Participants:
Series Code: MAT
Program Code: MAT000022S
|
00:01 Music...
00:20 Pastor Bohr: Let's pray... 00:22 "Our Father and our God, 00:24 we come before Your holy throne 00:27 because we need help now as we study 00:30 this very important subject 00:32 titled: Reflections on Ecumenical Charity. 00:36 I ask, Lord, that You will give me the words to speak... 00:40 that You will give the Viewers willingness of heart 00:44 and that Lord, when all is said and done, 00:48 we might hear Your voice and only Your voice 00:51 and we thank You for the promise of Your presence 00:54 and we claim that promise in the precious name of Jesus, 00:57 amen. " 00:59 In our last Presentation, 01:02 we saw that since the 1960s 01:06 there has been an increasing ecumenical relationship 01:10 between Protestants and the Roman Catholic Papacy. 01:15 Whereas before this, 01:17 Protestants were extremely suspicious 01:20 of the aspirations of the Papacy... 01:23 since then, the ice has melted 01:27 and Protestants are feeling increasingly comfortable 01:31 in uniting with the Papacy. 01:35 We noticed in our last study together 01:38 that the election of John F. Kennedy 01:40 in the early 1960s 01:43 helped the ice to melt between Protestants and Catholics. 01:49 We also notice that Vatican Council 2 opened the door 01:54 for Protestants to be observers 01:57 and Protestants came to be more comfortable 01:59 with the Papacy than ever before. 02:02 Ellen White wrote some very wise words 02:06 in the book: Great Controversy page 566. 02:09 This is how it reads. 02:11 On screen... 02:48 So, Ellen White discerned the signs of the times. 02:52 She states that Protestants were tampering with the Papacy, 02:55 they made compromises and concessions 02:59 that even surprised the Roman Catholic Papacy 03:03 and that we need to definitely let the world know 03:08 about the dangers to civil and religious liberty 03:12 of this Union. 03:13 Now, in our Study today, we're going to notice 03:17 five other elements that have led to Protestants 03:21 feeling comfortable with the Roman Catholic Papacy. 03:25 Those five are: The adaption of liberal ideas, 03:30 False charity... 03:32 Union in common points of doctrine... 03:36 A common subjective experience 03:40 and a Change in prophetic hermeneutics. 03:44 If Protestantism stood on the firm platform of Bible truths, 03:50 Protestantism could never merge with Roman Catholicism. 03:55 The freedoms that we enjoy today in the United States 03:58 in American Society 04:00 are the result of the spirit of Protestantism. 04:03 These freedoms that we enjoy include a strong work ethic, 04:08 freedom of speech... freedom of the Press... 04:11 freedom of enterprise... 04:15 freedom of assembly... 04:17 freedom to ask the Civil Government 04:18 to redress grievances... 04:20 freedom of conscience 04:23 and freedom of religion. 04:26 But all this... according to Bible prophecy 04:29 will disappear in the course of time 04:32 when Protestants and Papists 04:35 join together with the Civil Powers of the world, 04:38 to oppress the conscience 04:39 as happened during the 1260 years 04:43 in the past Papal supremacy. 04:45 So, let's go to these five elements 04:49 or five aspects that have led protestants 04:52 to draw closer to the Papacy. 04:55 First, the adoption of liberal ideas. 04:59 The critical question is: 05:02 How could Protestants ever unite with the Papacy 05:05 when their principles and practices 05:08 are in stark contrast 05:10 to the principles and practices 05:12 of the Roman Catholic Church? 05:15 One way in which Protestants will come together 05:19 with Catholics is by adopting liberal ideas. 05:22 I want to read this statement that we find in 05:26 in Review and Herald, June 1, 1886 05:30 where Ellen White wrote, 05:32 "Catholicism is the religion 05:35 that Protestants are beginning to look upon 05:38 with so much favor, 05:40 and which will eventually be united with Protestantism. 05:44 This union will not take place, 05:47 however, by a change in in Catholicism; 05:51 for Rome never changes. 05:54 She claims infallibility. 05:57 Protestantism will change... " 06:00 and now comes the key portion, 06:02 "The adoption of liberal ideas on its part... " 06:07 that is... in the part of Protestants... 06:10 "will bring it where it can clasp the hand of Catholicism. " 06:17 Of special note in this quotation is the expression, 06:21 "liberal ideas. " 06:23 What did Ellen G. White mean when she spoke about 06:26 the adoption of liberal ideas by Protestants 06:30 that would lead to a union with the Papacy? 06:34 Ellen White uses the word "liberal" in different ways... 06:38 some ways positive and some ways negative. 06:41 If we notice in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary 06:45 volume 6 page 1103, 06:47 we find a quotation from Ellen White 06:49 where she instructs ministers to be liberal. 06:53 Now, you might think that that is talking about 06:56 ministers becoming liberal in their theology. 07:00 No, she's using the word "liberal" 07:02 in the sense that we need to be faithful in our stewardship... 07:05 we need to be faithful in giving. 07:07 This is how it reads, 07:09 "A responsibility rests upon the ministers of Christ 07:12 to educate the churches to be liberal. " 07:16 Clearly, not theologically liberal 07:19 but liberal in their giving. 07:22 Ellen White also used the word "liberal" 07:25 in the sense of the foundation 07:27 upon which the United States was built. 07:30 Those liberal principles upon which this country was built 07:35 and in the context, she's speaking about 07:38 the Declaration of Independence... 07:40 the Constitution 07:42 and the Bill of Rights. 07:44 In Great Controversy page 442, 07:47 she used the word "liberal" to speak about the generous 07:50 principles upon which the United States was built. 07:52 I read... speaking about this beast of Revelation 13:11-18. 07:57 On screen... 