Seventh-day Adventists believe that the Bible is God's inspired Word. 

2Peter 1:20-21 says, "knowing this first: that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in olden times by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

We believe that the Bible is our rule of thumb and our belief system must be based upon what's written upon its pages.

According to 2 Timothy 3:16 Scripture is“breathed out by God,” and “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (ESV)

We also believe that God has given us the Scriptures to show us God's requirements.

The ability to fully explain God is not something our finite minds can grasp. However, from what the Bible reveals, God is an Individual who exists in a place called heaven. According to Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

Isaiah 40:28-29 says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength."

God is the preeminent Being that supersedes both time and space. He knows all, and He is everywhere at the same time.

God's Son

There is another Individual that exists in heaven with God. He goes by many names, but we typically call Him Jesus. According to the Bible, Jesus was sent by God to this earth to save fallen mankind. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

The best way that we can understand the dynamic between Jesus and God is a father and son relationship. 

Now, even though Jesus was the Son of God, the Bible reveals that Jesus was equal with His Father: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" Philippians 2:6

Another title for Jesus was The Word. And according to John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Because Jesus is equal with His Father, we see that He is God just as much as His Father.

The Holy Spirit

There is another Supreme Being that exists in heaven with the Father and Son. We call Him the Holy Ghost, or the Holy Spirit. The fact his name begins with"the" has many believing that He is some sort of inanimate entity that was created by God to do His bidding. While this idea is understandable, Ephesians 4:30 says, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."  Acts 5:3 says, "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"

According to these texts, the Holy Spirit has characteristics suggesting He is more than an inanimate entity.  Peter would continue by saying, "...thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." (Acts 5:4)

According to Deuteronomy 6:4, God is one Lord. However, we've seen that there are two other individuals that reign alongside the Father. Together, these three are called the Godhead.

"Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device." Acts 17:29

God created us, not evolution. The Bible is clear that in the beginning, God created heaven and earth. The Bible doesn't refer to a big bang from which everything evolved. 

"For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Psalms 33:9

In the beginning, God created one man and one woman.

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Gen 1:27

God's intent was that man would have one wife. Although polygamy was prevalent even among many of His people, this was not the original plan. And although He seemed to tolerate it at times, we saw where these unions almost always caused heartache and confusion. 

It is also evident that God never desired men to marry men and women to marry women. The Bible is pretty clear about God's intent when it says, "And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet." Romans 1:27

God endorses the institution of marriage between one man and one woman.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe that God's Law is still binding on all mankind. In the Old Testament, God gave His people the Ten Commandments (Exo 34:28), but He also had Moses write a Book of the Law (Deu 30:10). 

The Ten Commandments were seen as Ten Principles, and the Book of the Law was the specifics on how the Commandments applied to Israel. In the specifics outlined in the Book of the Law, many of the laws were ceremonial (Levitical) or relating specifically to the Jewish theocracy. When Christ died on the cross, there were only two types of laws abolished. The laws pertaining to the sanctuary service (Levitical) and the laws pertaining to the Jewish theocracy. 

According to Mark 15:38, "the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom." 

This tearing of the veil represents the tearing of any law that related soley to the sanctuary and its services. This includes sacrifices, feast days, the priesthood, and any other laws relating to the temple.

Romans 9:25 says, "As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved."

Again it says, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:29

This reveals that the Children of Israel are no longer Israel just because of their bloodline, but rather their faith in God. In essence, the theocracy of Israel ended at the cross. Once that theocracy ended, so did the laws that were specific to national Israel and the sanctuary in Jerusalem.

All other laws from the Old Testament are considered moral and still binding upon God's people. Thus, many of the Old Covenant laws continue as part of the New Covenant.

The Ten Commandments continue to be God's ten principles under the New Covenant. "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Romans 13:9

Laws relating to the Church replace the laws specific to national Israel and conduct related to God's role as our Heavenly High Priest replaces the ceremonial/Levitical laws.

Although the Sabbath is part of the Ten Commandments, we specifically highlight the Sabbath because of the nature with which it is seen in the Christian world. 

As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe the Seventh-day Sabbath was established at creation (Gen 2:1-3). Understanding that the Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27), we believe that it was binding upon every man and woman beginning with Adam and Eve all the way down to the billions of people who inhabit this planet today. 

