The release of Trevor Reed from a three-year-captivity reminds us of the Bible’s promise of freedom from a captivity far worse.

The present writer has recently discovered an Ellen White statement which could prove a game-changer in the church’s continuing discussions regarding the human nature of Christ.

Whenever the striving Adventist faithful, rightly or wrongly, find themselves disappointed in the leadership of the organized church, a century-old falsehood regarding the nature of the church tends to rear its ugly head. And it seems to be with us still.

If indeed, as some allege, people are more important than principles, which of the latter could possibly survive the rationalizations that would leap to the fore of one’s mind at a moment when life and death hang in the balance?

The people of God must reserve their spiritual energies, their willingness to be unpopular when principle demands it, for issues identified by the inspired pen as normative, as opposed to the fleeting diversions of man-made piety, culture, and politics, whatever label they happen to wear.

Misguided optimism may prove to be the biggest casualty of the war now raging in eastern Europe.

The anchor of faith represented by this prophecy has held repeatedly. And it will do so again.

Whenever man-made rules are seen as indicative of godliness, the line between the sacred and the common is breached, and the witness of God’s people dishonored.

Resentful, aggrieved memories can become an excuse for rejecting the teachings of God’s Word.

“We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan, but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome.”

Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 324

Those whose background in the church is one of excessive rigidity and harshness toward those who differ with them must understand that such a spirit, destructive though it is, does not necessarily reflect the larger culture and worldview of many, many others who occupy the church’s pews and inhabit the society in which we live.

Is this a valid comparison?

Unless the General Conference in session embraces one or another of the doctrines identified by Ellen White as earmarks of Babylon, no inspired justification can possibly exist for separating from the worldwide Adventist body, and anyone who views unity with that body as merely optional is disregarding the inspired injunction that such unity is “an important and necessary act.”

What my recent COVID test teaches regarding the investigative judgment and God’s eternal purpose in the controversy with evil.

Few are likely to be convinced of the truth and value of our faith if we aren’t first convinced ourselves.