Some modern day religions claim to be Christians...but are they really? Go through this series with a small group or mentor, and let's take a closer look at some religions that may actually be cultish. This week: Seventh Day Adventists.

The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

Donate Now

Part I: The History

Origins in the Millerite Movement

William Miller (1782–1849): A Baptist preacher who studied Bible prophecy, particularly the books of Daniel and Revelation. Based on his calculations of Daniel 8:14, Miller predicted that Christ would return to earth around 1843–1844.
The Great Disappointment (October 22, 1844): When Jesus did not return on the predicted date, many of Miller’s followers abandoned the movement. However, a small group believed the date was correct but misunderstood the nature of the event (we will get into this more when we discuss some of the false doctrines they promote).

Formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Sabbath Movement: A group led by Joseph Bates and others began emphasizing the importance of observing Saturday (the biblical Sabbath) as a day of worship, based on the fourth commandment.
The Sanctuary Doctrine: After the Great Disappointment, followers like Hiram Edson taught that Jesus did not return to earth but instead entered the heavenly sanctuary to begin a new phase of His ministry (the “investigative judgment”).
Ellen G. White (1827–1915): Considered a prophetess by Adventists, she played a central role in shaping SDA beliefs and practices. Her visions and writings helped unify the movement and promote distinctive doctrines.

Official Organization

1863: The Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially organized in Battle Creek, Michigan, with approximately 3,500 members.
Expansion: By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the SDA Church grew rapidly, emphasizing evangelism, education, and healthcare.

Today’s SDA Church

Global Reach: The SDA Church has grown into a worldwide denomination with over 21 million members.
Focus Areas: It emphasizes education, healthcare, and missionary work while holding to its unique doctrines.

Part II: The Similarities and Differences

Similarities:

The belief in the Trinity
The humanity and deity of Christ (but there is a little twist here)
Salvation by grace through faith (but we will discuss this)
Authority of Scripture (but we will discuss this as well)
The Second Coming of Christ
Resurrection of the Dead

While there are many similarities in the beliefs between SDA and orthodox Christianity, there are some disturbing differences that Christians need to be aware of when considering SDA’s.

Observance of the Sabbath

This is pretty deep. They firmly believe that the 4th commandment to observe the Sabbath is still enforced today and this part of the law was not “fulfilled” in Christ.
SUNDAY LAW: They associate Sunday worship with the Mark of the Beast. They largely derive this from an interpretation of Bible prophecy. They interpret the beast in Revelation 13 as a system of false religion or false worship, mainly the Roman Catholic church.
SDAs believe the Roman Catholic Church is the beast in Revelation, Sunday worship is the “mark of the beast,” and a future Sunday law will test whether people are loyal to God (by keeping the Sabbath) or to human authority (by observing Sunday).
Since the RCC was instrumental in establishing Sunday as the official day of worship as opposed to Saturday, those who partake of Sunday worship instead of Sabbath worship in the future will be guilty of taking the mark of the beast or pledging their allegiance to this false system of worship.
How do they view Sunday worshiping Christians?
SDAs believe that the "mark of the beast" will only apply in the future, when Sunday worship is enforced by law as a global religious mandate. Until then, they view Christians who worship on Sunday as sincere but misinformed about God’s Sabbath command.
Ignorance of the Truth: They teach that many Christians worship on Sunday out of tradition or lack of knowledge about the Sabbath. In such cases, God does not hold them accountable (Acts 17:30).
SDAs feel a duty to inform Sunday-keeping Christians about the biblical Sabbath. They see this as part of their mission to call people out of "Babylon" (Revelation 18:4), which they interpret as false religious systems, including Sunday worship.
They often present the Sabbath as a test of loyalty to God and obedience to His commandments.
What does Ellen G. White Say?
"The Sabbath is the golden clasp that unites God and His people." (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 351)
“Christ is the sinner’s only hope. By His death, He brought salvation within the reach of all.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 131).
SDAs use quotes like this to argue that White did not teach salvation by works or Sabbath-keeping alone.
In Testimonies for the Church, she stated:“It means eternal salvation to keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord.”
Statements like this can lead to a legalistic mindset where believers feel their salvation depends on rigid obedience to laws, which undermines the gospel of grace.
What Does The Bible Say?
Scripture References:
Not mentioned as a command to observe in the entire new testament. Not only that but the opposite is mentioned.
Romans 14:5-6: “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord.”
FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF REST
Colossians 2:16-17: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”
Galatians 4:9-10: “But now that you have come to know God... how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world... You observe days and months and seasons and years!”

The Investigative Judgment

What is it?
What Was the Great Disappointment?
In 1844, many Christians followed a preacher named William Miller, who said Jesus would return on October 22, 1844.
When Jesus didn’t return, it was called the Great Disappointment because people were devastated.
Trying to Understand What Happened
Some of Miller’s followers thought the date was right, but they misunderstood what was supposed to happen.
A man named Hiram Edson had a new idea. He said that instead of Jesus coming back to earth, He did something important in heaven.
A New Explanation
Edson said Jesus entered the Most Holy Place in heaven (based on Daniel 8:14) on October 22, 1844.
He based this on the Old Testament idea of the Day of Atonement, when priests would cleanse the temple of sins.
Ellen G. White: Her visions affirmed this interpretation, and it became foundational for SDA theology.
The Investigative Judgment
They believed Jesus started a new work in heaven, called the Investigative Judgment:
Jesus is now reviewing the lives of all believers to decide who will be saved.
This is like a heavenly courtroom where records are checked.

Outcome:

The faithful who remain obedient are confirmed as saved.
Those who turn away from God are judged unworthy and will not be resurrected to eternal life.
Criticisms of the Investigative Judgment

Lack of Clear Biblical Support:

Many argue that Daniel 8:14 refers to the restoration of the Jerusalem temple, not a heavenly judgment.
Hebrews 10:12 states that Christ’s sacrifice was "once for all," implying no additional phase of atonement is needed.

Salvation by Works?:

Critics say the doctrine emphasizes human effort and obedience, potentially undermining salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Conflict with Assurance of Salvation:

Mainstream Christianity teaches that believers can have full assurance of salvation in Christ (Romans 8:1), while the Investigative Judgment may lead to uncertainty.

How This Differs from Mainstream Christianity

Completed Atonement: Christians believe Christ’s work on the cross was finished and fully sufficient for salvation (John 19:30, Hebrews 10:10-14).
Hebrews 10:14: "For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."
Judgment After Second Coming: Mainstream Christians teach that judgment occurs after Christ’s return, not as an ongoing process...