The Sabbath is our anniversary with God. It's a weekly reminder of our love for the Creator who made this world in six days and then ceased from his labor. However, the Prince of this world has disrupted this institution because he wants to be God (Is 14:14). Thus Sunday is the institution that Satan established to replace God's seventh-day Sabbath.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe it is our mission to remind the world that God still desires that we worship and fellowship with Him on our Sabbath anniversary. 

Seventh-day Adventists believe that they are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). However, unlike modern Christianity which preaches faith only, Seventh-day Adventists believe that Faith and Works go hand in hand. James said, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." James 2:18. He also said, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." James 2:24

Therefore we understand that although salvation comes from Grace, our works are what we are judged by (Rome 2:6 and Rev 20:13). 

Because of our message and our goal to bring the world back into the knowledge of the Sabbath truth, Seventh-day Adventists often appear as a works-based denomination. Although the grace-through-faith message is not preached enough, we understand that our salvation comes from Christ.

"Christ only is the way, the truth, the life; and man can be justified alone through the imputation of Christ's righteousness. Man is justified freely by God's grace through faith, and not by works, lest any man should boast. Salvation is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord." RH November 11, 1890

Seventh-day Adventists believe we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). We don't believe salvation can be earned nor is there anything we can do that will make us deserving of God's salvation; it is a free gift (Rom 6:23).

In order to be saved, one must believe in Christ (1Jo 5:13) ask for forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7), and follow the example set forth in the Scriptures (Jhn 5:39, 2Tim 3:15).

As Adventists, we believe that upon accepting Christ, we are justified in God's eyes. (Rom 5:9). This means that at the very moment we accept Christ into our hearts we are seen as righteous in the sight of God. Notice, there was no law that had to be kept before we were justified. All that was required is that we accept God's free gift and believe in His Son.

Once we are justified in God's sight, God will begin revealing sins that we must confess and flee from. We learn of these sins by reading His Scriptures. As we read, God will begin convicting us of our wrongdoings and then give us the power to overcome those sins. This process of being terraformed into a child of God is called Sanctification. 

Justification and Sanctification is similar to a wedding and a marriage. The wedding doesn't require us to do anything, just accept our spouse, however, once we are married, we learn how to become the spouse that we are required to be. 

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1Corinthians 6:11

Adventists do not believe that once you are saved, you can never be lost. Christians are able to still choose sin even after giving their hearts to the Lord. Thus, if a righteous man decides to live for Satan, he will be lost.

"When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it." Ezekiel 33:13

Seventh-day Adventists believe that faith and health go hand in hand. The Bible is clear when it says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3John 1:2

We believe that God desires us to be healthy beings. Knowing our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost (1Cor 6:19), we understand that we are to take care of His temple. 

Although some sicknesses are beyond our control, it is our mission that our bodies function and optimum efficiency and that our minds are clear to hear the voice of God speaking to us.

Many Seventh-day Adventists in the West tend to emphasize meat-eating in their health messages. However, our message is much more than just being a vegan. 

"Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature's remedial agencies and how to apply them. It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge." MH 127

As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe the Church is the organization that God established in order to spread His Word. It's the vehicle that God has ordained to administer God's salvation through His Word (Act 2:47).

We believe that our Church is the "Remnant of her seed" referred to in Revelation 12:17. This does not mean only Seventh-day Adventists can be saved, nor does this mean that all non-Seventh-day Adventists will be lost. Here, the Remnant is identified by those who keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the Spirit of Prophecy (Rev 19:10).

In essence, God will have a people that will keep all of His commandments (the Ten Commandments, and the laws and conduct relating to the Church and His ministration in the Heavenly Sanctuary) and will have an understanding of prophecy that has not been tainted by the popular teachers who are following the doctrines of Spiritual Babylon. This is at the heart of why many of our doctrines differ from the popular teachings of our day.

In essence, just because someone's name is on the books of a Seventh-day Adventist Church does not mean that they are keeping the Commandments, nor does it mean that they believe and teach Biblical prophecy. 

