THE ETERNAL
VOL. 5 NO. 10
“CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE DELIVERED UNTO THE SAINTS.” JUDE 3
Sunday Shopping has The Pope’s Historic Holy Land Visit not Made Us Better or Happier By Jonathan Sacks, The Times (UK), April 24, 2009 During this economic crisis much attention has been paid to the deregulation of financial services that took place in the 1980s. That opened the floodgates to higher, and eventually unsustainable, levels of borrowing and spending. Little attention has been paid to another act of deregulation at about the same time, that played its own part in creating an overheated credit-and-consumption culture: the deregulation of Sunday, turning the day of rest into a day of shopping. It was probably inevitable given the secularization of society. But from a Jewish perspective I doubt whether Judaism would have survived, let alone thrived, without the Sabbath. It is our counterweight to the pressures and values of the market. It is our oasis of rest in a —continued on page 4
Adventists Lead Out in Easter Sunday Worship
Prophecy describes Rome as the woman “which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 17:18). History bears witness that Rome’s ambition has always been to obtain worldwide sovereignty over kings and emperors.
“The Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in Pope Benedict XVI was met by Israel's Prime the churches, and in the hearts of Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President men. She is piling up her lofty Shimon Peres at the airport. (AFPTV/Telepace) and massive structures, in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike.” The Great Controversy, p. 581. On Monday, May 11, 2009 at 11 a.m. local time, Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Ben Gurion airport in —continued on page 7
Adventist and Muslims Dialogue 'Understanding Islam' Conferences to amp Adventist Interfaith Outreach By Ansel Oliver Adventist News Network May 4, 2009
Easter Sunrise Service in Porterville Open to All
Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders say two conferences exploring areas of common understanding between Adventists and Muslims will bolster the church's interfaith outreach.
By Sabrina Ziegler Porterville Recorder April 10, 2009
Earlier this month, dozens of international church officials met in Granada, Spain, to help —continued on page 5
Celebrating a shared tenet of their faith, members of a broad cross-section of area churches will gather Sunday for a community-wide Easter Sunrise Service. The Porterville Area Ministerial Association is hosting the service with song and a sermon starting at 6:30 a.m. at Murry Park, East Putnam Avenue at Park Drive. PAMA includes about 30 different churches, of different denominations, according to the Rev. Don Roulsten of the Grand Avenue United Methodist Church.
The Atlanta JournalConstitution Promotes Sunday-Keeping
“I feel it’s wonderful to celebrate [Easter] with Christians all across the community,” he said. In fact, “that’s what Christians all over the world will be celebrating, all getting together and having a sunrise service. “What we are going to be celebrating this Easter is that God so loved the world that he sent his son so that he could be a sacrifice and we could be forgiven.” The worldwide tradition celebrates
—continued on page 6
Truett Cathy: Eating out makes Sunday special The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sunday, May 03, 2009 Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy recently spoke with AJC staffer Richard Halicks about how he spends his perfect Sunday afternoon. Inevitably, the talk turns to church and food. And why his restaurants are closed on Sundays. My wife said she would cook three meals a day if —continued on page 7
Adventist Jargon Alienating, Church Executives Say Proposed church style-guide to sensitize exchanges with other faith groups By Elizabeth Lechleitner Adventist News Network March 31, 2009 Members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Global Mission Issues committee heard suggestions last week for pruning Adventist jargon, archaic and potentially offensive language from official church communication. —continued on page 4
Sounding the Warning of the Third Angel PART 1 By Louis K. Dickson Review and Herald May 31, 1956 As we move into the final period of the great program marked out for the church, we see just before us forces moving into line bent upon removing every vestige of religious liberty and freedom of conscience. Not only in our own beloved land but out across the sea is to be seen the hand that is constantly working under cover to snatch away freedom of conscience and the right to worship and propagate the —continued on page 3
page 2 the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 10
The Watchmen for this Hour —by Pastor Raphael Perez
“Watchmen on the walls of Zion are to be vigilant, and sleep not day nor night...Brethren, God calls upon you, both ministers and laymen, to listen to his voice speaking to you in his word. Let his truth be received into the heart, that you may be spiritualized by its living, sanctifying power. Then let the distinct message for this time be sent from watchman to watchman on the walls of Zion.” 1888 Materials, pp. 1077, 1078. “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, Vol. 9, p. 29. As you observe the headlines in this issue, it will become very obvious that while the vast majority of God’s people have been sleeping or preoccupied with the cares of this world, “Satan has stolen a march on us.” Sunday laws are being promoted by the secular press. The papacy has been making inroads throughout the world. The economic crisis is deepening every day. There is a health crisis over the swine flu. The signs clearly tell us that we are nearing the end. While we are witnessing this prophetic fulfillment unfold before our eyes, we can see a sad spectacle transpiring among our people. God’s people are being assaulted with worldliness, indifference, ecumenism, and/or anything that would prevent us from moving forward with the finishing of the work. Truly, “while men have slept, Satan has stolen a march on us.” Let me bring a positive note even in this editorial. Throughout the years I have seen how the Lord has been raising up brethren all across the world and from all walks of life who have not allowed their religious experience to become affected by what we are seeing around us. Truth-filled literature is being distributed; Bible studies are being conducted; missionaries are going about doing their work; radio programs are being broadcasted; medical missionaries are changing lives; and evangelistic campaigns are being held. We praise God that He has been using these very simple means to carry forward the work of the three angels’ messages. Read some of our letters. There is even a brother who is using his wheelchair to go door to door distributing God’s last message of warning for this world. Pray for him. Some would look at his situation and think because he is incapacitated, he could not work for the Master. It is our Laodicean condition which truly paralyzes and incapacitates us to work for the Lord. May God help us. For the glory of God we can praise His name. Because of your help, we have been able to place approximately 150 full-page newspaper ads containing the final warning message for this hour—the third angel’s message. There have been brethren from Idaho, Colorado, Washington D.C., Washington state, Nebraska, California, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
