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The
Seventh Day Jesuits or Counter-Adventism... |
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"God's word has given warning of the impending danger: let this be
unheeded, and the Protestant will learn what 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 the
churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty 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. All that she
desires is vantage ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon
see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall
believe and only by the word of God will thereby incur reproach and prosecution".
"Then he led them out of the city as far as
Bethany, where he raised his hands and blessed them: "Go, then, to all
peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."
"I will be with you always, to the end of the age" – there will
never be the best words of consolation to a human heart that loves the Lord.
For, despite any calamities, tribulations, and obstacles that may occur in
human life, His small flock will always keep deeply in heart these confident
and kind words of Jesus "I am with you".
On returning to Jerusalem, the apostles gathered frequently in the Temple
and in their homes to pray, praising their Lord. Nobody could stay indifferent
to the words empowered by the Holy Spirit about redemption through Messiah
Jesus crucified by the people. The words from the Acts "...and everyone
was filled with awe" vividly illustrate the time of Christianity birth.
"All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their
belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions,
and distribute money among all, according to what each one needed. Day after day
they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their
homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, praising God, and enjoying the good
will of all people. And every day the Lord added to the church those who were
being saved".
Nevertheless, the time to celebrate a victory has not yet come. At that time
some apostles could see that Satan had started realizing his plan against
Christ, and his enmity against Christ has been manifested against His
followers.
Paul, keen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, declared that the day of Christ
should not come, "except there come a falling away first, and that man of
sin be revealed, the son of perdition. For "the mystery of iniquity does
already work". ["Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For the
day will not come until the final Rebellion takes place and the Wicked One
appears, who is destined to hell. He will oppose every so-called god or object
of worship and will put himself above them all. He will even go in and sit down
in God's Temple and claim to be God. The mysterious Wickedness is already at
work" (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4,7)]
"So then, our brothers, stand firm and hold on to the truths which are
taught you, both in our preaching and in our letter". (2 Thessal. 2:15)
Yet only few of the Christians stood firm, declaring that they could make no
compromise. Others were in favor of yielding or modifying some features of
their faith and uniting with those who had accepted a part of Christianity.
Little by little, at first at stealth and silence and then more openly as it
increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, "the mystery
of iniquity found its way to the Christian church. Almost imperceptibly the
customs of paganism crept into the Christian church and she laid aside the
humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan
priests and rulers. Paganism spirit controlled the church: its doctrines,
ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of
the professed followers of Christ. This compromise between paganism and
Christianity resulted in the development of "the man of sin" foretold
in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God and waging a war against
Him". The church was growing fast seeking the favor and support of the
great men of earth; and the faith was transferred from Christ, the true
foundation, to the pope of Rome.
The gospel was lost sight of, but the forms of religion were multiplied and
thus the minds of the people were turned away from Christ to "erring,
fallible, and cruel man - to a prince of darkness himself who exercised his
power through them. Those were the days of peril for the church of Christ; a
deviation from the pope's requirements were sufficient cause for the severest
punishment for the bodies and souls of the offenders". Yet "the
light, hidden for a time, continued to burn".
Amid the gloom that settled upon the earth during the long period of papal
supremacy, the light of truth could not be completely extinguished. In every
age there were witnesses for God – men who cherished faith in Christ as the
only mediator between God and man, who held the Bible as the only rule of life,
and who hallowed the true Sabbath.
"In lands beyond the jurisdiction of Rome there existed for many
centuries Christians who remained almost wholly free from papal corruption.
They were surrounded by heathenism (paganism) and in the lapse of ages were
affected by its errors; but they continued to regard the Bible as the only rule
of faith and adhered to many of its truths. These Christians believed in the
perpetuity of the law of God and observed the Sabbath of the fourth
Commandment. Churches that held to that faith and practice existed in Central
Africa and among the Armenians of Asia.
But of those who resisted the encroachments of the papal power, the
Waldenses stood foremost. In the very land where popery had fixed its seat,
there its falsehood and corruption were most steadfastly resisted. For
centuries the churches of Piedmont maintained their independence; but the time
came at last when Rome insisted upon their submission."
The Waldenses, these witnesses for truth, were determined to maintain their
allegiance to God and to preserve the purity and simplicity of their faith;
they kept its light burning unadulterated amid the darkness of the Middle Ages.
For a thousand years these witnesses for the truth maintained the ancient
faith. Barefoot and in garments coarse and travel-stained as were those of
their Master, they passed through great cities and penetrated to distant lands
to shed the beams of the Saviour's divine light upon those who were in the
darkness of false doctrines put forth from Rome.
