“contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” jude 3 — vol. 3 no. 10
Churches Rally in Support of a Constitutional Amendment A religious climate is being created that could easily bring about the final scenes depicted in the prophecies of the Bible and the predictions found in the book The Great Controversy. Religious forces are rallying to take-over the state to eventually destroy religious liberty for God’s remnant people. Religious groups are organizing to influence our elected representatives and to write the laws under which we live. Since the passing of our US Constitution, Americans have been cautious when it comes to mixing politics and religion. Most US Presidents and other public servants have usually kept their religious views private. For example, John F. Kennedy became the first nonProtestant U.S. president and confronted the church-state issue during his campaign before the Greater Houston Ministerial Association on September 12, 1960 by saying that he would resign from office if his religion and his presidency ever came into conflict. However, in the recent elections, politics and “The Christian world is honoring a false sabbath, and we are to show them its true charreligion have joined forces to combat today’s “evil,” secular society. Religious acter and foundation. We must make it plain to them that they are honoring a manforces are raging a war against the worldly social systems that are in contrast made institution in place of that which God himself has sanctified” — R&H 1/31/1893 and conflict with their morality. In this last Presidential campaign, the churches lobbied against politicians who held views different from those of religious groups. Recently, President Bush has openly announced that he will back a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Many believe that President Bush is proposing this change to better our nation, while others believe that he is serving the “Religious Right” in its efforts to “bring our nation back to God.” The churches are tired of the immorality, violence, fraud, vanity, vice, and this so called “assault on Christian morals.” Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, and other religious leaders are uniting to support efforts to help pass a Federal Marriage Amendment for our US Constitution. It may appear on the surface as something to be highly praised when religious groups call for an amendment to the US Constitution. Most Americans, religious or otherwise, already define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. God’s word is clear enough to define the position that Christians should take: “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife.” Matt. 19: 4-5. If two-thirds of both houses of Congress propose this amendment and if threefourths of the state legislatures ratify it—then the US Constitution will be changed. Throughout the years, some 2,700 amendments have been introduced into Congress, but only 17 have been adopted since the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1791. Twelve amendments have been passed during the 20th century. This is the first time in 71 years that the proposed change in our Constitution addresses a moral issue. President Bush’s Federal Marriage Amendment is reawakening and rallying the religious groups into action. The last time that our Constitution was changed due to morality was the 21st Amendment [passed in 1933] which abolish the National Prohibition Act and once again permitted the sale of alcohol. Since 1933, every change to our US Constitution has dealt with presidential terms and succession, voting issues, and congressional salary.
Adventists Create a “Solid Foundation” with the Papacy Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity 2003 Plenary Report—By Cardinal Walter Kasper
[to view a copy of this report online please do the following: (1) Go to the Vatican archives by typing in your web browser the following address exactly as given, do not use “www” — http://vatican.mondosearch.com (2) in the search engine type the word “Plenary 2003” (3) Click on the “Plenary 2003: Introductory Report of the President Cardinal Walter Kasper” and (4) scroll down to section IV. “Dialogue with the Western Ecclesial Communities.” We have reprinted Section IV paragraph 1 in its entirety] IV. Dialogue with the Western Ecclesial Communities 1. The differences with the Western Ecclesial Communities are not only historical and cultural, but also of a doctrinal nature, and are more serious than those with the Eastern Churches (UUS 64– 68). However, what we have said about the changes in the ecumenical scene and on the lights and shadows of ecumenism is also relevant to diaCardinal Walter Kasper, President logues with Western Ecclesial Communities. We of the Pontifical Council for proare committed to many of these. Among the moting Christian Unity. Churches and Ecclesial Communities, the Catholic Church is by far the one that undertakes the greatest number of ecumenical dialogues. After the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (1999), and as will be clearly evident in the Activity Reports of the officials of this Dicastery, the dialogues continue to progress, albeit slowly, yet seriously, within a context of positive relations. Many dialogues have had positive developments, particularly with respect to the World Evangelical Alliance with the document on Church, Evangelization and Bonds of Koinonia, and the Methodists, who have initiated a process of adhering to the Joint Declaration on Justification. New dialogues, or rather conversations, have been established with Mennonites and Adventists. Difficulties arose after the publication of the Declaration Dominus Iesus (2000), the Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia (2003), and after the Kirchentag in Berlin (June 2003). Yet overall, a solid foundation based on trust has been created, enabling us to overcome difficulties and disagreements, and to resolve them within the degree that is possible.
The Federal Marriage Amendment has brought a rekindling and a revival of organized religion as a national force—eager to reshape our “godless” culture and Editors’ Note: “Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bring us back to the early colonial days of America. —continued on page 5 bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the —continued on page 2
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LORD. Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.” Jeremiah 50:14-15. It is sad that the Adventists have changed their policy towards the antichrist power of Revelation. The papacy, with its world-loving political systems and its distorted doctrines, is still the same power that has set itself against God by speaking “great words against the most High,” by wearing out “the saints of the most high,” and by thinking “to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25).
