The Two Churches in our Time

As of 2024, there are around 45,000 different Christian denominations out there. Today, we’re facing a solemn truth: there are actually only two churches in the whole world. Heaven doesn't see all those different denominations as separate "true" churches. From God's point of view, the line of distinction is very clear.

The church of God, the pure bride of Christ, clothed with the sun, standing on the solid foundation of truth, as described in Revelation 12. This woman is the bride of Christ. Her beauty is not in human splendor or worldly power but in holiness and obedience. She stands alone in faith when the dragon of sin and persecution seeks to destroy her. She represents God’s faithful people in every age; Israel in its prime, the early Christian church, Reformers in the 16th century, SDA church in 19th century, and the faithful remnant today who maintain allegiance to the commandments and the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 12:17).
The church of Satan, Babylon the great, the mother of harlot, which adorned in outward splendor but inwardly corrupt, drunk with the wine of her own abominations, as described in Revelation 17.

“In Revelation 17, Babylon is represented as a woman, a figure which is used in the Scriptures as the symbol of a church. A virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. Babylon is said to be a harlot;” 4SP 233.1

This is not just a symbolic distinction. It means that every person has a choice in these last days. Every person and every church will fall into one of these two categories. Are we going to follow Christ, His commandments, and His truth? Or will we join forces with the world, compromise our principles, and follow the path of apostasy?

“We are living in probationary time. There are today only two sides, only two parties, in the world.” RH June 19, 1900, par. 11

“There are only two classes in the world today, and only two classes will be recognized in the Judgment,—those who violate God’s law, and those who keep His law. Two great opposing powers are revealed in the last great battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and earth. All on His side bear His signet. They are obedient to His commands. On the other side stands the Prince of darkness, with those who have chosen apostasy and rebellion.” RH May 7, 1901, Art. A, par. 10

“There can be only two classes. Each party is distinctly stamped, either with the seal of the living God, or with the mark of the beast or his image.” RH January 30, 1900, Art. A, par. 4

“Each one has an important question to answer for himself: Are you on the side of Satan, a transgressor of God’s law, or are you loyal to that God who declared himself to be, “The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6-7)” RH January 30, 1900, Art. A, par. 5

Yes, the world appears to have countless churches and denominations, but heaven recognizes only two: the pure bride and the fallen harlot.

What is a church? Who is the church of Christ?

“God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” [Matthew 18:20.] Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.” 4LtMs, Lt 108, 1886, par. 17

Jesus said:

John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

So, Christ’s presence reveals where His church is.

On the other hand, the faithful servants of Christ are not found in church or churches where Christ’s presence is not found, unless God specifically sent them there.

Now, there is another meaning of Babylon that I wanted to emphasize in connection of the first and second angels’ message.

Historically, the first angels message of Revelation 14:6-7 started to be given in the year 1833 but culminated in the years 1840-1844. Why it was given?

“It was to separate the church of Christ from the corrupting influence of the world that the first angel’s message was given.” 4SP 231.1

And who was the church of Christ or the people of God during that time? It was the Protestant churches. And where they were during that time?

“At the proclamation of the first angel’s message, the people of God were in Babylon; and many true Christians are still to be found in her communion.” 4SP 239.3

Referring to the second angel’s message in Revelation 14:8.

“The term Babylon, derived from Babel, and signifying confusion, is applied in Scripture to the various forms of false or apostate religion. But the message announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to some religious body that was once pure, and has become corrupt. It cannot be the Romish Church which is here meant; for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. But how appropriate the figure as applied to the Protestant churches, all professing to derive their doctrines from the Bible, yet divided into almost innumerable sects.” 4SP 232.2

So, the first and second angels’ message was directed to the Protestant churches, a once pure church and become corrupt.