THE ETERNAL GOSPEL HERALD PO Box 15138 West Palm Beach, FL 33416 1-800-769-2150 eternalgospel@att.net Subscription: FREE If you wish to receive a free subscription of this publication, please contact our office at: PO Box 15138, West Palm Beach, FL 33416 | 1-800-769-2150 email: eternalgospel@att.net Online Edition: www.eternalgospelherald.com Editor Raphael Perez Copy Editors Patricia Rocco Ana Veloso
Contributors Miriam Ponce Norma Perez Peter Prestol Maria McGinty
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 Seventhday Adventist believers to bring true, genuine, world-wide revival and reformation by proclaiming the Third Angel’s Message. The Eternal Gospel Herald is sent to you free of charge, with much love, work, and sacrifice. Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of the information contained herein. This publication is printed to communicate the issues and subjects pertaining solely to the development and fulfillment of the third angel’s message and the advance of Christ’s character in the lives of God’s faithful people. We hope and pray that you will not only enjoy it but that it will be informative and spiritually enlightening to all of you. It is only 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.
Alaska, Virginia, and throughout the United States who have been helping not just to secure the ad but also in helping to finance it. The most recent ads that published our message took place on May 2 and May 6, 2009 in The Clinton Herald (Iowa). Over 10,000 people read this message for the first time. The truth about God’s Sabbath as expressed in the third angel’s message was clearly outlined in this publication. The seeds of truth were sown. Requests for free literature have been coming in daily. At first the newspaper hesitated to publish the ad. They wanted to know if we were able to publish this same ad in other papers. After we mentioned that we have secured this ad in the L.A. Times, USA Today, Dallas Morning News, the Miami Herald, and others the manager from The Clinton Herald decided to go ahead and publish our ad. However, we know that it is the Lord who is opening the doors and providing the means to do this work. Soon the storm is about to break and these doors will be closed. “Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning...God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness. Those who are accounted good workers will need to draw nigh to God, they will need the divine touch. They will need to drink more deeply and continuously at the fountain of living water, in order that they may discern God's work at every point.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300. May the Lord bless each of you as we all work together for His cause.
Letters
Dear Sirs, Please send 500 copies of The Antichrist Identified by Lawrence Nelson. God is so good! Although my only transportation is my Invacare Arrow electric wheel chair, I can go in a radius of 10 miles, and deliver these 500 copies of the three angels’ messages before summer is over. And if possible, I’ll pass out an additional 500 more before winter arrives! You brother, Eddie Parris, Michigan. To whom this may Concern, I read and comprehended “Antichrist Identified” and was totally blown away by my new found revelations in a good way. All these years I have been raised in a strict Christian household going to church almost every Sunday. I am now 25 but I am shocked at the mark of the beast. It’s amazing how there is a mass misconception today! I know well, and have met two very nice Seventh-day Adventist and I will be going to church this Saturday—God willing. It is amazing how preachers are preaching every Sunday from the word of God and still hold church services on a pagan day. Wow! God bless. Charlene Whitt, Florida. Eternal Gospel Ministry, Praise God for your ministry. Please send me some Earth Final Warning. I am going door to door in my neighborhood sharing God’s three angels’ messages—the message that needs to go to every soul. I was a dope dealer and drug addict. I sought no human help or drug rehab. It was Jesus who gave me the victory by His word and power and prayers. I know that God is so real and I must share this with everyone I can! This May I will be one year sober and God has given me the victory over Meth, Marijuana, alcohol, and cigarettes. Praise God! Also many other bad habits God gave me victory. I am learning that with Christ I can do all things. I have a testimony to share and by God’s grace I have and will be sharing to all whom God puts me in contact with. God bless your ministry, John Carcano, California. Dear Eternal Gospel Church, I was hoping that you could please add me to the mailing list for the Eternal Gospel Herald. This paper helped me so much as I read it awhile back. I am trying to reach my neighbors with the three angels’ messages and your paper is a wonderful witnessing tool. So keep me on your mailing list as we labor for souls together, Brother James Hanvey, South Carolina. Dear Pastor Perez and Staff, I would like to thank you for standing firm in a time of decreasing morality within the church and society. Thank you for sharing the truth in these times. I pray that you will continue with the good work which you are doing. Lyndon Raymond, Canada. Dear Sir/Madam, I took your magazine from __________ SDA church. Please send me a free subscription of “The Eternal Gospel Herald.” Thank you so much. May the Lord help and bless you always, Mary Liongo, California. Dear Eternal Gospel Ministry, A while back I received a complimentary copy of “The Eternal Gospel Herald” in the mail. This is one of the best, if not the best, SDA newsletters I have ever received! I would very much like to subscribe to it. Thank you so much and may the Lord continue to bless your ministry. Sincerely, Diane Mickelson, Michigan.
