THE ETERNAL
VOL. 5 NO. 3
“CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE DELIVERED UNTO THE SAINTS.” JUDE 3
Unholy Courtship
Adventists Worship on Sunday? All Faiths Gather to Worship on Round-Up Sunday September 10, 2007 By Terry Murry East Oregonian Newspaper (www.eastoregonian.com) PENDLETON - About 1,200-1,300 people gathered Sunday in Roy Raley Park for the eighth annual Round-Up Sunday Community Worship Celebration. The event, which has grown annually, has also grown in the number of churches sponsoring it - 12. “One Lord, One Faith, One Accord” was the theme of the service, which featured music, a magical message for children and a message for young people. The main speaker was the Rev. Ron Wilde of Idaho, who for many years was the pastor of the Church —continued on page 4
Homosexuals in the Vatican Suspended Vatican Official Threatens to Expose Vatican Homosexual Network Rome, Oct. 22, 2007, (CWNews.com) An Italian priest who was suspended from his post in the Roman Curia [Vatican City] last week has claimed that he has a list of active homosexuals working at the The Vatican said SatVatican. Msgr. Tommaso Stenico was removed from his duties at the
urday it has suspended Tommaso Stenico from a senior post at the Holy See.
—continued on page 4
To many Christians, the separation of church and state is a mythical fabrication that shouldn’t exist. Some view the clean and clear separation between religious institutions and government entities as a dangerous, anti-Christian principle that must be revoked. “The result of church-state separation,” they contend, “has brought immorality, godlessness, September 30, 2007 - U.S. Suand decay to our society.” preme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy (R) leaving The theology of the Chrismass at the Cathedral of Saint tian Right and that of the Matthew the Apostle in WashRoman Catholic Church is ington. Several Supreme that the church power must Court Justices attended. use the power of the state to combat widespread materialism and secularism. They believe that the church must influence the government to pass and enforce laws which will shape the morality, the direction, and the behavior of this nation. For over 100 years, Seventh-day Adventists have defended the separation of church and state from religious attacks. We have characterized the unholy union of church and state as the formation of the Image of the Beast of Revelation 13. We denounce proponents of church power with political power as wrong. Their history is wrong. Their analysis is wrong. Their attack against the wall separating church and state is wrong. But powerful men still are on the assault—working to impose their ultra-religious, political agenda upon the rest of society through the state. For the lust of power in the halls of Congress, at the Supreme Court, and the White House, the churches today are rejecting Christ and have sold themselves over to the prince of this world. “To secure worldly gains and honors, the church was led to seek the favor and support of the great men of earth, and having thus rejected Christ, she was induced to yield allegiance to the representative of Satan.” The Great Controversy, p. 50. The new Roman Catholic majority on the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled
—continued on page 5
The Foundation, Pillars, and Landmarks have not Changed “The past fifty years have not dimmed one jot or principle of our faith as we received the great and wonderful evidences that were made certain to us in 1844, after the passing of the time...Not a word is changed or denied. That which the Holy Spirit testified to as truth after the passing of the time, in our great disappointment, is the solid foundation of truth. The pillars of truth were revealed, and we accepted the foundation principles that have made us what we are-Seventh-day Adventists, keeping the commandments of God and having the faith of Jesus.” Upward Look, p. 352.
The USA Today Promotes Sunday as the Day of Rest Better Take a Break, Or You’ll Break Down Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 By Gladys Edmunds USAToday.com gladys@gladysedmunds.com During this past summer a Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in a shopping center near my home. A few weeks before opening they mailed coupons to local residents offering a free chicken sandwich.
Catholic Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington accompanied Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. from the Cathedral after mass.
While out running errands one Sunday afternoon with my daughter Sharon, we decided to stop by for lunch. As we approached I could see that there were no cars in the parking lot. That should have been a hint. Nonetheless we parked the car and proceeded to the door only to be met by a sign: "CLOSED ON SUNDAY." Sharon was quite surprised by this. I used the opportunity to take a stroll down memory lane and tell her about the time when almost all retail establishments recognized Sunday as a day of Sabbath and rest from work. They honored and respected that day by closing.
[Above] U.S. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia (R) shakes hands with an unidentified Bishop. [Below] U.S. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas (Front R) and Associate Justice Stephen Breyer (Back R) commune with the bishops.
I called the restaurant several days later to ask why they were closed and a manager told me that they always close on Sunday to give their employees an opportunity to spend time with family and to have a rest. Are entrepreneurs and businesses beginning to recognize the importance of a time of rest from work? Sounds pretty good to me… There needs to be a time of deliberate withdrawal from business in order to remind ourselves how good life can be. We need to have a time completely separate from the hustle and bustle of life. Set aside such time so you can be with your family. It doesn't matter how successful you have been in the past or will be in the future if you can't make the time to relax. You can take a lesson from Chick-fil-A and shut yourself down for a day of rest, or you can take the road of my friend Willis, and allow your declining health to force you into it.
