Bible Texts About Jewelry and a Proposed Understanding About Seeming Contradictions

Bible Texts About Jewelry and a Proposed Understanding About Seeming Contradictions

(note: skimmers & scanners might not get the logic)

There are several texts in the Bible that seem to give permission-by-example to use jewelry:

“And I asked her, and said, whose daughter art thou? And she said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.” Gen 24:47, 48

“And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck...” Gen 41:42

“As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” Ps 25:12

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isa 61:10

“Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.” Jer 2:32

“I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.” Ezek 16:11-13

“But the father said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand…” Luke 15:22

However there are two texts that explicitly discourage jewelry:

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel…” 1 Pet 3:3

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array…” 1 Tim 2:9

As it turns out heaven is also made of precious materials:

"And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." Rev 21:21

So how do we interpret seeming contradictions? I suggest that we study other apparent contradictions in the Bible.

Example 1: Israelites told to go to promise land but were punished when they tried to.

They murmured and therefore, of that generation only Joshua and Caleb, who had correct attitudes, were allowed to reach the promise land.

Example 2: Abraham and Sarah were given miracle child (Heb 11:11) but were asked to sacrifice the son (Heb 11:17)

To Abraham it was a test of which is more important, the gift (his son) or the giver of the gift (God).

Example 3: Israelites went to Egypt, but later told to come out of Egypt

The went to to survive the famine and came out of Egypt to go to the promised land.

Example 4: Jesus saved from Herod as a young boy, but not saved from crucifixion.

Example 5: Abel died in faith (heb 11:4), Enoch living in faith until now (heb 11:5)

So these leads us to several questions:

1. How do we know which is the right thing to do at a specific point in time?

2. How do we know it is not "teaching for doctrines commandments of men" (Mat 15:9) ?

1. How do we know which is the right thing to do at a specific point in time?

In the case of jewelry, it turns out that the most recent Biblical instructions (1 Pet 3:3, 1 Tim 2:9) are discouraging it. If it was God's will for the old-testament times to use jewelry, then let be it. If it is God's will that after the cross, we adorn ourselves simply, then let be it.

2. How do we know it is not "teaching for doctrines commandments of men" (Mat 15:9) ?

If we had to ask this question then we are questioning the Bible as a whole, which of course history proves Bible prophecy. see http://discoveries08.org/schedule/ for topics on prophecy.

Miracles in the Last Days: Promotions and Cautions

promotions:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

Joe 2:28  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 

Joe 2:29  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 

Joe 2:30  And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 

Joe 2:31  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 

Mark 16: 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

cautions:

Mat 24:24 For yfalse christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, zif possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.

“I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough” (2 Corinthians 11:3, 4, NIV). 

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. Is it not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, NIV).

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10, NIV)

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers’ ” (Matthew 7:22, 23, NIV).

 Miracles Will Be Performed 

     The sick will be healed before us. Miracles will be performed in our sight. Are we prepared for the trial which awaits us when the lying wonders of Satan shall be more fully exhibited?--1T 302 (1862).  {LDE 166.2}  

     Men under the influence of evil spirits will work miracles. They will make people sick by casting their spell upon them, and will then remove the spell, leading others to say that those who were sick have been miraculously healed. This Satan has done again and again.--2SM 53 (1903).  {LDE 166.3}  

     Wonderful scenes, with which Satan will be closely connected, will soon take place. God's Word declares that Satan will work miracles. He will make people sick, and then will suddenly remove from them his satanic power. They will then be regarded as healed. 

