YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH'S (JESUS CHRIST'S) MESSAGE TO LEADERS OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH.

THIS MESSAGE WAS FIRST SENT OUT IN 2004 . AMENDED 2008

EXCERPT 19


MATTERS IN THE SDA CHURCH WHICH ARE GRIEVOUS IN MY SIGHT!!!

There are certain matters which are grievous to Me, Yahushua, and which must be brought to an end. They are as follows:

• Often people attend the SDA Church, sometime for the first time, dressed in their ordinary wear which may not match up to the standards of certain members. However, without taking into consideration that these visitors are not used to their way of dressing; those members proceed to lecture them on what clothing is appropriate to be worn in their church. No thought is given that such persons have come to seek My face or to find Me, Yahushua, their Saviour. Instead, they find that they are being judged and under attack because of their clothing. Thus instead of being drawn closer to Me, their Adonai, and have their spiritual needs met, they are rebuffed and leave never to return to the church again and sometimes, never to attend another church.

• In some parts of the world outward adorning is used by certain members to judge other members and visitors alike. Those judges look upon any form of make-up or jewellery worn, as “worldly”! Thus they object to them being worn at all, let alone being worn in their church! Those who stick to the rules and remain without any form of jewellery or facial make-up, are accepted and pass the test!! Those however, who step out of line and wear the slightest amount of facial make-up or jewellery, with the exception of a wrist watch, are looked upon as “worldly”, who are bringing the standards of the world into the Church and lowering her standards. There are also so who object to the wedding ring being worn.

• The same attitude applies to the clothing worn in some western countries. Thus any clothing worn which resembles that of the opposite sex, is immediately frowned upon and tabooed by many in the Church. This affects mainly women who may choose to wear slacks, jeans or trouser-suits. Those who are in opposition to such clothing, do not see that such clothing can be more graceful, dignified, comfortable and becoming than some of the fashions being worn. Neither is any thought given that they are more practical at times, or that they cover and protect the body, especially the lower limbs which are often exposed. No thought is given either that such clothing is necessary and very appropriate because it helps to protect and safeguard the health, especially in cold countries where the winter can be very severe.

• These hardliners do not take into consideration the benefits of such clothing because they have their preconceived ideas of what clothing is acceptable and what is not. Instead, they specifically watch what others are wearing and if they are out of keeping with their standards, make it a vexation of spirit! Thus instead of focussing on the Service, with great resentment and disapproval, they fix their eyes upon the apparel or adorning being worn by those whom they believe are inappropriately dressed!! Should the names of those whom they regard as “offenders” come forward for offices, or doing special duties in the church; these “church police” promptly reject them on the ground that they are not in “good and regular standing!”

• These hard-liners base their negative and judgmental attitudes upon 1 Peter 3: 3, 4 which they completely out of context. This passage is used by many in the Church to judge, condemn and chastise others, instead of being taken in its true context. Whereas I, Yahushua, gave My life to save all who come to Me in faith and accept Me as their Adonai (Lord); it is not so in the SDA Church where many use this passage to condemn and “write off” others. It does not matter to such hard-liners whether such ones are seeking after Me, Yahushua, and are sincerely rendering their hearts instead of their garments!

The text in 1 Peter 3: 3, 4, is again repeated here:

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of [Elohim] God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3,4.

I, Yahushua, want everyone to take notice of what is written in this Passage of Scripture. It is not advocating that the hair should not be dressed, or that no clothing should be worn, or that the wearing of gold (jewellery) should be banned. No one in his/her right mind goes naked or refuses to dress the hair. Yet in most SDA Churches in many parts of the world, there is a rejection of any form of jewellery being worn.

Please realise that Peter was NOT referring to the dressing of the hair, the jewellery worn or to the wearing of clothing; neither was he condemning any of them. Under the inspiration of the Ruach Ha Kodesh, he was pointing out that although those things were important, the state of the heart (soul) was far more important. Thus he pointed out to them that although their adorning was important and necessary, they were not to be for outward show. Instead, their adorning should be:

“the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of [Elohim] God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:4.

This same admonition of Peter is applicable today. The “hidden man of heart” which represents the soul should be un-corruptible and adorned with a meek and quiet spirit. These are the things which are of great price before My Father, Yahweh, the Ruach Ha Kodesh and Myself, Yahushua.

The Church should not be turned into a fashion parade, neither should it be a place for nakedness or sensuality. Therefore, such things should be discouraged but should be done with wisdom and love. In this way genuine souls will not be offended or driven away, especially those who are truly seeking after Me, Yahushua.

It should also be understood that in some parts of the world, jewellery is considered an important part of dressing and is engrained into the culture. Therefore, for such ones to be without their jewellery, is equivalent to being naked or not being properly dressed. The same also applies to the use of make-up. Taking a hard line therefore, and condemning their use will only turn people away and discourage them from accepting Me, Yahushua, as their Saviour and Adonai. It is now time for such attitudes in the SDA Church to come to an end because souls are more precious to Me than the clothing and jewellery which may be worn by the worshippers. Whereas jewellery is taken off and make-up washed off, all sins including criticism and condemnation remain grievous in my sight, unless they are repented of.

When souls, therefore, are discouraged and driven away because of their apparel due to the hard-line attitude taken by church members, then I, Yahushua, Who gave My life for these precious souls, will require every one who is lost at the hands of those who discouraged and drove them away.

I created jewellery and gave them to My followers for their adorning. I did not condemn their use, except when they made wrong use of them and made idols with them. Examples of such times are recorded in:

1. Exodus 32, when the children of Israel gave their golden jewellery to Aaron to make a golden calf to be their god and worshipped it. At that time My anger waxed hot against them and through the command of Moses, My servant, three thousand were killed for their idolatry.

2. In Ezekiel 16, I reminded the children of Israel how I had adorned them with beautiful clothing and with gold and silver but they were unfaithful and turned to harlotry and used those jewellery instead to make graven images, as it is recorded:

“Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men...”Ezekiel 16: 17.

Concerning how both clothing and jewellery are regarded by Me, Yahushua, it is recorded in Ezekiel: 16: 10-14:

10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. 11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. 12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. 13 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. 14 And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith [Adonai Elohim] the Lord God.

It is also recorded in Isaiah 61:10:

“I will greatly rejoice in [Yahweh] the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my [Elohim] 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.” Isaiah 61:10.

I, Yahushua, want to point out that too many in the SDA Church look on the outward appearance and then judge others by it. This perspective needs to change and be replaced with the following text:

“...for [Yahweh] the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but [Yahweh] the LORD looketh on the heart”. 1 Samuel 16:7

It is now time for the ministers who are over the flock to take a firm stand against all super critical behaviour. They should not be afraid to speak out against those with these negative attitudes and show them the things which are important here in this world as well as for their eternal salvation. No longer then should members in the Church act as judges or as stumbling blocks to members and non-members because of their clothing, adorning or their possessions!

From now on, I, Yahushua, want this hard-line and judgmental attitude which many in the Church have adopted toward dress and jewellery to cease. My Coming is at hand and souls are far more important to Me than these temporal things which do not defile anyone. It is time for every member to take their eyes off others and off the things of the world and focus them on Me, Yahushua Ha Mashiach, their only Saviour. It is time for them to be ready to meet Me at My Second Coming.

NB: Scriptures used in the Post are taken from the KJV of the Bible