page 2 the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 3
Adventists Worship on Sunday? by Pastor Raphael Perez On September 9, 2007, 12 churches united in Oregon to worship on Round-up Sunday. Round-up Sunday coincides with the world famous Round-up Rodeo in Pendleton, OR. The churches borrowed the phrase to kick-off the event with an ecumenical Sunday worship. The annual community Sunday worship is sponsored by 12 churches, including the SDA Church. This ecumenical Sunday celebration takes place close to College Place, WA where the Adventist University is located. “The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against Seventh-day Adventists because they will not yield homage to the papacy by honoring Sunday, the institution of this antichristian power.” Last Day Events, p. 136. How strange that people today should fail to recognize in Sunday, the counterfeit Sabbath, the mark of apostasy. How strange that Adventists, who’s teaching are in complete contrast with the other churches, should unite with other Christians on the mark of papal error! How strange it is that we who know the truth of the blessed Sabbath, sanctified by our Lord and Omnipotent Creator, should deliberately choose to worship on a day of heathen origin. The Sabbath was for Spiritual Israel of old just as it is for Spiritual Israel today. And just as the faithful in ancient Israel had to turn away from the abominable worship of the sun so will the faithful today also repudiate the day that was anciently dedicated to the worship of the sun. “In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week.” The Review and Herald, March 18, 1884. In this Sunday Round-up worship service with its Rodeo festivities, meat eating, drinking, and swearing—this is the last place that Christ can dwell in. This event is an antitype of what took place in ancient Israel: “And Israel abode in Shittim [the last stop before Canaan], and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.” Num. 25:1-2. A Round-up is a western statement that deals with cowboys and not with loving Christ. Jesus will gather his people in soon with all the elect, the obedient, and those who would rather die than to disobey God. To go home with him is our prayer in the final round-up of the saved. In order to make ready a people prepared for the second advent, there needs to be a calling out of Babylon, both mother and daughters, and a repudiation of the unlawful change of God’s Sabbath—the heart of the great papal apostasy, which the Protestant churches have accepted.
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 Raphael Perez Editor Andy Roman Assistant Editor Patricia Rocco Copy Editor
Ron Spear Co-Editor Miriam Ponce Peter Prestol Norma Perez Contributors
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. 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.
EDITORIAL / LETTERS
Heavenly High Priesthood of Christ - Part 2 by John Robert Cofer We are continuing our study from lesson 1 where we examined the Biblical teachings regarding “Where Did Our Lord Jesus Go?” and “What is His Ministry?” after His ascension to Heaven. Upon discovering the truth of Christ’s Heavenly High Priesthood (Heb 8:1-3) and His ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary (beginning in the first apartment or holy place) as foreshadowed in the example given by God to teach this truth (the earthly sanctuary services – Heb 8:5), we now continue our study of what would occur next in the order of ministry. Examining what is the next event in the Divine order of service also will shed light upon the last of the three questions beginning our last study: “Brethren, What Shall We Do?” The Bible records the ministry of the two apartments of the sanctuary, both holy and most holy places (Heb 9:1-3). After Jesus’ascension to heaven, the Apostle John beheld Christ in the holy place where the candlestick is located (Revelation 1:12, 13, Hebrews 9:1, 2). This is in harmony with the example set forth in the “shadow of heavenly things” in the earthly temple services. Daily (evening and morning) the priests would minister in the holy place at the candlesticks (Ex 27:21) on behalf of God’s people. Daily would priests record or minister the blood of confessed sin upon the veil in the Holy Place, before the Lord (Lev 4:17). “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].” Heb 9:11, 12. “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb 9:24-28.. The work of the Holy place in the putting away of sin was not complete without the finishing work of the Most Holy place at the end of the year. In this ministry only the High Priest could accomplish it in the Most
A Non-doctrinal Church Organization By David Jimenez We live in a time of universal deception. We have come to a point in history in which the world refuses to be accountable for its actions. We refuse to take responsibility. We don’t have the courage to say this is good and this is evil. This is right and this is wrong. This generation does not want the sound doctrine from God’s word. They
Holy place (Heb 9:7). Christ did verily bear our sins by His blood ministered in the first apartment or Holy Place. Christ’s ministry there is the fountainhead of the power of the Gospel; through intercession for us and mediation to the Father for us and the pouring out of Gifts by the Holy Ghost for us. Amen! This work of salvation begun with such power must end with power so that “the mystery of God should be finished” (Rev 10:7). Christ must finish His priestly work by the cleansing of the Sanctuary from sins borne there by His blood (Heb 9:22-24, 28). Then with these sins cleansed by His work in the Most Holy He can “appear the second time without sin unto salvation”. This text (Heb 9:28) can only intimate his cleansing the Sanctuary during His priesthood of those sins recorded there by his covering blood and blotted out (Acts 3:19) by His ministry for there is no sin in him. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” 1 John 3:5. Notice how the earthly service foreshadowed this work of cleansing from sin once a year and not daily: “For on that day shall [the priest] make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, [that] ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD” “And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.” Lev 16:30, 34. The finishing work of Christ’s priesthood must take place before he can “appear the second time” Heb 9:28 or “he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached” Acts 3:20. These scriptures note that Christ will be without sin for they will be (not covered/forgiven, but..) blotted out or destroyed. The scriptures give a prophetic view of the awesome holiness required of His Saints in the last moments before Christ’s return in the biblical requirements of the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:29, 30, Lev 23:27, 28). The coming of this time would call for every believer to cry “What Shall We Do!?” Has the time come for the cleansing of God’s Sanctuary and the restitution of all things and the final atonement? “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21. John Robert Cofer, Minister of Health mdmissionary@hotmail.com
don’t want controversy. They don’t want the truth as it is in Christ. They want a diluted or distorted message: “God is nice, we are nice, and everything we say or preach must be nice. Doctrines divide and we don’t need them. All we need is Jesus.” The Scriptures were never meant to be read this way. Jesus never supported a nondoctrinal church organization. The Spirit of Prophecy doesn’t validate that kind of ecumenical message. This is considered the diluting or dummying down of the Word of God. This position —continued on page 3
the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 2 —continued from page 2
EDITORIAL / LETTERS