                                                                           167

These works of apparent healing will bring Seventh-day Adventists to the test.--2SM 53 (1904).  {LDE 166.4}  

     Satan can, through a species of deceptions, perform wonders that will appear to be genuine miracles. It was this he hoped to make a test question with the Israelites at the time of their deliverance from Egypt.--2SM 52 (1907).  {LDE 167.1}

Miracles Prove Nothing 

     Go to God for yourselves, pray for divine enlightenment, that you may know that you do know what is truth, that when the wonderful miracle-working power shall be displayed, and the enemy shall come as an angel of light, you may distinguish between the genuine work of God and the imitative work of the powers of darkness.--3SM 389 (1888).  {LDE 169.1}  

     The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, [MIRACLES WILL ACCOMPANY THE MINISTRY OF GOD'S PEOPLE UNDER THE LOUD CRY (SEE CHAPTER 14), BUT THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE SIGNIFICANCE THEY DID IN CHRIST'S DAY. THE PERFORMING OF MIRACLES WILL NO LONGER BE A PROOF OF DIVINE ENDORSEMENT.] for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God's servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought.--2SM 54 (1904).  {LDE 169.2} 

     God's people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought.--9T 16 (1909).  {LDE 169.3}

                   Miracles Cannot Supersede the Bible 

     If those through whom cures are performed are disposed, on account of these manifestations, to excuse 

                                                                           170

their neglect of the law of God and continue in disobedience, though they have power to any and every extent, it does not follow that they have the great power of God. On the contrary, it is the miracle-working power of the great deceiver.--2SM 50, 51 (1885).  {LDE 169.4}  

     The Bible will never be superseded by miraculous manifestations. The truth must be studied, it must be searched for as hidden treasure. Wonderful illuminations will not be given aside from the Word or to take the place of it. Cling to the Word, receive the engrafted Word which will make men wise unto salvation.--2SM 48 (1894).  {LDE 170.1}  

     The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.--GC 593 (1911).  {LDE 170.2} 