the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 10 page 3
Pope Sorry for Abuse at Native Canadian Schools By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press, Apr. 29, 2009 VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI apologized Wednesday to native Canadians who were physically and sexually abused at church-run boarding schools they were forced to attend, saying he was sorry for their anguish and was praying they would heal. Benedict met with a group of former students and victims and told them of his "personal anguish" over their suffering, they said. They emerged from the meeting happy and comforted, said Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 Indian children in Canada were forced to attend state-funded Christian schools as an effort to assimilate them into Canadian society. The Canadian government has admitted that physical and sexual abuse was rampant in the schools, with students beaten for speaking their native languages. That legacy of abuse and isolation has been cited by Indian leaders as the root cause of epidemic rates of alcoholism and drug addiction on reservations. The Canadian government has formally apologized and offered billions of dollars in compensation. The Catholic Church itself has paid some $79 million in compensation — but hadn't issued any type of institutional regret until Wednesday. "What we wanted the pope to say to us was that he was sorry and ... that he deeply felt for us," said Fontaine, himself a victim of abuse at one of the schools. "We heard that very clearly today." Out of a delegation of 40, five Indian and five Catholic church representatives met privately with the pope to share their stories. The pope spoke with them, off-the-cuff, in both Italian and English.
"His Holiness emphasized that acts of abuse cannot be tolerated in society," it said, adding that the pope was praying that the victims would heal and move forward "with renewed hope." It was the latest apology by Benedict for the abuse committed by church members against the young. During his trip to the United States last year, Benedict said he was "deeply ashamed" of the clergy sex abuse scandal that devastated the American church. And in Australia, he told victims of abuse he was "deeply sorry" for their suffering. Nearly three-quarters of the 130 schools were run by Catholic missionary congregations. While many students say they received good education at the schools, they are now a symbol of exploitation and cruel treatment of native Canadians. Children, many of whom did not speak English, were forcibly taken from their homes and often harshly punished. Others were subjected to sexual abuse. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology in Parliament last year, calling the treatment of children at the schools a sad chapter in the country's history. He said the policy of forced assimilation was wrong, had caused great harm and had no place in the country.
"Given the sufferings that some indigenous children experienced in the Canadian residential school system, the Holy Father expressed his sorrow at the anguish caused by the deplorable conduct of some members of the church and he offered his sympathy and prayerful solidarity," a Vatican statement said.
Canada also has offered compensation, part of a lawsuit settlement between the government, churches and the approximately 90,000 surviving students that amounted to billions of dollars being transferred to aboriginal communities.
—continued from page 1 “Sounding Third Angel’s Warning”
We have the freedom to declare the whole truth now, but soon our mouths will be stopped. What then will we give as an excuse for our almost silent attitude regarding the alarming and steady advance of the enemy of truth?
true faith of Jesus. Not yet has Babylon made “all nations drink” as the prophecy of Revelation 14 points out, but the process is going on apace and is accelerating in our time. Rome’s connection with this divine symbol of prophecy cannot be doubted. Her every characteristic and action fulfills the specification set forth by the prophets, and the resurgence of her power and influence at the present is ominous in its relationship to her final objectives. According to the eighteenth chapter of Revelation, the final gospel message that will enlighten the whole earth with its glory will be the mighty call to “come out of her, my people.” In order for such a call to be heeded by the sincere people of earth, there must of necessity be given a very clear understanding of truth regarding the beast and its image and all that pertains to receiving the mark of the beast. This cannot be done without a resurgence of the preaching of the third angel’s message. The custodians of this message must not fear to declare the whole truth and to unveil the underground methods that these forces, pointed out by the prophet, are now using. This great responsibility cannot be avoided, and we must beware lest we tone down the declaration of the message to the point where we actually fail to give it. The hour has come to declare all that God had revealed of the working of Satan, who through apostasy and deception seeks to deliver his master stroke against Christ and His remnant church. This is the time to preach, write, and teach these things to the people. We must not be led by unsound reasoning to muffle the preaching of the prophecies of warning given to this people. It is true that the Lord, through His servant, declares that the message of righteousness by faith is “the third angel’s message in verity.” But by this statement we are not counseled to tone down the message as found in Revelation 14. Christ and His righteousness must be at the heart of every sermon and every subject of doctrine. But there needs to be more mighty preaching of the third angel’s message in all its relationships and fullness.