15 Million Strong & Counting Part II Spiritualism, Pentecostalism, and Celebration by Pastor Ron Spear “When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power [that has and is being fulfilled] when she shall reach over Modern Spiritualism—This fiery figure photographed the abyss to clasp hands with on April 2, 2007 is being hailed by European media and Spiritualism [that is being ful- by the Church as Pope John Paul II making an appearfilled, see pictures in the U.S. ance from beyond the grave. Senate (right)], when, under the influence of the threefold union, [Apostate Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, and Spiritualism] our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government [this is in process with the new Catholic Supreme Court], and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods [Sunday Laws are being promoted by the press—USA Today & Wall Street Journal] and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near [Praise God the end is near].” Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 451. Modern Spiritualism in the U.S. GovernThe signs of the times are obvious both in ment—Rajan Zed, a Hindu clergyman, the world and among the churches. The greatmade history by giving a spiritualistic est sign is the apostasy in the church by the meditation during the opening of the U.S. acceptance of Spiritualism. Recently, Vatican Senate on July 12, 2007. He opened by sayTelevision, the European Media, and several ing, “We meditate on the transcendental internet sights have been broadcasting a photoglory of the Deity Supreme, who is inside graph of a fire in Poland. This fiery image apthe heart of the Earth, inside the life of the peared during the second annual ceremony sky and inside the soul of the heaven. commemorating the death of Pope John Paul II. The event took place near the “hallowed ground” of John Paul II’s birthplace in Wadowice, Poland. The local Catholic Bishop stated that it was the “Holy Father waving from beyond the grave.” Other Vatican insiders said that this is another miracle of Pope John Paul II and should speed up his process towards sainthood. The prophecies in Revelation are being fulfilled before our eyes. We are told that the unclean spirits —continued on page 8
—continued from page 2 is contrary to the clear-cut and uncompromising principles of the word of God. The Bible is forthright when it comes to the doctrine of Christ: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. .” 2 John 1:9. So this non-Biblical idea that says that we can have Jesus and not have His doctrine is a falsehood that is being propagated by people who don’t know God. They are in essence saying, “Give me Jesus, but don’t give His teachings.” This is theologically illogical. To have Jesus without doctrine is impossible. How can we have Jesus without the doctrine of the His resurrection? How can we have Jesus without the doctrine of His mediation, that states He is the only mediator between God and man? How can we have Jesus without the doctrine that He is the Creator of heaven and earth and that the Sabbath is a sign of His creative power? How can we have Jesus without the 10 Commandments which are a transcript of His Character? How can we have Jesus without the doctrine of His mediatorial work in the Most Holy Place? All of the doctrines of Christ lead to one ultimate objective: “God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in
page 3
heaven is perfect.’ This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning.” Desire of Ages, p. 311. There are millions of people who are in need of this redemption power which is the doctrine of Christ, the everlasting gospel. In contrast to Christ’s doctrine is the devil’s gospel: “But the Bible is interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism making little distinction between good and evil. God’s justice, his denunciations of sin, the requirements of his holy law, are all kept out of sight.” The Great Controversy, p. 558. This is the non-doctrinal church organization described by Ellen White. The only remedy to this complete, spiritual dilemma is the doctrine of Christ. For it is through this gospel that God can be sure that there will never again be another rebellion or great controversy. David, Jimenez, Orlando Church Elder davidtheosophy@instruction.com
Eternal Gospel Herald, I am grateful that you are proclaiming the truth that is in Jesus, the truth of His commandments, and the denunciations of the great apostasy in these last days. Sadly, too many people refuse to do this kind of work. Most churches today are proclaiming a soft message about love and peace—teaching about Christ without the prophetic fulfillments of His Revelation. I am your brother in Christ, Rafael Fernandez, New York. Dear Pastor Perez, I really enjoy the material that you send. I was wondering if I could receive your newsletter on a regular basis. Thank you for your time and for the work which you are doing. Your brother in Christ, Jessie, Ellingson, Oregon. Dear Christian Friends, Thank you very much for the good work you are doing of spreading the truth through tracts and books. I was extremely excited about the literature that I received from you. Thanks again, Fostone Paul, Central Africa. Dear Brethren, I send this note to you thanking you for the information that you’ve sent me. It is truly vital to understand the times in which we are living and to know the truth for this time. Praise God for the work that God has given you. Jim Richardson, California. Dear Sirs, I would like to subscribe to The Eternal Gospel Herald. I wish you God’s blessing with the important work which you are doing. Johan Bouguenon, Netherlands. Dear Eternal Gospel Church, Thank you for the literature entitled “Earth’s Final Warning.” It is being distributed here in the prison. Please send me any free materials that you have to offer so that I can learn the truth before it’s too late. ________, _________ Department of Correction, Indiana. Dear Pastor Raphael Perez, I discovered your publication two days ago and I have been greatly blessed. I thank God that you and your ministry are opposing the great apostasy in the churches by proclaiming the three angels’ messages—despite the tremendous pressure that has been exerted by the dragon and his brides against this work. I encourage you to continue no matter the cost and I am praying that our loving Father will lift you up in this mighty work as He did for others before us. I am requesting that you place me on your mailing list and please send me Vol. 5, No. 2 as soon as possible. God bless you and I look forward to hearing from you. Stephen Chan, Jamaica. Eternal Gospel Church, Dear beloved, Greetings from Tanzania. I happened to read your very interesting newspaper entitled “Earth’s Final Warning.” At the end of your publication you list a free book offer. Please, I would like to have your book for my further reading and study, as I am very much pleased and moved by what I read in your publication. I am a Christian of the Seventh-day Adventist denominational faith. I have just joined this church recently, and for over 48 years, I was a prominent member of the Roman Catholic Church, being an advisor to the Bishop of the local _______ Diocese. I was so dissatisfied with the shallow teaching for the Roman Catholic Church and the church scandals. I discovered that 2 priests had secret families. I decided on my own to move from the Roman Catholic Church and to join the SDA Church. I would like to know more about the SDA faith. This “Earth’s Final Warning” seems to be a wonderful, doctrinal message. I would be very pleased to hear more from you. Very sincerely yours, _____, East Africa. Dear Brothers, I would like to know if it is possible at this time if I could obtain the newspaper entitled The Eternal Gospel Herald. I am an inmate at _______ Correctional Institute and we have been using this publication for our study in Bible class. Thank you for your consideration, __________ Florida.
page 4 the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 3
Sunday Law Coming to Churches use Violent Israel Game to Entice Youth
—continued from page 1 “All Faiths Worship on Round-Up Sunday”
Sabbath-Sunday Bill Survey Shows Support
Matt Richtel, The New York Times Oct 07, 2007
by Hillel Fendel IsraelNationalNews.com May 25, 2007
First the percussive sounds of sniper fire and the thrill of the kill. Then the gospel of peace. Across the country, hundreds of ministers and pastors desperate to reach young congregants have drawn concern and criticism through their use of an unusual recruiting tool: the immersive and violent video game "Halo."