Conflict

Conflict, Conflicts , angels are with the faithful in all 3T 526
     be armed for 3T 80
     between good and evil: began before birth of time Ed 304
      every human being acts part in  SD 242
      scenes of long-continued, opened to EGW  GC 10
      triumphant close of  AA 602; GC 662-78
      EGW instructed to portray  GC 11
      will increase to close of time  GC 9
     between truth and error, will increase in intensity GC 144
     Christ overcame Satan in, with God's word DA 123
     Christ's trying, with Satan during temptation in wilderness DA 114-6
     Christian must meet, in everyday life MYP 140
     Christian's life must be one of 3T 538
     Christian's portion in this life is MYP 98
     coming: God will help His people to meet new perplexities in SC 125
      terrible intensity will mark  GC 11
      time is full of tokens of  1SM 133
      view of  8T 41-7
     continual, for Christian in stormy world 3T 453
     created by Satan, soon to be decided 7T 141
     deadly, God's people must meet TM 339
     fearful, just before God's people AH 186
     fierce, God's promise to guide His people amid LS 92
     final: Christ will strengthen His people for 5T 137
      church must wear armor of light and righteousness in  TM 17
      great, all world will have part in  6T 352
      prepare for  5T 137
      progress of events in marshaling of nations for, needs to be understood  MH 442
      Satan's wrath against God's people in  GC 10
      truth and error are nearing their  ChS 77
     forefront of, peril of persons in PK 174
     God permits, to prepare soul for peace GC 633
     great, God's people live near close of 8T 46
     God's people must share, if they would wear crown of victory 1SM 28-9; 5T 71
     God's people should be made stronger and more stable in faith by 4T 556
     good and evil angels engaged in Ev 704
      for souls  MYP 52-3
     great and final, nearing for God's people Ev 30
     grows more severe, as closing struggle approaches 6T 471
     heat of, unseen agencies by side of God's people in CT 237
     impending, causes of GC 582-92; 5T 711-8
     irrepressible, between righteousness and sin MB 29
     issues in, need to be better understood MH 451; 8T 312
     last, Christian's duty in PK 627
     last great: between laws of men and precepts of God PK 625
      between truth and error  GC 582
      concerns God's law  GC 582
      death decree against God's people in  DA 121-2
      God's people forbidden to buy or sell in  DA 121-2
      men loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off in  DA 121
      only persons with minds fortified by Scriptures will stand through  GC 593
      only two classes in  DA 763
      preparations being made now for  PK 605
     Sabbath question will be issue in 6T 352
     life of, Christ lived for man DA 129
     life's, carefulness needed to ensure success in MH 128
     lifelong, with Satan is before God's people AA 560-1; MYP 104
     men of moral sinew are made by 3T 495
     mightiest, furtherance of God's message involves LS 329; TM 470
     most severe, church is soon to enter TM 20
     most terrible, ever witnessed is right upon God's people 6T 407
     no faithful soul left to struggle alone in PK 571
     not pleasant to man's nature 3T 380
     of overcoming, persons who know 5T 215
     originated before time began, redeemed will study Ed 304
     perilous, God will guide His people in TM 211
     present, is last God's people shall have SD 370
     religious experience gained only through CT 100
     severe: God's people seen passing through EW 89
      ministry of angels does not ensure God's people against  2T 509
      persons who are not reliable in  2T 488
     sore, God's people in all ages have endured GC 649
      lesson to learn from  AA 590
     souls faithful in, commendation and promise for AA 588
     spiritual life is strengthened by COL 61
     stern, Christian has to meet 6BC 1111
     strength of character is developed through MYP 78-80
     supernatural strength promised to the faithful in every 2BC 995-6
     terrible, before God's people ML 308
      in near future  9T 11
     thick of, expect to enter 4BC 1153
     this life is LS 291
     time of, fling true colors to breeze in 3T 272
      prepare children for  CG 555
     true soldier's skill is tested in 3T 272
     trust in God is need d in MH 500; 3T 494
     two parties strive for supremacy in, and God's people cannot be neutral in it SD 370
     victory and 1T 592-609
     wage, against hereditary tendencies COL 331
     why God lets His people encounter ChS 275
     will wax fiercer and fiercer TM 411
     yoking up with Christ cuts short many 8T 95
     your personal, Christ does not create 4T 558
     See also Battle; Controversy; Struggle; Warfare 
    Supplement
     all have; we must follow where Jesus leads TMK 280:4
     between
      Christ and Satan,
     many do not understand  HP 259:2
     not merely between humans  TMK 211:4
      right and wrong since Adam yielded to Satan  FLB 72:2
     bitterness of, increases near close of time FW 46:3
     character perfection obtained through OHC 313:3
     Christ
      had, in spite of angels; we can have angels too  3SM 131:2
      lived peacefully in  RC 278:4
      prevailed in, at infinite cost  FW 74:4
      was exposed to, as a man  OHC 57:3
     comfort in looking beyond, to see glory for overcomers TDG 198:4
     coming,
      but obedient ones have help; loud cry  3SM 412:1
      church dear to God in  HP 284:4
      perplexities in, but remember past  3SM 383:2
      to be understood; gospel versus human tradition  3SM 385:5
     continual, Christian life is TMK 253:2
     decision for Christ is beginning of HP 218:2
     develops character for heaven OHC 316:3
     earth as battlefield for greatest LHU 353:2
     Ellen White experienced, in 1888 session, but courage good 3SM 178:0
     everyone aligned on one of two sides in TMK 211:5
     faith,
      and courage tested by, but make us strong  FLB 8:5
      grows through  OHC 327:3
     final,
      between truth and error over Sabbath worship  HP 150:2
      Christ fights beside and for us in  3SM 425:3
      clarity of evil side before, will save some  3SM 397:4
      endurance of Christ's follower taxed in  HP 297:2
      prepare for, by faithfulness in duties  HP 297:3
      struggle of evil in  3SM 425:5
      violence greater than before flood  UL 365:3
     freedom from, following Christ is not HP 117:3
     gird for spiritual, avoiding world's customs TMK 174:4
     God shows us, assuring us divine power FW 92:2
     Heaven watches, between good and evil HP 361:4
     Holy Spirit strengthens and sustains in TDG 173:4
     humans left on earth to encounter TMK 358:4
     living above, with God's character qualities 3SM 310:3
     now on the field of TDG 265:6
     path of liberty is laid through TMK 287:2
     power of Christ is comfort, hope and rejoicing for RC 304:6
     release from, by surrender to Satan AG 333:3
     rest promised from earth's final Mar 174:6
     salvation requires HP 259:4
      with self, cooperating with God  2MCP 757:2
     sharing in Christ's, with evil HP 259:2
     spiritual, assurance of result of; God reigns TDG 287:5
     strength for,
      from truth if it is brought into the life  RC 21:4
      promised  UL 363:4
     suspicion by marriage partner creates, in the home OHC 179:5
     temptations (subtle), require TMK 256:5
     trusting own righteousness opens to 3SM 150:2
     truth
      fortifies for, by constant contact with life  RC 21:4
      in the heart brings  OHC 87:2
     with
      enemies of truth drives closer to Christ  RC 296:6
      evil, plan of, revealed by God  UL 82:4
     See also Trials; Misunderstandings

