Showing posts with label Eternal Gospel Ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eternal Gospel Ministry. Show all posts
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Friday, November 04, 2016
Monday, October 31, 2016
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Seventh-day Adventist Newspaper Ad Sparks Sunday Law Debate
April 28, 2014 1:06 PM EDT
West Palm Beach, FL (PRWEB) April 28, 2014
A two-page, center spread, newspaper advertisement that appeared in the San Francisco Examiner on Sunday, April 27, 2014, pages 12, 13, is stirring up a heated debate on the Biblical Sabbath.
The ad headline reads "Liberty of Conscience Threatened" and predicts that Sunday laws will once again be enforced here in America. The two, full-page ad goes on to describe that the Bible commands us to observe the Sabbath on Saturday, the seventh day of the week.
"The ad is part of a nationwide campaign to educate and warn the public that Sunday laws will become more and more increasingly dangerous to religious liberty," says Pastor Raphael Perez of the Eternal Gospel Church, an independent Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Palm Beach, FL that was founded in 1992.
Other ads have appeared in the New York Times, LA Times, USA Today, Miami Herald, and in over 250 daily newspapers according to the Eternal Gospel Church's website.
Pastor Perez believes that church and state will unite in the efforts to save our culture and family structures from completely deteriorating. He claims that a national Sunday law will be offered as a solution by these "interest groups" to combat the ills of society.
"What they don't understand is that in their efforts to 'save' our society, these Sunday laws will actually have a negative social impact because they are a threat to the freedom of conscience," Pastor Perez explains.
The advertisement cites many sources from both the media and from the Bible that seems to suggest that a Sunday law is in the horizon.
"The concern we have is that when the state begins to enforce religious festivals and compels people to observe the first day of the week [Sunday law], this will inevitably lead to discrimination and persecution and will trample the conscience of minority groups," Pastor Perez continues. "Seventh-day Adventists, Sabbatarian Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, agnostics, and atheists are all entitled to equal rights and to impartial protection under the laws of government."
Pastor Raphael Perez, a former Catholic who once attended a Roman Catholic Seminary identifies himself as a "Seventh-day Adventist believer."
One the foundational tenets of the Seventh-day Adventist faith is that its members keep Saturday, the seventh day, as the Biblical Sabbath and not Sunday as do the Protestants and Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church is identified in the ad as the party responsible for the change of the day of worship.
The ad concludes with a one thousand dollar offer to anyone who can produce a Bible verse that states that Jesus or His disciples transferred the solemnity of the seventh-day Sabbath to Sunday, the first day of the week.
About the Eternal Gospel Church: The Eternal Gospel Church was founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist Believers, and has been engaged in a world-wide newspaper, radio, and billboard campaign for over 20 years with the goal of teaching people about the present truth for this time. They also have been giving a warning message about the dangers of Sunday laws, the union of church and state, and modern spiritualism.
Eternal Gospel Church
http://www.eternalgospel.com
eternalgospel(at)att(dot)net
1-800-769-2150
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/04/prweb11800160.htm Something is wrong with this 'original link'.
Source
Search the Newspaper's (The San Francisco Examiner) site for the actual ad on pages 12&13: http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?eid=f08dd265-5d72-4ef9-a808-3f21c9078fcd&skip=true
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Saturday, April 26, 2014
Non Affiliated Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Publishes Controversial Billboards
A self-supporting Seventh-day Adventist pastor recently published two billboards in northwest Michigan that is grabbing the attention of people.
Eternal Gospel Seventh-day Adventist Believer's Billboards
West Palm Beach, FL (PRWEB) March 28, 2014
There are two controversial billboards that have recently been placed in northwest Michigan. One depicts the Virgin Mary and asks if Virgin Mary sightings are real and if the dead can really speak to us. The other describes Saturday as being the true Lord's day and claims that the day was changed to Sunday by the Antichrist. Both billboards offer a free book to those who call the phone number listed: 1-866-7TH-DAY-2.
Pastor Raphael Perez of the Eternal Gospel Church is responsible for the billboards. A look at his website describes his ministry as being founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist believers.
"We have been engaged in a campaign for over 15 years with more than 100 billboards in the major cities and highways across America," says the Florida pastor.
When asked if he thinks his message could be characterized as controversial, he says yes. "Every present truth that God has for His people will always been considered unpopular. And it is no different today," he explains.
Even though Pastor Raphael Perez is not part of the 18 million member Seventh-day Adventist denomination, he claims that the message of his billboards is deep-rooted in Seventh-day Adventist theology.
"Historically, our Seventh-day Adventist pioneers of the 19th Century used to engage in this same work. Sadly, during the last few decades, the leaders of the church have been shying away from this work in order to become more ecumenical," Pastor Perez continues.
Both billboards are located outside of Cadillac, Michigan, one on State Road 115 and the other is on Business Highway 131. Michigan is considered a central point in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church was founded in Michigan in 1863 during its first world convention. Later their first hospital and college were established there also. The founding fathers of the church, James and Ellen White, are buried in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Pastor Raphael Perez's church was previously known as the Eternal Gospel Seventh-day Adventist Church. But as a result of its straightforward style of evangelism, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the highest governing body of the denomination, sued what they described in federal court as a "hate group" from using the denomination's name. A federal lawsuit was filed in 1999 over trademark infringement, unfair competition, and dilution. The lawsuit ended with a settlement which resulted in the current name of the church - "Eternal Gospel Church, Founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist Believers."
