Dear Adventist Christian:

How many times as parents of small children we shout out to them warnings to save them from injury or death—“Watch out for the car!” “Don’t put that in your mouth!” “Come down before you get hurt!” All are warnings from a loving parent to keep their child safe from the harm that the child may not see.

God has done the same with us. More than 100 years ago, God revealed to Ellen White dangers that will confront Christians that could destroy us if we are unprepared. “God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 452).

The following paragraphs highlight some of the things our loving Heavenly Parent has told us to look out for. If they came unexpectedly, they could destroy our faith and move us against God, perhaps even while we believe we are following His will.

Resurrected Relatives

“Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends, and declaring the most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies, and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions. We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything” (Great Controversy, 560).

Deceived by Ministers

“Frequent will be the apostasies of men who have occupied responsible positions. … Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan” (Last Day Events, 179).

Betrayed by Parents and Friends

“The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. … All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends” (Christian Service, 157).

Missing the Latter Rain

“Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it” (Testimonies to Ministers, 507).

Avoid Labor Unions

“Those who claim to be the children of God are in no case to bind up with the labor unions that are formed or that shall be formed. This the Lord forbids. Cannot those who study the prophecies see and understand what is before us?” (Ellen White, Letter 201, 1903).

Those with Extreme Views

“It is the desire and plan of Satan to bring in among us those who will go to great extremes—people of narrow minds, who are critical and sharp, and very tenacious in holding their own conceptions of what the truth means. They will be exacting, and will seek to enforce rigorous duties, and go to great lengths in matters of minor importance, while they neglect the weightier matters of the law—judgment and mercy and the love of God. Through the work of a few of this class of persons, the whole body of Sabbath keepers will be designated as bigoted, Pharisaical, and fanatical” (Evangelism, 212).

There are many hazards ahead in your Christian journey, but if you faithfully study the Word of God and complement it with the special counsel given through Ellen White, your loving Father will guide you successfully to His kingdom.

Praying for your victory,

Tom Mostert, Jr., President

P.O. Box 5005

Westlake Village, CA 91361