The Bible further warns: St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome. “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.” Revelation 2:21. This power mocks at God’s call for repentance: “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” Revelation 18:7. “Popery is just what prophecy declared that she would be, the apostasy of the latter times.” GC 571. Have we completely lost our minds that we would build a “solid foundation” with the papacy? Have we also fallen under the influence of her intoxicating power? Sister White described this fatal condition in her days: “Worldly policy is taking the place of the true piety and wisdom that comes from above, and God will remove His prospering hand from the conference. Shall the Ark of the Covenant be removed from this people? Shall idols be smuggled in? Shall false principles and false precepts be brought into the sanctuary? Shall antichrist be respected? Shall the true doctrines and principles given us by God, which have made us what we are, be ignored?” Manuscript Releases Vol. 21 , p. 448. Recently, as predicted in Selected Messages vol. 1 p. 204, Adventism has undergone major transformations with the intention of changing its image. Our distinctive truths, messages, prophetic emphasis, and missionary work is being replaced. We have become nonthreatening to the Babylonian family. Church leadPope John Paul II sitting upon his throne in Rome. ers today are desiring eve“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is rything modern and maincalled God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sit- stream. The faithful beteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is lieve that all these God.” II Thes. 2:4. changes are being made at the expense of our unique identity and characteristics. There is a war between the contemporary and the historic, the modern verses the traditional, with each side trying to define or redefine the mission and message of the Seventh-day Adventist people. “The enemy of souls 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 in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith…” Selected Messages vol. 1 p. 204. We have truly forgotten the founders of the Adventist faith and the work which they did. Notice how Sister White relates the experience that God’s people used to possess: “During the past fifty years of my life, I have had precious opportunities to obtain an experience. I have had an experience in the first, second, and third angels' messages. The angels are represented as flying in the midst of heaven, proclaiming to the world a message of warning, and having a direct bearing upon the people living in the last days of this earth's history. No one hears the voice of these angels, for they are a symbol to represent the people of God who are working.” Selected Messages
Book 2, page 387. “In the very time in which we live the Lord has called His people and has given them a message to bear. He has called them to expose the wickedness of the man of sin who has made the Sunday law a distinctive power, who has thought to change times and laws, and to oppress the people of God who stand firmly to honor Him by keeping the only true Sabbath, the Sabbath of creation, as holy unto the Lord.” Evangelism, p. 233. Have you noticed what we’ve been called to do? It is not to be building a “solid foundation” with the man of sin. On the contrary, God has placed us here at the end of time in this world’s history to expose the final deception that Satan has introduced in this world. How? By boldly proclaiming God’s message: “The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power--all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven.” The Great Controversy, pp. 606-607. As we can clearly see the experience that God wants us to have is completely different. He wants us to have an experience in the three angels’ messages, and not the one that Sister White warned of when she said that some were “following in the track of Romanism” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 362). What would Sister White say today if she would have lived to see this wicked foundation being built with Rome? Surely, she would no longer be saying that we are on the track to Romanism, but rather that we are already in! How can you call someone out—when you are building a foundation to get in! Today the church is regrettably experiencing cooperation and fellowship with the entire Babylonian family. There was a time when Adventists fulfilled and possessed exactly the characteristics described in the word of God: “I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the Offices of the General Conference of Seventh-day LORD. The remnant of Adventists, Silver Springs, Maryland. Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” Zephaniah 3:12-13. Ellen White gives this same description of God’s remnant people during the final crisis: “The saints then will be an obscure people, little known to the Catholics…” Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 1. Tragically, we have gone from being little known to the Catholics to becoming mainstream, contemporary, and very well known in the ecumenical circles. Worse yet, this report is not being reprinted in the Adventists Review. It is the Vatican that is reporting this news. In recent years Adventists have been actively participating in various inter-faith dialogs. And after years of dialog, relationships have been formed and mutual respect and understanding have been created. The problem with having dialog with the representatives of other churches and with writing reports or signing agreements is this: Once you’ve establish a friendly relationship and once you’ve been socializing with them for decades and once trust and respect has been created with them—once that has happened then it becomes difficult to see them as members of the Babylonian family. And after your feelings and emotions take over your principles then it becomes “hateful” and “bigoted” to give the second angel’s message by identifying those churches as Babylon Fallen—fallen morally and spiritually. That is why God has commanded us to stay away from her and to separate from her communion a people to stand in the day of the Lord. God doesn't want His people to be influenced by her. “Now the Lord has said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house [ancient Babylonian cities], unto a land that I will show thee.” Gen. 12:1. “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you [out from them] unto myself.” Exo. 19:4. “Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.” Isa. 48:20. “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins.” Rev. 18:4. But now, today, we’ve gone from signing agreements with the antichrist to actually building a solid foundation with him. Unbelievable! Have we —continued on page 3
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completely forgotten who’s behind that system? “And the dragon [Satan] gave him [the papacy] his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Rev. 13:2. Look at how the Lord feels about this: “The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother: And they committed whoredoms in Egypt: they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity...Thus were their names [two daughters]; Samaria...and Jerusalem.” Eze. 23:1-4. Brethren, have we also become bruised? Has not the new theology, the rock music, the books of a new order, the lowering of standards, the discarding of fundamental principles, and the rejection of true health and education bruised the people of God? Yes, indeed. God’s people have been bruised. Are we committing whoredoms by selling ourselves to everyone as ancient Israel did? Have we become that easy? What has happened to our spiritual chastity and spiritual virginity? How does God describe His people? “These [144,000] are they which were not defiled with women [a third party, or other churches]; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Rev. 14:4. Why were they not defiled? Because they are joined unto their Lord: “For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” II Cor. 11:2. Receive Them Not God’s people are described as virgins because they keep themselves from both the world and from fallen churches: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not unto your house, neither bid him God-speed: for he that biddeth him God-speed is partaker of his evil.” 2 John 10-11. Did you notice that the word of God clearly prohibits us from receiving false teachers in our midst? Not only are we inviting these people into our meetings; furthermore, we are raising their banner in during the General Conference Sessions. “I dreamed that I was in Battle Creek [former headquarters of the GC] looking out from the side glass at the door and saw a company marching up to the house, two and two. They looked stern and determined. I knew them well and turned to open the parlor door to receive them, but thought I would look again. The scene was changed. The company now presented the appearance of a Catholic procession.” Testimonies for the Church Vol. One, page 578.