The Waldensian missionaries were invading the kingdom of Satan and the
powers of darkness aroused in greater vigilance. Satan's enmity against Christ
has been manifested against His followers. The most horrible tragedies were
enacted: Satan began crusades against God's people. For the "crime"
of not worshipping God according to the will of proud pontiff who claimed to be
a representative of Christ (Lord God the Pope), every humiliation, insult and
torture that men or devil could invent was heaped upon "heresy" and
"error".
"The people who walk in darkness have seen a
great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on
them" (Is.9:2)
"When He spoke, the world was created; at His
command everything appeared". (Psalms 33:9)
Like in all the ages of darkness the word of God in a most wonderful manner
was preserved uncorrupted, for the Spirit of Christ is a missionary spirit. The
Holy scriptures were revealed only to the earnest, humble, prayerful seekers
and the very fist impulse of the renewed heart was to bring those who were in
the darkness to the Savior.
Thus the Waldenses, Wycliff, Huss and Jerome, Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and
Miller being the champions of truth, called to lead the church from the
darkness of popery into the light of a purer faith. For God permitted great
light to shine upon the minds of these chosen men, revealing to them many of
the errors of Rome.
Scattered over many lands, they planted the seeds of the Reformation that
began in the time of Wycliffe, grew broad and deep in the days of Luther, and
is to be carried forward to the close of time by those who also are willing to
suffer all things for the "word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ".
(Revelation 1:9)
The seeds of truth scattered by Reformation stirred the Romanists to still
more determined efforts for its overthrow. In vain Satan resorted to
imprisonment, torture, fire and sword. Thousands of believers sealed their
faith with blood and persecution served only to extend the truth planted in the
hearts of the papacy advocates.
In vain were Satan's efforts to destroy the church of Christ by violence.
Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully by planting his banner
in the Christian church and exclaimed like the pharises used to do, "Are
you alone wise? Can't you comprehend that you are not successful? The whole
world pays Him homage".
Having failed to extinguish Christianity by force, fire and sword, Satan who
used to creep into the church as a paganist, became a Christian himself; so
every effort to advance the truth was watched by the prince of evil. In this
way Satan's war against Christianity appeared to be the most effective:
paganism had given place to the papacy.
Counter-Reformation
As in the days of the Dark Age, Satan in his war invented every possible
device applicable to a proper situation. Seeing the failure of his efforts to
crush out the truth by persecution, Satan again had resorted to diplomacy. The
papal leaders, despairing of conquering by force, at last invented a plan of
compromise, and Counter-Reformation, a Roman Catholic reactionary movement
aimed against Protestant Reformation, was headed by the papacy.
"The Roman Catholic Church appeared to be completely unprepared to such
a challenge. Nevertheless, the Council of Trent that was held in the middle of
the century (1545-1563) with the purpose of reaffirming the Roman Catholic
doctrines launched the plan of catholic reformation. In the decrees of the
Council an anathema was proclaimed on the main tenets of Protestantism and the
so-called Catechism of the Council of Trent was drawn up constituting an oath
of allegiance to the Church. The Order of the
Jesuits, established in 1534 by St. Ignatius Loyola in Paris and approved by
Paul III in 1540, became the mightiest weapon of the Counter-Reformation".
Counter-Reformation is a Roman
Catholic reactionary movement of XVI-XVII c. headed by the Papacy and aimed
against Reformation with the purpose of reestablishing indisputable supremacy
of the Pope and returning to the lap of the Roman Catholic church the falling
away territories and people. The Counter-Reformation has appeared to be
not only a vicious reactionary movement with its main weapons like the
Inquisition, monastic orders and the Roman Curia, but a political order which
had to adjust to all social and political changes (trends) that caused
Reformation.
Counter-Reformation induced Catholicism reforming, enhanced the
effectiveness and efficiency of propaganda, promoted theology systemizing,
established a wide network of church schools that trained the clergy
missionaries for the countries where Reformation achieved a success. Such an
approach has strengthened Catholic power enormously.
The Order of Jesuits rapidly spread themselves over Europe. Using religion
as a political instrument they intervened in the political life of a number of
countries of Europe, as well as India, Japan, China and the Philippines. At the
beginning of the XVIII century the Jesuits appeared in Russia.
Such were the means which Rome had invoked to quench the light of the
Reformation. The Church, being attacked by the
Reformation, in order to combat the true adherents of Gospel entrusted the
Order of Jesuits with the task of creating a mighty theology apologetic system;
and within a short time "The Society of
Jesus" became the most cruel, unscrupulous, and powerful of all the champions of
popery. They played a leading role in the
ideological edifice of the Roman Church.