“I’m very, very happy to see the ecumenical nature of our gathering to honor and worship Jesus Christ,” the Rev. Ray O’Grady said in an earlier interview.
Zevulun Orlev (NRP) has announced the findings of a poll showing 56% support amongst Israelis for his proposed legislation making Sunday a day of rest and allowing some public transportation and entertainment on the Sabbath. Orlev's bill would change the official approach to Sabbath as the country’s day of rest. Though businesses and government offices would continue to be closed, places of entertainment would be permitted to open - and public transportation, now banned in most cities on the Sabbath, would be available. The bill stipulates that such transportation and entertainment would be carried out with maximum sensitivity to the religious public. A survey commissioned by Orlev finds that 56% of the public support his initiative, while 30% object. The poll was carried out by Brain Base Institute, headed by Prof. Yitzchak Katz. Orlev's bill, which he proposed last week, also calls for a second day of rest during the week Sunday - during which businesses and offices would be closed. This would enable Sabbathobservant families to spend more time together, Orlev explains. Work hours lost to Sunday would be made up largely by increasing the workday on Mondays through Fridays from 8 to 9 hours. Yitzchak Levy of the National Union Party said the bill paves the way for further deterioration in the character of the Sabbath in the State of Israel. The National Union and the NRP joined forces for the last national election, merging into one electoral list.
The latest iteration of the immensely popular space epic, "Halo 3" is rated M for mature audiences, meaning those buying it must be 17 or older. But that has not prevented leaders at churches and youth centers across Protestant denominations, including evangelical churches that have cautioned against violent entertainment, from holding heavily attended "Halo" nights and stocking their centers with multiple game consoles so dozens of teenagers can flock around big-screen televisions and shoot it out.
Associated Press, October 8, 2007
President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) Ronald S. Lauder poses in St. Peter's Square with St. Peter's Basilica in the background after a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, Monday, Oct. 8, 2007. Top officials from the World Jewish Congress met Monday with Pope Benedict XVI to voice concern about Iran but also to encourage pursuing a dialogue with moderate Muslims, participants said. WJC Secretary General Michael Schneider said the delegation thanked the pope for his work supporting interfaith relations and invited him to meet with senior Jewish leaders during his planned trip to New York next year.
The churches sponsoring the service include Faith Center Church, the First Church of God, The Salvation Army, First Christian Church, Church of the Nazarene, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Cornerstone Church, Bethel Assembly of God, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pendleton Free Methodist, World Life Church, First United Methodist Church and the chaplaincy of St. Anthony Hospital. "Isn't it wonderful," the Rev. Rick Oliver of First Church of God said of the sunny weather and happy crowd. "We've got more people than ever before."
The alliance of popular culture and evangelism is challenging churches much as bingo games did in the 1960s. And the question fits into a rich debate about how far churches should go to reach young people.
In addition to the service, everyone who attends is welcome to enjoy a free meal after the service. Organizers were busy grilling burgers throughout the service.
Church leaders who support "Halo" -- despite its "thou shalt kill" credo -- say it has become crucial to evangelistic efforts to reach their most elusive audience, boys and young men, on their home turf.
"It was a great day," he said.
Witness the basement on a recent Sunday at the Colorado Community Church in Denver, where Tim Foster, 12, and Chris Graham, 14, sat in front of three TVs, locked in violent virtual combat as they navigated on-screen characters through lethal gun bursts. Tim explained the game's allure: "It's just fun blowing people up." Once they come for the games, said Gregg Barbour, the youth minister of the church, they will stay for his Christian message. Hundreds of churches use "Halo" games to connect with young people, said Lane Palmer, the youth ministry specialist at the Dare 2 Share Ministry, a nonprofit organization in Arvada, Colo., that helps churches on youth issues.
Top Jewish Leader Visits Rome
of the Nazarene in Pendleton.
"It's very pervasive," Palmer said. His organization recently sent e-mail messages to 50,000 young people about how to share their faith using "Halo 3." Among the tips: Use the game's themes as the basis for a discussion about good and evil.
—continued from page 1 “Vatican Homosexual Network” Congregation for Clergy after the Italian La7 television network showed a videotape in which he propositioned a young man. Although the priest’s face was obscured in the video, Vatican officials were able to identify his voice and his office, in which the video was surreptitiously recorded. Msgr. Stenico did not deny that he was the priest caught on the videotape. He offered the claim that he was investigating the influence of a homosexual network around the Vatican. Now, in a conversation with Italy’s Panorama magazine, the disgraced cleric has pushed his claim further, saying that he has a “dossier” on the homosexual network and the priests involved. That information, he said, should make the Vatican “tremble.”
