Pope Praises SDAs and Offers EGW Beautification

[John317]

(((Please take note this was posted April 1, 2013))))

Pope Praises Adventists at St. Peter's tomb at Vatican, Offers Ellen G. White Beatification

By FRANCES D'EMILIO together with Juancito Perla y Perla | Associated Press – April 1, 2013

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is spending today's Vatican holiday praying at the tomb of Peter, the church's first pontiff, during a visit to the excavated necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica. During today's events His Holiness brought out a little red book by his favorite author, the Adventist prophetess, Ellen G. White, who died in 1915. Pope Francis announced that he will beatify the 19th century Adventist writer and establish a joint committee for the promotion of full ecumenical fellowship with the SDA denomination. Rev. Ted Wilson, world leader of the nearly 16 million-member sect is said to consider "Unity" within the broader Christian community his number one priority. Both Wilson and Francis are opposed to ordaining women to the pastoral priesthood, it was noted.

A Vatican statement called today's visit private, but promised to release photos and video later in the day. The basilica was built over the location where early Christians would gather in secret, at a time of persecution in ancient Rome, to pray at an unmarked tomb believed to be that of Peter, the apostle Jesus chose to lead his church.

In past years, popes often spent the day after Easter, known in Italy as "little Easter," at Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican palace in the Alban Hills, a short drive from Rome. But that oasis of sprawling gardens and strolling paths in the quaint hill town is occupied by the predecessor of Francis, Benedict XVI, who spent the last hours of his papacy there before becoming the first pope in 600 years to retire. Benedict is staying in Castel Gandolfo until a retirement home at the Vatican in Rome can be readied for him.

Many Italians spend "little Easter" by having a picnic lunch in the countryside or in city parks, and Francis told Romans and tourists who gathered in St. Peter's Square on Monday at noon to see him to "have a good vegan lunch." Francis said he was praying that Easter would inspire the faithful so that "hatred gives way to love, lies to truth, and that true Sabbath-keeping might be accepted by all Christians." "Comfort those in need of trust and hope," the Pope urged.

He spoke to them from the studio window of the apartment in the Apostolic Palace overlooking the square. Benedict and popes before him lived there, but so far Francis, who stresses simplicity, has declined to move into the quarters. Instead, he has continued to stay in a hotel on Vatican City's grounds, the same residence where as Buenos Aires archbishop he stayed with fellow cardinals to elect Benedict's successor.

They chose him, Jorge Bergoglio, the first pontiff from South America.

St. Peter's mission was to continue to preach the message of Jesus and reach more souls. Francis, as a Jesuit, is steeped in the evangelizing mission of the church, and the necropolis tour brings him back to the origins of the church in its simplest years as a community of Christians professing their faith in defiance of the crackdown by Roman emperors.

Peter himself was among the Christian martyrs during Nero's reign. He is believed to have been crucified, head down, on the Vatican hill.

Constantine, the first Christian emperor, had an early basilica built on the slopes of the Vatican Hill, burying the pagan and Christian cemetery — necropolis means 'city of the dead' — that surrounded Peter's burial site. The current basilica, named after St. Peter, was constructed over the earlier basilica that was deemed unsafe and demolished in the late 15th century. The Baroque master architect Bernini designed the bronze canopy over the central altar over the spot of Peter's burial site. The current basilica was planned as an awe-inspiring monument that would project the image of a powerful church.

Under popes of the last century, extensive excavations were carried out of the sprawling necropolis. In 1965, archaeologists said they had found the bones of Peter in an area near an ancient Greek inscription saying "Peter is here."

Part of a nearby necropolis came to light in 2003 during construction of a parking lot.

A few years ago, the Vatican unveiled the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs under St. Peter's Basilica, that of a family of former sabbath-keeping slaves. Guided tours of the necropolis, upon appointment, have been one of the most sought-after attractions for scores of American Adventist tourists to the Vatican.

[Gail]

St. Ellen?

Nice try...

BTW- John317, your title says, "offers EGW beautification". I think she was already a beautiful person

April Fool's, right?

[Gibs]

You might call that a "love" in? They already have made inroads, Emerging Church!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[olger]

[ClubV12]

I got a chuckle out of the title as well. Sister White was a beautiful person!

[LoneRanger]

There is sooo much we could do with this....

I just have to leave it alone.

[BobRyan]

Sounds like Gandolfo has been composing some bed time stories for the children of the shire or is it Mordor's children or is it the Ents??

[debbym]

wow what an unusual move.

joke? this was an aprils fools?

i am way to sleepy

very fooled.

