How Protestant and Catholic Churches Will Form Union

[John317]

By Herbert Douglass

“The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed--however important they might be from a Bible standpoint--must necessarily be waived. . .

“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.“ The Great Controversy, 444-445.

These paragraphs were written years ago. For a long time, I and others have had a difficult time figuring out how these words could ever become reality, especially in the United States. The possibilities seemed impossible! No longer!

This all became more graphic when I read a Catholic researcher who made the following observations in distinguishing two cultural models in USA Catholicism: 1. The teaching, immigrant model (traditional); and (2) the evangelical model (which he called ”the most dynamic and influential . . . [being] centered on the Scripture and the person of Jesus.”

The question is not so much “What does the church teach?” as “What would Jesus do?” The “evangelical model” offers an alternative to the historic conservative-liberal dichotomy to the extent that it emphasizes the empowerment of all through Scripture. In that perspective church attendance and personal beliefs can only be a matter of choice and maturity, for Catholics as well as for Protestants. Presto! The Protestant-Catholic differential is disappearing.

Of course, it all depends on what kind of “empowerment” we are talking about. How exactly are the Scriptures being used. In both Protestant and Catholic circles we have seen the rise of what has been called the “social gospel”--like feminism, liberation theology, and the fight for “social justice,” all in the interest of working on “common points of agreement.”

In the last 50 years, I have seen it slowly happening before my eyes! Who would have thought it? Both Protestants and Catholics are using the Scriptures selectively and cooperatively to bless their “common points of agreement.” No wonder we see the picture of a religious world at last finding its common mission of setting up the kingdom of God on earth. It seems so logical and doable!

Thus, no more Protestant-Catholic tension! All that is for the trash bin! (Some think!)

R&H, Aug. 5, 1902: "Those who place themselves under God's control, to be led and guided by Him, will CATCH THE STEADY TREND OF EVENTS ordained by Him to take place.”

[ClubV12]

There is another power taking shape that will oppose this Union, Islamic forces. Some event, I believe greater than the Twim Towers, will bring these two world powers to the final war on earth.

Radical Islam vs the combined Christian world powers (NATO and countries that will ally or follow them), in response to Islam aggression.

A common enemy makes for a powerful union.

[miz3]

By Herbert Douglass

“The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed--however important they might be from a Bible standpoint--must necessarily be waived. . .

“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.“ The Great Controversy, 444-445.

These paragraphs were written years ago. For a long time, I and others have had a difficult time figuring out how these words could ever become reality, especially in the United States. The possibilities seemed impossible! No longer!

This all became more graphic when I read a Catholic researcher who made the following observations in distinguishing two cultural models in USA Catholicism: 1. The teaching, immigrant model (traditional); and (2) the evangelical model (which he called ”the most dynamic and influential . . . [being] centered on the Scripture and the person of Jesus.”

The question is not so much “What does the church teach?” as “What would Jesus do?” The “evangelical model” offers an alternative to the historic conservative-liberal dichotomy to the extent that it emphasizes the empowerment of all through Scripture. In that perspective church attendance and personal beliefs can only be a matter of choice and maturity, for Catholics as well as for Protestants. Presto! The Protestant-Catholic differential is disappearing.

Of course, it all depends on what kind of “empowerment” we are talking about. How exactly are the Scriptures being used. In both Protestant and Catholic circles we have seen the rise of what has been called the “social gospel”--like feminism, liberation theology, and the fight for “social justice,” all in the interest of working on “common points of agreement.”

In the last 50 years, I have seen it slowly happening before my eyes! Who would have thought it? Both Protestants and Catholics are using the Scriptures selectively and cooperatively to bless their “common points of agreement.” No wonder we see the picture of a religious world at last finding its common mission of setting up the kingdom of God on earth. It seems so logical and doable!

Thus, no more Protestant-Catholic tension! All that is for the trash bin! (Some think!)

R&H, Aug. 5, 1902: "Those who place themselves under God's control, to be led and guided by Him, will CATCH THE STEADY TREND OF EVENTS ordained by Him to take place.”

