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A Response to the Video:
Seventh-day Adventism, the Spirit Behind the Church

by Bob Pickle

Answers to Questions Raised by:
Mark Martin, Sydney Cleveland
Dale Ratzlaff, The White Lie
. . . and Others

Discern Fact from Fiction

The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast

#177 & #178: " 'The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty... When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve him not... the keeping of the true Sabbath... is an evidence of loyalty... one class... receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God.' The Great Controversy p. 605. So, failing to keep the Sabbath resulted in one receiving the mark of the beast and losing one's eternal life."—Mark Martin.

#177: This quote says that failing to keep the Sabbath "resulted" in receiving the mark of the beast. No, it does not. The ellipses in the quote represent missing context that prevents such a mistaken view of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. The entire paragraph reads thusly:

The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God.

Since Sunday observance and Sabbath breaking are not presently enforced by state law, the choice to keep Sunday does not now constitute receiving the mark of the beast. This is only something that will occur at the very end of human history.

#178: They believe it "resulted" in receiving the mark of the beast. By choosing the past tense verb [p. 117] "resulted," Mr. Martin gives the false impression that Seventh-day Adventists believe Sunday keepers now have the mark of the beast. Nothing could be further from the truth, nor is any issue more clearly stated. And Mr. Martin, a former Adventist minister, is most certainly aware of this fact. If perchance the unlikely occurred, and he forgot this point of Adventist theology, the quote he just cited would have refreshed his memory.

Even though the choice to break the fourth commandment does not today result in receiving the mark of the beast, it would be wise to consider something else Mr. Martin said: "Christians are to grow in grace and keep God's commandments out of a love for Him . . ." (see #153). When the final test does comes, it will be much easier to choose the right if we have made a habit today of obeying God's commandments out of love. Don't you agree?

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