In essence, just like being born into Israel does not guarantee God's favor, proclaiming to be a Seventh-day Adventist doesn't confirm an individual's status as the Remnant.

Adventists believe in the gifts of the Spirit. The Scriptures are clear what these gits are:

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." 1Corinthians 12:7-10

We believe there are those in the Church who are gifted by the Spirit and are able to impart words of wisdom and words of knowledge. Others are blessed by the Spirit with faith.

Adventists believe in the gift of healing. Unlike the popular ministries of our time, who make their healing services a big spectacle, Adventists believe that the healer is not the main focus, but rather the prayer of faith enabling God's supernatural touch to bring healing to the person in need. 

We believe in the gift of prophecy as manifested by the writings of Ellen White.

We believe in discerning of spirits is a gift that is part of our denomination.

We also hold that speaking in tongues is not a form of speaking gibberish that cannot be understood by anyone but God. Tongues are for the edification of the church, thus speaking in tongues refers to one speaking in a language that is unknown to them so they can communicate the Gospel to someone who speaks that language.

In Acts 2:8, when tongues were manifested, they said, "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?"

In essence, the Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in the gifts of the Spirit, but we may disagree with how popular ministries exhibit these gifts in some of their churches.

Seventh-day Adventists traditionally view Ellen White's writings as inspired by God. She is not the Spirit of Prophecy in Revelation 12:18, but rather her gift helps confirm the Spirit of Prophecy given to our Church. When Adventist pioneers had trouble with certain prophetic texts, Ellen White was often given an understanding that helped shape our views to this day.

Ellen White's writings are authoritative for Seventh-day Adventists but that authority does not supersede the Holy Scriptures. Authoritative means that we often look to Ellen White's writings and her commentary on the Bible as the correct interpretation above Adventist pioneers, pastors, and evangelists. 

Seventh-day Adventists are not in unison in their view of Ellen White. Some Adventists deny her as a prophet and do not see her writings as having any authority. Some Adventists give her writings too much authority and place her commentary on the same level as the Scriptures. Other Adventists see Ellen White for what she is—the lesser light that is to point us to the greater light.

Ellen White spent much time trying to correct how her writings were viewed. Here's one of her letters to an individual who valued her writings on the level of the Scriptures:

"But now I must respond to the letters received from you and others. In your letter, you speak of your early training to have implicit faith in the Testimonies, and say, “I was led to conclude and most firmly believe that every word that you ever spoke in public or private, that every letter you wrote under any and all circumstances, was as inspired as the ten commandments.” My brother, you have studied my writings diligently, and you have never found that I have made any such claims. Neither will you find that the pioneers in our cause have made such claims." RH August 30, 1906

Ellen White's commentary has given our church a unique position among other Christian denominations. Many of our prophetic and doctrinal views stand in opposition with our fellow Protestants and Catholics. This opposition has been a source of contention between us and other denominations; however, I believe this contention is necessary to maintain the truth.

Ellen White is widely believed to be a false prophet by Catholics and almost all of the Protestant world. This is expected considering her stance on the Protestants being the False Prophet in Revelation 13 and her views on Sunday sanctification as the Mark of the Beast. These views among many others contribute to how Adventism is viewed by the world. 

In addition to that, there are many statements that Ellen White has made that many consider false or deceptive in nature. We will examine many of these statements in the future.

If I were to summarize how to view Ellen White's writings, I would call them the official commentary for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it; God alone is infallible. His Word is true, and in Him is no variableness, or shadow of turning. Lt 10, 1895

Adventists hold that when a person dies, they are no longer conscious. 

The Bible says, "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." Ecclesiastes 9:5

Contrary to popular Christian doctrine, the righteous dead have not yet gone to heaven (with the exception of those whom Christ has already translated or resurrected) nor are the wicked dead burning in hell. 

Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25

Can you imagine if Lazarus was enjoying heaven for the four days Jesus delayed in coming to see him? And for Christ to bring him back to this sin-sick earth would've definitely been a moment of sadness for Lazarus. 

Paul said, we said to comfort one another with the following words: 

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1Thessalonians 4:16-17

Adventists believe that there will be a literal burning place known as hell. We, however, do not believe that place exists right now. 