Interesting.

However this is only surmise and not real fact. Many SDA for decades have believed that such "unions" have been just around the corner. I can remember as a very young boy being told by those in the church (who were sixty or more years old) that since they were young they have believed such "unions" were just around the corner. They too would cite things that Herbie Douglas just wrote in his article.

Nothing new here. Ecumenical thrusts have been going on since the "Counter Reformation". Again nothing new.

I will agree that the "social gospel" Douglas talks about is a real danger. Not because of Ecumenical concerns but because it is a gross distortion of the Bible and of Jesus Christ and His Ministry on earth.

[ClubV12]

Luke 12: 38

"If he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so [waiting], blessed are those servants."

Sister White tells us the Lord COULD have come in the mid 1800's and then again in the late 1800's, but He didn't. In other words prophecy COULD have been fulfilled in that time frame. In the late 1800's Congress was considering a National Sunday law, for instance. Now we are in the third, or even, fourth watch, nothing new here. The people are growing tired of waiting, they will "get right with the Lord" and follow all His counsel when it appears the time is a bit closer. Uh,,, no they won't. The time to follow the Lords counsel is NOW, as it always has been, for we know not when our personal probation will end. Great events, catastrophies don't shape character, they only reveal the character we have been developing for years. Around the house, at work, in our daily life. There will be no sudden change, some miracle to finally prepare us for the great and glorious day. To many of those in the third watch it will come as a thief in the night and find them woefully unprepared.

[phkrause]

Luke 12: 38

"If he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so [waiting], blessed are those servants."

Sister White tells us the Lord COULD have come in the mid 1800's and then again in the late 1800's, but He didn't. In other words prophecy COULD have been fulfilled in that time frame. In the late 1800's Congress was considering a National Sunday law, for instance. Now we are in the third, or even, fourth watch, nothing new here. The people are growing tired of waiting, they will "get right with the Lord" and follow all His counsel when it appears the time is a bit closer. Uh,,, no they won't. The time to follow the Lords counsel is NOW, as it always has been, for we know not when our personal probation will end. Great events, catastrophies don't shape character, they only reveal the character we have been developing for years. Around the house, at work, in our daily life. There will be no sudden change, some miracle to finally prepare us for the great and glorious day. To many of those in the third watch it will come as a thief in the night and find them woefully unprepared.

[John317]

... Many SDA for decades have believed that such "unions" have been just around the corner. I can remember as a very young boy being told by those in the church (who were sixty or more years old) that since they were young they have believed such "unions" were just around the corner. They too would cite things that Herbie Douglas just wrote in his article.

Your argument is based on the false idea that because people have believed something for a long time, it must be false. Just because the boy falsely calls "wolf" doesn't mean the wolf will never really appear. Those who believe otherwise are likely to end up eventually inside the wolf.

Remember what Peter prophecied:

2 Peter 3:3-4

knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. [4] They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."

[John317]

Many SDA for decades have believed that such "unions" have been just around the corner.

But they are not just around the corner now. They are actually happening today. Open your eyes.

You sound like the person who has been sleeping so long with the snake that he thinks the snake is no longer dangerous. So when the snake strikes, he's asleep and can't react because he doesn't see what's happening.

[BobRyan]

There is no question but that the churches work in unison for the same goals -- when they have them.

But the bigger issue is that Christianity in general is losing the battle having almost lost in the EU entirely and on the decline in the U.S such that NOW - society is becoming biased against Christianity, and in favor of evolutionism, gay agenda, abortion just as the EU did before the complete collapse of Christianity there.

However if one reads Rev 13 carefully - you find that the signs and wonders come BEFORE the image to the beast and the mark of the beast. The nay sayers often complain that the much predicted image and mark do not appear to be "around the corner" - they miss the fact that they cannot predict the "signs and wonders" events nor the rapid changes that such things bring on.

I heard that one candidate for President recently argued that he recently converted to Catholicism and since Catholics dominate the Senate and House and also the Supreme court - electing him would guarantee more cooperation of those various branches of government with his agendas - thus benefiting his political party!

