Two Images

As King Nebuchadnezzar looked down on the plain of Dura and watched the men building his huge image of gold, he was thinking about the dream that he had had not too long before. In it, he had seen an image of gold, silver, bronze, and iron, with feet that were a mixture of iron and clay, and he remembered what Daniel had said about the image as he interpreted his dream.

“ ‘You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold.’ ” Daniel 2:37, 38

He felt proud thinking of himself as the head of gold. He wanted to reign forever and be seen by all as the king of kings. The rest of the dream involved other kingdoms that were to come after him, and a stone that would crush not only those kingdoms, but his own. He did not like that part of his dream, so he decided that the best way to ensure that part of the dream didn’t happen was by building a giant image of pure gold. His heart filled with pride, he was determined that all the people would see and know that his kingdom was forever.

This is one of the manifestations of selfishness. Pride takes the place of reason and causes men to think of themselves and not of others. Exalting oneself is the beginning of pride. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Philippians 2:3

The Israelites had a long history of idol worship. They remembered the stories of how Jacob buried the idols that Rachel had taken from her father’s house, how Moses had broken the tablets of the ten commandments when he saw their ancestors dancing around and worshiping the golden calf. They knew of God’s hatred of image worship. In fact, the second commandment listed on the tablets of stone, written by God’s own finger, commanded that they were not to bow down to images.

They had heard of Elijah and how God had told him to destroy the images of the false prophets and to slay them all for their heresy. Yet when the Babylonians and their captives were all gathered on the plain of Dura before the great image of gold, and the music stopped, they obediently bowed before it, except for three young men. As the Israelite captives bowed before the image of gold, they had forgotten the words of God, “ ‘You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.’ ” Deuteronomy 12:31

The pride of the king had been damaged, and those three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, were about to experience a trial by literal fire. They were thrown into the fiery furnace for their obedience to God. Miraculously, Jesus Himself was in the fire with them and saved them (Daniel 3).

This example of defiance toward the king of Babylon was told to remind us of a future event that is soon to take place. Another image is about to be set up that will try the world on threat of death. In his dream, King Nebuchadnezzar saw the image composed of four different metals, representing four kingdoms:

Babylon – head of gold

Medo-Persia – chest and arms of silver

Greece – belly and thighs of bronze

Roman Empire – legs of iron

But after all this, another empire of a different sort was to come. It was represented as a mixture of iron and clay.

Daniel described it like this: “ ‘Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast [Roman Empire], which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.’ ” Daniel 7:19, 20

Then the angel Gabriel explains this last beast power and the little horn, “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.’ ” Verses 23–25

This little horn is also identified as the first beast of Revelation 13. Here it is shown as a mixture of all the other kingdoms before it. We know it is the same power because of some of the same identifying marks. “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” Verses 5–7. This last power, the fourth kingdom of Daniel 2, represented by the feet of iron and clay of the image Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream, receives its power from the dragon beast of Daniel 7, which represented the Holy Roman Empire and ultimately became the papacy or the Roman Catholic Church.

After 538 AD, the Roman Catholic Church became the de facto Christian entity that ruled over nations and men. Over the centuries, kingdoms rose and fell but, behind the scenes, the Roman Catholic Church was the power spoken of in Daniel 2 and 7. In Revelation 18:13, it describes it as marketing in the “souls of men.” For 1,260 years it ruled with as much cruelty as the pagan Roman Empire before it, keeping the world ignorant of God’s word, until the Protestant Reformation with the printing press made God’s word available to the common man once again.

As we understand this part of the prophecy, it sets up the scene to understand the two images of the future. First let’s continue to understand this first image of Revelation 13. Once we understand that the papacy is the first beast, then we can see clearly how the image that will be set up later resembles it in some ways.

When we talk about images, it is helpful to understand what an image is. Webster’s dictionary describes it this way:

  • “a visual representation of something, such as a likeness of an object produced on a photographic material, or a picture produced on an electronic display (such as a television or computer screen);
  • the optical counterpart of an object produced by an optical device (such as a lens or mirror) or an electronic device;
  • a mental picture or impression of something;
  • a mental conception held in common by members of a group and symbolic of a basic attitude and orientation.”

So, an image does not have to be a carved statue, but simply a “visual representation” of something.