According to God’s messenger: “the second angel’s message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower.” The Great Controversy, p. 389. If there was a reason for sounding the warning of the second angel's message in those years immediately following 1844, there is even greater reason to sound that message now when the churches “have fallen lower and lower.” We need to ask ourselves as a people, are we giving these things their rightful place in our preaching today.” Great forces in both church and state are becoming ever bolder in an effort to destroy “the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” The shaping up of the final events as marked out by the message of the third angel is taking on an accelerated pace. The multitudes do not see these things. To them all is well. They are not enlightened. But God has called out a people for the purpose of pointing out the objectives of apostasy and their significance in the light of Bible Prophecy. Editor’s Note: If this appeal to preach the final warning message of the three angels’ was being made in the 1950’s, how much more relevant is this work today? May the Lord help to not just be in agreement with this great work but to actually do it while there is yet time.
page 4 the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 10 —continued from page 1 “Sunday Shopping”
—continued from page 1 “Adventist Jargon Alienating”
world that seems as if it is moving too fast for anyone to know where it is going. It is our sanctuary in time, when we celebrate the things that have value but no price.
By using well-meant but often misinterpreted words and phrases, Adventists may end up alienating members of other faith groups rather than ministering to them, Bruce L. Bauer, chair of the department of World Mission, told the delegates, each of whom received a draft of the proposed 'Style-Guide for Seventh-day Adventist Mission.'
The Sabbath is dedicated family time. We sit around the table, sing a song of praise to the “woman of worth”, bless our children and extend hospitality to others. We go to the synagogue and renew the bonds of community and friendship. We study our sacred texts and reorient ourselves in the light of their timeless values. We pray, thanking God for what we have instead of envying others for what they have. It is when we rediscover the real roots of happiness. That is what the Sabbath was at its best, whether on Saturday or Sunday. It was a collective statement of values that said there are limits to our striving. There are things you can buy, but there are others, no less valuable, that we can only make for ourselves: relationships of love and generosity, a feeling for the rhythms and adagios of time, a sense of the spectacular beauty of the created world that we fully experience only when we stop and inhale the fragrance of things. Because of that, British culture once had an inner poise and balance. Families had time to eat a meal together, to converse and share, not sit watching a screen as one removed from reality. The Sabbath was a day on which money did not matter, when we each had equal dignity whatever we earned or could afford. It was to time what a public park is to space: something we can all enjoy on equal terms. On the good days, it made us glad to be alive, singing, with Gerard Manley Hopkins, “Glory be to God for dappled things”. Some years ago, in the course of making a television documentary on the family, I took Penelope Leach, one of the leading experts on childcare, to a Jewish primary school on a Friday morning to see the children roleplaying and rehearsing for the Sabbath meal that night. She was enthralled by the sight of five-year-old mothers and fathers blessing the candles, wine and bread, and welcoming the five-year-old guests. She wanted to know more of what the holy day meant to the children.
Prepared by the church's Global Mission Religious Study Centers, the style-guide lists potentially offensive words and phrases to be avoided when working with members of four of the world's main faith groups: Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Postmoderns. "Too many [Adventists] go to unchurched or unreached people with a set of sermons or Bible studies that were initially prepared for another cultural setting and never consider the local needs or situations," Bauer said. When talking with Jews and Muslims, the style-guide suggests, pastors and church communicators should avoid "politically charged" language. Calling the Middle East 'Palestine' or referring to the state of Israel can be "interpreted as taking sides," Bauer said. The style-guide also cautions Adventists to avoid referring to the church as "spiritual Israel" when talking with Jews. "The church does not need to usurp the identity of Israel in order to exist," Bauer said. Universally offensive words such as "infidel" or "heretic" should never be used to refer an unchurched person, the style-guide said. Also, referring to outreach events as "crusades" is more likely to conjure up images of war and destruction than evangelism, particularly among Muslims. Referring to Muhammad as a "false prophet" will not build bridges with Muslims, the style-guide also noted. While both Jews and Muslims may take offense to many Christian-oriented phrases, Buddhists are more likely to be confused by Adventist imagery and illustrations, Bauer said. Western Christian terminology -- including "sin," "salvation" and the "blood of Christ" -- often doesn't resonate with Buddhists, who may also struggle to reconcile the concrete Biblical concepts of heaven and hell with their more transient concept of death. One delegate expressed concern that Adventists, hoping not to offend, may end up clumsily hiding their beliefs -- an effort that would be both "obvious" and potentially manipulative, he said. Tailoring the presentation of the church's core beliefs to better connect with those from various faith backgrounds doesn't unravel the message, Bauer said. The principles and cautions in the style-guide are simply meant to help Adventists establish a spiritual foundation with those of other faiths in a way that invites further discussion of beliefs.