[Gerr]

Beatify EGW? How can mere humans declare someone a saint whom God has ALREADY declared to be one? Why EGW and not Luther or the Wesley brothers?

I wonder what our church president have in mind about "unity in the broader Christian community?"

And, yeah, is this an April fool's joke?

[Stan]

LOL this was a great April Fools prank... is it only on here or did you get it from another source.??

[Gibs]

Well it may be a joke to you now but it has some fruitition already. Emerging Church is no joke but is a caving in. It will go much deeper and is fast at it now!

I don't like what has come in and now what is coming in. Much is wrong, it would take the majority standing up and letting their voices be heard.

Where is the soldiers of the Cross of Jesus?

o 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[LoneRanger]

Where is the soldiers of the Cross of Jesus?

You mean the Jesuits? Stan is right here.

[Gibs]

LoneRanger,

Do you really like Emerging Church and all that has come in with it?

Yes I ask where is the Soldiers of the Cross?

Any way I am not joking, I don't joke!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Tom Wetmore]

LOL this was a great April Fools prank... is it only on here or did you get it from another source.??

I saw it posted on Facebook too...

The variation was as follows:

Pope Francis promises to beatify Ellen White. Yes, you read it right. The AP reported from Italy today the following: "Pope Francis is spending today's Vatican holiday praying at the tomb of Peter, the church's first pontiff, during a visit to the excavated necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica. During today's events His Holiness brought out a little red book by his favorite author, the Adventist prophetess, Ellen G. White, who died in 1915. Pope Francis announced that he will beatify the 19th century Adventist writer and establish a joint committee for the promotion of full ecumenical fellowship with the SDA denomination. Rev. Ted Wilson, world leader of the nearly 16 million-member sect is to said to consider 'Unity' within the broader Christian community his number one priority. Both Wilson and Francis are opposed to ordaining women to the pastoral priesthood, it was noted."

[joeb]

Originally Posted By: Stan

LOL this was a great April Fools prank... is it only on here or did you get it from another source.??

I saw it posted on Facebook too...

The variation was as follows:

Pope Francis promises to beatify Ellen White. Yes, you read it right. The AP reported from Italy today the following: "Pope Francis is spending today's Vatican holiday praying at the tomb of Peter, the church's first pontiff, during a visit to the excavated necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica. During today's events His Holiness brought out a little red book by his favorite author, the Adventist prophetess, Ellen G. White, who died in 1915. Pope Francis announced that he will beatify the 19th century Adventist writer and establish a joint committee for the promotion of full ecumenical fellowship with the SDA denomination. Rev. Ted Wilson, world leader of the nearly 16 million-member sect is to said to consider 'Unity' within the broader Christian community his number one priority. Both Wilson and Francis are opposed to ordaining women to the pastoral priesthood, it was noted."

I see somebody just couldn't resist taking a jab at Elder Wilson over the women's ordination issue. Sure this didn't come from Spectrum, initially?

[joeb]

The title of this thread started me off on a tangent. I realize that John317 may have made an unintentional typo in his thread title, but my mind ran down the thread of beautification anyway. Funny how that in my mind someone who really was a quite physically homely woman has always been beautiful to me. Her writings have so influenced my view of her that she really is a beautiful woman in my mind. I guess that old saw about inner beauty is true.

[ClubV12]

John317 is not likely one to make an "unintentional typo".

The thread title is nothing short of brilliant! NOT "beatification" (to easy) but "beautification" (lovely). A great clue as to whats coming and a compliment to Ellen White all at the same time. :)

[Ted Oplinger]

Nice one.

Blessings,

[scripturewisdom]

well john; care to respond to this? it's spreading all through emails and unfortunately making a lot of ppl uneasy since they don't know the source of it. please explain. ty

[Ted Oplinger]

well john; care to respond to this? it's spreading all through emails and unfortunately making a lot of ppl uneasy since they don't know the source of it. please explain. ty

Look at the date of John317's opening post, then Google it if you are still puzzled. A complete lack of outside substantiation would mean....???

Blessings,

[skyblue888]

"We were ourselves refreshed by the Spirit of the Lord. That night I dreamed that I was in Battle Creek looking out from the side glass at the door and saw a company marching up to the house, two and two. They looked stern and determined. I knew them well and turned to open the parlor door to receive them, but thought I would look again. The scene had changed. The company now presented the appearance of a Catholic procession. One bore in his hand a cross, another a reed. And as they approached, the one carrying a reed made a circle around the house, saying three times: 'This house is proscribed. The goods must be confiscated. THEY HAVE SPOKEN AGAINST OUR HOLY ORDER.' Terror seized me, and I ran through the house, out of the north door, and found myself in the midst of a company, some of whom I knew, but I dared not speak a word to them for fear of being betrayed. I tried to seek a retired spot where I might weep and pray without meeting eager, inquisitive eyes wherever I turned. I repeated frequently; 'If I could only understand this! If they will tell me what I have said or what I have done!'" Testimonies to Ministers,578.