08:33 So, she uses "liberal" and "peaceful" 08:36 to refer to the foundation of the United States. 08:39 It means that the principles 08:41 upon which this country was built 08:43 were very generous principles. 08:45 So, she uses the word "liberal" in a positive sense there. 08:49 However, Ellen White also uses the expression 08:53 in a negative sense. 08:55 The expression "liberal ideas. " 08:58 In Ministry of Healing page 129, Ellen White wrote, 09:03 "The progress of reform depends upon a clear recognition 09:08 of fundamental truth. 09:10 While, on the one hand, 09:13 danger lurks in a narrow philosophy 09:17 and a hard cold orthodoxy... " 09:21 that would be the emphasis on bare doctrine 09:23 without a relationship with Christ... 09:25 she then talks of the other extreme... 09:28 "on the other hand 09:29 there is a great danger in a careless liberalism. " 09:34 Going to the other extreme saying, 09:36 "Well, I have a relationship with Christ, 09:38 I don't have to worry about my behavior. " 09:40 So, you have two extremes: 09:42 the extreme right and the extreme left. 09:44 Ellen White also wrote 09:47 in Volume 20 of Manuscript Releases page 71, 09:50 the following about the word "liberalism" 09:54 in its negative sense. 09:55 "Sinners are continually crying, 09:58 'You are too narrow, so narrow. ' 10:01 'Liberalism,' cry the lawless; 10:04 'bring not your claims of law upon us. ' 10:07 'The religion of Christ,' says another 10:10 'is too hard, I cannot be a Christian; 10:12 it involves too much. '" 10:14 Some people say, "Deliver us from the law... 10:17 deliver us from doctrine... 10:19 deliver us from everything that restrains us 10:21 and let us be liberal. " 10:23 So, 'liberal' in this sense 10:25 refers to theological flexibility 10:29 that allows Christians to accommodate the Bible 10:32 to the whims of culture or science so called 10:36 in the name of diversity... inclusiveness... 10:40 theological pluralism 10:42 without regard to Biblical principles 10:45 and doctrines. 10:47 In some Protestant churches, 10:50 this idea of liberalism or liberal ideas 10:54 has led to accommodating the Biblical story of creation 10:59 and the worldwide flood 11:01 to the discoveries of Science, so called. 11:04 It has also led to the ordination of women... 11:07 to the ordination of Gay clergy... 11:10 to confusion when it comes to gender 11:13 and the approval of Gay marriage. 11:15 Now, there's another factor that has led Protestants 11:20 to feel more comfortable with Roman Catholicism. 11:24 First, it's the idea that you can be theologically liberal... 11:29 no doctrine. 11:31 The second point that we find 11:34 is what is called: False Charity. 11:36 Ellen White used this other expression to describe 11:40 the demise of the protest of Protestantism. 11:44 She referred to Protestants' liberality as false charity 11:51 or what we today call: Political Correctness. 11:55 It means turning a blind eye 11:58 to those who practice open sin 12:00 for fear of offending them. 12:03 That's what we call: Political Correctness. 12:06 Don't say anything that might offend someone 12:08 even if what they are doing is wrong. 12:11 In Great Controversy page 571, 12:14 Ellen White wrote about this expression, 12:17 "False Charity" 12:19 which would bring Roman Catholics 12:20 and Protestants together. 12:22 She wrote, "As the Protestant churches have been seeking 12:25 the favor of the world, 12:27 false charity has blinded their eyes. " 12:30 So, if there's false charity, there's true charity too. 12:33 "False charity has blinded their eyes. 12:35 They do not see 12:37 but that it is right to believe good of all evil... " 12:40 so, for example, saying, 12:43 "Well, you know, it doesn't matter if a person believes 12:45 that they have a different gender than male and female, 12:48 you know... that's... that's fine... " 12:50 or "It doesn't matter if you are gay or if you are straight... 12:53 or a gay marriage or a straight marriage... 12:55 it doesn't really make any difference. " 12:56 So, that's what she's talking about. 12:57 "They do not see but that it is right to believe 13:00 good of all evil, 13:02 and as the inevitable result 13:04 they will finally believe evil of all good. " 13:07 In other places, Ellen White explained what she meant 13:10 by false charity. 13:12 For example, in a document that she wrote, 13:15 An Appeal to our Ministers and Conference Committees, 13:18 written in 1892, 13:20 Ellen White expressed herself in the following way. 13:24 On screen... 1st paragraph, 13:55 she continues... 2nd paragraph, 13:57 "Those who would cover evil under false charity... " 14:01 that is: Political Correctness... 14:02 do not offend anyone... 14:04 "say to the sinner, 14:05 'It shall be well with thee,' 14:08 Charity hates the sin, but loves the sinner, 14:11 and will warn him faithfully of his danger, 14:14 pointing him to the Lamb of God 14:17 who taketh away the sin of the world. " 14:19 In another statement in Prophets and Kings page 675, 14:24 Ellen White referred to the work of Ezra and Nehemiah 14:27 in the following words, 14:28 on screen... 14:57 In Acts of the Apostles page 554, she wrote 15:01 about true charity and counterfeit charity. 15:05 This is how it reads: 15:07 "You must have charity," is the cry heard everywhere, 15:11 especially from those who profess sanctification. 15:15 However, true charity is too pure 15:19 to cover an unconfessed sin. 15:21 While we are to love the souls for whom Christ died, 15:25 we are to make no compromise with evil. 15:29 We are not to unite with the rebellious 15:32 and call this charity. 15:33 Notice, "We are not to unite with the rebellious 15:36 and call this charity. 15:38 God requires His people in this age of the world 15:41 to stand for the right as unflinchingly as did John... " 15:47 that is John the Apostle... 15:48 "in opposition to soul-destroying errors. " 15:53 So, two factors so far we've studied 15:57 on what brings Protestantism and Roman Catholicism together. 