WOW! have things ever changed!

in Christ,

Bob

[Tom Wetmore]

The line that keeps ringing in my head:

With perfect aim hitting the wrong target...

[miz3]

Originally Posted By: miz3

... Many SDA for decades have believed that such "unions" have been just around the corner. I can remember as a very young boy being told by those in the church (who were sixty or more years old) that since they were young they have believed such "unions" were just around the corner. They too would cite things that Herbie Douglas just wrote in his article.

Your argument is based on the false idea that because people have believed something for a long time, it must be false. Just because the boy falsely calls "wolf" doesn't mean the wolf will never really appear. Those who believe otherwise are likely to end up eventually inside the wolf.

Remember what Peter prophecied:

2 Peter 3:3-4

knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. [4] They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."

You missed my point completely. I was not saying the idea was false. You jumped to that conclusion.

I was saying that such things have been said for decades and nothing came of them. The same could be said for now. However, if such a union (or wolf) should strike now we should certainly be ready.

My point being that whether the "signs" bring a true result or not (that continues to cry wolf) we as those who depend on God to save us should at all times be ready to go to heaven.

Thus, it does not matter what the "signs" say because we like the "wise virgins" of Matthew chapter twenty-five are already ready.

This is why it is foolish for SDA to pointing to the "signs" because no matter what happens they should be ready.

SDA are tooooooo wound up in the "signs" rather than being ready whether the "signs" as they think they will occur or not actually come to pass.

Its all about being ready no matter what so whether the "wolf" actually comes or not you are prepared. I mean Spiritually prepared. I am not talking about stocking up on canned goods or fleeing to this place or the other place because it does not matter the wolf has a long reach the only safety is in Spiritual readiness.

[miz3]

I actually find SDA "hand ringing" concerning the "signs" to be rather hilarious.

They worry and worry about the "National Sunday Law". OK the Law comes what then? Are you going to stop it? Not if its the real deal.

The only way to deal with it is to be ready Spiritually whether it comes or not.

[ClubV12]

To point the signs is the work God has given Seventh-day Adventists. To stop pointing to them is to deny our calling.

Bob made an excellent point about the Sunday law. The death decree that will surely follow does not happen until about the 5th plague. Those waiting for a Sunday law to "get ready" will be to late. We preach the message, among other things a Sunday law, to get their attention NOW, before it is to late.

[Nich]

“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.“ The Great Controversy, 444-445.

The above quote informs us that the image beast will have been formed when protestant America will:

- have united upon points of doctrine that are held by them in common

- Influence the state to enforce laws to sustain their institutions

Once the above two will have been fulfilled, then the image of the beast will have been formed. The question is, what are the points of doctrine that protestant America are to unite on?

Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.” {GC 588.1}

Upon the fundamental error of natural immortality rests the doctrine of consciousness in death--a doctrine, like eternal torment, opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures, to the dictates of reason, and to our feelings of humanity. According to the popular belief, the redeemed in heaven are acquainted with all that takes place on the earth and especially with the lives of the friends whom they have left behind. But how could it be a source of happiness to the dead to know the troubles of the living, to witness the sins committed by their own loved ones, and to see them enduring all the sorrows, disappointments, and anguish of life? How much of heaven's bliss would be enjoyed by those who were hovering over their friends on earth? And how utterly revolting is the belief that as soon as the breath leaves the body the soul of the impenitent is consigned to the flames of hell! To what depths of anguish must those be plunged who see their friends passing to the grave unprepared, to enter upon an eternity of woe and sin! Many have been driven to insanity by this harrowing thought. {GC 545.2}

The only one who promised Adam life in disobedience was the great deceiver. And the declaration of the serpent to Eve in Eden--"Ye shall not surely die"--was the first sermon ever preached upon the immortality of the soul. Yet this declaration, resting solely upon the authority of Satan, is echoed from the pulpits of Christendom and is received by the majority of mankind as readily as it was received by our first parents. The divine sentence, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20), is made to mean: The soul that sinneth, it shall not die, but live eternally. We cannot but wonder at the strange infatuation which renders men so credulous concerning the words of Satan and so unbelieving in regard to the words of God. {GC 533.2}