“When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [Revelation 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message. The proclamation, “Babylon is fallen,” was given in the summer of 1844, and as the result, about fifty thousand withdrew from these churches.” 4SP 232.1

“Adventists, seeing that the churches rejected the testimony of God's word, could no longer regard them as constituting the church of Christ, "the pillar and ground of the truth;" and as the message, "Babylon is fallen," began to be proclaimed, they felt themselves justified in separating from their former connection.” 4SP 237.2

To recap, the first angel’s message was given “to separate the church of Christ from the corrupting influence of the world.” At its proclamation, the Protestant churches “were already in Babylon” because they departed from Christ and united themselves with the world, and thus becoming a harlot of Babylon. They were given a precious message to repent and break their marriage and connection with the world. When they rejected the first angel’s message in the summer of 1844, they were denounced as Babylon fallen as proclaimed by the second angel and there was a call to willingly separate from all these established churches. As a result, about 50,000 were justified in separating themselves from their churches. In other words, it is only when a church or churches become “Babylon fallen” that members are justified in separating from their connections.

But how do God’s people know that their beloved church who was once pure and chosen were now Babylon fallen? ? It was by “seeing” the fruits it bears. The Lord gave them a spiritual eyeglass to see the fruits produced by their churches exactly fit the description of Babylon-the fruits of continuous apostasy and rejection of truth. And they have no other choice but to cry aloud through the power of the Holy Spirit to declare that their corrupt and apostate church had become Babylon fallen and that it was now time to come out and separate from her midst.

Matthew 7:20 “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Two years after the Great Disappointment only about 50 proved faithful to God when their faith was tested and tried

“By the year 1846 they reckoned their numbers as about fifty.” EW xvii.1

What happened to the people who gave up their faith and said that believing these heaven-sent words was a lie?

“Others rashly denied the light (Midnight cry) behind them, and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and got their eyes off the mark and lost sight of Jesus, and fell off the path down in the dark and wicked world below. It was just as impossible for them to get on the path again and go to the city, as all the wicked world which God had rejected.” WLF 14.2

Those who rejected the call of separation from Babylon fallen churches were lost. Those who believed and obeyed the separation message from Babylon fallen churches but later renounced their faith, declaring these truths to be in error and their experience a lie, were also lost. They had sinned against and blasphemed the Holy Spirit and Satan deceived them with his unholy spell. It’s impossible for them to recover and accept the truth again!

This history repeats itself with the SDA church!

We have a rule to follow in reading the Testimonies or the Spirit of Prophecy so that we will understand by God’s grace the history of the church.

“Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered.” 1SM 57.2

1891

In 1891, while yet sailing her way to Australia, sister white wrote:

“The world must not be introduced into the church, and married to the church, forming a bond of unity. Through this means the church will become indeed corrupt, and, as stated in Revelation, “a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” SpTA06 4.1 (TM 265)

This phrase is found in Revelation 18:2 referring to Babylon. So basically, she was warning the SDA church to unite herself with the world then the SDA church would become an harlot of Babylon.

1893

Two years later, in 1893, there were pamphlets put out by a man named Stanton calling the SDA church to be Babylon Fallen.

“How is it that these pamphlets denouncing the Seventh-day Adventist Church as Babylon were scattered abroad everywhere, at the very time when that church was receiving the outpouring of the Spirit of God? How is it that men can be so deceived as to imagine that the loud cry consists in calling the people of God out from the fellowship of a church that is enjoying a season of refreshing? Oh, may these deceived souls come into the current, and receive the blessing, and be endued with power from on high.” RH October 17, 1893 (TM 23)

“There is but one church in the world who are at the present time standing in the breach, and making up the hedge, building up the old waste places; and for any man to call the attention of the world and other churches to this church, denouncing her as Babylon, is to do a work in harmony with him who is the accuser of the brethren.” RH September 5, 1893, par. 8 (TM 50)

“Those who assert that the Seventh-day Adventist churches constitute Babylon, or any part of Babylon, might better stay at home. Let them stop and consider what is the message to be proclaimed at this time.” RH August 22, 1893, par. 8 (TM 37)

The message that the SDA Church was Babylon in 1893 came from a man and was both untimely and preempted. It was a premature call, a deception. God is very precise when He gives clear statements in the Testimonies pertaining to the Church.