16:01 Now, let's go to a third. 16:04 Union on uncommon points of doctrine. 16:08 I want to read two statements that we find in the book 16:11 Great Controversy. 16:13 The first is on page 444. 16:15 On screen... 16:44 Now, what happens when you go on to unite on issues 16:50 that we have in common? 16:51 She continues, 16:53 "To secure such a union, 16:54 the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed... 16:59 however important they might be from a Bible standpoint... 17:04 must necessarily be waived. " 17:07 So, whatever we disagree on, we just choose to ignore. 17:10 What we agree on, will unite us. 17:13 The second statement is on the next page... 17:16 Page 445... Great Controversy, 17:19 on screen... 17:45 That's why statements that have been made by 17:48 great television personalities causes to have pause. 17:53 For example, Paul Crouch the founder of TBN once said, 17:58 "I'm not protesting anything, 18:00 I'm deleting the word "Protestant" from my vocabulary. 18:04 Or what Robert Schuller made famous by the Crystal Cathedral 18:08 had to say... he said that he dreamed of the day 18:12 when the Pope would be the Head of all the Christian world 18:17 and Futurist Jack Van Impe repeatedly said 18:22 about John Paul the Second, 18:24 "What a man!" 18:25 Now, the fourth factor that will bring 18:27 Protestants and Catholics together 18:30 is a common charismatic experience. 18:33 Probably most readers 18:36 or most people who are listening to this Presentation 18:39 have heard of Tony Palmer. 18:41 Palmer was an Anglican clergyman of the Celtic tradition. 18:46 and he was distressed about the divisions in his church 18:51 and the divisions in Protestantism in general 18:54 and he yearned for unity based on a common experience. 19:00 Not even common doctrines but common experience. 19:04 Television Evangelist Kenneth Copeland 19:07 invited Palmer to speak at a Leaders' Convention 19:11 that was held in February 25, 2014. 19:15 There were 100s of Leaders gathered together there 19:18 for this Convention 19:20 and there Tony Palmer was asked to speak to the delegates 19:26 who were present 19:28 and when Tony Palmer began his talk, 19:33 he said that he had come in the spirit and power of Elijah 19:38 to bring the hearts of the sons to the fathers 19:41 and the fathers to the sons. 19:44 In other words, he had been sent by God 19:47 to unite all Christians in a common camp. 19:51 In his talk, Palmer lamented that Martin Luther 19:56 had brought about... as a result of the Reformation, 20:00 the great divisions that exist in Protestantism today. 20:04 He referred to 33,000 Denominations 20:07 exists today as the result of the Protestant Reformation 20:11 and he referred to diversity as divine 20:15 and division as diabolic. 20:18 Now, Folks, diversity is not divine 20:22 when it contradicts the Bible 20:25 and division is not diabolic 20:28 when what is being taught is not in harmony with the Bible. 20:33 Tony Palmer said that it's the glory that unites all of us 20:38 and makes us one. 20:40 The glory is to be one. 20:41 I read now what he said in his speech 20:44 to this Leaders' Convention. 20:46 "It is the glory that glues us together... 20:49 not the doctrine... it's the glory. 20:53 If you accept that the glory of God is living in me 20:56 and the presence of God is in you, 20:59 that's all we need 21:00 because God will sort out all our doctrine later upstairs. " 21:05 So, doctrine isn't important here... 21:08 some day our differences will be explained by God 21:11 when we are in the kingdom. 21:13 Then he stated, "Christian unity 21:16 is the basis of our credibility 21:18 because Jesus said that until we are one, 21:22 the world will not believe. 21:24 Yes, but we need to be one on the basis of truth 21:28 not on the basis of a charismatic 21:31 emotional personal experience. 21:33 As we mentioned in our previous Presentation... 21:37 in 1999, Lutherans and Catholics 21:40 signed a joint declaration on righteousness by faith. 21:45 Basically, what the document said is that 21:48 Lutherans and Roman Catholics 21:50 agree on the doctrine of righteousness by faith. 21:54 Palmer also lamented that only one other denomination 21:59 had actually signed that particular joint declaration 22:04 and that was the Methodists 22:06 and then, Palmer went on to say 22:09 to that Convention... 22:11 to the Leaders in that Convention 22:13 which were leaders of churches the following: 22:16 "Brothers and Sisters, 22:17 Luther's protest is over... is yours?" 22:21 He lamented that no Evangelical church 22:25 had signed the agreement 22:27 and then he said, "This must be fixed. " 22:31 He also said, "The protest has been over for 15 years. 22:38 If there is no longer any protest, 22:41 how can there be a Protestant Church? 22:45 Maybe now we're all Catholics again. " 22:48 Interesting... 22:51 so, he's saying, the protest is over for the last 15 years 22:54 since the joint declaration was signed. 22:56 If there is no longer any protest, 22:58 how can there be a Protestant Church? 23:00 Maybe now, he says... we are all Catholics again. 23:04 Now, Palmer was a close friend of Pope Francis the First 23:09 and he visited the Pope and recorded on his cell phone 23:13 a video to present to the delegates 23:16 at a Kenneth Copeland's Convention 23:19 and in this message that the Pope sent 23:22 on Tony Palmer's cell phone, were these words, 23:26 "I am yearning that this separation comes to an end 23:31 and gives us communion. 23:33 I am yearning for that embrace... " 23:36 and at the end of the message that the Pope sent 23:39 to the delegates of this Charismatic 23:42 Pentecostal Convention, the Pope said this, 23:45 "Please pray for me... I need your prayers 23:48 and I will pray for you 23:50 but I need your prayers 23:52 and let's pray to the Lord that He unites us all. 23:56 Come on, we are brothers... 