Lutherans to Allow Pastors in Gay Relationships Reuters News August 11, 2007 C H I C A G O (Reuters) - Homosexual Lutheran clergy who are in sexual relationships will be able to serve as pastors, the largest U.S. Lutheran body said on Saturday. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) passed a resolution at its annual assembly urging bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who are in "faithful committed same-gender relationships." The resolution passed by a vote of 538431. “The Church ... has just said ‘Do not do punishments,’ ” said Phil Soucy, spokesman for Lutherans Concerned, a gay-lesbian rights group within the church. “That is huge.” The ELCA, which has 4.8 million members, had previously allowed gays to serve as pastors so long as they abstained from sexual relations. The conference also instructed a committee that is developing a social statement on sexuality to further investigate the issue. The committee is scheduled to release its report in 2009. Since the ELCA was founded in 1988, the group has ordered three pastors in gay relationships to be removed from their ministries. The most recent case was decided in July when the ELCA’s commit-
page 4 the eternal gospel herald — volume 4, no.the 9 eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 3 page 5 —continued from page 1 “Unholy Courtship” in favor of church and state. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, and Chief Justice John Roberts are five Catholic on the Supreme Court. All five of the Catholic Justices are also all Republicans. They are the majority. This New Catholic Court, the highest court in the land, has presided over its first case involving Church & State. And the score is - Catholic Canon Law 1, U.S. Constitution 0.
The U.S. State Department and Religious Ecumenism
The case, Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, involved a church/ state grievance filed by U.S. citizens against the Executive branch of government, the White House. This lawsuit challenged President Bush’s creation of federal faith-based offices as unconstitutional. The complaint alleged that President Bush, instead of going through Congress, created the White House Office of Faith-based Initiatives by executive order. This office provides billions of dollars every year to churches who have become partners with government to provide social services. In other words, it is an act of providing tax-payer dollars for church coffers in order to increase their influence. Most Presidential Executive Orders usually have consisted in protecting our nation’s security when our U.S. Congress failed to give the President those discretionary powers. But in the Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, one man, by his own authority, has rewritten the U.S. Constitution and has abrogated the prohibitions of church and state. The only powers granted to the president under the U.S. Constitution is to defend the existing laws and not to rewrite them as it is stated in our Constitution: “He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” Article II, Section III. “Our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government.” Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 451. The Catholic Court Rules
Is the U.S. Supreme Court wearing the Jesuit Yoke? Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts is given an honorary degree by the Jesuits one month before the dreadful Hein v. Freedom from Religion Foundation decision. Jesuit Priest and President of the College of the Holy Cross Michael McFaland bestows an honorary degree [Jesuit yoke] on the Supreme Court Justice during a ceremony on May 25, 2007 at the college in Worcester, Mass.
The Supreme Court ruled on June 25, 2007 by a 5-4 decision that taxpayers do not have the right or a legal standing to challenge the constitutionality on how the Executive Branch spends its Congressional allocated budget. The decision to throw this lawsuit out and to corroborate and establish the White House’s federal Faith-based Initiatives came from the five Roman Catholics who sit on the High Court. The Court was split—5 Roman Catholics against 4 nonCatholics. Is this just a coincidence? “Stealthily and unsuspected she [Rome] is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike.” The Great Controversy, p. 581.
Obviously, this is not a coincidence. This was a Roman Catholic decision to uphold this union or partnership between church and state. The Supreme Court has voted that the citizens of this nation do not have a legal right to question the Executive Branch’s actions with regard to its relationship to the religious powers of this nation. In other words, we cannot challenge the union of church and state anymore. Is this opening the way for Sunday laws? Could the President establish a Sunday law through executive order? And where do Roman Catholic public officials get their views on law?
“No believer will wish to deny that the teaching authority of the Church is competent to interpret even the natural moral law. It is, in fact, indisputable, as our predecessors have many times declared [1], that Jesus Christ, when communicating to Peter and to the Apostles His divine authority and sending them to teach all nations His commandments [2], constituted them as guardians and authentic interpreters of all the moral law, not only, that is, of the law of the Gospel, but also of the natural law, which is also an expression of the will of God, the faithful fulfillment of which is equally necessary for salvation.” Humanae Vitae, Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI, July 25, 1968. Those of us, as students of the Bible who appreciate the liberties guaranteed to us by the Bill of Rights, may want to consider the serious consequences of this unlawful, illegitimate, and bullying claim that the Catholic Church places upon the Justices who make their decisions on the Supreme Court of the United States. Praise God we are the final generation. It is our mission and duty to warn people everywhere and to help our God cut His work short in righteousness.
—The Editors
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attends an interfaith meeting with Muslim, Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox religious leaders at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, Monday Oct. 15, 2007. “And he [USA] exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast [Rome].” Revelation 13:12. Prophecy declares that the United States would be a broker of religious peace in the last days and that our Protestant government would be involved in ushering into the earth a religious unity. Protestant America, through its State Department, is working for closer and closer cooperation between religious groups. Religious ecumenism seems to be a top priority for our nation in its efforts to stem the rise of terrorism and war. With so many hostilities and confrontations in the world—crime, immorality, conflicts, disasters,—the religious powers of the earth will unite, such as Christians, Jews, and Muslims, in order to strengthen their influence and to bring changes in morality, peace, and harmony to society, so they say. This nation has certainly become foremost on the international stage in doing the bidding of the religious powers by uniting all the churches into one. What the world fails to see is that in their efforts to bring peace, harmony, and longevity— persecution will definitely result. “Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman Hierarchy [an ecumenical conglomerate of church and state], and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” The Great Controversy, p. 445. —The Editors
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shakes hands with a Roman Catholic Bishop during an interfaith meeting in Jerusalem, October 15, 2007.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shakes hands with top Jewish leaders during an interfaith meeting in Jerusalem, October 15, 2007.
Secretary Rice with top Muslim clerics.
Secretary Rice with Orthodox Patriarch.