Popular ministries teach that there is a place burning somewhere in the middle of the earth in which the sinners go and are burning without being able to die. This mythological-like teaching seems to be fundamental to Christianity today.

However, Adventism exists to expose these false teachings. According to Revelation 20:9, hell fire occurs after New Jerusalem comes down from heaven:

"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."

Imagine being a sinner who never gave his heart to the Lord, and died 4000 years ago. Mainstream Christianity says that they have been burning for 4000 years, while the Devil who introduced sin to this world is still walking around. 

Matthew 25:41 is clear when it calls hell fire an "...everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." 

If it's prepared for Satan, why are people there before the one whom it's prepared for?

The Bible speaks about eternal fire in the New Testament, however, one must understand that these references are taken from Old Testament concepts which refer to the the completeness of the destruction. Thus when a sinner is burned in hell fire, their destruction is final.

Daniel 8:14 says, "...Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." 

While most Christians attribute this verse to the actions of a Syrian king named Antiochus Epiphanes, Seventh-day Adventists see this verse as referring to a work that was to happen in the Heavenly Sanctuary at the time of the end.

Adventists apply the day-for-a-year principle (Num 14:34) to this prophecy, thus the 2300-day prophecy is calculated as 2300 years. 

Beginning with 457 BC and counting forward 2300 years, we arrive at the year 1844 AD. Early Millerite Adventists assumed the Cleansing of the Sanctuary was the earth, and thus they interpreted the prophecy's fulfillment with The Second Coming. Years later, Seventh-day Adventists began to understand that the Cleansing of the Sanctuary wasn't about the earth, but about heaven. 

In the earthly Jewish sanctuary, there was a service known as Yom Kippur, meaning "cleansing." This Cleansing of the Sanctuary was also known as the Day of Atonement. We see this service mentioned in the Book of Leviticus:

Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:27

The Day of Atonement was known as the Cleansing of the Sanctuary because every day for a year, the priest would carry the blood of the daily sacrifice into the sanctuary and sprinkle the blood into the Holy Place. In essence, when the sinner would place his hand on the head of the animal and confess his sins, the sins were symbolically transferred to the animal, and when the priest would sprinkle the blood into the sanctuary, the sins were then symbolically transferred to the sanctuary. This transaction would happen daily for a whole year and would ultimately necessitate a service to remove those transferred sins...or cleanse the sanctuary.

This Atonement was also a work of judgment, thus whoever did not afflict their souls during this time was cut off. 

According to Hebrews 9, there is a cleansing for the Heavenly Sanctuary as well:

It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Hebrews 9:23

In essence, Adventists believe that, just like the earthly sanctuary was cleansed, there is also a cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary. And just like the Jews afflicted their souls during Yom Kippur, we as believers must also afflict our souls with deep introspection and with love and adoration for God.

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. James 4:9

This Judgment that is occurring in the Most Holy Place is an open judgment for the angelic host, who have a "desire to look into" these things (1Pet 1:12). 

Once the judgment is concluded, we understand that God will pronounce these solemn words: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11.

The closing of the Investigative Judgment is announced and thus when Christ returns, he declares, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12

Seventh-day Adventists believe in the judgment that occurs at the end of the world.

The Bible says, "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelation 20:11-12.

Because the judgment occurs when they see the white throne, we call this the White Throne Judgment. 

This is the judgment that happens at the end of the world. It is this judgment where the wicked are destroyed once and for all. 

Seventh-day Adventists believe that this judgment is a culmination of the Investigative Judgment. In other words, there's one judgment but two phases. The White Throne Judgment is the execution of the Investigative Judgment. Similar to a courtroom, there is a judgment happening during the trial but there's also a judgment that occurs when the trial is concluded. 

The White Throne Judgment is the sentencing for the Investigation that has been occurring in the heavens.

Adventists see Revelation 14:6-12 as our mission statement.

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Although John saw Angels preaching this message in vision, we understand that it is the job of God's people to preach to the world. Therefore, these angels represent a people who are called to deliver this message.

First Angel

In vs. 7, the message refers to the judgment occurring in the Heavenly Sanctuary. We must fear God (afflict our souls) because the hour of His judgment is here.

