THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION Its Birth Its Death and

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION Its Birth, Its Death, and The Aftermath

The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest the closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil. {PK 148. 1}

Some Ignore End Time Events Few can discern the result of entertaining the sophistries advocated by some at this time…. They estimate as nothing the light that Christ came from heaven to give John to give to His people. They teach that the scenes just before us are not of sufficient importance to be given special attention.

Great Changes in the World The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones. Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 11.

The Progressive Deterioration of Christian

John Wycliffe Morning Star of Reformation

Understanding the Reformation What we now call the Reformation was that movement, beginning with Luther, which sought to re-form a Christendom de-formed, and to effect this on the lines of biblical scholarship, sound tradition, and clear reason. New Dictionary of Theology Its Emphasis By Grace alone, Faith alone, Christ alone

October 31, 1517

Long line of Reformers

But a Counter-Reformation has been occurring Council of Trent: 1545 - 1563 Second Vatican Council : 1962 – 1965 OCTOBER 31, 2017 COMPLETION OF THE REVERSAL

The Family Reunion The Papacy knew that the so-called Protestant Churches were not genuine, since they are not really Bible-believing. Hence they have invited them back home.

Targeting America Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the state. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin” (RH-June 15 1897). (7 BC-976).

Image of the Beast- Conglomerate of Evil In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends. {GC 443. 2} Revoking the Johnson Amendment

The Image of The Beast 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. {GC 445. 1}

Union of Catholics and Protestants When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government… then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near. Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 451.

Crucial Developments 1. Catholics and Protestants United For The Third Millennium - 1994 2. Catholic Campaign For America - 1994 3. Agreement with the Lutherans – 1999 4. Forgiveness of Martin Luther - 2000

Response of Protestant Churches The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned, and the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement. Many urge that it is unjust to judge the church of today by the abominations and absurdities that marked her reign during the centuries of ignorance and darkness. They excuse her horrible cruelty as the result of the barbarism of the times and plead that the influence of modern civilization has changed her sentiments. GC 563. 2}

Have these persons forgotten the claim of infallibility put forth for eight hundred years by this haughty power? So far from being relinquished, this claim was affirmed in the nineteenth century with greater positiveness than ever before. As Rome asserts that the "church never erred; nor will it, according to the Scriptures, ever err" (John L. von Mosheim, Institutes of Ecclesiastical History, book 3, century II, part 2, chapter 2, section 9, note 17), how can she renounce the principles which governed her course in past ages? {GC 564. 1}

But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, to re-establish persecution, and to undo all that Protestantism has done.

Protestants have tampered with and patronized popery; they have made compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand. Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy. The people need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to civil and religious liberty. {GC 566. 1}

Intentions of The Papacy Marvelous in her shrewdness and cunning is the Romish Church. She can read what is to be. She bides her time, seeing that the Protestant churches are paying her homage in their acceptance of the false Sabbath, and that they are preparing to enforce it by the very means which she herself employed in by-gone days.

Rome is aiming to re-establish her power, to recover her lost supremacy. Let history testify of her artful and persistent efforts to insinuate herself into the affairs of nations; and having gained a foothold, to further own aims, even at the ruin of princes and people. {GC 88 580. 2}

And let it be remembered, it is the boast of Rome that she never changes. The principles of Gregory VII. and Innocent III. are still the principles of the Romish Church. And had she but the power, she would put them in practice with as much vigor now as in past centuries. Let the principle once be established in the United States, that the church may employ or control the power of the State; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and State is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country is assured. {GC 88 580. 3}

What Next? � God's Word has given warning of the impending danger; let this be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men…. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further own ends when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage-ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. GC-580

Signs of The Times? Considering the role that Bible prophecy says the US will play in final events, it might not be coincidental that while the Papacy is engineering the end of Protestantism, the US has a president that is doing things to position herself to execute that role! 1. Make America Great Again 2. Abolishing the Johnson Amendment

Worldwide Focus on Adventists Our people have been regarded as too insignificant to be worthy of notice; but a change will come. The Christian world is now making movements which will necessarily bring commandment-keeping people into prominence…. Movements are being set on foot to enslave the consciences of those who would be loyal to God. The law-making powers will be against God's people. Every soul will be tested. Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 546.

Enmity against Seventh-day Adventists The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against Seventhday Adventists because they will not yield homage to the papacy by honoring Sunday, the institution of this antichristian power. TM 37 (1893)

A Great Apostasy Is Coming! As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. GC 608 (1911) The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out— the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless, it must take place. 2 SM 380 (1886)

Our Test To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few— this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason. 5 T 136 (1882)

Continuing the Reformation What the reformers began must not only be continued – it must be completed. We must be faithful in our time and place to the light God gives us. Arthur Patrick, Priorities, October 2017

There must be no toning down of the truth, no muffling of the message for this time. The third angel's message must be strengthened and confirmed. The eighteenth chapter of Revelation reveals the importance of presenting the truth in no measured terms but with boldness and power. . There has been too much beating about the bush in the proclamation of the third angel's message. The message has not been given as clearly and distinctly as it should have been. {Evangelism, 230. 2}

Importance of Faith The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely tried. {CC 369. 4}