Over the years I have encountered many Seventh- day Adventists who have told me that to worship on Sunday is to take the mark of the Beast. Far from being monolithic, however, Seventh-day Adventism is multifaceted.

First, there are Adventists who are thoroughly orthodox. As such, they embrace the essentials of the historic Christian faith. While we may vigorously debate secondary issues, we are unified around the essentials for which the martyrs shed their blood.

Furthermore, there are Adventists who are thoroughly liberal. They not only compromise and confuse but consistently contradict essentials of the Christian faith such as the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection, and the infallibility of Scripture.

Finally, there are traditionalists who major on aberrant Adventist doctrines including soul sleep, Sabbatarianism, and the seer status of Ellen G. White. In sharp distinction to soul sleep, the Bible provides ample evidence that after death the soul continues to exist apart from the body (Philippians 1:21–24; 2 Corinthians 5:6–9; 12:2–4). Likewise, God Himself pro- vided early Christians with a new pattern of worship through Christ’s resurrection on the first day of the week as well as the Spirit’s descent on Pentecost Sunday. Additionally, while Ellen White (1827–1915) claimed divine authority for her prophecies, she was obviously wrong when she prophesied that she would be alive at the second coming of Christ. 

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Hebrews 4:9–10 NJKV

For further study, see,  “Is there evidence for life after death?” and “Is soul sleep biblical?”

***Note the preceding text is adapted from a new Revised and Updated version of The Complete Bible Answer Book that is forthcoming in Fall 2023. When available for pre-order we will update this page with corresponding information. Until then you can still purchase or receive for your partnering gift the current version by clicking here for purchase or here for partnering gift. ***