23:58 let's give each other a spiritual hug 24:01 and let God complete the work that He has begun 24:05 and this is a miracle... 24:06 the miracle of unity has begun. 24:09 I ask you to bless me... I bless you... 24:13 from brother to brother, I embrace you. " 24:16 After Tony Palmer presented the message from the Pope 24:20 to the members of the Convention, 24:22 Kenneth Copeland got up... walked to the stage and said 24:27 several times, "Glory, glory, glory... " 24:31 and the people stood and clapped 24:33 as Kenneth Copeland was going up to the stage 24:37 and Copeland said as he arrived on the stage, 24:40 "We do not know how to pray for him as we ought. " 24:43 In other words, we don't know how to pray for the Pope 24:46 as we ought. 24:47 So, then he started praying in tongues... 24:49 a language that no one could understand. 24:52 Then he told Tony Palmer to bring his cell phone 24:55 because Kenneth Copeland wanted to record 24:57 a message for Francis the First 25:00 and this is the message that Kenneth Copeland shared. 25:04 "These leaders... " those who are at the Convention, 25:07 represent literally tens of thousands that love you. " 25:12 These are Charismatic Protestants, Folks, 25:15 he's saying, "These leaders love you... " 25:17 the Pope... 25:19 "that believe that God is with you... 25:21 and in answer to your request, we have just prayed for you 25:24 and with you and we did so in the spirit. " 25:28 In other words... in tongues... 25:29 and then he said this, "We do bless you... 25:32 we receive your blessings. 25:34 It is very, very important to us 25:37 and we bless you with all our hearts. 25:39 We bless you with all our souls... 25:42 we bless you with all our might. " 25:44 In the Bible, this is attributed to us blessing God 25:48 and then he continues, "And we thank you, Sir... 25:52 we thank God for you 25:54 and so, all of us declare together, 25:57 'Be blessed. '" 25:59 Palmer even referred 26:01 to those Christians who did not want to unite 26:04 as Spiritual Racism. 26:07 How interesting. 26:09 Now, great television personalities 26:13 shortly after this 26:15 traveled to the Vatican to visit the Pope. 26:18 One of those was James Robison 26:20 who has a Program called: "Life today" on television. 26:24 In 2014, he visited Pope Francis and this is what he said to him, 26:29 on screen... 26:47 And then, for the first time in history, 26:49 someone gave the Pope a high five. 26:53 Of course, James Robison asked for permission to do this 26:58 before he did it. 26:59 On May 5, 2014 Tony Palmer was a special guest 27:04 on Robison's Program 27:05 and this is what Tony Palmer said, 27:08 "Diversity is divine; 27:10 it is division that is diabolic... " 27:13 and now notice this superficial theology... 27:18 "Jesus' theology is that if God is in you, 27:22 and you are in God 27:24 and God is in me 27:26 and I am in God, 27:28 we are one together in God... 27:31 Our sin is that we do not make our unity visible 27:35 because we allow our diversities to divide us 27:39 and if we elevate anything to divide us, 27:41 we are elevating it above the cross. 27:45 So, whether it is a doctrine or a dogma 27:48 or an expression, 27:49 if you use that to divide our unity 27:53 you have elevated that doctrine or whatever it is 27:56 above the cross. 27:59 Now, we are not saying 'put doctrine aside... '" 28:02 so now he says, "Well, doctrine is important" 28:05 but the question is: which doctrines? 28:06 "So now, we are not saying 'put doctrine aside, 28:09 certainly not!' 28:11 Pope Francis recognizes only two fundamental doctrines... 28:14 love for God and love for your neighbor, 28:18 end of doctrine!" 28:20 Another minister that went to the Vatican shortly after this 28:24 was Joel Osteen... 28:26 one of the prominent television personalities in the world today 28:30 in the United States today. 28:32 Pope Francis invited him to meet with him 28:35 in the Vatican. 28:36 After the meeting, Osteen told a local television station 28:41 the following. 28:43 "I just felt very honored and very humbled. " 28:48 Here is a Protestant saying, "I felt honored and humbled 28:50 by being invited to the Vatican by the Pope. " 28:54 Osteen also met with Vatican staff 28:58 but before he met with the Vatican Staff, 29:01 he had this to say. 29:02 On screen... 29:15 Wow! this is a Protestant speaking. 29:18 Has he forgotten the history of the Roman Catholic Church? 29:21 Catholic Church has not changed... 29:23 the Papacy has not changed. 29:24 Osteen met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 29:29 Secretary of State of the Vatican 29:31 and had dinner with him 29:33 as well as with other staff members. 29:35 Prior to this meeting, 29:38 Osteen attended a Mass in St. Peter's Square 29:42 where there were over 100,000 people in attendance 29:46 and then he remarked after this Service... 29:50 after the Eucharist was taken, 29:53 "Afterward... " this is Osteen... 29:56 "the Pope spent an hour and a half 29:58 going through the crowd with the Pope mobile, 30:02 greeting people; 30:03 it was very heartwarming to see him caring for people. " 30:08 Osteen went on... 30:10 "I love the fact that he has made the church more inclusive; 30:14 not trying to make it smaller, 30:17 but to try to make it larger... 30:19 to take everybody in. 30:21 So, that just resonates with me. " 30:25 Another individual that went to the Vatican 30:29 shortly after this Convention of Leaders of Kenneth Copeland 30:34 was Rick Warren. 30:36 This was in 2014, he was invited to participate 30:39 in a Symposium called: 30:42 The Complementarity of Man and Woman 30:44 which was an interfaith meeting in the Vatican. 30:48 This was on December 2, 2014 30:52 that Warren made the following remarks 30:55 about the differences in doctrine 30:57 between Catholics and Protestants. 