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Mainstream Protestants, Adventists Make Efforts to Remove 'Stereotypes' By Lillian Kwon Christian Post Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007 Mainline Protestants and Evangelicals have engaged in ongoing talks with a Christian group that many mainstream believers consider a cult. One major denomination, however, says that's a mistaken “stereotype.” Recently coming out of conversations with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Dr. Sheldon Sorge of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) noted, "We have mutual misunderstandings. “I think one of the misunderstandings and stereotypes is [that] this group (Adventists) is a 'cult' because of their unique practice of Sabbath,” said Sorge, who is associate director of The Louisville Institute. The PC(USA), the nation's largest Presbyterian denomination, had initiated talks last November with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, seeking better understanding of a group that has a membership of more than 14 million worldwide. Last month, representatives of the PC(USA) and the Adventist Church met in Louisville, Ky., for a second round of talks to remove stereotypes and explore areas of possible cooperation. Sorge indicated that the meeting helped clear up some misunderstandings that many Protestants had about the group. “We certainly did view them as more of a separatist group than what we have discovered,” he said. “We found them to be ecumenically engaged, consistent with major Christianity on major points of faith. Writings of E.G. White (one of the Adventist Church's founders) are not Scripture for them.” Protestants argue that White's writings contradicts the sola scriptura (biblical authority) of Protestantism. The Adventist Church, however, views her writings as helpful pastoral writings and not as the final authority, according to Sorge. “And it was also our misunderstanding that they want to be a separatist group and not be involved with the wider church,” added Sorge, who said he and fellow Presbyterians discovered that the Adventist Church has been deeply involved in conversations with other Christian bodies. Such bodies include Lutherans, The Salvation Army, and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), according to Hal Thomsen, assistant to the president for the North American Division of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. “This is not the first we have engaged in overtures of many different groups,” said Thomsen. The Adventists met with representatives of the WEA last month for a theological discussion, the first of which was held in 2006, that would help determine whether the Adventist Church could become a member of the global evangelical body. “As I understand it, the move on the Adventist side was prompted by their feeling that they wanted to be considered as more a part of mainstream evangelicalism than they had in the past and so they wanted to have a top level theological discussion to clarify the current situation,” said the Rev. Dr. David Parker, executive director of the WEA Theological Commission. The WEA leadership is currently deciding whether the outcome of the theological talks would “give sufficient warrant” for further steps and if interested Adventists groups around the world should be allowed to join the WEA as members based on theological compatibility. Generally, Protestants do not view the Adventist Church as part of the mainstream church, but rather a “separate sect,” said PC(USA)'s Sorge, opting to strike the label “cult. Apologist and evangelical minister Dr. Walter Ralston Martin had initially listed Seventh-Day Adventism as a dangerous cult along with Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Science in his book The Rise of the Cults, published in 1955. He later removed the Adventists from the list – a stance that divided Evangelical opinions Viewing the Adventist Church as a Restorationist group, Sorge and fellow Presbyterians expect the attitude of Adventists toward old historic groups such as the PC(USA) to be one of "guardedness because they started out as a movement that essentially denied the adequacy of existing churches" trying to restore that which has been lost. “I think the average Presbyterian thinks they're some small sect,” noted Sorge. “I discovered they're probably not too far behind us in worldwide population. They're much larger than we realize [yet] they're not on our radar for whatever reason.” While areas of cooperation have not been specified yet, dialogue between the Presbyterians and Adventists are expected to continue.
Evangelicals, Adventists Consider Future Ties Despite Differences By Michelle Vu Christian Post Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007 Representatives of the World Evangelical Alliance and Seventh-day Adventist Church recently met for a second round of theological discussion that will serve as a key factor in determining whether the Adventist Church will become a member of the WEA. Theologians from both parties met Aug. 5-10 at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., to discuss theological differences, common goals and whether there are enough commonalities for the Adventists to join the WEA family. “The progress seems to have been that although there are these differences, which no one wants to gloss over, that does not mean there cannot be cooperation and fellowship in other areas, especially in moral matters,” explained the Rev. Dr. David Parker, executive director of the WEA Theological Commission, to The Christian Post Tuesday. “This is similar to other situations where denominations and religious groups may have differences of belief but do hold common values in some areas allowing them some measure of cooperation and joint-action,” said Parker. A well-known difference between Adventists and other Protestants is in regards to the Sabbath. Adventists hold their Sabbath on Saturday rather than on Sunday. Moreover, they believe death is a time of “sleep” until the second coming of Jesus Christ, rather than the soul going to heaven or hell. One of the greatest and most divisive differences, which is the foundation of Adventism, is the pre-Advent judgment. Adventists believe Jesus will give the final judgment before his second coming, whereas Protestants believe the last judgment will occur at or after the second coming. "We were able to share with the evangelical world the Adventist self-understanding in an effort to eliminate prejudice and clarify questions about our message," said Adventist meeting organizer John Graz, secretary of the Council on Inter-church and Inter-faith Relations of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (CIRA), in a statement. "Instead of knowing about us through questionable means, this allowed us face-to-face interaction to share where our church stands," he said. The idea for a WEA-Adventist dialogue came several years ago when the Adventist Church approached the WEA Theological Commission. They wanted to be considered more as part of the mainstream evangelicalism than they had in the past, leading them to seek a top level theological discussion with WEA to clarify differences. The first WEA-Adventist dialogue was held in Prague, Czech Republic, in August 2006. “From the WEA side, there had been approaches in some parts of the world for Adventists to join the WEA family as members of national evangelical alliances or the like,” said the WEA’s Parker. “And so the WEA was interested to know what the theological situation was at the present time and whether there was enough compatibility for Adventists to be able to sign the WEA Statement of Faith.” Both parties are now contemplating what appropriate steps should be taken, if any. The WEA leadership is currently deciding whether the outcome of the theological talks would “give sufficient warrant” for further steps and if interested Adventist groups around the world should be allowed to join the WEA as members based on theological compatibility. The Adventists are also deciding what the next step should be. Last week’s discussions were led by Dr. Rolf Hille, chairman of the Theological Commission of the WEA, and William G. Johnsson, assistant to the president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for Interfaith Relations.