In 1893, the SDA Church was not yet Babylon. Significant words like – “at the very time,” “at the present time”, “at this time” – clearly refer to 1893. In this way, there are no longer any doubts about the right timing of the Babylon message.

Yet a strong warning to the SDA Church was given:

“Of those who boast of their light, and yet fail to walk in it, Christ says, "But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum [Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great light], which art exalted unto heaven [in point of privilege], shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." Review and Herald, August 1, 1893, par. 5

If the SDA church would continue to be faithful and obedient to God, she will remain to be Christ’s church. Remember that God’s promises and threatenings are all made upon conditions just like His favor toward Israel who also became a harlot.

“it should be remembered that the promises and threatenings of God are alike conditional.” 1SM 67.

“God's favor toward Israel had always been conditional on their obedience.” RH February 19, 1914, par. 2

1895

Sister White writes two years later in 1895 another warning to the SDA church to avoid confusion about this crucial issue:

"The world must not be introduced into the church and married to the church. Through union with the world the church will become corrupt, 'a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.' The customs of the world must not have a place; for they will be open doors through which the prince of darkness will find access, and the line of demarcation will become indistinguishable between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." RH February 26, 1895, par. 4, 5

Again, if the SDA church departs from Christ and unites with the world, she would become an harlot of Babylon in Revelation 18:2.

1900

Sadly, in the year 1900, the SDA church went to the world in breaking the law.

“The professed followers of Christ are no longer a separate and peculiar people. The line of demarcation is indistinct. The people are subordinating themselves to the world, to its practices, its customs, its selfishness. The church has gone over to the world in transgression of the law, when the world should have come over to the church in obedience to the law. Daily the church is being converted to the world.” COL 315.3

“By choosing the world and its attractions, they divorce themselves from God.” RH July 13, 1897, par. 1

1903

Now, since the SDA church has fulfilled the condition to become a harlot of Babylon by disregarding the plain warnings from God, Christ Himself, through Sister White has denounced the SDA church as being a harlot. Written on April 21, 1903, it says:

“Our position in the world is not what it should be. We are far from what we would have been had our Christian experience been in harmony with the light and the opportunities given us, had we from the beginning constantly pressed onward and upward. .. But many of those who have had special light are so conformed to the world that they can scarcely be distinguished from worldlings. They do not stand forth as God’s peculiar people, chosen and precious. It is difficult to discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. 8T 247.1
In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church must be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had… 8T 247.2
The heavenly Teacher inquired: “What stronger delusion can beguile the mind than the pretense that you are building on the right foundation and that God accepts your works, when in reality you are working out many things according to worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah? Oh, it is a great deception, a fascinating delusion, that takes possession of minds when men who have once known the truth, mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof; when they suppose that they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, while in reality they are in need of everything.” 8T 249.3
Who can truthfully say: “Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted by the world”? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: “Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? ‘How is the faithful city become an harlot!’ My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.” 8T 250.2
“Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself. When she resists the evil and chooses the good, when she seeks God with all humility and reaches her high calling in Christ, standing on the platform of eternal truth and by faith laying hold upon the attainments prepared for her, she will be healed. She will appear in her God-given simplicity and purity, separate from earthly entanglements, showing that the truth has made her free indeed. Then her members will indeed be the chosen of God, His representatives.” 8T 250.3 (April 21, 1903)

Sister White said in 1893, “at the present time,” do not call the church Babylon, that was in 1893. But 10 years later, in 1903, the church became a harlot of Babylon. In 1893 it was a man named Stanton who said that the church is Babylon, but in 1903 it was Christ Himself through Sister White who said that the SDA church is harlot or Babylon. But not Babylon Fallen yet because God gave them time to repent and be converted so they will not fall. Sister White continued to deliver the messages to the church as a prophet to separate them from the corrupting influence of the world returning them completely to Jesus. This is the reason why Sister White did not leave the SDA church during the rest of her life because they still have a chance to repent and be His bride once again. Because the probation of the church was not closed.