The second beast of Revelation 13 will then make an image or likeness to the first beast, the papacy. A likeness can look like the original. It can share some of the same characteristics of the original, but it is not the original. So, this image will resemble the papacy in some ways, but will be different in others. Also, we must remember that this image will resemble the dragon that gave it the power to begin with. “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” Revelation 13:2

Like the papacy during its reign from 538 AD to 1798 AD, this is not a benevolent power, but a persecuting power. Why? Because its power comes from the dragon. “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9. The dragon, which represents both the pagan Roman power and the power behind it [Satan, the great dragon], gives its power to the new Roman power that is clothed in a false Christianity. It will have the likeness of Christianity, using Christ’s name, claiming the apostles as its founders, using the Bible for its references, just as Satan did when he tempted Christ, but it will also use its own doctrines and policies that do not represent true Christianity.

As Satan used scripture to present himself as an angel of light to tempt Christ, so the papacy uses scripture to push its own agendas. Recently, the courts have granted people who lost their jobs for refusing to work on the “Sabbath” to be compensated and ruled it illegal to terminate their employment. Yet the “sabbath” that they referred to was not the biblical Sabbath but Sunday, the day of worship changed by the papacy. As time goes on, we will see many more of these false doctrinal arguments presented to the world. This way, the image to the papacy attempts to frame its power as righteous and based on the Bible, while behind the scenes, it is a deception to get the world to accept the laws and commandments of men rather than the law of God.

We are warned not to bow down or worship any image, but like the Israelites in Babylon who bowed before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, so the Christian world will bow down to the new image in the last days. These images, or likenesses, are in reality the representation of the character of Satan. Let’s look at some of these characteristics of the image that will not allow us to buy or sell unless we submit to its power.

First of all, Revelation 13:14, first part, says that he (the second beast) will deceive us. How will we be deceived? “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast….”

If we do not love the truth, if we do not know the truth, this image to the papacy will fool us into believing we are following God. “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,” “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9, 10

Those who will follow the image will be those who do not love righteousness. Now, no one would admit they do not love truth and righteousness if they call themselves Christians. But Paul warns that just such a thing will happen. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:1–5. As Christians, we must look inward to examine ourselves to see if any of these traits are in us, because if we have even one, then we will be fooled by the image of the beast into thinking we are righteous.

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon was a “type” of the spiritual Babylon at the end of time. It was full of pride and selfishness. The king believed he was righteous in his acts to exalt himself above the God of heaven, even as the Babylon of Revelation has exalted itself above God. Babylon (or the Roman Catholic Church) is full of wickedness. “And he [the angel] cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!’ ” Revelation 18:2. The doctrines and policies of the papacy have a form of godliness, but it is rebuked by God’s angel exclaiming that it exists by the power of Satan.

In King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the image was destroyed by a stone that became a great mountain. As the Rock, which represents Jesus, crushed the feet of the image in the dream, so it will be with spiritual Babylon. This is a prophecy that shows the end of Satan’s rule and his kingdom. At the second coming of Jesus, the beast (papacy), the image (the false prophet), and all who follow them will be destroyed. “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. … Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19:11, 20, 21

There is a second image that we also must look at. This image is a much different type of image. We find it in the very first book of the Bible. “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26, 27

This image reflects the likeness of God Himself—very different from that of the beast power. When Adam and Eve were first created, they had the likeness of God. Every aspect of creation, whether animate or inanimate, was created in its own individual likeness, but mankind was created in the likeness of God. Remember an image is something that is like, but not the same as something else. Adam and Eve had all the characteristics of God. Their hearts were pure and kind, without sin. They walked with God in the garden of Eden, they handled and took care of every living thing in the garden. They had clear minds that were curious and ever learning the true science of creation. They were part of the family of God and communed with the angels of God.