the eternal gospel herald — volume 5, no. 3 page 7
50 Years of Ecumenical Ties Come full Circle: 1957-2007 - Part 1 By Neil C. Livingston Fifty years have passed since the Review and Herald published the book Questions on Doctrine in 1957. The book was published one year after the infamous Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56 between Seventh-day Adventist leadership, Walter R. Martin and Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, editor of Eternity magazine. Now, in August, 2007, ecumenical ties between Seventh-day Adventists and the fallen churches have come full circle! - a silver anniversary! The World Evangelical Alliance 2007 Meetings At Andrews University An Evangelical monthly publication, The Christian Post, claims to be the “the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of Christian-related news in America” [http://www.christianpost.com/aboutus]. Christian Post Reporter, Michelle Vu, reported on the World Evangelical Alliance - Seventh-day Adventist meetings in an article titled, “Adventists Consider Future Ties Despite Differences,” Christian Post, August 18, 2007. In this article are several most important points that must be carefully noted.
“Representatives of the World Evangelical Alliance [WEA] and the Seventh-day Adventist Church recently met for a second round of theological discussions,” the report opened, “that will serve as a key factor in determining whether the Adventist Church will become a member of the WEA.” (Michelle Vu, Christian Post, Saturday, August 18, 2007, emphasis supplied). Christian fellowship! Member of the World Evangelical Alliance? What was the Adventist pioneer position on fellowship with Christians of other faiths? Adventist Pioneers on Ecumenism
Carlyle B. Haynes (1882-1958), Evangelist; Administrator, Conference President, Division President; Author, one of the better-known authors on Bible doctrine who authored over 45 books. “We have heard much in recent years of the ‘ecumenical movement.’ This is it. Very little notice is given in these plans and arrangements to the divine commission of the church, which is to preach the gospel to all the world. The aim is to influence world politics, not to provide a channel for world salvation. The design is to mold and shape this world, not to prepare men for a world to come. It is not in their purpose to approach the problems of church unity in the light of the unifying teachings of the word of God. They are not aiming at doctrinal unity. They do not have in mind anything more than ‘getting together, working together, and presenting a united front.’ Their purpose is a mere external unity, a unity only of expediency, not of principle; and this in order to build something that will be a match to the Vatican in international strategy.” Carlyle B. Haynes, One Church for One World, Sign of the Times, August 3, 1948. Francis D. Nichol (1897–1966), 21 years as Editor of the Review and Herald, associate editor for the Signs of the Times, and Chairman of the Ellen G. White Board of Trustees “We are well acquainted by now with a new, strange word ecumenical. The publicity given the World Council of Churches has added this word to our vocabulary...The logic of it really demands unity of all Christendom. And inasmuch as Protestants today do not generally conceive of Roman Catholicism in the way that their fathers did, there is no real reason why the ecumenical movement should not seek to make contact with Rome...It is at a time like this that we may thank God for a knowledge of Bible prophecy, for it is prophecy that turns the light on Rome, revealing its true origin, its true character, and its ultimate destiny. The student of Bible prophecy cannot consider making any compromise with Rome.” F. D. Nichol, Rome and World Church Union, Review and Herald, July 21, 1955.
James White, Editor of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, published the following article on December 9, 1851.
W. A. Spicer (1865-1952), Missionary, Editor, President of the General Conference from 1922-1930.
“It has been preached for a few years past, by believers in the near coming of Christ, and has been rejected by the church. They have stumbled at this, to them, rock of offense, and fallen...there can be no reasonable doubt but that the present is the time for the cry, ‘Come out of her, my people,’ to be made...If God has led his people out, well what have been those means? ‘Come out of her, my people.’ And the intelligent and pious have obeyed it. It was a case of life and death, certain death, if they remained in the old organizations. Nothing but the truth can produce such glorious fruits as are here described. The truth enlightens, sanctifies and makes us free, in this as in every other case when it is obeyed. And if it is binding upon one it is upon all of God’s people to obey it. ‘Come out of her, my people’ is now being made. And considerations of the highest magnitude arise on every hand why this divine command should be obeyed.” James White, Come out of Babylon, Review and Herald, December 9, 1851.
“Beginning with Friday, and continuing over Sabbath and today Sunday, we have turned aside from the congress [1910 Edinburgh Missionary Congress, an ecumenical conference representing various Protestant Churches] to meet with our Scottish brethren in the little annual conference. The fellowship and blessedness of the meetings with this little [Seventh-day Adventist] flock seemed emphasized by the contrast with the great [ecumenical] gathering we had left. The Lord has been with us in the little [SDA] meetings. Thank God for the third angel’s message, and the blessed hope of the Lord’s soon coming! It is the only hope. Men talk and dream of a world-conversion; but we know the futility of such a thought...The coming of the Lord is the only hope of the world. The greatest betrayal of trust in the history of man would be for Seventh-day Adventists to settle down to mere philanthropic and humanitarian effort. We can never heal the hurt of this world; but we can obey our Lord’s command, and carry the witness of his last message to all the world, and then he will come to put an end of sin.” W.A. Spicer, Editor, Notes from the Edinburgh Missionary Conference, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 21, 1910.