She had this dream in 1867.

In 1894 she wrote, "It is a backsliding church that lessens the distance between itself and the papacy." ST Feb.19,1894.

The following year she wrote, "They are following in the track of Romanism." T.M.362.

In 1906 the then president of the G.C. wrote an article and published it in the Review & Herald to show the similarity between the "Mosaic Order" and the "organized work" of the SDA church.

In the second century the Early Church adopted the Mosaic Order (apostasy of the second century) which led to the full-fledged papacy. To adopt the Mosaic Order is to deny the Christian Order.

So whether this is a prank or not the truth is that we have become so much like the papal church that hardly no difference can be seen. This is confirmed by numerous statements from the book Testimonies to Ministers.

Is it any wonder that the Lord sent a warning stating that we had lost our bearings and that if this order of things was allowed to be continued our faith would become extinct! T.M.397,481.

sky

[carole1012]

Stan, I got this from a friend who is not an SDA.

By FRANCES D'EMILIO together with Juancito Perla y Perla | Associated Press – April 1, 2013

Is it truly an April Fools joke?

[ClubV12]

Sky says,

"...we have become so much like the papal church that hardly no difference can be seen."

Some see the thorns, others see the roses.

"We"??

[skyblue888]

Under the subtitle "IN THE TRACK OF ROMANISM," the Holy Spirit says,

"In order to reign and become a power, they employ Satan's methods in justifying their own principles. They exalt themselves as men of superior judgment, and they have stood as representatives of God. They are false gods." T.M.364. (1895)

So, according to the Holy Spirit, this is what it means to follow in the track of Romanism, to lessen the distance between ourselves and the papacy.

That same year, 1895, under the same subtitle, "IN THE TRACK OF ROMANISM," the Holy Spirit also said,

"The holy principles that God has given are represented as the sacred fire, but common fire has been used in place of the sacred. Plans contrary to truth and righteousness are introduced in a subtle manner on the plea that this must be done, and that must be done, because it is for the advancement of the cause of God. But it is the devising of men that leads to oppression, injustice, and wickedness." T.M.359-360.

12 years later, 1907, the Holy Spirit said,

"God says, 'I will be glorified in My people,' but the self-confident management of men has resulted in putting God aside and accepting the devisings of men. If you allow this to continue, your faith will soon become extinct." T.M.481.

This describes well what Ancient Israel did and it was repeated in the Early Church which later became the papacy and it is our history as well as the statements quoted above clearly show.

sky

[joeb]

Under the subtitle "IN THE TRACK OF ROMANISM," the Holy Spirit says,

"In order to reign and become a power, they employ Satan's methods in justifying their own principles. They exalt themselves as men of superior judgment, and they have stood as representatives of God. They are false gods." T.M.364. (1895)

So, according to the Holy Spirit, this is what it means to follow in the track of Romanism, to lessen the distance between ourselves and the papacy.

That same year, 1895, under the same subtitle, "IN THE TRACK OF ROMANISM," the Holy Spirit also said,

"The holy principles that God has given are represented as the sacred fire, but common fire has been used in place of the sacred. Plans contrary to truth and righteousness are introduced in a subtle manner on the plea that this must be done, and that must be done, because it is for the advancement of the cause of God. But it is the devising of men that leads to oppression, injustice, and wickedness." T.M.359-360.

12 years later, 1907, the Holy Spirit said,

"God says, 'I will be glorified in My people,' but the self-confident management of men has resulted in putting God aside and accepting the devisings of men. If you allow this to continue, your faith will soon become extinct." T.M.481.

This describes well what Ancient Israel did and it was repeated in the Early Church which later became the papacy and it is our history as well as the statements quoted above clearly show.

sky

sky,

We have our differences, but I still like you and care about you. You have much more to offer than negativity, so how about offering that instead?

I also have to say in reference to your statements about apostasy that God bore long with ancient Isreal, and even in Elijah's day He had many who had not bowed the knee to Baal.

How about offering up good things, things that will help people to grow in the spiritual life, to ponder and meditate on? Honey catches many more flies than vinegar, and maybe if the constant drumbeat of negativity softens so will the atttudes towards you.