Only beings with this image can ever be in the presence of God. Their character and demeanor were without spot or blemish. “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36:7. What a contrast between these perfect humans and the humans today. Paul writes about the characteristics of the image of God. If we are to overcome the image of the beast, we must reflect God’s character. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” Colossians 3:12

Our character is to be without spot or blemish by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Paul again admonishes us by contrasting the image of Satan with the image of God. “Now the works of the flesh [the image of the beast] are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:19–23

With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the image of Satan is destroyed, and our characters are restored to the image of God, replaced with God’s character and lovingkindness. The two images are warring within us for dominance. One leads to everlasting destruction, the other leads to everlasting life. If we are not to be fooled by the image of the beast, we must do away with the attitudes of the world. We are told to be separate from the world. This separation is not physical but spiritual. When we entertain in our minds the agendas of the world, we pollute our character, and we will not reflect the image of God. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” Ephesians 4:31. The world wants to draw us into its strife and contentions, but God’s people will do away with all of these things that tarnish the character of God.

These two images—the image of God and the image of the beast—are very different from one another. The image of the dragon or Satan is an image of force. It goes against the true teachings of the Bible. Adhering to the false teachings of the papal church, it creates an image that is dictatorial and persecuting. This image wants to use force to further its idea of a world power. It dominates the world through wars and riches, dragging the people down into its depths of depravity.

But the image that God wants to create in us is a benevolent one. It will not raise a hand to hurt another. It will bend a knee to care for a suffering human. It is always kind in its words and seeks to uplift rather than tear down. It reflects the character of Jesus and as it is created in us, we, too, will reflect that character or image of the One who cares for us. There are two paths, two images, two likenesses that we can choose from. Which one will you choose?

 Michael C. Wells is the director of Anointing Oil Ministries.

If the Foundations be Destroyed, Part II

The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy give us important information to let us know how near we really are to the close of human probation. As we continue this study, I encourage you to continually ask yourself, Am I ready for Jesus to come?

Coming Storm

This portion of the study will begin with Revelation 13. This chapter should be extremely familiar to each one of us, so this should just be a review of what the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy tell us about this chapter and what is happening right now. We are told that a storm is coming that is relentless in its fury, and that it is going to burst upon both Seventh-day Adventists and those in the world alike, as an overwhelming surprise.

To make sure that we are all on the same page, before we begin this study, look first at verses 1 and 2: “Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like [the feet of] a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” About whom is this speaking? It is the papacy. The leopard-like beast is the papacy. It is the first beast of Revelation 13.

Eight Identifiers

Now, read verse 11, in which eight identifying marks of a second power are given: “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” Take a closer look at the identifying marks: (1) “Then,” meaning another power, or another nation, was arising at that time when the papacy received a deadly wound in 1798. (2) It is “another beast.” Remember that a beast in Bible prophecy is a nation or a power. (3) Not so readily identified is the mark of “coming up.” This is translated from the Greek word anabaino, which means, “to spring up like a plant.” Here is a nation that is growing into power. Unlike the other nations that conquered through war, it is coming up out of the earth. (4) The “earth” represents a sparsely populated area. The first beast (verses 1, 2) came up out of the sea, which represents people, multitudes, tongues, and nations. (See Revelation 17:15.) This “lamb” represents the United States of America. (See The Great Controversy, 440.) (5) And then the text says that this beast had “two horns.” These represent Republicanism and Protestantism. (See The Great Controversy, 441.) (6) This beast is “like a lamb.” The word lamb is used 27 times in the Book of Revelation, and 26 of those times it is used as a symbol for Jesus. In this text, it represents a Christ-like nation. (7) And, it says, “he spake.” How does a nation speak? It speaks through its legislation. (8) Then it is described as being “like a dragon.” From Revelation 12:9 and 20:2, we know that a dragon represents Satan! The two horns of this beast are going to speak like a dragon!

Exercise All Power

Laws are going to be framed in the United States to restrict liberty of conscience. We are told, in verse 12, that he, the lamb-like beast with two horns—Republicanism and Protestantism—shall exercise all the power of the first beast—the papacy, the leopard-like beast. And, this passage continues, “[he] causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.” Verses 12–14.

“An image” could be stated as “a likeness to.” It would be correct terminology to state that this beast, this image, is a likeness to the papacy. In other words, we are going to see the two horns, Republicanism and Protestantism, unite as they did in the Dark Ages, when the state gained control of the church and restricted religious freedom.

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak” through its laws, “and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” Verse 15.

In 1780, Benjamin Franklin said, “When a religion is good, I conceive that it will support itself; and, when it cannot support itself, and God does not take care to support, so that its professors are obliged to call for the help of the civil power, it is a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.” “Benjamin Franklin on Religion,” http://www.worldpolicy.org/.