30:59 I quote, "We have far more in common than what divides us. 31:04 They would say... " that is... Catholics would say, 31:07 "We believe in the Trinity... we believe in the Bible... 31:10 we believe in the resurrection... 31:12 we believe in salvation through Jesus Christ. " 31:15 These are the big issues... 31:17 is what is said by Warren. 31:20 He continues, "Sometimes, Protestants think that Catholics 31:23 worship Mary... like she's another God 31:26 but that's not exactly Catholic doctrine. 31:29 People say, 'What are the saints all about? 31:33 Why are you praying to the saints?' 31:36 and when you understand what they mean... " says Warren, 31:40 "by what they are saying, 31:42 there is a whole lot more commonality. 31:45 Then, he continues. 31:48 There are still real differences... 31:50 no doubt about that 31:51 but the most important thing is... 31:54 if you love Jesus... we are on the same team... " 31:57 imagine Protestants and Catholics on the same team. 32:00 He continues, "When it comes to family, 32:03 we are co-workers in the field in this 32:06 for the protection of the sanctity of life... 32:08 the sanctity of sex 32:09 and the sanctity of marriage. 32:12 So, there is a great commonality 32:14 and there is no division on any of those three. " 32:18 Is it true 32:20 that there is more that unites Protestants with Catholics 32:25 than what divides us? 32:27 The answer, of course, is a robust "No. " 32:30 The main contribution of Luther to the Protestant Reformation 32:35 was not righteousness by faith as many think. 32:39 It was Sola Scriptura because Luther discovered 32:43 righteousness by faith as he studied the Bible. 32:46 Now, here's some questions I would like to ask Protestants. 32:50 "Are Protestants willing 32:53 to accept the idea that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross 32:57 was not sufficient 32:58 and that He needs to be sacrificed anew in every Mass? 33:02 Are Protestants willing to accept 33:05 that some persons will go to purgatory 33:08 to purge sins that Jesus already forgave 33:11 when they accepted Him as savior? 33:14 Are Protestants willing to accept the idea 33:17 of bowing before idols 33:19 in violation of the second commandment? 33:21 Are Protestants willing to accept the primacy of the Pope 33:25 as a visible sovereign of the Christian world? 33:29 Are Protestants willing to accept the idea 33:33 that Mary is the mother of God... 33:35 that she was conceived without original sin... 33:38 that she never sinned actually during her lifetime... 33:41 that she ascended bodily to heaven 33:44 and that she now intercedes for us? 33:47 Are Protestants willing to accept 33:49 the practice of canonizing saints? 33:51 Are Protestants willing to accept the idea 33:55 that the Bible is not our only rule of faith and practice 33:58 but also tradition needs to be considered as part 34:03 of the way in which we determine 34:05 what is true doctrine and what is not. 34:09 Are Protestants willing to accept the idea 34:12 of the Catholic Church that indulgences 34:16 can earn you time out of purgatory 34:19 if you actually purchase an indulgence from the Church? 34:24 Are Protestants willing to accept the idea 34:27 that it's all right to confess your sins to a priest 34:31 instead of confessing your sins to God through Christ. 34:35 There are two doctrines that virtually all Protestants 34:39 and Catholics share 34:40 and these are not the doctrines that were mentioned 34:43 by Rick Warren. 34:45 They are the doctrine that Sunday is the day of rest 34:49 which the Bible says it's the seventh-day Sabbath 34:52 and the other is the idea that when a person dies, 34:56 their soul leaves the body and goes to heaven or to hell. 35:00 Those doctrines are held in common 35:02 virtually by every single Roman Catholic 35:05 and every single Protestant. 35:07 Now, let's talk for a few moments about Ulf Eckman 35:12 and you're probably wondering who he is. 35:14 An interesting article appeared 35:16 in the online edition of of Christianity Today 35:20 on March 10, 2014. 35:23 The title of the article was this: 35:25 Sweden's Pentecostal Mega Pastor converts to Catholicism. 35:32 The sub-title of the article read: 35:35 He stuns his Word of Life mega church in Sunday's sermon. 35:41 He's crossing the Tiber. 35:43 The article explained the following: 35:47 "Just who is Ulf Eckman?" 35:51 Here's the answer. 35:53 On screen... 36:21 So what reason did this Charismatic preacher give 36:24 for leaving Protestantism 36:27 and joining the Roman Catholic Church? 36:28 Here's his explanation. 36:30 On screen... 36:49 In other words, Protestants are to blame for the fractures 36:53 in Protestantism in the Christian world 36:56 and then he stated that he would dedicate his time 37:02 to try to unite Protestants and Christian religions 37:07 into one common body. 37:10 This is what he said. 37:12 "It really challenged our Protestant prejudices... " 37:16 so he's saying that Protestants are prejudiced 37:18 against Catholics. 37:19 He really challenged our Protestant prejudices 37:22 and we realize that we in many cases 37:26 did not have any basis for our criticism of them. 37:30 So, in other words, all of the blame 37:32 is the Protestant prejudices not Roman Catholic doctrine. 37:36 It continues... 37:38 "We needed to know the Catholic faith better. 37:41 This led us to realize 37:43 that it was actually Jesus Christ 37:45 who led us to unite with the Catholic Church. " 37:49 He continued... 37:50 "We have seen a great love for Jesus and a sound theology... " 37:56 what is it based on? 37:58 "a sound theology founded on the Bible 38:03 and classic dogma... " 38:05 in other words... tradition. 38:07 He's saying... not the Bible alone 38:08 but the Bible and tradition. 38:10 He continued... 38:11 "We have experienced the richness of sacramental life. 38:14 We have seen the logic 38:16 in having a solid structure for priesthood 38:19 that keeps the faith of the church 38:21 and passes it on from one generation to the next. " 38:24 In other words, he's saying, 38:26 "I believe in apostolic succession not only of Scripture 38:28 but also of oral tradition. 