"It is true that my church suspended my membership and even sued me in federal court, but I am still a Seventh-day Adventist believer," says Pastor Raphael Perez when asked about the lawsuit. "The message I believe in and preach is still the same message that the church once taught and still teaches," he continues. "It's not me who has changed. They have changed."
Pastor Perez says that the work of his ministry is supported by people from both within and without the denomination.
About the Eternal Gospel Church: The Eternal Gospel Church was founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist Believers, and has been engaged in a world-wide newspaper, radio, and billboard campaign for over 20 years with the goal of teaching people about the present truth for this time. They also have been giving a warning message about the dangers of Sunday laws, the union of church and state, and modern spiritualism.
Eternal Gospel Church
http://www.eternalgospel.com
1-800-769-2150
Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/03/prweb11711645.htm
Also:... .http://www.wnd.com/markets/news/read/26777094
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Saturday, December 28, 2013
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Billboard depicting the Virgin Mary and a Revelations verse angers local Catholics
Posted: 05/04/2013
By: Angela CruzWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A controversial billboard at the intersection of Southern Boulevard and Jog Road in West Palm Beach has upset local Catholics.
Judy Carbo, a Catholic from Stuart, said she did a double take when she drove by the billboard, which shows an image of the Virgin Mary, with a Bible verse, Revelations 16:14.
"My heart nearly broke, and I had to pull back around and come look at the sign up close," said Carbo. "It blatantly gives a derogatory image of our lady and the Catholic faith."
Alison Valus, a Catholic from Jupiter, said combining an image of the Virgin Mary with that particular Bible verse, which mentions demonic spirits, is inflammatory against her religion.
"Stuff like this is very misleading, and it's hurtful," said Valus.
Reverend James Molgano with St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church said the message is offensive because it uses sacred scripture against Mary.
"To use the inherent Word of God against her, against the church, is blasphemous," said Molgano.
The number on the billboard goes to an answering machine for the Eternal Gospel Ministry. The message said the organization is closed on weekends.
Meantime, she is concerned that the billboard sends the wrong message to thousands of drivers every day.
"You want to advertise your faith, that is your right as a citizen, but not by bashing somebody else's," said Carbo. " Especially with misinformation."
Source: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/billboard-depicting-the-virgin-mary-and-a-revelations-verse-angers-local-catholics#ixzz2Snj3XqY1
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Monday, December 03, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Is a National Sunday Law Coming Soon? The Eternal Gospel Church Weighs in on the Ever-growing Controversy
Today, a National Sunday Law is being agitated under the guise of “saving the family” and the “economy.” Does this mean that a religious test will soon be required by law? The Eternal Gospel Church, a ministry founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist Believers, has recently published a full-page ad in the USA Today, New York Times, LA Times, and the Tampa Tribune on the controversial and complex issue surrounding Sunday Laws.
" In matters of conscience the majority has no power."
West Palm Beach, FL (PRWEB) November 27, 2012
“The re-institution of a National Sunday Law would help save the workers, the family, and the economy. This is what the churches, the governments, the secular media, and the labor unions are lobbying for today," says Pastor Raphael Perez of the Eternal Gospel Church. He says his church, which is a member of the General Assembly of Free Seventh-day Adventists, has been on a nation wide newspaper campaign to raise awareness to what he calls "a revival of religious/political ideas of medieval times that are a threat to civil and religious liberties."
Pastor Raphael Perez cites several recent newspaper articles in which he sees society trying to reestablish Sunday as a national day of worship and rest. For example, Perez says that the USA Today newspaperrecently endorsed Sunday observance by law in an article written by Gladys Edmunds on Oct. 24, 2007 entitled: “Better Take a Break, Or You’ll Break Down.” In this article, the columnist reminisced about a “time when almost all retail establishments recognized Sunday as a day of Sabbath and rest from work. They honored and respected that day by closing.” She concluded the article by giving one possible solution: “Shut yourself down for a day of rest.” And if not one would suffer the consequences of resting by “force.”
A similar article appeared in the Wall Street Journal by Mollie Ziegler Hemingway entitled: “The decline of the Sabbath in America: Less praying, more working and playing.” This article published June 15, 20017 and was circulated nation-wide promoting Sunday-keeping and Sunday closing laws as necessary for saving our culture.
A World-wide Phenomena
The Eternal Gospel Church claims that there is a world-wide call to restore Sunday as the day of rest through civil legislation. They claim that laws are being agitated that would compel people to observe Sunday by refraining from work; and, that the media is complicit in this because they only give one side to this issue. Look at a few of these headlines:
“National Back to Church Sunday Set for Sept. 18 Across America,” PRWeb.com, Sept. 14, 2011
“Sunday Shopping banned in Croatia,” Associated Press, July 15, 2007
“Louisiana Barber Ticketed for Working on Sunday,” FoxNews.com, May 27, 2008
“Sunday Shopping? France Says No,” Time Magazine, Dec. 17, 2008
“New Sunday Shopping Rules Make No Sense,” Winnipeg Sun [Canada], May 23, 2012
“Do we really need more Sunday shopping hours?” Express & Starr [England], March 29, 2012.