Under various disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of state,
shaping the policy of nations. As the "Order of Scholars" they headed
theological seminaries that were established after the Trent Council
(1545-1563) and set up a wide network of schools and colleges. Eventually the
Order became a true monopolist in the sphere of education of the catholic
countries.
In those educational institutions the children of
Protestant parents were drawn into an observance of popish rites. Gradually,
under the influence the Romanism environment those children, whose parents paid
high price for the Reformation light, became the advocates of Rome.
The Jesuits had three main goals:
1) to reform the church itself (by means of education in particular);
2) to fight against heresy (against Protestantism in
particular);
3) to preach Gospel to the pagan world.
Apart from the three monastic vows – poverty,
chastity and obedience, Jesuits are called upon to take the fourth – that of
strict discipline and unquestioning submission to the General of the Order,
"The Black Pope" to set off anywhere for the sake of saving souls.
The Jesuits Society's Charter approved in 1558 was based on the fundamental
principle of the Order that the end justifies the means and by this code lying,
theft, perjury, assassination - the death sins -
were not only pardonable but commendable, when they served the interests
of the church.
To invent new weapons for effective war and make
a close union with the catholic state rulers, by opposing in this way a
true Catholic Reformation to the ‘heretical" Protestant Reformation was a
focal point of Jesuitism. All this eventually happened in the middle of the XVI
century when Rome summoned new forces to accomplish Protestantism destruction;
and the Order of Jesuits, the major champions of popery was created (1540). To
give them greater power the pope in Rome issued a bull reestablishing the Holy
Congregation of Inquisition (1542). Simultaneously, to ensure the so-called
Catholic reformation they enforced a strict censorship and a ban on the reading
and dissemination of any books the church might regard as heretical and
summoned Trent Council (1545). When reforming commenced, Catholicism presented
a kind of a rigid formal creed; after the enforcement of the above measures,
Catholic Church was brought to life. Now she was not the church of XIV-XV
centuries but an active, flexible system adjusting to a definite situation,
courting the kings and nations, decoying everyone either by despotism and
tyranny or by condescending patience and liberty. It had turned into a
perfectly structured organization, authoritative and reputable in a community,
which was reshaped by it; and, being a master of imposing
mass fanaticism, that church manipulated people in its war against
Protestantism. Education and diplomacy were mighty weapons to which the church
applied in order to reshape a personality according to the papacy standard
(pattern, model), and to make this personality serve someone's purposes without
a slightest idea of his/her complete dependence upon the church. Such were two
real instruments particularly efficient in the activities of the Jesuits,
the top clergy of the revived Catholicism. The anathemas of the pope
that had thundered from the pulpit and excommunication curses inherent to the
former Catholic Church, under the new circumstances were insufficient to hold
masses in blind submission to the Rome dogmas. The community should have been brought
up in a way that people's mind and imagination be confused, dazzled and
captivated, and thus completely submitted to the Romanists; the Rome's
sentences of excommunication should have struck terror to powerful monarchs and
the community as a whole. Rome with its farsighted policy perceived that in
order to enslave men effectively, to raise their devotion and interest in
catholic creed, they needed to manipulate with human weaknesses and indulge
people in gaining certain benefit when necessary. It was the Order of Jesuits
that had been entrusted to provide a new Catholic policy; and this Order is known to play this apparently
reactionary role nowadays.
A new spirit, inherent to the Reactionary Catholicism that was revived by
the Trent Council, has been completely realized in Jesuitizm, which is a
synonym of reaction that has never ignored repression. The renowned Order was
the most powerful of all the champions of popery world organization aiming at
improving and strengthening the Catholic Church internally, submitting the
secular power to the ecclesiastical one, and society as a whole – to the
clergy. Furthermore, their main goal was to unite
all Catholic nations and states against Protestantism, undermine it, bring back
to the lap of the Roman Church as many of the falling away adherents as
possible, and convert the new ones who had never belonged to the Catholic
world.
When appearing as the members of their Order Jesuits, though they wore a
garb of sanctity, looked rather like secular scholars but the monks, for they
did not have to wear a distinctive monastic habit. They had left the heroism of
ascetic life and piety to other religious fellowships. Neither worship
ceremonies and praying nor mortifying the flesh, enduring privations and
repentance were the distinctive features of this Order. Jesuits were obliged to be in the center of the political and social
life; using religion as a political instrument, they worked their way into the offices of state, defined and shaped the policy
of nations in accordance with the interests of the Catholic church
outlined in the Order's Charter.