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The Healing of the Protestant Schism The first major division in the Roman Catholic Church [RCC] came in A.D. 1054 when the Eastern [now Orthodox] church separated from Rome. The reason was that the pope was changing the church doctrine on his own authority, and the Eastern church protested that he had no right to do that. The Reformation in the sixteenth century then separated the RCC further. Martin Luther wanted to reform the church without dividing it, but he was excommunicated in 1521. The Anglican church did not separate from Rome, but was excommunicated in 1570. They declared, “We suffer schism, we did not cause it.” On the other hand, there were many Protestants, especially among the Anabaptists, who wanted to form their own churches, and began as early as 1525 to form separate churches in Switzerland and then in other parts of Europe. In the centuries following the Reformation, Protestantism splintered into hundreds of smaller groups. Most of the time, it was often the case that matters of conscience or religious freedom forced the division, as with the Puritans. Sometimes language differences among immigrant groups in America led to the founding of separate groups. In a few cases pride and selfishness or personal ambition created divisions. For hundreds of years the Papacy has been anxious to bring these religious bodies or the “separated brethren” back in under her one roof. The Decree on Ecumenism [Unitatis Redintegratio] given during the Second Vatican Council in Rome, November 21, 1964 states: “The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council. Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only.” Cardinal Casper begins his 2003 Plenary Report with this introduction: “The PCPCU [Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian] has continued, in accordance with its mandate, to encourage and promote ecumenism, ‘as it is understood by the Church’ on the basis of Catholic principles formulated by the Second Vatican Council in the Decree Unitatis Redintegratio [Decree on Ecumenism].” 2003 Plenary Report, Section 1 paragraph 1. What are they saying? The RCC reveals that the dialogs that they participate in are on the basis of Catholic principles formulated by the Decree on Ecumenism. And that decree states that there is one church and one church only.
The Adventist World Sessions conclude with a spectacular “Parade of Nations,” with flags representing the 205 countries in Ecumenism unites the Babylonian family together which the church is currently operating. Strangely, the Papal into one “habitation” (Rev. 18:2)—and God is trying flag representing the Vatican is included in the march. to separate for Himself a people from the world by pulling them apart from Babylon by proclaiming in a loud voice, “Come out of her “God has ever required his people to remain separate from the world, that they might my people” (Rev. 18:4). The ecumenical movement and the second angel’s message are in conflict. One is a message from God while the other is Satan’s counterfeit! not be allured from their allegiance to him. He delivered the Israelites from bondWhy can’t we see that? age in Egypt because he would not have them corrupted by the idolatry with which they were there surrounded…It was to separate the church of Christ from the corrupting influence of the world that the first angel’s message was given. But with If all we saw were Protestants and Evangelicals involved in the tide going back tothe multitude, even of professed Christians, the ties which bound them to earth were wards Rome again, we’d have little to be surprised about. But there is more. Adventstronger than the attractions heavenward. They chose to listen to the voice of worldly ists themselves have become partakers of the ecumenical epidemic. wisdom, and turned away from the heart-searching message of truth.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, pp. 230-231. “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” 1 Cor. 10:21. “A prayerful study of the Bible would show Protestants the real character of the papacy and would cause them to abhor and to shun it; but many are so wise in their own We are stunned when Seventh-day Adventists embark down this road. How could this conceit that they feel no need of humbly seeking God.” Great Controversy p. 572. be? Have we become completely forgetful as far as our church history is concerned? Do we suffer from amnesia? Are we in a state of Laodiciean coma? Have we forgotten who we are? God has called us to finish the work of the Reformation, but instead The Implications of Ecumenical Dialog we are drinking out of the same cup at the table of Rome! “And his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” Rev. 13:4. The final ecumenical movements are being set into motion. The journey “But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now back towards Rome, the healing of the deadly wound, and world wondering after the than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches are in great darkbeast is one of the signs that this world is reaching the limits of God’s forbearance. ness, or they would discern the signs of the times.” The Great Controversy, p. 565. The word ecumenism comes from the Greek word “oikumene” meaning “house, dwelling, or inhabited.” It traces back to the root word oikos, meaning house. In his 2003 Plenary Report, Cardinal Kasper stated that “the Catholic Church is by far the one that undertakes the greatest number of ecumenical dialogues.” This should come as no surprise because God reveals this very fact in the book of Revelation: “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the “habitation” of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Rev. 18:2. The Greek word for “habitation” in Rev. 18:2 is “katoikaytayrion.” You will see the exact root word “oikos,” meaning house, is also found in “oikumene” or ecumenism. In other words, God predicted that Babylon would become an ecumenical forum for every unclean spirit and hateful bird. Remember, Rome has become a world forum for both religious and political dialog, which includes pagan and eastern religions and even socialists and dictators. The roadmap back home to Babylon is a well-marked and a well-worn path. It’s not hard to find. What a tragedy that the professed people of God are also being found in these last days in the midst of this “habitation.”