The second part of this message is to worship the Creator and thus we understand that the fourth commandment points us to the Creator. This means that the first angel's message also calls us to remind the world of the importance of the Sabbath.

Second Angel

In vs. 8, we see this reference to Babylon as a message to Protestants who have allowed their doctrines to follow the fables of the Dark Ages. ie. Sunday sanctification, Dead still alive, Hellfire burning forever, Antiochus is the Little Horn, Heavenly Sanctuary refuted among other teachings. Our message is to reveal these false teachings to our Evangelical brothers and sisters.

Third Angel

In vs. 9-12, we see the focus is the Mark of the Beast. Our message is to warn the world of this decree that may soon take place. We believe the mark on the forehead refers to those who are convinced of this deception in their minds, and those who receive the Mark in their hands are those whose actions go along with the Beast although they are not deceived.

Seventh-day Adventists have a unique view of end-time events. Unlike most Christian denominations who believe that a foreign power will persecute believers, we believe that that power will be a Christian power originating within the United States. 

Adventists believe that the Mark of the Beast refers to a future law whereby the Sabbath is supplanted by Sunday as the day for rest and worship. This law has yet to be passed, thus no one has the Mark of the Beast until that time comes.

Adventists derive this interpretation by identifying the Beast in Revelation 13 as the Papacy. This same Papacy was the power that Daniel said would "...speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." Daniel 7:25

Adventists credit the Papacy as the power that would ultimately think to change times and laws. In essence, the Papacy wasn't the first to suggest Sunday as a day to honor God, but they are the power that is responsible for successfully causing the Christian world to think that the solemnity of the Sabbath had been changed to Sunday.

When Revelation 13 refers to the Mark of the Beast, we believe that history will repeat itself and Sunday will once again be pushed to replace the Sabbath once and for all.

It is also believed that Satan will make an appearance on earth pretending he is Jesus Christ. He and his demons will perform miracles and thus we see a world union consisting of Protestants, Catholics, and miracle-believing worldlings that will persecute those who will not follow Satan's goal of being worshipped as God. 

These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. Revelation 17:13

The term Adventist refers to the Second Advent of Christ. This means that the Second Coming is embedded in our denomination's name.

The Seventh-day Adventist's hope is in the Second Coming. Since our organization as a denomination, we have been waiting to see our Redeemer come through the clouds.

Because of the misconceptions surrounding this grand event, Seventh-day Adventists preach that when Christ comes, every eye will see him (Rev 1:7).

Although many Christians believe in a Secret Rapture, we as Adventists believe this is a deception by the enemy. The Bible gives us the conditions of the Second Coming:

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" 1Thessalonians 4:16

When Christ says he comes as a thief (1Thess 5:2), we understand that a thief does not announce his arrival before coming. The same is true with Christ. We have signs to know when His coming is near, but no man knoweth that day nor hour (Mark 13:32).

Seventh-day Adventists believe that at the Second Coming, the righteous dead will be resurrected and will rise with the righteous living (1Thess 4:16). This is known as the first resurrection:

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection..." Revelation 20:6

The wicked who were living are destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming (2Thess 2:8) and remain in the grave with the wicked dead for a thousand years.

Regarding this thousand-year period, the Bible says, "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished..." Revelation 20:5

During these thousand years, the righteous will be taken to heaven with Christ. It is during this time that we will be able to see the results of God's Investigative Judgment. If we want to know why someone was lost, God will reveal to us the reasons for their absence from Paradise. 

Of this time, the Bible says, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters" 1Corinthians 6:2

While the Saints are enjoying heaven, this earth will become Satan's prison. The Bible says, "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." Revelation 20:2

Satan, who was called the prince of this world, will be imprisoned in the same place that he "ruled" since the fall of Adam. 

After the thousand years, Christ and His saints will come down from heaven in the New Jerusalem. Regarding this time, John says, "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2

When the New Jerusalem touches down, God will resurrect the wicked. Satan and his host make one last stand and attempt to take the New Jerusalem. Regarding this event, the Bible says, "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Revelation 20:9

Satan and the wicked are devoured in hell fire and thus God, while wiping out the wicked, simultaneously creates a new heaven and a new earth. And the righteous will live on this earth with Christ for eternity.