Jesuits could work under various circumstances and have
proved to be dexterous politicians grounding their activities on the principle that the end
justifies the means for the sake of God's Glory. The intellectuals were
fascinated by their erudition. The mob was hypnotized with all the outward pomp
and display of the Romish worship that were brought to bear to confuse the mind
and dazzle and captivate the imagination when Jesuits applied to the most
archaic forms of worshiping idols, icons, and church relics. The exalted minds
were overwhelmed with Jesuits' passionate sermons and mystical delirium of
meditation which were advised in the Instructions elaborated by Loyola in his "Spiritual
Practices" (1548). The elders of the religious and political groups were
attracted with reasonable argumentation and advice. Jesuits
were the counselors and mentors (preceptors) of the kings and the nobility;
their fanaticism enabled them to endure cold, hunger, toil, and poverty when
natural calamities, epidemics, and staggering social events occurred.
"Jesuits did not have to wear a distinctive monastic habit like other
monastic brotherhoods – a Jesuit was allowed to wear secular clothes when it conformed
to the interests of the church; he even could often
conceal his membership of the Order
and thus carried out the tasks more effectively".
From the very first days of the Order's existence Jesuits set the goals
aimed at strengthening the papacy power through
working their way into the wealthy ruling circles
in different countries. They used religion as an instrument to ally with
influential politicians, state rulers, and financial aristocracy; in this way
they really affected the political and social life conforming it to the
Romanist requirements to maintain and enforce the Rome frantic despotism in the
countries that once acknowledged Romanist domination.
"The Order of Jesuits unites its numerous adherents – "the secular
Jesuits". They represent various society strata
and act secretly as emissaries; therefore, as a rule, they are unaware
of each other".
Shortly after the Order had been established, the Jesuits turned into the
mightiest ecclesiastical and political corporation of the Christendom, or in
other words "the nerve of the Catholic
Church". The peak of the Jesuits power is identified with the period of
the Counter-Reformation growth and its success in rooting freethinking out. It
was spreading actively in the countries inflicted with the Protestant heresy
and, as a result, in the neighboring countries where the Reformation
gained a lot of partisans – The South Netherlands,
the South Germany Rhine Lands, Austria, Bohemia, Hungary and Poland.
The God's prophetess Ellen White in her book "The Great
Controversy" describes the Counter-Reformation in the following way:
"At this time great perils surrounded the
Protestant cause. Throughout Christendom, Protestantism was menaced by
formidable foes. The first triumphs of the Reformation past, Rome summoned new
forces, hoping to accomplish its destruction. At this time the order of Jesuits
was created, the most cruel, unscrupulous and powerful of all champions of
popery. Cut off from earthly ties and human interests, dead to the claims of
natural affection, reason and conscience wholly silenced, they knew no rule, no
tie, but that of their order, and no duty but to extend its power. The gospel
of Christ had enabled its advocates to meet danger and endure suffering,
undismayed by cold, hunger, toil, and poverty, to uphold the banner of truth in
face of the rack, the dungeon, and the stake. To combat these forces, Jesuitism
inspired its followers with a fanaticism that enabled them to endure like
dangers, and to oppose to the power of truth all the weapons of deception.
There was no crime too great for them to commit, no deception too base for them
to practice, no disguise too difficult for them to assume. Vowed to perpetual
poverty and humility, it was their studied aim to secure wealth and power, to
be devoted to the overthrow of Protestantism, and the reestablishment of the
papal supremacy.
When appearing as the members of their order, they
wore a garb of sanctity, visiting prisons and hospitals, ministering to the
sick and the poor, professing to have renounced the world, and bearing the
sacred name of Jesus, who went about doing good. But under this blameless
exterior the most criminal and deadly purposes were often concealed. It was a
fundamental principle of the order that the end justifies the means. By this
code, lying, theft, perjury, assassination, were not only pardonable but
recommendable, when they served the interests of the church. Under various
disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of state, climbing up to be
the counselors of kings (!), and shaping the policy of nations. They became
servants to act as spies upon their masters. They established colleges for the
sons of princes and nobles, and the schools for the common people; and the
children of Protestant parents were drawn into an observance of popish rites.
All the outward pomp and display of the Romish worship were brought to bear to
confuse the mind and dazzle and captivate the imagination, and thus the liberty
for which the fathers had toiled and bled was betrayed by the sons. The Jesuits
rapidly spread themselves over Europe, and wherever they went, there followed a
revival of popery.
To give them greater power, a bull was issued
reestablishing the Inquisition. Notwithstanding the general abhorrence with
which it was regarded, even in Catholic countries, this terrible tribunal was
again set up by the popish rulers, and atrocities too terrible to bear the
light of day were repeated in its dungeons" (E. White. The Great
Controversy, "Daybreak in France").
Unfortunately, Reformation did not receive all the light from God's word.
Rather, its developing impeded when its fathers the founders, had passed away.