The theory of the immortality of the soul was one of those false doctrines that Rome, borrowing from paganism, incorporated into the religion of Christendom. Martin Luther classed it with the "monstrous fables that form part of the Roman dunghill of decretals."--E. Petavel, The Problem of Immortality, page 255. Commenting on the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, that the dead know not anything, the Reformer says: "Another place proving that the dead have no . . . feeling. There is, saith he, no duty, no science, no knowledge, no wisdom there. Solomon judgeth that the dead are asleep, and feel nothing at all. For the dead lie there, accounting neither days nor years, but when they are awaked, they shall seem to have slept scarce one minute."-- Martin Luther, Exposition of Solomon's Booke Called Ecclesiastes, page 152. {GC 549.2}

The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. 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. She possesses the same pride and arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the prerogatives of God. Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now than when she crushed out human liberty and slew the saints of the Most High. {GC 571.1}

In the movements now in progress in the United States to secure for the institutions and usages of the church the support of the state, Protestants are following in the steps of papists. Nay, more, they are opening the door for the papacy to regain in Protestant America the supremacy which she has lost in the Old World. And that which gives greater significance to this movement is the fact that the principal object contemplated is the enforcement of Sunday observance--a custom which originated with Rome, and which she claims as the sign of her authority. It is the spirit of the papacy--the spirit of conformity to worldly customs, the veneration for human traditions above the commandments of God--that is permeating the Protestant churches and leading them on to do the same work of Sunday exaltation which the papacy has done before them. {GC 573.1}

The churches of Africa held the Sabbath as it was held by the papal church before her complete apostasy. While they kept the seventh day in obedience to the commandment of God, they abstained from labor on the Sunday in conformity to the custom of the church. Upon obtaining supreme power, Rome had trampled upon the Sabbath of God to exalt her own; but the churches of Africa, hidden for nearly a thousand years, did not share in this apostasy. When brought under the sway of Rome, they were forced to set aside the true and exalt the false sabbath; but no sooner had they regained their independence than they returned to obedience to the fourth commandment. (See Appendix.) {GC 578.1}

These records of the past clearly reveal the enmity of Rome toward the true Sabbath and its defenders, and the means which she employs to honor the institution of her creating. The word of God teaches that these scenes are to be repeated as Roman Catholics and Protestants shall unite for the exaltation of the Sunday. {GC 578.2}

Conclusion:

While there may be various similarities and differences between protestant America and Catholicism, the two fundamental issues upon which the formation of the image of the beast is dependent upon are the doctrines of Sunday sacredness and the immortality of the soul.

Currently, Sunday observance is optional, the day when it will become mandatory, the image of the beast will have been formed, for other than Sunday observance, the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is already a norm in protestant America.

[John317]

The line that keeps ringing in my head:

With perfect aim hitting the wrong target...

What do you believe is the right target?

[John317]

I actually find SDA "hand ringing" concerning the "signs" to be rather hilarious.

Where's the "hand ringing?"

Originally Posted By: miz3

They worry and worry about the "National Sunday Law". OK the Law comes what then? Are you going to stop it? Not if its the real deal.

Actually, yes, it is possible to help put it off, as happened in 1888-1890.

But it is not a matter of "worrying"-- at least for me.

Originally Posted By: miz3

The only way to deal with it is to be ready Spiritually whether it comes or not.

Of course. I don't know of anyone who would disagree with that.

But what does it mean to be ready spiritually?

Some people believe it simply means accepting Christ's forgiveness and believing Christ is the Savior of the world.

[BobRyan]

1Thess 5 Paul argues that it is to be children of the night - to be blind to the signs of the times.

In the book Acts of the Apostles we are informed that the 1Thess 5 statement by Paul makes it a sin to choose to be blind to the signs of the times.

in Christ,

Bob

[miz3]

The only way to deal with it is to be ready Spiritually whether it comes or not.