If babies die, will they be saved or not?

from http://text.egwwritings.org/publication.php?pubtype=Book&bookCode=LDE&lang=en&pagenumber=293

The Salvation of Infants and Imbeciles

 

As the little infants come forth immortal from their dusty beds, they immediately wing their way to their mother's arms. They meet again nevermore to part. But many of the little ones have no mother there. We listen in vain for the rapturous song of triumph from the mother. The angels receive the motherless infants and conduct them to the tree of life.—Selected Messages 2:260 (1858).

Some questioned whether the little children of even believing parents should be saved, because they have had no test of character and all must be tested and their character determined by trial. The question is asked, “How can little children have this test and trial?” I answer that the faith of the believing parents covers the children, as when God sent His judgments upon the first-born of the Egyptians....

Whether all the children of unbelieving parents will be saved we cannot tell, because God has not made known His purpose in regard to this matter, and we had better leave it where God has left it and dwell upon subjects made plain in His Word.—Selected Messages 3:313-315 (1885).

In regard to the case of A, you see him as he now is and deplore his simplicity. He is without the consciousness of sin. The grace of God will remove all this hereditary, transmitted imbecility, and he will have an inheritance among the saints in light. To you the Lord has given reason. A is a child as far as the

capacity of reason is concerned, but he has the submission and obedience of a child.—Manuscript Releases 8:210 (1893).

Tribute to Faithful Mothers

When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened; when the “well done” of the great Judge is pronounced, and the crown of immortal glory is placed upon the brow of the victor, many will raise their crowns in sight of the assembled universe and, pointing to their mother, say, “She made me all I am through the grace of God. Her instruction, her prayers, have been blessed to my eternal salvation.”—Messages to Young People, 330 (1881).

The angels of God immortalize the names of the mothers whose efforts have won their children to Jesus Christ.—Child Guidance, 568 (1895).

Dancing in the Bible and SOP/EGW

David’s Dancing Not a Precedent—David’s dancing in reverent joy before God has been cited by pleasure lovers in justification of the fashionable modern dance, but there is no ground for such an argument. In our day dancing is associated with folly and midnight reveling. Health and morals are sacrificed to pleasure. By the frequenters of the ballroom God is not an object of thought and reverence; prayer or the song of praise would be felt to be out of place in their assemblies. This test should be decisive. Amusements that have a tendency to weaken the love for sacred things and lessen our joy in the service of God are not to be sought by Christians. The music and dancing in joyful praise to God at the removal of the ark had not the faintest resemblance to the dissipation of modern dancing. The one tended to the remembrance of God and exalted His holy name. The other is a device of Satan to cause men to forget God and to dishonor Him.16 {AH 517.1}

Musical Instruments in the Bible and SOP/EGW

• Harp
• And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. Rev 14:2
• etc... 
• Trumpet
• And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. Rev 8:2
• etc... 
• Drums
•  none, see 100 reasons not to use drums
• Timbrels, Tabrets
• [Description of Lucifer and his fall]
• Ezekiel 28:13Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
  14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
  15Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
  16By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
  17Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
  18Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
  19All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
  etc..
• Lyre
• Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. Psalm 92:3
• etc...
• Cymbals
• And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters. 1 Chronicles 16:42
• etc... 