Apostasy

Let us look at this image to the beast for a moment. Ellen White wrote: “It was apostasy that led the early church to seek the aid of the civil government, and this prepared the way for the development of the papacy—the beast. Said Paul: ‘There’ shall ‘come a falling away, . . . and that man of sin be revealed.’ 11 Thessalonians 2:3.” The Great Controversy, 443, 444. What is apostasy? It is when you turn your back on the truth. What do you accept when you turn your back on the truth? Error! This is what led the early church to seek the aid of the civil government, and it prepared the way for the development of the papacy, the beast.

When the church turns its back upon the truth, that means it is going to prepare the way for the image to the beast, and the image is going to speak “and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

Continuing from The Great Controversy, 443, we read: “But what is the ‘image to the beast’? and how is it to be formed? The image is made by the two-horned beast, and is an image to the beast. It is also called an image of the beast. Then to learn what the image is like and how it is to be formed we must study the characteristics of the beast itself—the papacy.

“When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power.”

Did you take notice of what happens as a church departs from truth? It apostatizes, and it turns its back on truth and accepts error and fables in its stead. It loses the Spirit and power of God.

Lawlessness

If the early church would have remained faithful to God, the whole world could have been converted. But as a result of the church backing away from the truth, she lost the Spirit and power of God and the power to convert souls. The church lost the power to go out and preach, as did Peter on the day of Pentecost, when 3,000 souls were added to the number of believers. (Acts 2:38–41.) She lost that power, and any church that follows in that same path today will lose the power and Spirit of God. What, then, shall prevail in society? Lawlessness!

Just as Jesus said, iniquity, or lawlessness, shall abound. (See Matthew 24:11, 12.) We have been hearing from pulpits all around the land that the law has been done away. What do we expect to happen to society when the law has been done away? Lawlessness! That is the inevitable result of such preaching.

“The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of ‘heresy.’ ” Ibid. That is a doctrine not sanctioned by the church.

“The ‘image to the beast’ represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas.” Ibid., 445. Is this becoming increasingly clear? We see those two horns coming together; church and state shall unite.

Common Points

Over a hundred years ago, Ellen White penned: “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.” Ibid., 444.

What is going to happen in the United States? Churches are going to unite on common points of doctrine and on those things that are not important; those doctrines that are not essential, they say, have to be waived.

Notice this: “When this shall be gained, then, in the effort to secure complete uniformity, it will be only a step to the resort to force.” Ibid., 445. Do you know how close we are to this right now? I believe that God is holding this wind back for just a little while longer, and He is allowing it to happen in little, tiny increments, because He sees that we are not ready.

We are not ready! We are not prepared for what is going to come upon this earth, especially in the United States.

“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.” Ibid., 445.

Is this happening today? Are churches uniting today? Friend, what are we still doing? If we know this, what are we doing right now to prepare for this crisis? Ellen White wrote about it over a hundred years ago, and we are still here today! This unification has been happening, increments at a time. It has been happening, and Seventh-day Adventists have not been aware of it.

Catholic Ascendancy

In 1963, the July 25 issue of Catholic News quoted from a former Catholic priest: “There is, ere long, to be a state religion in this country, and that state religion is to be the Roman Catholic. . . . The Roman Catholic is to wield his vote for the purpose of securing Catholic ascendancy in this country.” Frank Hecker, Catholic World, July 1870.

What do you suppose it is today? In 1964, Cardinal Richard Cushing, the renowned archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts, shook up the Catholic Church by praising Billy Graham! He encouraged Catholics to hear the evangelist. Cushing remarked that he would stop worrying about the Catholic Church’s future in America if they had half a dozen men like Graham. (Billy Graham, “We Are Brothers,” “A Christianity Today editorial,” Christianity Today, June 2005, http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2005/june/17.28.html, posted May 24, 2005.)

Catholic and evangelical efforts towards fellowship have largely followed the Cushing-Graham model in unofficial individual and sporadic meetings. For this reason, Pope John Paul’s encyclical letter, in which he stated, “ . . . that they may be one,” is so important. Released in 1995, this teaching fueled the ecumenical movement and started at the second Vatican Council by inviting debate about Catholic doctrine. The document acknowledges for the first time in papal history that the Vatican authority hinders cooperation between such church traditions. (Graham, Christianity Today, June 2005.)