[miz3]

Kinda makes Ellen White and the "Great Controversy" stuff irrelevant. It makes Ellen White and her views of Eschatology also irrelevant also.

[Kountzer]

Internet msg board prophets & prophetesses, gotta love em.

[BobRyan]

1Thess 5 Paul argues that it is to be children of the night - to be blind to the signs of the times.

In the book Acts of the Apostles we are informed that the 1Thess 5 statement by Paul makes it a sin to choose to be blind to the signs of the times.

Those who choose to ignore the Bible in places like 1Thess 5 also enjoy ingoring the part in 1Thess 5 where we are told not to quench the Holy Spirit by rejecting His prophets and their messages from God.

So much Bible for those guys to ignore -- so little time.

Then of course they also love to ignore 1cor 14 "desire earnestly spiritual gifts but especially that you may prophesy" another great part of the Bible for them to ignore in their "Give me the Bible just not the words IN the Bible" message to mankind.

Then of course they love to ignore the fact that the prophets were the means of getting the Bible in the first place "Holy men of old moved by the Holy Spirit spoke From God" 2Peter 1:20-21.

Their list of Bible texts "to be ignored" are almost without end - in their "Give me the Bible just not the words IN the Bible" message to mankind.

How in the world did they think such a shallow approach to the Bible was going to be convincing.

That is the "hard part".

in Christ,

Bob

[Gustave]

There is another power taking shape that will oppose this Union, Islamic forces. Some event, I believe greater than the Twim Towers, will bring these two world powers to the final war on earth.

Radical Islam vs the combined Christian world powers (NATO and countries that will ally or follow them), in response to Islam aggression.

A common enemy makes for a powerful union.

Does it not make sense that Adventism will ally with militant Islamic forces?

...As a "theological union" already appears to exist between the two bodies of Islam and SDA.

Review and Herald October 28, 1909

The creed of that faith is generally compressed into the wellknown formula: "There is no god but God, and Mohammed is his prophet". But there is another and longer form, which reads as follows,"I believe in God and his angels, and his books, and his prophets, and the last day, and the predestination of good and evil by God, and I bear witness that there is no God but God, and I bear witness that Mohammed is his slave and his prophet. From the above it must be perfectly clear that Mohammedanism is very far from being the heathen religion, as some are wont to believe. It teaches belief in God, angels, the prophets, the last day, and the resurrection of the dead. More than this, About one half of the koran is a polemic against polytheism and TRINITARIANISM. In fact the word Allah is an abbreviation of Al-iah which means the ONE, TRUE, ONLY God. There is something in the nature of a challenge in the word itself to the dominant Christian church of the period when Mohammedanism arose. For the church at that time was sunk in the maze of the worship of saints and images when Mohammed came asserting THAT everlasting truth: "THERE is but ONE GOD

[Windsor]

Originally Posted By: ClubV12

There is another power taking shape that will oppose this Union, Islamic forces. Some event, I believe greater than the Twim Towers, will bring these two world powers to the final war on earth.

Radical Islam vs the combined Christian world powers (NATO and countries that will ally or follow them), in response to Islam aggression.

A common enemy makes for a powerful union.

Does it not make sense that Adventism will ally with militant Islamic forces?

...As a "theological union" already appears to exist between the two bodies of Islam and SDA.

Review and Herald October 28, 1909

The creed of that faith is generally compressed into the wellknown formula: "There is no god but God, and Mohammed is his prophet". But there is another and longer form, which reads as follows,"I believe in God and his angels, and his books, and his prophets, and the last day, and the predestination of good and evil by God, and I bear witness that there is no God but God, and I bear witness that Mohammed is his slave and his prophet. From the above it must be perfectly clear that Mohammedanism is very far from being the heathen religion, as some are wont to believe. It teaches belief in God, angels, the prophets, the last day, and the resurrection of the dead. More than this, About one half of the koran is a polemic against polytheism and TRINITARIANISM. In fact the word Allah is an abbreviation of Al-iah which means the ONE, TRUE, ONLY God. There is something in the nature of a challenge in the word itself to the dominant Christian church of the period when Mohammedanism arose. For the church at that time was sunk in the maze of the worship of saints and images when Mohammed came asserting THAT everlasting truth: "THERE is but ONE GOD

Who wrote that in the R&H?