Josiah Litch, a Millerite Leader “The Adventists in Vermont are an honor to any cause for untiring zeal and fervent piety. You will look in vain to find their superiors in any of the churches. The different denominations say, You have enticed them away from us—you are breaking up our churches.” Josiah Litch quoted in, Come out of Babylon, Review and Herald, December 9, 1851. Joshua Himes, William Miller’s right hand man “We found that the friends and supporters of the Advent cause had, as a general thing, left their respective churches and declared themselves free and independent of all associations that stood opposed to the Advent at hand, where they professed friendship or hostility. They have regretted the necessity of this step. It has been said, that this movement was got up and carried forward by indiscreet men, disorganizers, come-outers. That there may be some such persons among us we will not deny; but that the great body of the Advent believers who have left the churches as such, were not...The churches have taken such a course in relation to the ‘faith once delivered to the saints’ that they could not honestly live with them. God has led his people out.” Joshua Himes quoted in, Come out of Babylon, Review and Herald, December 9, 1851.
Roswell F. Cottrell (1814-1892), writer, minister. Member of the Review and Herald editorial committee and worked with James White. “Now as the time draws near, we witness various efforts for unity, as though it were still the prevailing idea that unity is better than division...we observe that there are at the present the special object of unity of the Christian Church. A Protestant Ecumenical Council has also been called, and although its session was postponed, yet its proposed scheme of union is before the people in the published program...They can all agree upon certain unscriptural dogmas; but wherein they disagree on the revealed doctrines of the Bible, they can compromise these as things non-essential, agree to disagree, and so form a sort of union which perhaps I cannot characterize better than by the expression, harmonious jargon or disjunctive conjunction. It amounts to about this: ‘I can fellowship whatever of Bible truth you hold, provided you will acknowledge my errors upon these subjects to be equally as good as the truth.’ By such mutual concessions and compromises, the ‘visible unity’ of the church is to be effected.” R. F. Cottrell, Unity of the Church, Review and Herald, March 22, 1881. James White was President of the Review and Herald during the time of this publication.
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Our recent camp meeting proved to be a great blessing to all. There was an excellent spirit manifested during the event. The weather was ideal and it didn’t rain until after the meetings were over. We enjoyed the smiles and warmth from our friends, guests, campers, and fellow believers during our October 2007 Camp Meeting. Praise God because we certainly felt an encounter with Him. Our hearts rejoiced as we heard the messages that challenged us to build and maintain a better and healthier Christian experience. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who made it, and especially to all of our guest speakers. Pastor Simpson, Pastor Ron Spear, and Pastor John Nicolici were a blessing to us all. —Pastor Raphael Perez
—continued on page 3 will have a special work to do in the world and even in the church. “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev. 16:13-14. Because apostate Christianity doesn’t have the power of God they will use the devil’s power of spiritualism to accomplish their objectives. “And he [Apostate Protestantism] doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast [enforce church dogma by law], which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” Rev. 13:13-14. On which side of this controversy are we finding ourselves? Are we allying ourselves with the Great Apostate? On one side is the dragon, the beast, the false prophets and the entire world who are making war against those who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:17) These have all lost their spiritual principles of truth and righteousness. “Christ died to make it possible for you to be allied with angels, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. If you are obedient to all his commandments, you will reign as kings and priests unto God. Will you choose the degrading captivity of disobedience and transgression? Will you link yourselves with those who make void God's law?” Special Testimony to Battle Creek Church, page 11. Spiritualism and the Omega of Apostasy for Adventists “The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time...The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit's working.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 36. Fifty-seven years ago I entered the ministry. In those days Pentecostalism with its excitement was part of the devil’s program: speaking in tongues, shouting, dancing in the church, and healings by the devil’s power. If we can equate Pentecostalism with spiritualism then the Celebration movement is the “witch of Endor” for today. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:23 After Saul had been rejected as king, the prophet of the Lord could no longer speak with him because Saul was dead. In his desperation Saul turned to spiritualism for help. King Saul rejected the word of God and rejected the prophet of God and went into spiritualism. Could it be that our leadership are following the example of king Saul by turning to Pentecostalism through the Celebration movement? Have we also rejected God and His prophet today? “The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the
Left to right: Pastor Dennis Simpson, Pastor Ron Spear, Pastor Raphael Perez, and Pastor John Nicolici were the featured speakers of our Fall 2007 Oklahoma Camp Meeting.
testimony of the Spirit of God…Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the true testimony. Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 48. King Saul fell on his own sword because the Spirit of God had left him. Could it be that the leaders who are bringing Pentecostalism into Adventism are also responsible for the Omega of Apostasy, the final rejection of Ellen White, and the driving away of the Spirit of God? Are they bringing us into spiritualism? Are they visiting the “witch of Endor?” The great tragedy is that our pastors are getting training at non-Seventhday Adventist institutions and are learning Pentecostal techniques. This has in turn introduced spiritualism among our people through celebration worship. Celebration music, dancing, emotionalism, and pleasing messages are all expressions of witchcraft. I would not dare make such a statement unless inspiration has already declared it: “Spiritualism declares that there is no death, no sin, no judgment, no retribution; that men are unfallen demigods; that desire is the highest law; and that man is accountable only to himself. The barriers that God has erected to guard truth, purity, and reverence, are broken down, and many are thus emboldened in sin. Does not such teaching suggest an origin similar to that of demon worship?” Evangelism, p. 608. Those who have lead our people into witchcraft, rebellion, Pentecostalism, and spiritualism are fulfilling the Omega of Apostasy. Those apostate leaders who engage in these practices and who are leading our people into such a rebellion towards God will suffer ten times more for their apostasy. “The people turned upon their ministers with bitter hate and reproached them, saying, ‘You have not warned us. You told us that all the world was to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was aroused. You have not told us of this hour; and those who warned us of it you declared to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us.’ But I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater than that of their people.” Early Writings, p. 282. The question then comes? Will God’s people go through? I am asked this question every place I preach. Yes they will go through—the faithful, loyal, and obedient, commandment keeping Seventh-day Adventists will carry God’s special messages to the world. But God cannot and will not use those who are involved daily being drawn deeper into Spiritualism, Pentecostalism, or Sunday worshiping.