She asked one child: “What don’t you like about the Sabbath?” “We can’t watch television,” he said. “And what do you like about the Sabbath?” The young man replied: “It’s the only time Daddy doesn’t have to rush off.” Walking back from the school she turned to me and said: “That Sabbath of yours is saving their parents’ marriages.” She was probably right.
As Pat Gustin put it, "You can't ignore that the Bible says Christ's blood is essential to salvation, but your opening hymn doesn't have to be 'There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.'"
Twenty years of a seven-day-a-week consumer culture has not made Britons measurably happier. Not surprisingly, the world of salvation-by-shopping depends on advertising making us all too conscious of what we lack. If only we had this watch, that suit, this car, that mobile phone, our pleasure would be complete, at least until tomorrow, when we discover the next thing we do not yet have. The financial meltdown was caused, at least in part, by people spending money they did not have to buy things they did not need to find a happiness that does not last. The consumer culture is, in fact, a remarkably efficient system for the production and distribution of discontent.
Other suggestions for better connecting with Postmoderns include avoiding the phrase "inspired pen" to refer to prolific church writer Ellen G. White, the word "worldly" when describing secular or negative influences and citing "God's will" when explaining tragedies for which there is no logical basis.
We cannot bring back the Sabbath to the public domain, but we can bring it back to our private lives. We need to because neither the environment nor the economy can be predicated on limitless growth, fed by artificial desire. One day in seven we should give thanks for what we have and open our eyes to the radiance of the world. Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks is Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
While not technically a faith group, Postmoderns are also included in the style-guide. Because Postmoderns perceive the word "truth" as restrictive, the style-guide urged Adventists to avoid that and other cut-and-dried terminology.
Delegates questioned the inclusion of some phrases. The style-guide suggested that Adventists avoid the phrase "I'll pray for you" when talking with Postmoderns because some who hold that worldview may interpret it as an excuse for inaction. However, Artur Stele, president of the Adventist Church in Euro-Asia, said he'd observed that Postmoderns in his region were "surprisingly open to the concept of prayer." When revising the draft, a world church vice president Michael L. Ryan suggested that instead of a list of what not to say, the style-guide also include words and phrases that some traditional Adventists think are taboo, but are in fact appropriate, such as using "Allah" as a reference to God. "In all of our communication, we should strive to be clear and sensitive about our message," said Rajmund Dabrowski, world church communication director. "In this, every word counts," he said, citing the existing ANN style guide as a potential model for the proposed style-guide. Following revisions, the style-guide will ultimately be sent to the administrative committee at the world church's headquarters for consideration. For now, the style-guide is destined for revisions back at the study centers.
the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 10
page 5
This is a copy of the news paper called the Kingman Daily Miner and shows on its front page a picture taken at a local Seventh-day Adventist church located at 3180 White Cliffs Rd. Kingman AZ 86401. The church phone number is 928-757-2614. The pastor of the church is also in the picture dancing with his wife. His name is Pastor Jack Robinson. The local paper published a dance that took place on New Year’s Eve. The servant of the Lord has recommended that we use the secular newspapers but let us look at the quote carefully: “Men will misrepresent the doctrines we believe and teach as Bible truth, and it is necessary that wise plans should be laid to secure the privilege of inserting articles into the secular papers; for this will be a means of awakening souls to see the truth.” Evangelism, p. 129. This is what we are suppose to be doing—and not clowning around, concealing the truth, nor misrepresenting the work that we are called to do for this final hour. Amazingly, these activities are usually passed over by those in leadership positions as of little importance. Notice what inspirations says: “What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 216.