One by one the religious bodies are lining up and heading home to mama church and papa Pope. And they are being welcomed. We can readily and gladly embrace dialogue with individuals who are open to hear the messages found in Revelation 14:612. Jesus is the one who has commanded us to share this message with every nation, kindred, tongues, and people. Christ mingled with all classes of people so that He could reach them with a message of salvation and to help them become a part of God's people. “Reward Her Double” God has indicated which position and attitude His people are to maintain towards Rome: As difficult and perilous as this work may seem to be, let us not forget that God’s people have always been given a challenging work to do: “Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.” Rev.18:6. Our Lord commands us to reward this wicked religious system a double punishment of her wicked deeds. How do we reward her double? By having their leaders as honored guest in our World Conference Sessions? By creating a solid foundation with her? No! It is all the opposite. —continued on page 4
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The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity attended the GC Sessions in 2000
General Conference Bulletin 8—Ninth Business Meeting 57th General Conference Session, July 4, 2000, 3:00 p.m. Toronto, Canada Carol E. Rasmussen, Recording Secretary B. B. BEACH: One of the happy traditions of General Conference sessions in recent decades has been to have honored guests and observers from [Babylon] other churches in our midst. Some of them are here, some have been here, and some have already had to leave. Others will be coming in the next few days, and we will be happy to welcome them into our midst. And we have a few that are with us here today. Right now we would like to welcome, first of all, Pastor JeanArnold de Clermont, the president of the French Protestant Federation. And we also have in our midst Monsignor John A. Radano, an old friend with whom we’ve been in contact for many years, who attended the session in Utrecht five years ago, representing the Roman Catholic Church. —General Conference Bulletin 8, July 4, 2000, page 22, paragraphs 1-2.
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Monsignor John A. Radano is a senior member of the Roman Catholic delegations and is head of the Western Section of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity [PCPCU], and principal liaison person between the Vatican and other ecclesiastical communities in the West. Monsignor Radano was an observer during the General Conference Sessions of 2000 in Toronto, Canada. He was seated in front of both the Inter-American Division and the South Pacific Division. What B. B. Beach doesn’t mention to the delegates is that he is a member of the PCPCU.
“So much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” Rev. 18:7.
lines. The sword is to cut both ways. The third angel's message is to find its place in the world.” Manuscript Releases Volume Twenty-one, page 442.
What kind of torment are we to give her—physical torment? No, this is a spiritual warfare that God speaks of; He will destroy her, but before His judgments fall He has called us to expose her abominations and call the faithful out from among her.
“Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them...because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple.” Jer. 51:1, 11.
“The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power—all will be unmasked.” The Great Controversy, p. 606-607.
“In the very time in which we live the Lord has called His people and has given them a message to bear. He has called them to expose the wickedness of the man of sin who has made the Sunday law a distinctive power, who has thought to change times and laws, and to oppress the people of God who stand firmly to honor Him by keeping the only true Sabbath, the Sabbath of creation, as holy unto the Lord.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 118.
What will be the results when the church does this work? Notice how this statement ends: “ By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven.” Ibid. Jeremiah gives us the same instruction and admonitions regarding Babylon: “Shout against her…[God doesn’t say to sit down and sip tea with her] for it is the vengeance of the Lord: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.” Jer. 50:15. “A sword [God’s word is a two-edge sword] is upon the Chaldeans, saith the Lord, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, [including Monsignor Radano] and upon her wise men.” Jer. 50:35.. What is this sword if not the three angels’ messages: “The truth is to be taught in clear
After reading and seeing all this evidence, we can conclude that we are at a crossroads: “There are only two parties upon this earth—those who stand under the bloodstained banner of Jesus Christ and those who stand under the black banner of rebellion.?” S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7, p. 974. One side is the beast—who receives its power from the dragon, and who glorifies herself and exalts herself above God and has attempted to change His law. The whole world has been mesmerized and is wondering after her—in worship, fellowship, partnership, and friendship. On the other side is God’s faithful remnant people who fear Him and give glory to Him, and not to themselves or to the beast (Rev. 14:7). They are faithful in keeping His commandments and in giving His final message of warning, in spite of all the opposition and challenges. —Editors
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Let us never forget that we have been warned how Satan, through his agents, will use these so-called “good reforms” as the means to bring about the final crisis. We have been told one day Sunday legislation will be imbedded collectively with many good moral reforms. Notice how vividly God has warned us about this over a hundred years ago.