John Robinson, one of the pastors of that time said: "For my part, I
cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are come
to a period in religion, and will go at present no farther than the instruments
of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn
to go beyond what Luther saw;... and the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where
they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all things. This is a
misery much to be lamented."
Regretfully, but while Reformers rejected the creed of Rome, they were not
entirely free from her spirit. The enforcement of Sunday keeping, belief in
man's natural immortality and his consciousness in death, Eucharist sacrament
and other errs on the part of Protestant churches is an enforcement of the
worship of the papacy. They did not receive all the light of God's word and
gradually became the denominations of the Catholic Church.
"The reformers, while renouncing the doctrines of Romanism, had
retained many of its forms. Thus though the authority and the creed of Rome
were rejected, not a few of her customs and ceremonies were incorporated into
the worship of the Church. It was claimed that these things were not matters of
conscience; and hence were nonessential, yet not being forbidden, they were not
intrinsically evil. Their observance tended to narrow the gulf which separated
the reformed churches from Rome, and it was urged that they would promote the
acceptance of the Protestant faith by Romanists.
To the conservatives and compromising, these arguments seemed conclusive. Bu
there were other people that did not so judge. The
fact that these customs "tended to bridge over the chasm between Rome and
the Reformation" was in their view a conclusive argument against retaining
them. They looked upon them as badges of the
slavery from which they had been delivered and to which they had no disposition
to return.
Nearly 500 years later...
Time has passed, and today humankind lives in the third millenium. Still,
the same question arises: Who has gained the victory?
Is it the Reformation that has won the war or the Jesuitists
Counter-Reformation policy persistently exercised for centuries though
unnoticed by many people, has eventually realized its goals?
The presidents of the world leading countries without any exception are
striving to meet with the Pope, the Head of Vatican; all the problems without
any exception are in the focus of Vatican, and even the least ones are
commented by the Pope. And the politicians give much attention to these
comments. So far, only few countries have not been yet honored with a Pontiff's
visit. And such visits have always been an event of a true nationwide scale.
People do not discuss the Reformation. They do not remember Luther.
"As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the world,
false charity has blinded their eyes. They do not see but it is right to
believe good of all evil, and as inevitable result that they will finally
believe evil of all good. Instead of standing in defense of the faith once
delivered to the saints, they are now, as it were,
apologizing to Rome for their uncharitable opinion of her, begging pardon for
their bigotry".
The above material allows to outline major goals of papacy that have been
realized through Jesuitism (and other devices) and aimed at waging the war
against Protestantism and thus strengthening the Catholic church power:
1) to struggle with Reformation;
2) to invent new devices of suppression;
3) to exterminate Protestantism;
4) to reestablish spiritual supremacy (monopoly) of Catholicism;
5) to make an alliance with secular power;
6) to unite all catholic countries under the banner of the Roman Church;
7) to bring all the falling away believers back to the Roman Church;
8) to work the way into offices of state;
9) to attain various ranks and honorary titles;
10) to intervene in the political life
of the states and submit it to the papacy goals.
OECUMENISM - the Counter-Reformation of Today
Thus, who has gained a victory in this war? Let us face the dry facts, which
are known to be stubborn things. The following are only some events to
consider.
News reported via famous religious sites and the press inform us on the
Ecumenical Protestant divine worships, joint liturgies of the Pope of Rome and
the Orthodox Church patriarchs, Ecumenical Charters presentations, solemn
inter-denominational processions in the cities, joint festivals, exhibitions,
and advisory councils arrangements. After the tragedy of September 11, the
Ecumenical dialogue has advanced ahead of 100 years. The next are some of the
headlines: "The US Christians Claim for
Oecumenism"; "Catholic, Orthodox and other Denominations Pray
for Peace in Palermo"; "Oecumenical Charter Presentation in
Tbilisi"; "The Pope of Rome for the Union of Roman and Armenian
Churches"; "Original Oecumenical Book of Songs"; Patriarch
Pheoktist of Romania and the Pontiff are Serving the Oecumenical Liturgy in
Vatican"; "Oecumenism does Live and Win"; "Oecumenical
Worship Marks "The Year of the Bible" in Germany";
"Forthcoming Inter-Ecclesiastical Praying in Churches and Mosques of
Pakistan"; "Neo-Pentecostals Have United", etc. The world
has a single oecumenical soul. Those who have no desire "to share our
aspiration towards a common Christian dialogue" based on belief in
"Christ as God and Savior" – is an enemy of the world peace,
religious extremist, and antichrist. A slogan "No to Religious
Extremism" effectively works for Vatican and meets its goals. (A brief
record of the latest activities of the Vatican Counter-Reformation is enclosed
from which one can clearly see that papacy goals and Jesuits objectives have
been realized).