[John317]

....what does it mean to be ready spiritually?

Originally Posted By: miz3

... it means not REJECTING THE LIGHT GOD GIVES YOU ABOUT HIMSELF.

This is certainly true.

Here's some light God has given:

1 Thes. 5:19-21

Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good.

Ephes. 4:11-15

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Rev. 14:6-9

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. [7] And he said with a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."

[8] Another angel, a second, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality."

[9] And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, [10] he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Originally Posted By: miz3

If you are ready then all else does not matter.

Being "ready" in the very last days prior to the coming of Christ is different from being ready during the previous 2000 years. The reason is that those who are translated when Christ returns must go through the worst period of human history that ever was. That includes the test regarding the mark of the beast as referred to in Rev. 14: 9ff.

There's a sealing that must take place beforehand, and people won't be sealed by the sealing angel at that time unless they have overcome by God's power all known sins in their lives. If people are practicing sin, the sealing angels will leave them behind. See Rev. 7 and 14.

Originally Posted By: miz3

That means SDA Eschatology with its charts and scenarios is irrelevant and does nothing for you.

God gave us the prophecies and the Spirit of prophecy (i.e., the writings of Ellen White) in order to know the signs of Christ's soon coming. He wants us to know what's coming. It's Satan who wants people to be found unprepapred and to be deceived. Almost the entire world will be deceived because they ignored the abundant knowledge God provided about Christ's return. The wicked will be working and playing when the end comes without any awareness, just as happened to the people of Sodom. On the other hand, God's people-- the few-- will be fully prepared because they have been faithfully watching the signs Christ's told them about.

[John317]

Does it not make sense that Adventism will ally with militant Islamic forces?

...As a "theological union" already appears to exist between the two bodies of Islam and SDA.

Review and Herald October 28, 1909

The creed of that faith is generally compressed into the wellknown formula: "There is no god but God, and Mohammed is his prophet". But there is another and longer form, which reads as follows,"I believe in God and his angels, and his books, and his prophets, and the last day, and the predestination of good and evil by God, and I bear witness that there is no God but God, and I bear witness that Mohammed is his slave and his prophet. From the above it must be perfectly clear that Mohammedanism is very far from being the heathen religion, as some are wont to believe. It teaches belief in God, angels, the prophets, the last day, and the resurrection of the dead. More than this, About one half of the koran is a polemic against polytheism and TRINITARIANISM. In fact the word Allah is an abbreviation of Al-iah which means the ONE, TRUE, ONLY God. There is something in the nature of a challenge in the word itself to the dominant Christian church of the period when Mohammedanism arose. For the church at that time was sunk in the maze of the worship of saints and images when Mohammed came asserting THAT everlasting truth: "THERE is but ONE GOD

Originally Posted By: Windsor

Who wrote that in the R&H?

That's a pack of untruths that Gustave is trying to spread around. The 1909 article in the R&H has nothing to do with what's happening today. It was written at a time when many SDAs still opposed the Trinity. This is a well-known fact of SDA history and should cocme as no surprise to anyone who has studied the history of our church.

It is true, though, that the Qur'an opposes the Trinity doctrine, which, however, the SDA church has long embraced. Although Ellen White's writings do not contain the term "Trinity," her writings certainly do contain the concept. See Evangelism, pages 614-617. In fact, it was her writings, particularly PP and DA, which persuaded SDAs to reexamine the doctrine in the Bible and conclude that it supports the Trinity. Yet because of the long history of opposition to the doctrine, it wasn't until about 1940 that the entire church was Trinitarian. Even then, there were still a few "old-timers" who opposed it.

[Gustave]

Who wrote that in the R&H?

Percy Tilson Magan.

The same Percy Tilson Magan Ellen White "took into her home"...

...The same Percy who accepted the offer of Education from the SDA's.

pecry rejected his former religious training in favor of SDAism.