“Here the temperance work, one of the most prominent and important of moral reforms, is often combined with the Sunday movement, and the advocates of the latter represent themselves as laboring to promote the highest interest of society; and those who refuse to unite with them are denounced as the enemies of temperance and reform. But the fact that a movement to establish error is connected with a work which is in itself good, is not an argument in favor of the error. We may disguise poison by mingling it with wholesome food, but we do not change its nature...The leaders of the Sunday movement may advocate reforms which the people need, principles which are in harmony with the Bible; yet while there is with these a requirement which is contrary to God's law, His servants cannot unite with them. Nothing can justify them in setting aside the commandments of God for the precepts of men.” The Great Controversy, pp. 587-588. Supreme Court Rulings on Sunday Laws
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McGowan v. Maryland 366 U.S. 420 (1961) Docket Number: 8 Abstract Argued: December 8, 1960 Decided: May 29, 1961 Subjects: First Amendment: Establishment of Religion Facts of the Case
Several employees of a discount department store sold a few items, such as floor wax and loose-leaf notebooks, to customers on a SunAre we not seeing this fulfilled before our very eyes? Did you notice how these “moral reforms” will be day. By doing so, they violated Maryland's blue laws which only promoted with the “highest interest of society.” Are you aware that the U.S. Supreme Court has already allow certain items, such as drugs, tobacco, newspapers and some ruled in two separate cases that Sunday laws are not in violation of the First Amendment—which sepa- foodstuffs, to be sold on Sundays. rates church from state—but rather that Sunday closing laws are actually secular laws that are to improve the “health, safety, recreation, and general well-being” of citizens? [See McGowan v. Maryland 366 U.S. Question Presented 420 (1961).] In this case you will see how Satan has already been working in the US Supreme Court since 1961, preparing the minds of the people to accept Sunday closing laws as a uniform day of rest—but not for religious purposes, rather for secular purposes, to give people time off work. Here we have the highest tribunal authority in the United States whose sole purpose is to defend and interpret cases involving the American Constitution. And they assert the Sunday closing laws are not religious but rather secular and are necessary? Unbelievable! Where were the faithful watchmen during the 1960’s? What were they doing? Were they sounding a note of warning as we’ve been instructed? “I do hope that the trumpet will give a certain sound in regard to this Sunday-law movement.” Last Day Events, p. 128. No. They were being entertained during late 1950’s with the Evangelicals Conferences. At that time, certain Evangelical Protestants asked some leaders at the General Conference to reconsider certain doctrinal beliefs, and, if possible, to restate them in “theological terms” so that it could be acceptable to the Protestants around the world. These discussions, which led to the publication of the book “Question on Doctrines” consumed the church throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. A doctrinal crisis began and the errors of Babylon began being introduced into Adventism. Obviously Satan kept us distracted and has “stolen a march upon us” with regards to Sunday laws. “If every soldier of Christ had done his duty, if every watchman on the walls of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound, the world might ere this have heard the message of warning. But the work is years behind. While men have slept, Satan has stolen a march upon us.” Testimonies for the Church , Vol. 9, p. 29.
Do Maryland's blue laws violate the Free Exercise and Religious Establishment clauses of the First Amendment? Conclusion No. The Court found that the blue laws did not violate the Free Exercise Clause because the employees allege only economic injury and not infringement on their own religious practices. The Court also found that the blue laws did not violate the division between church and state. Sunday closing laws started out to facilitate church attendance in colonial America; however, the present Maryland laws are based on secular rather than religious state interests. The laws are to improve the "health, safety, recreation, and general well-being" of citizens. The present purpose of the laws is to provide a uniform day of rest for all. The fact that this day is of particular significance for various Christian sects does not bar the State from achieving its secular goals.
Braunfeld v. Brown 366 U.S. 599 (1961) Docket Number: 67 Abstract
These Supreme Court decisions are precedents that have already been established. In these two cases you will see how both the religious and Argued: December 8, 1960 economic questions relating to Sunday laws have already been decided. No doubt these court decisions will be used against God’s people in the Decided: May 29, 1961 near future. Brethren, the ground has already been laid out. This nation has already, through the highest court, ruled that Sunday laws are not in Facts of the Case “violation” of anyone's rights—even if it creates a “direct or indirect burden” on people. Abraham Braunfeld owned a retail clothing and home furnishing On the contrary, inspiration says that Sunday laws are in direct conflict with the US Constitution: “If, in store in Philadelphia. As an Orthodox Jew, he was prohibited by his our land of boasted freedom, a Protestant government should sacrifice every principle which enters into faith from working on Saturday, the Sabbath. The Pennsylvania blue its Constitution, and propagate papal falsehood and delusion, well may be plead, ‘It is time for thee, Lord, law only allowed certain stores to remain open for business on Sundays. Braunfeld's store was not one of those types allowed to be to work, for they have made void thy law.’” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, December 18, 1888. open. He challenged the law as a violation of the religious liberty Where is the Spirit that constrained Jones and Waggoner to raise up the banner inscribed with the third clauses because he needed to be open six days a week for economic angel’s message? Where are the men and women who will stand true in this world at this time of history? reasons and was prohibited from doing so by a tenet of his faith and Should we be voicing the warnings of the third angel, warning against the formation of the image of the the blue law. beast, warning against the union of church and state, and the union of church towards Rome through radio, publications, newspapers, billboards, or any means of communicating the truth for such a time as Question Presented this? Where are the so-called watchmen on the walls of Zion to wake up and warn both the church and Did the Pennsylvania blue law violate the First Amendment's protecthe world? The sad news is that they are “building a solid foundation” with Rome. tion of free exercise of religious beliefs? “It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday-sabbath, that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced, and that those Conclusion who present the claims of the fourth commandment, thus destroying reverence for Sunday, are troublers of the people, preventing their restoration to divine favor and temporal prosperity.” The Great Contro- In a 6-to-3 decision, the Court held that the Pennsylvania blue law did not violate the Free Exercise Clause. The freedom to hold reliversy, p. 590. gious beliefs and opinions is absolute; however, the freedom to act “If the people can be led to favor a Sunday law, then the clergy intend to exert their united influence to (even in accordance with religious convictions) is not totally free obtain a religious amendment to the Constitution, and compel the nation to keep Sunday.” Advent Re- from government restrictions. The Court found that the Sunday Closing Law had a secular basis and did not make any religious view and Sabbath Herald, December 24, 1889. practices unlawful. The blue law is valid despite its indirect burden We can see from all these statements that for the final conflict to come, a religious awakening in public on religious observance unless the state can accomplish its secular life must be created. All these reasons that are being given today for a constitutional amendment can only goal of providing a uniform day of rest for all through other means. lead up to the big reason—which is a Universal Sunday observance which Satan will persuade is needed That an indirect burden, such as economic sacrifice, may be a result to stop God’s wrath—but in turn Satan will try to use it to destroy God’s work. Let us move forward of the statute, does not make the blue law unconstitutional. while we still can and take the third angel to the world. The time is now! —The Editors, Special Thanks to Ralph Moss of California who helped contribute to this article.