—continued from page 1 “Adventist and Muslims Dialogue” erode misperceptions of Islam among Adventists and learn how focusing on mutual beliefs -- such as God, creation and healthy living -- can help members of both faiths build meaningful relationships. "We're living in a world where we can't ignore other religions," said Ganoune Diop, director of the world church's Global Mission Study Centers. "The first courtesy is to know people on their terms." Earlier this year, church leaders attended the first 'Understanding Islam' conference in Australia, home to 300,000 Muslims and a leading example of the faith's global presence and consistent growth. Worldwide, one in five persons follow Islam, making Adventist outreach to the Muslim world imperative, Diop said. The 'Understanding Islam' conferences are part of the church's efforts to educate Adventists who may be unsure of how to relate to Muslims. Accurate information about the faith is vital before church leaders or laypeople attempt any outreach, Diop said. "Many of our beliefs can establish points of contact with Muslims," said Bill Johnson, the Adventist Church's assistant to the president for interfaith relations. "Creation, for instance, respect for the Old Testa-
ment, belief in the second coming, the judgment, these are all things Muslims believe in," he said. Sharing Christian faith in some Islamic countries is illegal, making any sort of outreach difficult, Adventist Church leaders say. But they encourage members to still build genuine relationships with Muslims by focusing on areas of mutual concern. The church has partnered with the Islamic Society of North America in sponsoring health expos and countries in the Middle East continue to seek such cooperation. Last month, representatives from the church's Health Ministries and International Commission for the Prevention of Alcohol met in Abu Dhabi with health officials to plan smoking cessation programs among government employees. Around the world, Johnsson said, many Muslims are surprised to learn there are Christians who share the belief of abstaining from pork and alcohol. Nowadays, Islam isn't just a religion in the Middle East, he said. "It's a major religion spreading everywhere, it's not just confined to some parts of the world," said Johnsson, who has served as keynote speaker for both conferences.
page 6 the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 10 —continued from page 1 “Adventist and Easter Sunday”
Why do Christians Worship on Sundays?
the resurrection with a service that usually takes place outdoors, and is timed to see the sunrise during the festivities.
By Norman Sheets, April 15, 2009 The Nipawin Journal (Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Canada)
“We usually see 200 to 300 people there, from a variety of churches, Roulsten said. “It’s just a beautiful time, to see the sunrise and celebrate.”
God established that people should take one day a week for rest and worship. This is for our own good and would prevent many stress related illnesses, so common today. People of various religions worship on different days. Jews on Saturday, Muslims on Friday, etc.
A few churches in town will have their own sunrise services, he said; PAMA’s is the community service.
Christians worship on Sunday because they are Christians. A Christian is one who accepts Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord and God. Since we accept Him as God, or God the Son; we call ourselves by His title “Christ”, thus Christians. In recognition of Jesus Christ as the Living God we worship on the day of His resurrection, known as the Lord’s day (on calendars Sunday). The disciples began this practice immediately after the resurrection. John 20:19 reads, “the evening of that first day of the week when the disciples were together.” Jesus came and met with them. The following Sunday they were gathered again v. 26, and again Jesus came and met with them. His presence confirmed this new custom for meeting to worship. Although the earliest disciples, who had been Jews, continued to attend Synagogue with other Jews on Saturday; they met as Christians on the first day of the week. We notice this in Acts 20:7 “upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached.” This practice was followed as the church spread. In Corinth this was the day the church gathered as indicated by Paul in I Corinthians 16:2 “Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store.” (give an offering). One aspect of worship. The apostle John “was in the Spirit” (worshiping) “on the Lord’s day” Revelation 1:10 when given the book of Revelation. Obviously the practice of Christians worshiping on the Lord’s Day, (Sunday) was well established before the end of the first century. Church leaders in the early centuries of the church nearly all refer to worshiping on the Lord’s Day, or Sunday. This was long before Christianity was accepted as a world religion. And so the custom has continued. Many God fearing people prefer to follow the Jewish custom of worshiping on the seventh day (Saturday). As Christians we have no objection to their personal choice. The important thing is that people do worship the one true God, not about which day one worships on. As Christians we worship our living Lord on His day of resurrection.
“The ministers of the popular churches will not allow the truth to be presented to the people from their pulpits...Satan strives to eclipse every ray of light shining from God to His people. He works through the ministers as he worked through the priests and rulers in the days of Christ.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 197. “In this fearful time, just before Christ is to come the second time, God’s faithful preachers will have to bear a still more pointed testimony than was borne by John the Baptist. A responsible, important work is before them; and those who speak smooth things, God will not acknowledge as His shepherds. A fearful woe is upon them.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 321.
Between six and seven ministers are scheduled to play some role in the service, he said, including leading the benediction and song. In all, the service should last about 45 minutes, he said. The Rev. Ron Gerking of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is giving the main sermon. The Rev. Rich Hartenburg of First Assembly of God is singing a solo. Gerking, self-described as “the new kid on the block,” said he does not know what to expect Sunday, other than a time of unity among the local churches. A member of PAMA for only three months now, he said he was recently asked by Roulsten to give a sermon at the event, and agreed to do so. One thing he said he is hopeful for is that the service is welcoming to the general public. “I’m a Seventh-day Adventist minister, who is preaching on a Sunday morning,” Gerking said. “So it certainly isn’t denominationally segregated. It is really about people coming to experience the heart of what we believe. Maybe, if they believe a little different, it is an opportunity for them to be encouraged with some new thoughts.” The Rev. Rudy Martinez of Porterville Evangelical Free Church said he usually leads the song service, but this year is passing on the role to his 16-year-old son, Ryan, who attends Monache High School and is a member of the church’s youth group. Rudy Martinez, a long-term member of PAMA, said of the Easter Sunrise Service: “It’s a great event. The message is a message of hope for the community. As the sun rises, it’s a good opportunity to celebrate.” -- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.