• Wind Instruments
• http://www.angelfire.com/sc3/we_dig_montana/Music.html#I
• Stringed Instruments 
• http://www.angelfire.com/sc3/we_dig_montana/Music.html#I

Labor Unions in the Bible and SOP/EGW Writings

Bible

Revelation 12:7-17King James Version (KJV)

⁷ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

EGW/SOP

Avoid Party Strifes

Men have confederated to oppose the Lord of hosts. These confederacies will continue until Christ shall leave His place of intercession before the mercy seat, and shall put on the garments of vengeance. Satanic agencies are in every city, busily organizing into parties those opposed to the law of God. Professed saints and avowed unbelievers take their stand with these parties. This is no time for the people of God to be weaklings. We cannot afford to be off our guard for a moment.—Testimonies for the Church 8:42 (1904). {2SM 141.2}

The trades unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.—Letter 200, 1903. {2SM 142.1}

 

Preparing for the Issue

The trades unions and confederacies of the world are a snare. Keep out of them, and away from them, brethren. Have nothing to do with them. Because of these unions and confederacies, it will soon be very difficult for our institutions to carry on their work in the cities. My warning is: Keep out of the cities. Build no sanitariums in the cities. Educate our people to get out of the cities into the country, where they can obtain a small piece of land, and make a home for themselves and their children {2SM 142.3}

Conflicts Between Trade Confederacies and Labor Unions

The work of the people of God is to prepare for the events of the future, which will soon come upon them with blinding force. In the world gigantic monopolies will be formed. Men will bind themselves together in unions that will wrap them in the folds of the enemy. A few men will combine to grasp all the means to be obtained in certain lines of business. Trades unions will be formed, and those who refuse to join these unions will be marked men.—Letter 26, 1903. {2SM 142.2}

In Disregard of the Decalogue

These unions are one of the signs of the last days. Men are binding up in bundles ready to be burned. They may be church members, but while they belong to these unions, they cannot possibly keep the commandments of God; for to belong to these unions means to disregard the entire Decalogue. {2SM 143.3}

 

Unions that are Formed or shall be Formed

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?—Letter 201, 1902. {2SM 144.1}

Labor Unions in the Cities

Satan is busily at work in our crowded cities. His work is to be seen in the confusion, the strife and discord between labor and capital, and the hypocrisy that has come into the churches.... The lust of the flesh, the pride of the eyes, the display of selfishness, the misuse of power, the cruelty and the force used to cause men to unite with confederacies and unions—binding themselves up in bundles for the burning of the great fires of the last days—all these are the working of satanic agencies.—Evangelism, 26 (1903). {LDE 116.1}

The wicked are being bound up in bundles, bound up in trusts, in unions, in confederacies. Let us have nothing to do with these organizations. God is our Ruler, our Governor, and He calls us to come out from the world and be separate. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” [2 Corinthians 6:17]. If we refuse to do this, if we continue to link up with the world and to look at every matter from a worldly standpoint, we shall become like the world. When worldly policy and worldly ideas govern our transactions we cannot stand on the high and holy platform of eternal truth.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1142 (1903). {LDE 116.2}

Labor Unions a Source of Trouble for Adventists

The trades unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.... {LDE 116.3}

A few men will combine to grasp all the means to be obtained in certain lines of business. Trades unions will be formed, and those who refuse to join these unions will be marked men.... {LDE 117.1}

Because of these unions and confederacies, it will soon be very difficult for our institutions to carry on their work in the cities. My warning is: Keep out of the cities. Build no sanitariums in the cities.—Selected Messages 2:142 (1903). {LDE 117.2}

The time is fast coming when the controlling power of the labor unions will be very oppressive.—Selected Messages 2:141 (1904). {LDE 117.3}

 

Unions That Are Formed or Shall Be Formed

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?—Letter 201, 1902. {CL 12.1}