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LETTERS Dear Eternal Gospel Church, Thank you for sending The Eternal Gospel Herald, and keeping us informed. It is good to see prophecy coming true right before our eyes. I thank God he is letting us know through your paper that there are still many who have not bowed their knees to Baal. Thank you, Sister Gloria Jenkins, New Mexico. To whom it may concern, I’m writing to get the free book and more information on the article you had in the local paper entitled: “Liberty of Conscience Threatened.” I found it interesting and I would like to receive all the information you have on the subject. Thank you, John Henley, Indiana.
We have four new billboards installed in Texas. One of them is located on Interstate 10, which is the main highway for the Southernmost part of the United States—running from California to Florida, coast to coast. Please pray that many will come to a knowledge of the truth through these efforts. For the glory of God, we have been sending books and literature to people who want more information after seeing these billboards.
Billboard and Newspaper Update
One notable call was from a leader of the World Wide Church of God, a Sabbathkeeper. He called wanting to know who was responsible for placing such a bold message on a major interstate highway for the whole world to read. He couldn’t believe that someone today would have the courage to expose what he called “the greatest deception that Satan has introduced into this world.” We told him that through the grace of God, we have placed this same message in over 100 major newspapers around the world. The most recent being the Washington Times, El Amigo—a Spanish paper in Arkansas, and the Courier-Journal in Louisville, KY. We are presently working with two different newspapers in Canada to place the Earth’s Final Warning. “God calls upon His people to hold aloft the banner bearing the message of the third angel.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 483. “Instead of the people of God becoming less and less distinguished from those who do not keep the Seventh-day Sabbath, they are to make the observance of the Sabbath so prominent that the world cannot fail to recognize them as Seventh-day Adventists.” Manuscript 162, 1903. “The third angels’ message must do its work of separating from the churches a people who will take their stand on the platform of eternal truth.” 6T p. 61. We are truly standing on the edge of the crisis of all the ages. And we have the burden of revealing to the world the issues of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Our message is that of the third angel—the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. If we don’t do this work now, when shall we? So many people are searching for light amid the darkness of this world. This work is made possible only through the grace of God and the prayers and support of men and women who like Jeremiah can say, “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:9.
Dear Brother Raphael, I have been intending to write you and tell you how much I appreciate your messages in your paper that you send. When those horrible hurricanes were heading in your way, I was surely praying God would cover your ministry in a very special way. I would like to get some papers, “Earth’s Final Warning.” They are short and to the point. There would be no excuse for one not to understand the issues, if they will read it. Surely the Lord must come soon. Remember, you are in my prayers. Maranatha! Marilyn King, Oklahoma. Dear Eternal Gospel Church, Praise the Lord you have made it through the recent calamities. I know the Bible says that the Lord’s ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, and we have really been keeping Him busy! We have been praying for you. We are so glad that we have a living God who hears and answers when His children plead for help. Again, we know that He has never let us down and never will. God Bless you, Milt and Jo, Colorado. Dear Brethren of the Eternal Gospel, I pray that the Lord will bless your ministry. My name is Juan Carlos Fdez G. I graduated from the seminary in Cuba in 1992. I started my ministry in Isala de la Juventud, Cuba as a minister and helped start a small country church of about 30 members that still exists today. In 1994 I had an accident that left me in a wheelchair and incapable of continuing the ministry. The doctor who performed surgery on me told me that I would never walk again, but I know that for God nothing is impossible. After three years of rehabilitation, I am able to walk with the aid of crutches and I’m grateful to God that I can walk again. I asked the local conference to employ me once again but they denied my request saying that it was due to the condition that I was in. Praise God that there was some brethren that donated some property and we started meeting there on the Sabbath. Because the church is self-supporting, we are able to freely preach and work. We currently have over 50 members and many visitors who are coming because of the messages that we are presenting. We have had serious problems with the President of the Union, Pastor Fontayne, but we have decided to continue and preach the word of God. I feel that the Adventist church has closed their doors to us, but we know that God is still sustaining our work; therefore, we are asking for you to help us with literature and any other materials that you can send. By the end of this year we will have about 70 members. May God bless you, your friend and brother, Pastor Juan Carlos Fdez G., Isla de la Juventud, Cuba. Dear Brethren, May God bless you is my prayer. I am a member of the SDA Church in Diego de Avila, Cuba. I am writing to request any information that you may have on our church’s relationship to the ecumenical movement. Please send some irrefutable evidence that can’t be denied. I have heard many people speaking about the apostasy in the church, I want to know for myself and so do many of our brethren. Please send us any information. Your brother in Christ, Antonio Legon Mendoza, Diego de Avila, Cuba.
the eternal gospel herald — volume 3, no. 10
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Eternal Gospel’s Florida Mission For Kids Update Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ—This is a report to everyone on how the work is going here and how God has blessed us wonderfully in so many ways. First, we were called by the Eternal Gospel Church of SDA in West Palm Beach, Florida to come and start a new work among the people here. We have been here for a year and a half helping under-privileged children, those from extremely poor families who were struggling desperately to just exist. There are plenty of these little ones living in extreme poverty, in places where there is no running water nor indoor plumbing.