Interdenominational “Sonrise” Service Set for Sunday Friday, April 10, 2009 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin 112 S. 1st Ave. Walla Walla, WA 99362 Phone (509) 525-3300 WALLA WALLA -- There will be an interdenominational community Resurrection “Sonrise” service at 7 a.m. Easter Sunday at Pioneer Park, near the gazebo. The Rev. Dan Willms of the Vineyard Free Methodist Church will preach. The hour-long worship service will include praise, worship and special music, led by the Rev. Tim Bruner and the worship team from New Beginnings Chapel; dramatic sketches by Pastor Dan Solis and the Village Players of the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church. The service is sponsored by Walla Walla's Ministerial Fellowship. For more information, call Bruner at 509520-4355.
the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 10
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—continued from page 1 “Pope’s Visit”
—continued from page 1 “Atlanta Journal-Constitution”
Tel Aviv, Israel, where he was greeted by Shimon Peres, president of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister, the country's civil and political authorities, the press, and other religious leaders.
I would just take her out to dinner after church on Sunday. [Since Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays] I’ll eat with my competition to see what they’re doing.
Upon arriving in Israel the pope planned on also visiting the Palestinian Territories. He was hoping that his visit would help bring peace and reconciliation to the entire region which has been engulfed with conflicts. On his first day in Israel the pope condemned anti-Semitism as something “totally unacceptable” but then in his Pope Benedict XVI visited the Wailing same speech called for the establishment of a two-state solution for achieving Wall in Jerusalem. peace in the Middle East.
Oftentimes I just Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy put it in a sack and take it home so I won’t be seen eating at my competitors. Everybody that sells Cokes is my competitor, and chicken houses and other people in direct competition — so I take advantage of coupons I get in the paper — buy one, get one free.
The problem is that most of the Palestinian territories are controlled by Hamas, an Islamic resistance movement considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the European Union, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. And Hamas’ refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist has been the main reason why negotiations between Israel and Palestine have failed. Palestinians feel that they are being occupied by an invading Zionist people while the Israelis say that they have terrorists living next door. Pope Benedict was unable to secure any commitments from either side or to get them to resume negotiations. The Dome of the Rock
I’ve been teaching Sunday school to 13-year-old boys for 51 years. The reason I chose 13-year-old boys is that, generally, up to that time, they do what their parents want them to do, and after that time they start listening to their peers.
In a visit to one of Islam’s holiest places, Pope Benedict XVI was guided through the shrine by the grand mufti of The Pontiff also entered the Jerusalem, Mohammed Hussein, the Sunni cleric who Dome of the Rock, one of oversees Islamic holy places in Jerusalem. The pope rethe most sacred sites of Is- moved his shoes before entering the Dome of the Rock, lam. a seventh-century shrine that protects an exposed rock revered by Muslims as the place from which Mohammed ascended to heaven. Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pope to enter this place. To the Muslims he is a Muslim and to the Jews a Jew. That is what inspiration says. This power is described as a chameleon.
We made a decision back in 1946 to close on Sunday. And it’s the best business decision. People say, “How do you figure that — since 20 percent of revenue in fast food is generated on Sunday?” But it has been to our benefit to close on Sunday. I feel like people can spend all the money they’ve got in six days. Competition has gotten so stiff that instead of a day of worship, Sunday has become a shopping day. I think that’s in violation of the Bible, which tells us we should take one day, regardless of what day it might be, to give attention to spiritual development along with physical and mental development.
“The papacy is just what prophecy declared that she would be, the apostasy of the latter times. (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.) It is a part of her policy to assume the character which will best accomplish her purpose; but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent.” The Great Controversy, p. 571. The Wailing Wall Pope Benedict XVI (rear) attends a wreath laying ceremony at the eternal flame, commemorating the six million Jews killed by the Nazis in the Holocaust, during a ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem May 11, 2009.
After visiting the Dome of the Rock, the pontiff prayed at the Old City’s Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, which is Judaism’s holiest landmark. It was once part of Judaism’s Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans. Later, the German pope who was part of Hitler’s Nazi youth army visited the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. During the Nazi era, pope Pius XII was allegedly helping the Jews flee the holocaust while the current pope, Benedict XVI, was helping Hitler destroy them. Unbelievable! Only the papacy can get away with this major public embarrassment. No one else could get off so easily.