To be clear, a church must be Babylon before it can become Babylon Fallen,
then, you are justified to separate willingly from her!

Unfortunately, like Jerusalem and the Protestant churches, the SDA church never repented since then!!!

Like Jerusalem, the SDA church still believed the lie and boasted that they were still the chosen by God despite of her apostasy and rejection of truth, and keep claiming they are the remnant church and the church will not fall no matter what!

Dear ones, the fruits of apostasy and corruption of the SDA church have continued since then and will increase from bad to worse till Jesus comes. Truly, the fruits they bear do not produce the fruits of a remnant church, but of the fruits of Babylon. We have a website exclusively to expose her bad fruits, you can go and visit sdaapostasy.org . Fruits won’t lie! By following worldly policy, they sinned against God. They stopped giving the three angels' message to the world.

The remnant of God will never be Babylon!

Will the remnant follow worldly policy? NO!

“God has a remnant people in the world—a people who are not following worldly policy. Of them we read in the Scripture, “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”.... The Christian world has cast aside the Seventh-day Sabbath, and has exalted the false sabbath. But God has a people who will be loyal to Him.” Manuscript 99, 1902 { 5MR 53.2 }

Revelation chapter 12 describe the history of the church of God, which started with the Jewish church to the remnant.

Verses 1-5 refers to the period of Jewish church. But the Jewish church did not flee into the wilderness but was destroyed in 70AD.
Verses 6-16 refers to the early Christian church who followed after, down to the Great Reformation who went through the dark ages or the 1260 years prophecy which ended in 1798.

Which church gained popularity after 1798? The Protestant churches.

The SDA church unconditionally applies Revelation 12:17 to herself, irrespective of obedience:

Revelation 12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Who represents the dragon? Satan. Which church, symbolized by a woman’s seed or offspring, was born from the Protestant churches? The SDA church! Now, let's go over verse 17 and replace the symbols with their meanings:

"And Satan was wroth with the Protestant churches, and went to make war with the remnant of the SDA church", or the seed of Protestant church.

It's important to remember that to be regarded as remnant, you need to meet the conditions by keeping the commandments of God and following the testimony of Jesus, or "the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10)

“The testimony of Jesus,” said the angel to John, “is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10. It is the keeping of the commandments of God, and the recognition of the revival of the spirit of prophecy by the remnant of the church, or the Christians of the last generation, that stirs the ire of the dragon.” 1SP 11.1

"It is because the saints are keeping all ten of the commandments that the dragon makes war upon them. If they will lower the standard and yield the peculiarities of their faith, the dragon will be at peace; but they excite his ire because they have dared to raise the standard and unfurl their banner in opposition to the Protestant world, who are worshiping the institution of papacy." 1T 223.3

In other words, to be part of the remnant, you must keep the law of God and follow the testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of prophecy. The remnant does not include the apostate and corrupt church because it does not meet these qualifications! The SDA church has lowered the standard and the dragon is at peace! The SDA church's position in the world today is far more different than when she started, therefore, she is found wanting!

“The church cannot measure herself by the world nor by the opinion of men nor by what she once was. Her faith and her position in the world as they now are must be compared with what they would have been if her course had been continually onward and upward. The church will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. If her moral character and spiritual state do not correspond with the benefits and blessings God has conferred upon her, she will be found wanting.” 5T 83.2

Before Sister White died, she gave them a solemn warning.

that when I am laid to rest, great changes will take place

I want the people to know that I warned them fully before my death

(She died July 16, 1915)

What are these great changes that will take place in the SDA church?

"The enemy of souls (Satan) has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist of giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure." SpTB07 39.30 (1SM 204.2)

Great Changes - A Sad Fulfillment

Did the SDA church implement Satan’s “great changes” that were designed to lead them to complete apostasy today? Yes! Can we see these “great changes” taking place after sister White died? Yes! See for yourself here and here.

