Posted by Carlos Santibanez
04/09/2020
In a recent piece issued by the former Adventist online journal Proclamation!, Colleen Tinker expresses how Adventism is basically almost done within the eschatology field as a result of Pope Francis’ supposed support for Saturday Sabbath Keeping. Of course, the Jewish people were overpraised by it as well, saying,
‘“We would not be surprised if tomorrow he decides to return the Temple Menorah to us, the Parochet [from the Temple],’ he said, relating to reports that the Vatican is in possession of some of the Second Temple Treasures.”
Which I doubt would happen, but the Jews are looking at the Pope as some sort of “Savior,” (which incidentally fits well with the Jesuit law of futurism, but that’s for another story!).
The Article by Colleen later expresses how Adventists are in ‘fear’ at this moment of time, subtly expressing how ludicrous Adventists are. There are many things that I would like to express regarding the treacherous ideas expressed in this article and the shortage of perspicacity upon this whole Sunday Law theme, but I want my article to merely show the truth upon the matter and not to barrage the writer. Let’s begin.
COVID-19 has taken the world by tempest, it has caused fear both those in the world and in the church. Making the world fall into a financial downturn in which we will see what this imbroglio is heading to. Adventists, however, should not take fear in this! Because we are told in Psalm 91:5-8:
“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.”
Unfortunately, the article also makes it appear that our faith promotes a works-based salvation while we have always had a message of righteousness by faith, especially if you know the tidings sent by God to A.T. Jones and E.J. Waggoner. Although many Adventists (as well as non-Adventist Christians, actually) hold to works as a means to please God, the truth is that when we find ourselves in Jesus, it is He who empowers us to keep God’s Commandments!
Then, we get into the real issue of Coleen’s article, where she shares the Pope’s video supporting the Sabbath and then says, “it’s not what Adventists expected.” The video went viral in March of this year. But this doesn’t surprise me as Colleen thinks it would. You may ask, “Why aren’t you surprised?” The answer is simple but important. Ever since Vatican ll, the papacy has desired to get as many faiths as possible under its flank, even having Saturday Mass to cheer those who keep the seventh-day. What’s really happening is that the Pope is simply imitating Vatican ll to reach those who are Jewish and even Christian Sabbath keepers! Do we really think that the Papacy is being honest here? Doesn’t it also now lay the assertion that they now believe in “faith alone?” according to Tony Palmer? Even celebrating Reformation day?
The Papacy has been going all-in with the Ecumenical Agenda such as embracing Evolution and accepting Homosexuality, even assigning the first class he gave to teenage boys, reading an openly homosexual author in 1964! (1) Which is completely against Roman Catholic Doctrine, but it’s his plan to embrace the whole world to come under Rome. After all, doesn’t it say that “all the world” would “wonder after the beast?”
Colleen then says that “the Pope is not supposed to advocate for the seventh-day Sabbath.”(2) Well, where in Adventist doctrine does it say that? Is there such a quote in the Great Controversy, for example? I’ll show you what the Great Controversy actually says,
“The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties.(3) 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. It is a part of her policy to assume the character which will best accomplish her purpose; but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent.” (4)
Satan the Serpent is just as cunning now as he was in the Garden of Eden. Pope Francis is leading the ecumenical movement, a false revival across the world. But (and this is where critics make their biggest mistake) it is actually protestant America that will initially seek to implement a Sunday Law, not the Pope, although later on they will unite in this effort. We read,
“As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God’s downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite.”(5)
And in Spiritual Gifts it records how Protestants would solicit, or “ask” Catholics to unite in an effort to enforce Sunday.(6)
It is the Protestants that will seek Catholic support in this effort, not the other way around. Nevertheless we are seeing the Pope promoting Sunday as an effort to combat the supposed Climate Change issue. On page 237 of his environmental encyclical “Laudato Si” he said,
“On Sunday…The law of weekly rest forbade work on the seventh day, “so that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your maidservant, and the stranger, may be refreshed” (Ex 23:12). Rest opens our eyes to the larger picture and gives us renewed sensitivity to the rights of others. And so the day of rest, centered on the Eucharist, sheds it light on the whole week, and motivates us to greater concern for nature and the poor.”
A Growing Percentage of Evangelicals are as well seeking to implement environmental laws which would lead to a Sunday Law. Multiple accounts of Evangelicals asking for Sunday/Blue Laws.
Colleen’s article also says how we look upon these things with “dread.” Well, though there may be some who do, we shouldn’t because not only do these events verify biblical prophecy, but they also show us that Jesus is almost coming to take us home!
The Article then says “False Worship is not defined by keeping Sunday; it is defined by unbelief in Jesus Christ.” But the Bible says in James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Revelation 14:6-12 shows that unbelief isn’t the issue of the last days but rather worship. How we worship is just as important as who we worship. And simply cross-referencing the Mark of the Beast and the Seal of God clearly shows how the Sabbath is all interconnected with this issue. If we truly trust Jesus we will trust and keep his word when he said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15), and there will be a class who actually do, “here are they who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12). Evidently, the issue regarding worship is directly connected with the keeping, or the lack of keeping, of the commandments of God.
So as of right now, the Pope says Saturday, but Sunday Laws are coming and the critics will have to deal with it when it arrives.
ENDNOTES:
1) Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis, Mark Shriver. P. 89.
2) Interestingly, one critic in sort of an indirect way, but not really, commented on Colleen’s article disagreeing and expressing the confusing nature of the Pope’s supposed Sabbath support. “Unfortunately,” the person rightly noted, “there is not enough context to support the claim that he is actually promoting authentic Sabbath-keeping, let alone moving the Sabbath back to Saturday…” Good job, random commentator, who then gives evidence by saying that the video was simply “an interview, not an Apostolic Letter, like “Dies Domini,” by Pope John Paul II in 1998, or the homilies “In the Beginning,” by Pope Benedict XVI in 1986 that present biblical analysis.” The commentator goes on to say that the Pope is confused regarding the Sabbath and Sunday.” Then follows a short history of the Papacy’s Sunday support which the commentator lists but the author conspicuously omits in her article, correctly noting at the end that “It is confusing.” Yes, that is the way of the serpent… confusion, but Colleen is ready to believe the papacy’s every word!
3) Which by the way happened only a few years after her prediction. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_apologies_made_by_Pope_John_Paul_II
4) Great Controversy, page 571.2
5) Ibid, 607.1.
6) Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, page 425.
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