Ellen White writes: "The forms of opposition to the truth may change,
the enmity may be less open because it is more subtle; but the same antagonism
still exists and will be manifested to the end of time" (E. White. The
Great Controversy, p.129)
"Seeing the failure of his efforts to crush out the truth by
prosecution, Satan had again resorted to the plan of compromise which led the
great apostasy and the formation of the Church of Rome" (p. 265)
"Romanism is now regarded by Protestants
with far greater favor than in former years. In those countries where
Catholicism is not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory
course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference
concerning the doctrines that separate the
reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the
opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon
vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part
will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. The time was when Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly
purchased" (E. White, p.493)
"The pacific tone of Rome in the United States does not imply a change
of heart. She is tolerant where she is helpless. Says Bishop O'Conner: 'Religion liberty is merely endured until the opposite can be carried into effect without peril
to the Catholic world'... (ibid., p.494).
"But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the Gospel of
Christ now than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches
are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman
Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend her influence and
increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to
regain control of the world, to re-establish persecution, and to undo
all that Protestantism has done. Catholicism is gaining ground upon every
side." (ibid., p. 495).
"The Roman Church now presents a fair front
to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible credits. She has
clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle
of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines
devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is
the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men
of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity"
(ibid., p. 499).
"The papacy is just what prophecy declared that she would be, 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 invariable appearance of the chameleon she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent"
(ibid., p. 500).
"Marvelous in her shrewdness and cunning is
the Roman Church. She can read what is to be. She bides her time, seeing that
the Protestant churches are paying her homage in their acceptance of the false
sabbath (and that they are preparing to enforce it by the very means
which she herself employed in the bygone days)" (ibid., p. 507).
"Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is
strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her
to strike" (p. 508-509).
"Have people forgotten the claim of
infallibility put forth for eight hundred years by this haughty power? So far
from being relinquished, this claim was affirmed in the XIX century with
greater positiveness than ever before. As Rome asserts that the
"church never erred; nor will it, according to the Scriptures, ever err?
(John L. Von Mosheim, Institutes of Ecclesiastical History, book 3, century 11,
part 2, chapter 2, section 9, note 17), how can she renounce the principles which
governed her course in the past ages?"
The principles of the Counter-Reformation elaborated hundreds years ago have
never ceased to undermine the God's True Word.
Jesuits, the Rome vanguard, will feel content only if the Protestants kneel
before papacy. So9 far they are preoccupied with the activities aimed at
enhancing the churches ecumenical collaboration, i.e. their total unity. And
the end is really clear. In order to bring all those fallen away back to the
Catholic Church the Jesuits prone to commit any crime, for "the end
justifies the means".
Is it really possible that the Lutheran, Orthodox, Pentecostals, Anglican,
and Adventist churches be reconciled and allied themselves after such a serious
break off in the past? This is a complex problem yet patience and progressive
onward of the Counter-Reformers are quite efficient.
In order to reconvert the Lutherans to the Rome Church a Catholic Jesuit is for
example, converted to Lutheran, Anglican or Baptist and, taking care for a
"dear Lutheran Church", he climbs up its hierarchy. Then, having
succeeded in attaining ranks and titles, he starts a
scrupulous work of his flock minds nourishment
teaching them to display tolerance. Another Jesuit may be entrusted with some
other task, in particular to become an ordinary Protestant and employ, just
like his brother Jesuit who has attained higher rank in this very church,
various activities aimed at ecumenical course.
And some time later one see such communions and churches participating in
oecumenical symposiums and joint praying for peace, and
their leaders – on the group photos of these meetings that are usually held
under the slogan "May All be United".
Such inter-confession contacts of the
counter-reformed churches are followed by other denominations. These communions
and their leaders are either deceived and deluded or they consciously plan and
provide the ecumenical activities within denomination.
(We should not forget the words by E. White:
‘Under various disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of state,
climbing up to be the counselors of kings, and shaping the policy of
nations...')
Probably, all churches with no exception could not avoid papacy intervening
in their affairs.
Counter-Adventism
The Seventh Day Adventist Church as a single heiress of the Reformation is
under a particularly "watched care" by Satan and papacy agents, for
the rest of the Protestant world has been submitted to the Rome. (...
"when the world and the Protestant churches accept a sabbath of the Roman
Church creating, while they reject the Bible Sabbath, they virtually admit
their assumption", E. White, p.395).
An apparent revival of the Ecumenical dialogue after the tragedy of
September 11, 2001 could not but involved the SDA Church as well. The following
facts vividly illustrate this statement:
1) The Protestant Churches Council has been created;
A
Conference of the Protestant Clergymen was held On February 20, 2002. Russia's
Evangelical Christians – Baptists, Pentecostals, the Union of Evangelical
Christians and the Church of the Seventh Day
Adventists were represented at this Conference.
