mark of God, and to escape the destruction of their church, are those who open their mouths and cry aloud, exposing all the abominations being committed in the sanctuary, and also who have no connection whatsoever with the SDA church! The leaders of the SDA people are the first to feel the wrath of God, and then the destruction continues with those who remained connected with the church which these 25 men ruled over and involved in their rebellion against God and His Sabbath.

To remain to save others is not an option. When the first Abomination of Desolation was planted there was a man who ran up and down the streets of Jerusalem trying to warn the people that destruction was about to occur (see Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, page 31; Great Controversy, page 30). He warned the people for seven years, but was also destroyed along with Jerusalem. Why? Because he refused to obey Christ's command to flee after the Abomination of Desolation was set up. He had warned the people of Jerusalem for over three and a half years. Then the Abomination of Desolation was planted. Instead of separating himself from his church and fleeing as Christ had commanded him to do, he decided to stay in and continue to warn the people. His message did not change one bit. He continued to preach about the abominations and the judgments that were to come upon Jerusalem. He did not preach that separation out of the church to Jesus, their professed Master and Leader, was an absolute necessity for their salvation. Even though he stayed and continued to warn the people that destruction was about to occur, there is no evidence that anyone heeded his message and was saved by fleeing Jerusalem. Even though he disobeyed Christ and stayed to warn the people, it did no good. Why? Because how much effect can your message of doom and gloom towards the apostate church have upon others when they see you remaining in that doomed church yourself? Those who stayed within all perished along with their beloved apostate church. This plainly revealed that THEIR PROBATION BASICALLY CLOSED AT THEIR DECISION TO DISOBEY CHRIST AND REMAIN WITHIN, even though destruction occurred over three years later. Their probation basically closed the same way as it did in Noah's time, in broad daylight, and without a cloud of destruction in sight.

Please note this: THE PLANTING OF THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION SIGNALED THAT THE CORPORATE PROBATION OF THE CHURCH WAS ALREADY CLOSED, AND THAT NOW INDIVIDUAL PROBATION WAS CLOSING DEPENDING ON HOW THEY TREATED THE MESSAGE TO SEPARATE IN OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST! Because this man stayed instead of separating, many followed his example in disobedience to Christ's explicit command, and they also remained in the corrupt and apostate church. It is interesting to note that this man's name was Jesus (see Jerusalem and Rome, The Writings of Josephus, page 162, War VI, 5:3). But he was proven to be a false Christ. His message consisted of warning the people about the abominations and corruptions that were occurring in the church, and that judgment was about to fall, yet he refused to give to the people the only message which could have saved their eternal lives. The only message that would have saved them was to completely separate from the church.

We are hearing these same false messages today. We are hearing many of these false christs presenting this same deceiving message. And these, along with their followers, will go down with their beloved idol-church. Truly, as God through Ezekiel has already warned us of the apostasy of the SDA church: "There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, AND HAVE HID THEIR EYES FROM MY SABBATHS, and I am profaned among them." (Ezekiel 22:25-26)

In light of the "Adventist Sunday Church" it is time to stand up and be counted for God. It is not time to remain connected with the corrupt church and become partakers of her sins. We must come out and be separate and stand for our God, and warn our brothers and sisters to do the same thing. We can't follow that man of Jerusalem, whose name was also Jesus, who decided that after the Abomination of Desolation was planted, that he would not obey his Lord and flee Jerusalem. He reasoned that he would stay within so as to try and warn more people of what was going on. But he lost his eternal life by his disobedience, and there was not one reportedly saved, even though he remained and continued to warn them for many years! He died in vain, when he could have obeyed His Lord and separated, thereby showing by his example of obedience the way of life for others to take heed and to follow. All were given ample opportunity to escape, and all made their decisions to leave or stay.

In light of the "Adventist Sunday Church" the same situation is now taking place! Sunday exaltation and worship has begun by the SDA church. Ezekiel 9 is beginning to occur, the sealing is starting, probation is closing and what is your decision going to be? Are you going to follow our Lord out (see Hebrews 13:12-13)? Are you going to follow His commands and flee the apostate SDA church, coming out and looking solely to Jesus for all your light, knowledge, and understanding, instead of being under that corrupt system and looking to man? It was only those Christians who proved themselves wise, who left at the command of Christ, when they noticed and realized that the Abomination of Desolation had been planted, that had their lives saved (see Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, page 31). The rest of the professed Christians remained. These chose and took a different path than what Christ had commanded them to take, and they stayed and were destroyed. The man, who was also named Jesus, remained too because he reasoned that he could try to warn more people by staying. All their probation basically closed at their decision to disobey Christ by remaining! Are we not seeing this exact same, sad history being repeated among our people today?

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION STANDS! It is time to awake. It is time to get rid of every sin in your life. It is time to "prepare to meet thy God". It is time to obey Christ's command and to "go out of the camp" in order to be with Jesus for our Saviour is coming to claim only those who have proved their obedience to Him and Him alone! MAKE NO DELAY! Probation is individually closing now, dear people, upon those who reject the last and final message of mercy (see Testimonies for the Church, volume 6, page 19)!

I warn you all in the holy name of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to break off the shackles that bind you to a godless church. Cast them off, get rid of that idol church that you have allowed to reign in your heart, and join Christ instead. Join the procession. Come out, AS BY FIRE, be counted for, and stand with Christ. Prove that you are a true follower of God, and are not yoked together with the wicked. Please follow our Saviour out, and be not cut off in her iniquity.

"Before the destruction of Sodom, God sent a message to Lot, 'Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.' The same voice of warning was heard by the disciples of Christ before the destruction of Jerusalem... They must not tarry to secure anything from their possessions, but must make the most of the opportunity to escape... There was a coming out, a decided separation from the wicked, an escape for life. So it was in the days of Noah; so with Lot; so with the disciples prior to the destruction of Jerusalem; AND SO IT WILL BE IN THE LAST DAYS. Again the voice of God is heard in a message of warning, bidding His people separate themselves from the prevailing iniquity." (Patriarchs and Prophets, page 166)