The SDA church has fulfilled this great reformation from bad to worse as prophesied. The SDA church became Catholics. No longer the church of God today. Even their church leader today has hesitation to claim being the remnant because they’re not.

“Today we hesitate to claim we’re the remnant; but as for Laodicea, that’s us! Us alone!” -Roy Adams, Adventist Review, Aug. 28, 2008, p. 5.

They are proud to be called Laodicea today, But Christ’s presence is not in the Laodicean church.

“The church is in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst... Abridge the work, limit your labors, and you remove your Helper... What a terrible thing it is to exclude Christ from His own temple! What a loss to the church!” Ms 156, 1898, par. 10

Instead, this once pure church but become corrupt has fallen, and became the synagogue or church of Satan that will worship before the saints.

"You think, that those who worship before the saint's feet, (Rev. 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you; for God shew me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away, and 'crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.'" WLF 12.2

And those who are honest will leave the fallen churches (the Jewish church, Roman church, Protestant churches, and SDA church) and join the remnant. (see this page for further information)

“I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant.” 1SG 172.1

Before I finish, I want to read about the example of Timothy especially addressed to young people in the church.

"In the history of Timothy are found precious lessons. He was a mere lad when chosen by God as a teacher; but so fixed were his principles by a correct education that he was fitted for this important position. He bore his responsibilities with Christlike meekness. He was faithful, steadfast, and true, and Paul selected him to be his companion in labor and travel. Lest Timothy should meet with slights because of his youthfulness, Paul wrote to him, "Let no man despise thy youth." He could safely do this, because Timothy was not self-sufficient, but continually sought guidance.
There are many youth who move from impulse rather than from judgment. But Timothy inquired at every step, "Is this the way of the Lord?" He had no specially brilliant talents, but he consecrated all his abilities to the service of God, and this made his work valuable. The Lord found in him a mind that He could mold and fashion for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God will use the youth today as He used Timothy, if they will submit to His guidance. It is your privilege to be God's missionaries. He calls upon you to work for your companions. Seek out those you know to be in danger, and in the love of Christ try to help them. How are they to know the Saviour unless they see His virtues in His followers." (YI Feb. 13, 1902)

I praise the Lord for the young people in the SDR movement who seek Bible instruction every time and rightly dividing the word of truth in order to be approved unto God. On the other hand, this is a warning to those who became self-sufficient and who moved by impulse by declaring the truth we hold as error and left our number, rather than by sound knowledge and especially in applying the principles of truth that was given in the word of God to his remnant church.

Today, the voice of God calls to His people:

Separate from Babylon fallen—the corrupt churches that was once pure but has now aligned with worldly power.
Stand with the remnant—those who proclaim the loud cry, hold fast to the original Spirit of Prophecy, and maintain obedience to God’s Word.
Prepare for the close of probation, for the time is short, and mercy is soon to end.

The reward is so great:

A place in the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:9)
The privilege of standing with Christ, clothed in His righteousness, as faithful witnesses in the last days.
Eternal fellowship with the Godhead and the redeemed on the new earth.

The world offers compromise, popularity, and worldly alliances. The fallen churches offer comfort, recognition, and ease. But heaven calls us to loyalty, obedience, and separation.

The SDA Church has become Babylon by adopting worldly practices, policies, and alliances. And She is now Babylon fallen, because of rejecting the warning and truth sent from heaven.
God’s remnant remains faithful, uncompromising, and obedient.
The loud cry of the third angel continues, calling all who will listen to come out, separate, and be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ.

The choice is ours: Bride of Christ or Babylon fallen? Faithfulness or compromise? Obedience or apostasy?

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

Let us choose the path of loyalty, separation, and faithfulness. Let us proclaim the third angel’s message in purity, give the trumpet a certain sound in the power of the Holy Spirit, and stand firm until the close of probation. Heaven will reward those who remain faithful, for the Saviour Himself will come in righteousness to gather His faithful bride.

I hope and pray that you are blessed today!

Gospel Order