38:31 He continued, 38:32 "We have met on an ethical and moral strength 38:35 and consistency 38:37 that dare to face up to the general opinion, 38:41 and a kindness toward the poor and the weak... " 38:44 so, notice... 38:46 "We have met an ethical and moral strength 38:49 in the Catholic Church 38:50 and consistency that dare to face up to the general opinion, 38:54 and a kindness toward the poor and the weak. 38:57 And, last but not least, 38:58 we have come in contact with the representatives 39:01 for millions of charismatic Catholics 39:05 and we have seen their living faith. " 39:08 We could go on describing the overtures of the Papacy 39:12 and Protestants towards one another. 39:15 We could speak, for example, about Francis the First 39:19 visiting the church of the Waldensians in Torre Pellice 39:23 the very Waldenses that were persecuted mercilessly 39:28 by the Roman Catholic Church. 39:29 Now, recently, Francis the First celebrated communion 39:36 or the Eucharist with Protestants in Geneva... 39:41 the place where John Calvin carried on the Reformation. 39:46 I want to read from a notice that I found 39:51 regarding this particular celebration of Communion. 39:56 "In a first... since the Reformation era, 39:59 Protestants are said to receive Communion 40:03 during a Catholic Mass... 40:05 this is... Protestants at a Catholic Mass 40:08 at a historic cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland, 40:12 John Calvin's adopted home. 40:15 Emanuel Fuchs, President of the Protestant Church in Geneva, 40:20 and a Pastor in Saint Pierre 40:23 added that the invitation indicates that 40:26 and now, his words are quoted, 40:28 "The climate in Geneva is extremely favorable 40:32 and fruitful with the Roman Catholic Church. " 40:35 You know, John Calvin... so to speak 40:39 must be rolling in his grave when this is taking place. 40:42 The article continues, 40:45 "We have made notable progress in terms of Ecumenism 40:49 especially with the joint declaration signed in 2017 40:53 which recognizes our respective ministries. 40:56 As Pope Francis said, 40:59 'Ecumenism is achieved by walking... '" 41:03 this is still Emanuel who is speaking. 41:07 "As Pope Francis said, 41:09 'Ecumenism is achieved by walking. ' 41:11 We are trying to walk together in the hope 41:14 that when we have made enough progress, 41:16 the obstacles that seem to us today insurmountable 41:20 will no longer be. " 41:23 The article continues saying, 41:25 "In addition to Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, 41:29 where it is said that Martin Luther 41:31 posted his 95 Theses to the door in 1517, 41:36 St. Pierre Reformed Protestant Church in Geneva... " 41:40 that's Calvin's church... 41:41 "is considered one of the most iconic sites 41:44 of the Protestant Reformation. " 41:46 Unbelievable Folks... 41:48 now, what is Satan's strategy? 41:51 Satan's strategy is to attack the Bible 41:55 and Satan has attacked the Bible in two different ways. 42:00 The reason why Protestantism will end up 42:03 in the arms of the Papacy 42:04 is that it has forsaken the Bible 42:07 as the absolute standard of truth. 42:09 It has become liberal or politically correct 42:13 practicing false charity. 42:15 Many, in Protestantism, tolerate open sins 42:19 such as Gay marriage... 42:21 Gender confusion... 42:23 Gay clergy. 42:25 Post-modern thinking has infiltrated Protestantism 42:29 like an infectious disease 42:30 and the consequence has been disastrous. 42:33 Now, Satan has attacked the Bible in two different ways. 42:37 During the period of Papal dominion... 42:39 during the 1260 years... 42:41 Satan hid the Bible from the people... 42:45 kept it in a language that they could not read 42:48 and forbade its reading. 42:49 But in these days, 42:51 where there is education and great enlightenment, 42:55 he uses a different strategy. 42:57 I'm going to read now a statement 42:59 that we find in Great Controversy page 51. 43:02 It says, "Satan knew well 43:06 that the Holy Scriptures would enable men 43:09 to discern his deceptions and withstand his power. 43:12 It was by the word that even the Savior of the world 43:16 had resisted his attacks. 43:18 At every assault, 43:20 Christ presented the shield of eternal truth, 43:22 saying, 'It is written. ' 43:24 To every suggestion of the adversary, 43:27 He opposed the wisdom and power of the world. 43:30 In order for Satan to maintain his sway over men, 43:34 and establish the authority of the Papal usurper... " 43:37 now she's speaking about the past... 43:38 he must keep them in ignorance of the Scriptures. 43:42 The Bible would exalt God 43:44 and place finite men in their true position; 43:47 therefore its sacred truths must be concealed and suppressed. " 43:52 Because if people read the Bible, 43:53 they would see very clearly that God deserves our praise 43:59 and our respect... not man... 44:01 the statement continues... 44:03 "For hundreds of years 44:05 the circulation of the Bible was prohibited. 44:08 The people were forbidden to read it 44:10 or to have it in their houses, 44:12 and unprincipled priests and prelates 44:15 interpreted its teachings to sustain their pretensions. 44:19 Thus the Pope came to be almost universally acknowledged 44:23 as the vicegerent of God on earth, 44:26 endowed with authority over church and state. 44:29 The detector of error... " that is the Bible... 44:31 "having been removed, 44:33 Satan worked according to his will. " 44:36 So, Satan's first strategy was to hide the Bible... 44:42 forbid the Bible... 44:43 keep it in a language that people did not understand. 44:46 That way... people would be ignorant of its doctrines... 44:49 they would be ignorant of the life that God wants us to live 44:52 and of the true doctrines that He wanted us to believe. 