In May 2003, a local historic Seventh-day Adventist elder took us to see a family that lived in Los Cocos [the coconuts], a small village several miles from his home Here are the kids hard at work in the classroom Above: Gerry and the kids pose for a picture after near Bayaguana. The two-hours drive up the potholed where they get their home schooling. worship. Below: The kids are ready for Sabbath. roads was horrible. On arrival, we saw twin boys at a little store wearing nothing but shirts; a hundred yards or so we stopped at a shack where they lived with their mother and sisters. We were told about the twin boys and how the mother wanted someone to care for them. So when we arrived she had them ready to go within two hours—with no hesitation on her part to give up her twins who were not yet three years old to total strangers. However, she did know that we were Christian missionaries. Angel and Miguel are bilingual now and are responding well to home schooling which we provide to all the kids. They are full of energy and not easily restrained, yet they are eager to help with anything we are doing—too eager sometimes. If you haven’t been around twin boys their age, you can’t imagine all that goes on in a single day’s time. They keep us hopping, except when they are down for a nap or sleeping at night. They compete to help Papa [that’s me] wash dishes now, but I wonder how long that will last. Earlier this year some kind American friends donated some new bicycles [with training wheels], and it wasn’t long until they had mastered the trick of zooming down the ceramic tile back porch floor, then turning the handle bars quickly to the right sliding the back wheel around in a semicircle. I was eight years old before I even saw a bicycle at our house, and it had no training wheels—I learned the hard way. Angel and Miguel are eager to lead us in family worship; starting with questions about the Bible. How many books? Who wrote the first five books? How many parts to the Bible? Name the books? They are already up to Job. Only in English though. Their singing abilities need some development but they are improving steadily. Little Angie [the two year old we call Chi Chi] can sing like a sweet little bird. She knows lots of words to a good number of songs and also can name several books of the Old Testament. She comes from a broken family, the youngest of five girls. Being in poor health, we chose to take her first but have had three of her sisters with us for periods of time. One sister has some form of leukemia. Angie has been with us for almost a year. She used to only take to Papa but Maria has won her heart as well and she expresses affection for both of us. She is such a delightful little girl and really healthy now. I think her favorite song is “Jesus Loves Me This I Know For The Bible Tells Me So” and “Halilu, Halilu, Halilu, Halilujah Praise Ye The Lord.” You may not understand all the words she sings but it’s the spirit in which she does it that’s important. Like most little girls, she gets excited when Maria brings something new for her to wear and she can’t wait to try it on. The older girls love to carry her around and play with her since she is still small, cute, and so loveable—but at times a little shy. I pray that she will always sing for the Lord.
The land is prepared for next years harvest.
Luis has been with us only a few months and is only 20 months old. He and Chi Chi are pretty good buddies, though they have their differences and are a “little jeal- Maria giving a massage and treatment to a local ous” when it comes to me as they compete to scramble who was having trouble breathing after a fall. upon my lap at times. But, they look out for each other and help each other for the most part. His mother, unmarried and destitute, couldn’t afford to keep him and she decided to give him to us. His father recently died of kidney failure. He is learning lots of words and loves to look at books [when he can sneak one off the shelf]. One of the first words he learned was “Amen” and sometimes he says it at the wrong time. He too loves to help and is so eager for action; he’s trying to ride the big boys’ bicycles already and it may not be long before he succeeds. I think he is ahead of Chi Chi on the potty training.
Often, I ponder what will the future hold for these young ones, should the Lord tarry. With the world in such a mess, with the poor conditions many people live in already, what crises are on the horizon, and how will some Little Luis—the newest member of our family with survive? I am so thankful for the blessed hope we have in Christ our Lord and Savior. Maria and I covet your Lin [behind him] teaching him to ride a bike. prayers for the children and for us. We face lots of challenges and it looks like they will only increase as time moves forward. Enough said for now—I plan to send out a second part to this report but in the meantime I want all of our supporters to know that our work is only beginning. We are still working on getting electricity and in hopefully getting a much larger meeting house for church services and health treatments and classes since we have outgrown the place we currently have. With His Love from above we are Gerry, Maria and Children.