2) A Prayer Luncheon with ...President;
On February 27 a Prayer Luncheon was served in the Petrovskiy Hall of the
Marriott Aurora Royal Hotel. It was arranged by the Protestant Clergymen
Advisory Council (ACPC). "This meeting is supposed to further mutual
efforts in uniting for the major goal - preaching Christ's True
Word"- among the Protestant denominations and in the Christendom of Russia
on the whole (in the Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic churches);
3) The Adventists pray for the hostages.
Today the Leaders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church gathered to say their
special prayers on the occasion of the tragic situation related to the hostages
capture at the Dubrovka Theatre Center in Moscow...
...The Church for its part will promote
inter-religious and inter-denomination dialogue, accord, and cooperation (Euro-Asian Division of the Seventh Day Adventist Church,
Moscow, October 24, 2002).
4) Music Festival in Odessa
Representatives of a number of Christian denominations have gathered on a
stadium not to dispute the Christian doctrines; instead, they were singing
about those things that unite people, about Jesus Christ and His love. The
Festival of Christian Music and Singing was held within three days...
The choristers of the Seventh Day Adventists
Choir "The White Stork" appeared to be the best and became the Grand
Prix winners.
5) Russia. Catholics and Protestants prayed for their unity in St. Ludwig
Temple.
Worship service dedicated to the Prayer Week for the Christians unity took
place in Moscow St. Ludwig Catholic Temple on January 23. Apart from the
Catholics, the members of the Protestant communities – Pavel Bel'kov (Union of
Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Russia) and Victor
Vitko (The Christian Church of the Seventh Day Adventists) participated in this
worship.
Praying started with the Act of Repentance for the sin of separation of the
Christ's followers.
6) "Odessa Oblast Catholics and Protestants Have Decided to
Collaborate".
In Odessa Prayer House of the German Evangelic-Lutheran Church
a meeting of the new Ecclesiastical Council of the Odessa Christian
Denominations was organized.
This meeting was represented by such top clergymen as Bishop of
Odessa-Baltsky Paisiy (Dmokhovsky, Ukraine's Orthodox Church – Kiev
Patriarchy), Bishop of Odessa and Symferopol'Bronislav Bernatsky (Rome Catholic
Church), Bishop of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine Edmund
Razz; pastors presented he Christian Evangelical–Baptist Church, the Seventh Day Adventists
Church, Presbyterian, Evangelical, United Methodist Churches; the
representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church also participated in this
event. In the opinion of the Catholic Bishop Bronislav Bernatsky
‘Ecclesiastical Council of the Christian denominations will
foster mutual respect, unanimity and reconciliation of the churches. The unity
will enhance our strength. In the third millenium we should seek for the factors that can help us unite rather
than separate. The meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council ended with the
common prayer.
Exhibition at Russian Show-Center (RSC)
"Inter-denominationnal show under the headline
"Faith, Hope, and Love – to the III-d Millenium" has finished its
work. In the closing ceremony participated V.Vinko,
Director of the ZRC Department of Public Relations and Freedom of Creed;
F. Tykur, President of the Central Union of the SDA Church, and Y. Kulakov,
Head of the CU Pastor Association. In his speech V. Vitko expressed his
gratitude to the exhibition participants and organizers. He said, ‘This
exhibition is a valuable contribution in enhancing tolerant consciousness of
our community. If various denominations could peacefully coexist in a confined
space of the Exhibition 5-th pavilion for two weeks, why not to live in peace
and agreement all the time? We should not be afraid of diversity. Antoine de
Cent Ekzuperi once told, ‘It does not harm me at all
if you are different. Rather, it does enrich me'. Therefore, this exhibition
has demonstrated that various denominations were able to enrich themselves with
new ideas and thus be really useful for the community. Let us live in this way
so as to share and give the best we have'.
This is just a short list of events among the Russian language news
informing on the SDA. Church activities. The rest of the world leaves CIS a
step behind.
Maybe, you have noticed, dear brothers, that
intellectual nourishment (instruction) of the church members to support a
progressing mutual denominational contacts and seek for common points of
contiguity is being provided by our Church publications focused on the tolerant
consciousness of the Advents. For example, the article "Religious Tolerance"
by Bogdan Glukhovetsky published in "The Advent Herald", № 5, 2002,
Ukraine. In this publication the author explains to the flock that an advent
‘whose personal creed position is really strong will never and ever be
endangered by a different religious stand'. So, according to the author, it
turns out that ‘drink of the wine of the wrath' which is loved by all nations
is not dangerous and ‘carries no threat' to society.