44:56 But then, Satan has another strategy for this day and age 44:59 because Satan can no longer forbid the Bible 45:02 in this enlightened society. 45:04 Satan can now no longer keep it in a language 45:07 that people can't read, 45:09 so he has to change his strategy 45:11 in order for people not to believe the Bible message 45:14 and what is his method now? 45:16 In the book Great Controversy page 572, 45:20 Ellen White wrote, 45:21 "A day of great intellectual darkness 45:24 has been shown to be favorable 45:26 to the success of the Papacy. " 45:28 That's the past... during Papal dominion. 45:30 "It will yet be demonstrated... " 45:32 now, here comes the second strategy... 45:34 "It will yet be demonstrated 45:36 that a day of great intellectual light is equally favorable 45:41 for its success. 45:43 In past ages... " 45:45 now she refers to what was done with the Bible in the past. 45:48 "In past ages, 45:50 when men were without God's Word 45:52 and without the knowledge of the truth, 45:55 their eyes were blindfolded, 45:57 and thousands were ensnared, 46:00 not seeing the net spread for their feet. " 46:03 Now she goes to this generation. 46:05 "In this generation 46:07 there are many whose eyes become dazzled 46:10 by the glare of human speculations, 46:13 'science falsely so called;' 46:15 they discern not the net, 46:18 and walk into it as readily as if blindfolded. 46:22 On screen... 47:06 I hope you're understanding what is happening. 47:09 Satan, today, does not forbid the Bible... 47:11 he undermines the authority and trustworthiness of the Bible 47:16 in the minds of people. 47:18 That's the reason why they say, "Well, you know... 47:20 we must believe Evolution instead of Creation... " 47:23 that's why they say, "Well, the flood... 47:25 that was some local flood in Mesopotamia... 47:27 it wasn't a global flood... " 47:28 They say, "Well, it doesn't matter what gender you believe, 47:31 we know that God said that there were two genders 47:33 at the beginning but we can't trust that record. " 47:35 They say, "Well, you know, Gay marriage is fine 47:37 because, you know, we know the Bible says 47:39 that a man and a woman were married by God, 47:41 but who can trust that story?" 47:43 So, Satan can do as much 47:45 by undermining the authority of the Bible 47:48 as he can do by forbidding the Bible 47:50 and keeping it in a language that people cannot understand. 47:54 Now, there's a fifth point that we need to take into account 47:59 that will bring Protestants and Catholics together. 48:03 The Protestant Reformers unanimously 48:07 believed that the Papacy 48:09 was the promised Antichrist of Scripture. 48:12 They believe that the Harlot of Revelation 17 48:14 was the Roman Catholic Papacy. 48:16 They believed that the Man of Sin 48:18 in 2nd Thessalonians 2 was the Papacy. 48:20 Many of them believed that the Little Horn of Daniel chapter 7 48:24 was a symbol of the Papacy. 48:26 They believed that in 1st John 48:28 the Antichrist that's referred to 48:30 was a representation of the Papacy. 48:33 In other words, all of these prophecies 48:35 they believed to represent the Roman Catholic Papacy. 48:39 But after the Protestant Reformation, 48:42 the Council of Trent took issue with all of the doctrines 48:46 that were being taught by the Protestants. 48:47 And the Council of Trent 48:49 actually, what they did, was reaffirm Roman Catholic doctrine 48:54 as against the Protestant doctrines. 48:57 That wasn't going to be very successful. 49:00 So, two Roman Catholic scholars... 49:03 one by the name of Luis de Alcazar 49:05 and the other one... Francisco Ribera 49:08 established two forms of interpretive prophecy 49:11 that would deflect the finger that pointed toward the Papacy 49:16 from this System of the Papacy. 49:20 Luis de Alcazar established what is known as Preterism. 49:24 The idea that the Antichrist prophecies that were spoken of, 49:29 the Little Horn of Daniel 7 49:31 represented an individual called Antiochus Epiphanes 49:34 who lived 165 years before Christ. 49:37 That's the Little Horn of Daniel 7. 49:39 And as far as the beast of Revelation chapter 13, 49:42 well, you know, the beast of Revelation 13 49:44 was probably Nero 49:46 because there was this tradition that Nero was killed 49:48 and then, you know, 49:49 he was going to resurrect to life again. 49:51 So, the Antichrist arose in the distant past... 49:56 it has nothing to do with us today. 49:57 By the way, this is the exact interpretation of prophecy 50:01 that has been embraced by liberal Protestant churches... 50:05 the great mainline churches. 50:06 If you find the word "United" attached to the church, 50:10 most likely, they believe in Preterism. 50:14 However, another Roman Catholic Scholar 50:17 by the name of Francisco Ribera... 50:18 both of these were Spaniards... 50:20 established another rival system of interpreting prophecy. 50:23 It's known as Futurism. 50:25 His idea was... no, no, no, no... 50:27 the Antichrist hasn't risen yet. 50:30 The Antichrist is going to rise in the future... 50:32 in a re-built Jerusalem temple, he's going to sit. 50:36 So, Protestants... Conservative Protestants... 50:39 Charismatic Protestants... 50:41 Evangelicals... many of them 50:43 embraced the idea 50:45 that the Antichrist has not come yet. 50:47 He's going to arise in the future. 50:49 And the theory is... 50:51 there's going to be a rapture of the church... 50:53 and then, after the rapture, 50:54 a nasty individual is going to appear... 50:57 first three and half years, he's not really nasty... 51:00 he behaves pretty well towards the Jews 51:02 but then, after the first three and a half years... 51:04 in the middle of the great tribulation... 51:06 when the church is already raptured to heaven, 51:09 then he's going to be seen as the Antichrist. 51:12 He's going to build this great big statue of himself... 