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the eternal gospel herald — volume 3, no. 10
'Moral Values' a Key Issue in Elections for Evangelical Christians By Elizabeth Clarke Palm Beach Post Religion Writer Thursday, November 04, 2004 Call it a moral victory for the man upstairs. Millions of Christians do — with an emphasis on the “moral.” President Bush got support from 76 percent of white evangelical Christians and 50 percent of Catholics, exit polls showed. Nationwide, moral values edged out terrorism and the economy as the top issue in the election. Eleven states overwhelmingly approved initiatives banning same-sex marriage. "I believe it is a statement that there is a desire by our nation to maintain a strong, moral, principled base and foundation," said Tom Mullins, pastor of Christ Fellowship, the nondenominational congregation that reaches about 10,000 people each weekend at churches in Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington. "I think it's a statement that people are for the protection of the traditional marriage and family, and I believe there is a growing support for the rights of the unborn child," Mullins said. "I believe those moral issues are very clear." Members of Christ Fellowship even got the message in their e-mail boxes Monday. "This week's election ... will be one of the most important we, as Americans, have had in over fifty years," Mullins wrote to 15,000 churchgoers. He urged them to consider US President George W. Bush and First Lady that the winner could seLaura Bush along with Florida Governor Jeb lect as many as four SuBush are accompanied by Roman Catholic Monsi- preme Court justices in gnor Jude O'Doherty after services at the Church the coming years and to of the Epiphany in Miami, Florida. During Mass consider the impact those Monsignor O'Doherty praised Bush from the pul- judges would have on "our pit for his belief in prayer and his dependence on lives, our families, our culture and the direction God (Photo: AFP/Stephen Jaffe). of this nation." He spelled out three "non-negotiable" issues: abortion, same-sex marriage and honoring God and country. "Our vote should be less about our party affiliation and more about the issues that matter most to God," wrote Mullins, who voted for Bush but didn't endorse him by name. "I believe very strongly that our vote is a reflection of our faith." Laws prohibit churches from endorsing candidates, but voters were encouraged to consult their Bibles, their consciences and then their voter guides. At Grace Fellowship Church in suburban West Palm Beach, the Rev. David Nelms provided parishioners with a news magazine voter guide and the Christian Coalition voter guide. The guides told them Kerry wouldn't select a Supreme Court justice who would limit abortion and that he supports civil unions for gay and lesbian couples, although not marriage. That was all Nelms needed to know — although he declined to reveal his presidential choice. "When you mess with those two, boy, the others don't hardly matter," he said. The Bible is simple and to the point on both issues, he said. "On same-sex marriage, the Bible could not be more clear: one man, one woman, one lifetime," he said. "The Bible is very clear that what we call the fetus, the Bible calls a living human being. And there are millions and millions and millions of Americans — Catholics and Protestants — who understand this." Among those are 2.8 million Christians who joined an Internet prayer team at www.presidentialprayerteam.com. Posted on that site Wednesday was a note: "Thank you for 'praying the vote.'" Still, other Christians are troubled by a forced lock step on "moral values." Consider the 85-year-old Hobe Sound woman who said she left Mass on Sunday
at St. Christopher Catholic Church feeling great, forgiven and so close to God. The feeling soured when she found what she thought was a prayer card and pamphlet on her windshield. The card was threatening, she thought. It implied that anyone who supported a pro-choice candidate would be excommunicated, she said, and it quoted Catholic leaders on the issue. She already had voted — early — for Kerry. "I hope I didn't really do something bad for my soul," she said.
Bush Asked Pope to help Him in the 2004 Presidential Elections A Word From Rome, June 11, 2004 By John L. Allen Jr. Vatican Correspondent National Catholic Reporter During his June 4 visit, Bush asked the Vatican to push the American Catholic bishops to be more aggressive politically on family and life issues, especially a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. A Vatican official told NCR June 9 that in his meeting with Cardinal Angelo Sodano and other Vatican officials, Bush said, “Not all the American bishops are with me” on the cultural issues. The implication was that he hoped the Vatican would nudge them toward more explicit activism. Other sources in the meeting said that while they could not recall the president’s exact words, he did pledge aggressive efforts on the cultural front, especially the battle against gay marriage, and asked for the Vatican’s help in encouraging the U.S. bishops to be more outspoken. According to sources, Sodano did not respond to the request. Sources say Bush made the remark after Sodano thanked him for his stand on the issues of family and life. They also said that while Bush was focusing primarily on the marriage question, he also had in mind other concerns such as abortion and stem cell research.
Bush supports a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and has urged Congress to take swift action. Since polls show that in several battleground states in the fall election a majority of voters is opposed to gay marriage, some Bush analysts think an aggressive push on the issue will help the president’s prospects.
“Most of Us Are with President Bush” Says US Catholic Priests EWTNews Brief—November 2, 2004—WASHINGTON DC, USA A well-known Catholic priest said he thinks most U.S. priests will vote for President George Bush in today’s election. Father Frank Pavone heads up several national organizations (Priests for Life, the National Pro-life Religious Council, and Gospel of Life Ministries). He said he was speaking in his personal capacity, based on his conversations with priests across the country, and not as the representative of those groups. Father Pavone said he thinks Bush “understands Christian moral values far better than John Kerry does.”
Catholicism is “a religion that does not allow us to privatize human rights to the realm of personal belief,” he said, adding that this is why Kerry is wrong in supporting abortion. Father Pavone said he does not mean that the President should be a Catholic, but “if one claims to be a Catholic, then that person should adhere to what Catholicism teaches. Otherwise, have the integrity to say that you can no longer embrace that religion.” “That lack of integrity, furthermore, will spill over into other areas of life. And in the case of a President, that’s particularly troubling,” he said. Copyright 2004 Eternal World Television Network The Eternal Gospel Herald is published from West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, by the Eternal Gospel Church, a ministry that was founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist believers to bring true, genuine, world-wide revival and reformation by proclaiming the Third Angel’s Message. It is by the grace of God and the support of each of you that we are able to participate in publishing, radio, newspapers, billboards, and foreign missions.
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