The prophetic workings of the papacy have always been a complex tale. The Scriptures call it the mystery of iniquity which will influence the nations to help establish the mark of the beast. This is the power which is influencing a large percentage of the world’s population and will continue to do so until he is destroyed From left: Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Cardinal with the brightness of the Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI, Latin Patri- Lord’s coming (2 Thesa. 2:8). arch Fouad Twal, and Sheikh Taysir Tamimi at an —The Editors interfaith meeting in Jerusalem on May 11, 2009.
Not long ago we were on the subject of the observance of the Lord’s Day. I asked these boys, you know, we close our doors on Sunday — how would you feel about me teaching you this lesson if my cash register were jingling? One little boy said, “I would think of you as a hypocrite.” For that reason, I’m careful how I conduct myself on Sunday.
I feel like our restaurant equipment needs a rest one day a week, too! But it has been a very good decision. I look forward to that day when you can close your doors and not have to worry about who’s coming to work. It’s important that we devote some time in reminding us of the goodness of the Lord and instructing us as to what we should be doing. We have seminars in our business that repeat the same thing year in and year out. I’m one who believes that the Bible is the road map, the blueprint for our lives. We tell our employees to just treat others like you’d like to be treated when you go out to eat. You like to be greeted by smiling faces and people with a serving spirit. You don’t get this kind of treatment in fast food anymore. A good afternoon for me is to get my family together and go out to eat, or come down to my home. The perfect time would be having them down to visit — AND me getting the opportunity to snooze sometime in between. I live on a farm, so I have about a dozen trail bikes, and through the years I’ve also had horses and ponies and things that people like to do. It’s just a family gettogether. It’s a joy to have them. It’s a day of worship — if you so choose. And it’s a family day. If you have a limited time to spend with your family, you can’t spend it on the golf course, or watching TV all afternoon. It’s a shame to see dads work all week and spend Sunday afternoon on the golf course. You have a choice of spending that time with your family, or spending it on the golf course. It would be much better to give that day totally to your family.
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“So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matthew 24:33
Newt Gringrich's Catholic Conversion— Washington D.C., Apr 13, 2009 (CNA).- The Catholic Church welcomed another high profile politician into the fold recently when former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was welcomed into the faith on Sunday, March 29.
Pope Benedict XVI (R) greets Britain's Prince Charles before a meeting in his private library at the Vatican April 27, 2009. (REUTERS/Osservatore Romano) TOKYO (AFP) – May 20, 2009—The number of worldwide swine flu infections surged past 10,000 on Wednesday, as the epidemic gathered pace in the United States and the first case was recorded in Tokyo. The announcement in the Japanese capital that a 16year-old high school girl had caught (A)H1N1 on a trip to New York underlined the scale of the challenge to contain the virus which has now been recorded in 41 countries.
German police disable the closed Europe bridge in front of demonstrators and a burning boarder building, which was set on fire by demonstrators during riots on the occasion of the 60th anniversary NATO summit in Strasbourg, France, on Saturday, April 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Christof Stache)
April, 13, 2009—US Navy snipers have shot dead three pirates holding a US captain in a boat off Somalia, in a dramatic rescue authorized by President Barack Obama. Piracy in the area has become an increasing problem for ships increasing the price of goods. Demonstrators set up a barricade at the entrance of Strasbourg, eastern France, April 2, 2009. Riots occurred between a few hundreds of demonstrators wishing to enter the city, and riot policemen on the eve of the NATO meeting which will take place here on April 3-4. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, rescuers work at the site of a landslide in Xiaoba Village of Weixin County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Monday, April 27, 2009. At least 17 people were killed and 7 others were still missing. (AP Photo/ Xinhua, Lin Yiguang)
Houses sit isolated by flood waters in Maraba, north of Brazil May 3, 2009. Officials say floods and mudslides from heavy rains in north and northeastern Brazil have killed at least 14 people in the last month and driven tens of thousands from their homes. Regional Civil Defense departments report that at least 62,600 people are homeless in five northeastern states. (REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker).
March 11, 2009 Nobel-prize winner Robert Mundell, joins others for a plan in establishing a singleworld currency.
Kevin Flannigan from the group 'Survivors of Child Abuse', protests at not being allowed into the launch of the long awaited Child Abuse Commission report at a hotel Dublin, Ireland Wednesday May 20, 2009. A fiercely debated, nineyear investigation into Ireland's Roman Catholic-run institutions says priests and nuns terrorized thousands of boys and girls in workhouse-style schools for decades — and government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rapes and humiliation. High Court Justice Sean Ryan on Wednesday unveiled the 2,600-page final report of Ireland's Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse, which is based on testimony from thousands of former students and officials from more than 250 church-run institutions. (AP Photo/Niall Carson)