Undoubtedly, God manifests tolerance (Lat. "tolerancia"); He was
tolerant when did not exterminate Lucifer for being a different minded
angel, He even permitted those different ideas to be spread.
Someone believes that ‘If you are different, it
does no harm to others. Instead, it can enrich others'.
Still another one takes a definite decision "hence-in
future to promote inter-religion and inter-denomination dialogue, agreement,
and cooperation" (Euro-Asian Division of the Seventh Day Advent
Church, Moscow, October 24, 2002).
The Moscow "Advent Herald" № 3, 2002 began a propaganda of Islam and
its book where Jesus is called Allah.
Zaoksk Theological Academy arranges the readings in the SDA Social Concept;
it being known that Catholics and representatives of other denominations were
invited to participate in this event. "The Advent Herald" covers this
news in its publications. Who stands behind all these activities? Who initiates
the like processes in Adventism? The king of North attacks ‘but he will die
with no one there to help him' (Daniel 11:45).
"Stealthily and unexpectedly she (Rome) is
strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for
her to strike. All she desires is vanguard ground,
and this is already being given to her. We shall soon see and shall feel what
the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the word of
God will thereby incur reproach and prosecution" (E.White, p.508).
The advisory councils, festivals and exhibitions, dialogues and fellowships,
- all this is a so-called seal or vivid testimony of the fights and defeats
processes that have ceased or still in progress in the hearts of many people.
This is a result of successful attack of Satan on the Church. How many of these
people are able to withstand?
For Satan who from the days of Adam, to our time, has been exercising his
power to oppress and destroy even the minority of God's people, there is no
need to strike openly the advent doctrines that have survived hard perils, the
truths defined in hot debates 150 years ago when our Church was set up. Satan summons
all his forces and throws his whole power into the combat for the doctrines of
sanctuary, false sabbath, principles of sanctification. Still, this is not an
open controversy in which Satan will definitely lose. He has another scheme, a
more successful one, and now he is working through the church to further his
desires; and the advents, even those who stand firm in defense of the
Commandments of God are, nevertheless, may be captured into Satan's silken
cords and succeeded to the eternal fire. Yes, such Satan's scheme is more
successful, for the Jesuits are at work.
"Satan endeavors to allude the small minority of God's people, make
them objects of universal destruction, and plunge the inhabitants of the earth
into one final trouble. At this period of probation
before Christ comes the assaults of Satan will be fierce and determined,
his delusions more terrible in order to afflict the souls of God's people and
their faith. Yet this spirit of evil is not always revealed through open
controversy to God's truths; for Satan adapts his temptations to all people and
many will be deceived as to their true condition before God" (Testimony,
vol. 5).
What should the small minority, the Advents - ordinary members and
Church leaders do today? How should they react on the political and
ecclesiastically ecumenical alterations?
"Today as always we should stand firm in defense of the communion of
God and the faith of Jesus; for God's people is free from any secular policy,
any allies with those who lack wisdom to understand fully God's requirements
which are clearly defined in His Law" (Testimony, vol. 7).
"God will never tolerate the world issues to be involved in His Holy
Law, for friendship with the secular policy corrupts church's Faith. The clergy
posts of this solemn and sacramental work should not be entrusted to those who
departed from the Bible standard of humility, self-denial, simplicity and
godliness but display cold calculating pragmatism, securing the respect and
confidence of society and advancing their own worldly interests. Those who seek
to cover all their unrighteous translations under a profession of Christianity
should be better converted or be occupied with worldly work they are more
inclined to do" (Testimony, vol. 7).
" All who take the God's word to their heart as the law of life will
start a new life of reconciliation in faith and love. The prayerful study of
the Bible is the foundation of their faith, the source of wisdom and charter of
liberty. But if the people are not directed to the Scriptures as their
safeguard against the influence of false teachers, they will be under delusive
power of spirits of darkness. Such people turn away their ears from hearing the
truth and they will not have common point of view as to the faith and life;
they will not seek for consent and peace. There are thousands who dare receive
nothing, however plainly revealed in scripture, that is contrary to their creed
or established teaching of their church. They are in enmity and never
reconcile. As the Seventh Day Advents, we reject the worldly rites and
traditions and aspire to clear and plain ‘Thus says the Lord'. This is why we
refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men and can not agree and
reconcile with the majority that is after ‘false teachers and commandments of
men" (Testimony, vol. 5).
"So, the proud soul will never be content, but every righteous one will
be saved through its true faith" (Avvakum 2:4) (‘The Law of the Lord is
perfect, converting the soul' Psalm 19:7)
The End
Source: http://www.adventus.info/english/notes/jesuits.php