Dear Adventist Member:

When talking with someone about our faith, many of us seek to emphasize that Seventh-day Adventists are just like other Christians, with only slight differences. Given our branding by some as a cult, have we now gone too far in stressing our mainstream Christian identity? Have we become ashamed of our uniqueness? Do we want to just blend in and be part of the crowd?

Truth is, the Adventist church, while Christian, is not like any other religious group. God did not establish this church to be just another voice for Him. From the start, we came into existence to share a unique and special message with the world around us.

“We are not to make less prominent the special truths that have separated us from the world and made us what we are; for they are fraught with eternal interests” Ellen White, Pastoral Ministry, p. 29.

Consider some of the teachings of your church not taught by any other spiritual voice in the world:

The seventh-day Sabbath as a major test of loyalty to God. Before Jesus comes, the focal point of separation between God’s followers and others will be the Sabbath. We are alone in holding this belief.

“In the last days Satan will appear as an angel of light, with great power and heavenly glory, and claim to be the Lord of the whole earth. He will declare that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week; and as lord of the first day of the week he will present this spurious sabbath as a test of loyalty to him. Then will take place the final fulfillment of the Revelator’s prophecy (Rev. 13:4-18, quoted)” Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 19, p. 282.

The Great Controversy. We teach that everything happening in our world is part of the great controversy that began in heaven between Christ and Satan thousands of years ago. Every day of your life, there is a struggle going on by both sides for your loyalty. No other church teaches this truth.

“The great controversy between good and evil will increase in intensity to the very close of time.” Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 88.

The Three Angels Messages. No other church teaches that God has sent three special messages to earth — symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14 — in order to call people out of religious compromise and prepare them for the second coming of Jesus.

“The gospel message for this time is comprised in the third angel’s message, which embraces the messages of the first and second angel, and which is to be proclaimed everywhere; for it is present truth. This message is to go forth with great distinctness and power” Ellen White, Letter 20, 1900, pp. 5, 6.

Full acceptance of both the Old and New Testaments. We believe all Scripture was given for spiritual guidance. No other church puts both Old and New Testaments together as the foundation for truth.

“All the truths of the Old and the New Testaments form a complete whole. These truths we are to cherish, believe, and obey” Ellen White, Reflecting Christ, p. 77.

Ellen White, a messenger from God to assist the church. The few other churches with prophets elevate their teachings above Scripture. We don’t.

“The Word of God abounds in general principles for the formation of correct habits of living, and the testimonies, general and personal, have been calculated to call … attention more especially to these principles” Ellen White, Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 664.

Seventh-day Adventists have many other unique teachings I don’t have space to list. But it is my hope this brief reminder will encourage you to speak up courageously for the special messages of your church. We have been put here for just that purpose.

Sincerely your friend,

Tom Mostert, Jr., President

P.O. Box 5005

Westlake Village, CA 91359