51:14 command everybody to worship the statue... 51:18 he is going to put a tattoo on the right hand 51:21 or on the foreheads of his followers 51:24 and whoever does not worship this image 51:26 and does not receive the Mark of the Beast, 51:29 will not be able to buy or sell 51:31 or... even worse... will be killed. 51:33 So, where are Protestants today looking for the fulfillment 51:38 of the Antichrist prophecies? 51:40 They are looking to the distant past 51:42 and they are saying, "These prophecies 51:45 were fulfilled over 2,000 years ago 51:48 with Antiochus Epiphanes. 51:50 They have nothing to do with current events. " 51:53 And as far as Conservative Protestants... 51:55 "Well, you know, basically 51:58 the Antichrist will rise after the church is gone... 52:00 after the Rapture... 52:02 and it's going to happen in the Middle East. 52:04 So, we don't have to worry about that 52:06 because that's going to take place after we're gone. " 52:09 So, what has Satan done? 52:11 He has shifted the traditional Protestant interpretation 52:16 of the Reformers 52:18 from showing that the Papacy is the Antichrist 52:21 to the past... Antiochus Epiphanes 52:25 or to a nasty individual in the future. 52:27 Not only that, 52:29 but we find in Revelation chapter 13 and verses 11 to 18, 52:33 that the United States will play a very important role 52:37 in end-time prophecy. 52:38 That's the beast that rises from the earth. 52:40 He has two horns like a lamb... 52:42 that is... he has some Christ-like appearance 52:45 but he speaks like a dragon. 52:47 Now, we don't have time to get into a full exposition 52:49 of this prophecy 52:51 but this beast represents the United States of America. 52:54 And so, as you read Revelation 13, 52:56 you have the beast that rises from the sea... 52:59 clearly a symbol of the Papacy... 53:01 then, you have the beast that rises from earth... 53:04 clearly a symbol of the United States of America. 53:07 Protestantism can't see it. 53:09 Catholicism can't see it 53:11 because they're looking to the future 53:14 or to the past 53:15 for the Antichrist prophecy to be fulfilled 53:18 and they are not looking in Rome 53:21 and in the United States. 53:23 This makes it much easier for Protestants to join Catholics 53:27 because if Protestants don't believe that the Papacy 53:29 is the Antichrist, 53:31 then there's really no big obstacle 53:32 for Protestants to unite with Roman Catholics. 53:36 Now, in this Series, we have been talking about 53:39 Sabbath and Sunday. 53:40 Really, in the book of Revelation, 53:43 the Seal of God is His holy Sabbath 53:46 and Sunday is the Mark of the Beast. 53:48 That is... when people realize that the seventh day 53:53 is the Sabbath 53:54 and they know that that's true, 53:56 but they insist on still keeping Sunday 53:59 in harmony with tradition, 54:00 at that time, individuals will receive the Mark of the Beast. 54:05 Yet, those who are willing to abide by God's Word, 54:09 keep the seventh-day Sabbath, 54:11 even at the risk of not being able to buy or sell... 54:14 even at the risk of losing their lives... 54:17 they will receive the Seal of God 54:19 to go into the final conflict. 54:21 Now, Great Controversy, 565 and 566 54:25 speaks about the desire of the Papacy 54:29 to ascend to the throne of the world again. 54:32 Ellen White wrote, 54:33 on screen... 55:32 When Ellen White refers to a fierce and determined conflict 55:36 to regain the throne of the world, 55:38 she's not talking about a military conflict, 55:41 she's talking about the Papacy uniting with Protestants 55:46 and trying to get the civil powers of the world 55:50 to implement their agenda. 55:52 Ellen White gave the best description 55:55 that I have ever read on the Papacy. 55:57 I would like to read that now as we bring this to a close. 56:01 Great Controversy page 571, 56:04 "It is part of her policy... " 56:07 that is... of the Papacy's policy 56:09 to assume the character 56:11 which will best accomplish her purpose; 56:14 but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon 56:18 she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent. " 56:23 Do you know what a chameleon is? 56:26 A chameleon is a lizard that changes colors 56:28 depending on the environment where it is. 56:30 You know, if it's on a green environment, 56:33 it looks green. 56:34 If it's on a brown environment, it looks brown. 56:37 It changes colors to camouflage itself. 56:41 The Roman Catholic Papacy is the Antichrist... 56:44 camouflaged... so that people really can't see it. 56:47 "Once again, it is a part of our policy to assume the character 56:50 which will best accomplish our purpose 56:52 but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon, 56:56 she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent. " 56:59 You might be saying, "Pastor Bohr, 57:02 you're crazy when you say that Sabbath and Sunday 57:04 is going to be the big issue at the end of time. 57:06 That's what we've studied in this Series. 57:08 Jesus once said to His disciples, 57:11 "Behold, I have told you this beforehand 57:14 that when it occurs, you might believe. " 57:17 Now, I don't know if it will be in my lifetime, 57:19 but what we have studied in this Seminar 57:22 will take place in the United States 57:26 and in the world 57:27 and when it transpires, 57:29 if you are living... you will say, 57:31 "Certainly, Pastor Bohr when he preached these things 57:35 from the Word of God... was right. " 57:38 And even more importantly than being right, 57:41 is... choosing to be on the right side 57:44 in this final controversy... 57:46 that we will choose the Seal of God 57:48 instead of the Mark of the Beast... 57:50 that we will choose to live by every word that proceeds 57:53 out of the mouth of God 57:55 and not by the traditions of man... 57:57 this will be the great test that we will have to face. 58:02 God bless you. |
Revised 2021-11-04