Do you realize that as far back as the 1960s Billy Graham never had a crusade without Catholic priests and nuns present in his audience? And whenever he made his famous altar calls, he would have every single card completed by those individuals who came forward given to the priests and the nuns. (Dr. Cathy Burns, Billy Graham and His Friends: A Hidden Agenda? Sharing, November 2001, 35.)

Billy Graham had never met a pope until John Paul II invited him to Rome in 1981. Ushered into the papal apartments by the Vatican’s swift guards, Graham marveled at the pomp. He and the Pope chatted like long lost friends for 30 minutes, swapping photos, gifts, and travel stories. Before Graham left, John Paul II reached over and clutched Graham’s thumb, and told him, “We are brothers.” Graham revealed nothing of the Pope’s message in 1981. At the time of their meeting, John Paul II had been pope for less than three years. An assertion of spiritual kinship would have been ill received by the bulk of their constituencies, both Catholic and Protestant, but by 1990, when Graham related this story to Time magazine journalist David Akman, the climate had changed considerably. Key to the thaw was John Paul II’s effort to beat back Communism worldwide. He became the hero of freedom. (Graham, Christianity Today, June 2005.)

From what we have read, as given in the Spirit of Prophecy, and from what has been given in the previous paragraphs, does the papacy ever change? No, she shall never change! She is the same despotic, cruel, persecuting power that she was during the Dark Ages. She is only waiting to spring into power.

Moral Relativism

The late Pope John Paul II has been lionized in evangelical eulogies and lauded by the United States President, George W. Bush, as a humble, wise, and fearless priest who became one of history’s greatest moral leaders and a hero for the ages. Why the sudden change? John Paul II offered a winsome face of Christianity to the world and leaves behind a Roman Catholic Church firmly opposed to moral relativism.

You may read more about this at the following web sites:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0504/02/bn.04.html.

Allow me to interject a thought here from the Spirit of Prophecy: “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.” The Great Controversy, 571.

Graham, in his June 2005 Christianity Today editorial, stated, “He [Pope John Paul II] reinforced the Second Vatican Council’s commitment to seek renewal in the sources of classic Christianity, Scripture, and the church fathers. And while significant differences remain, examples include ecclesiastical authority, the means of grace, and the relationship of justification through sanctification. Evangelicals can confidently engage a Catholic Church committed to fundamental truths.” Are they committed to the truths of God’s Word? This is not what I read!

The ECT

Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) is a group comprised equally of Evangelicals and Catholics—40 altogether. If I named the members, you would recognize every single one. In one of its documents, “The Christian Mission In The Third Millennium,” it is shown what these Catholics and Evangelicals agreed upon when they met together. You may read the complete 25-page document on the Internet.

Upon what did the Spirit of Prophecy say Protestants and Catholics are going to unite? “Common points of doctrine,” and when this uniformity is secure, what is going to happen? “When this shall be gained, then, in the effort to secure complete uniformity, it will be only a step to the resort to force.”

Following are some of the points upon which the ECT agreed:

Number One: Jesus Christ is Lord. Do you suppose that Catholics and Protestants can agree upon that? Can they agree upon it when Catholics call the pope, “the Lord God” upon earth?

Number Two: Salvation is only in Christ. Can Catholics and Protestants agree upon those two things? From what I read, the Catholic gains his grace through the Mass, not through Christ.

Number Three: All who accept Jesus are brothers. “Evangelicals and Catholics are brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Ellen White wrote: “The Christian world has sanctioned his [the papacy] efforts by adopting this child of the papacy,—the Sunday institution. They have nourished it, and will continue to nourish it, until Protestantism shall give the hand of fellowship to the Roman power. Then there will be a law against the Sabbath of God’s creation, and then it is that God ‘will do a strange work in the earth.’ ” Review and Herald, March 9, 1886.

Protestantism is giving that right hand of fellowship to the Roman power.

To be continued . . .

Pastor Mike Bauler serves as pastor of the Historic Message Church in Portland, Oregon. He may be contacted by e-mail at: mbauler@earthlink.net.