“Trade Unionists Campaign Against Sunday Trading” PolskieRadio, [Poland, March 5, 2012
“North Dakota Catholic Conference Says Sunday Law Benefits All People” EWTN News, July 15, 2011
“Sunday Shopping Linked With Less Happiness,” New York Times, Sept. 3, 2010
“Guarantee that Sundays will be Work-free, EU Leaders Urged,” The Sofia Echo [Europe], March 24, 2010
“German Court Enforces Day of Rest,” ABC News, Dec. 3, 2009
“The re-institution of a National Sunday Law would help save the workers, the family, and the economy. This is what the churches, the governments, the secular media, and the labor unions are lobbying for today," says Pastor Raphael Perez of the Eternal Gospel Church. He says his church, which is a member of the General Assembly of Free Seventh-day Adventists, has been on a nation wide newspaper campaign to raise awareness to what he calls "a revival of religious/political ideas of medieval times that are a threat to civil and religious liberties."
Pastor Raphael Perez cites several recent newspaper articles in which he sees society trying to reestablish Sunday as a national day of worship and rest. For example, Perez says that the USA Today newspaperrecently endorsed Sunday observance by law in an article written by Gladys Edmunds on Oct. 24, 2007 entitled: “Better Take a Break, Or You’ll Break Down.” In this article, the columnist reminisced about a “time when almost all retail establishments recognized Sunday as a day of Sabbath and rest from work. They honored and respected that day by closing.” She concluded the article by giving one possible solution: “Shut yourself down for a day of rest.” And if not one would suffer the consequences of resting by “force.”
A similar article appeared in the Wall Street Journal by Mollie Ziegler Hemingway entitled: “The decline of the Sabbath in America: Less praying, more working and playing.” This article published June 15, 20017 and was circulated nation-wide promoting Sunday-keeping and Sunday closing laws as necessary for saving our culture.
A World-wide Phenomena
The Eternal Gospel Church claims that there is a world-wide call to restore Sunday as the day of rest through civil legislation. They claim that laws are being agitated that would compel people to observe Sunday by refraining from work; and, that the media is complicit in this because they only give one side to this issue. Look at a few of these headlines:
“National Back to Church Sunday Set for Sept. 18 Across America,” PRWeb.com, Sept. 14, 2011
“Sunday Shopping banned in Croatia,” Associated Press, July 15, 2007
“Louisiana Barber Ticketed for Working on Sunday,” FoxNews.com, May 27, 2008
“Sunday Shopping? France Says No,” Time Magazine, Dec. 17, 2008
“New Sunday Shopping Rules Make No Sense,” Winnipeg Sun [Canada], May 23, 2012
“Do we really need more Sunday shopping hours?” Express & Starr [England], March 29, 2012.
“Trade Unionists Campaign Against Sunday Trading” PolskieRadio, [Poland, March 5, 2012
“North Dakota Catholic Conference Says Sunday Law Benefits All People” EWTN News, July 15, 2011
“Sunday Shopping Linked With Less Happiness,” New York Times, Sept. 3, 2010
“Guarantee that Sundays will be Work-free, EU Leaders Urged,” The Sofia Echo [Europe], March 24, 2010
“German Court Enforces Day of Rest,” ABC News, Dec. 3, 2009
Preparing the World for a Universal Sunday Law?
The Vatican, head of the world’s largest Christian denomination, has also weighed in on the Sunday Law question: “The pope said traditional family values and Sunday rest were key to escaping the ills of modern society… Particularly in a period of economic crisis and social unease, families should celebrate Sunday as the day of man and his values.” - Pope Says Family Values are Key to Escaping Modern Ills, AFP News, June, 3, 2012.
Surprisingly, the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled in two separate cases [McGowan v. Maryland, 1961, and Braunfeld v. Brown, 1961] that Sunday laws are not a violation of the First Amendment – which separates church from state – but rather, Sunday Laws are “secular” and are designed to improve “health, safety, recreation, and general well-being” of its citizens.
A Lesson from History
Pastor Raphael Perez says that we should learn from history and not make the same mistakes of the past. He says that on the surface all these Sunday Laws sound quite refreshing. However, he claims that we cannot ignore that in Colonial America, Sunday Laws, or Blue Laws, were established as early as 1655 by the Puritan Christians in an effort to try to compel the people to attend their religious services - by law! Failure to do so would result in fines, imprisonment, and even death.
"Also in Europe, during the Middle Ages, at the Council of Laodicea 363-364 A.D., Canon 29, church and state united to persecute those who didn’t follow the Sunday Law" says Pastor Perez, a former Roman Catholic seminary student now turned Seventh-day Adventist.
Voice of Dissent
Not everyone is convinced that Sunday Laws are good for society. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas gave a dissenting opinion against the establishment of Sunday by law in MCGowan v. Maryland, 366 U.S. 420 (1961): “The Court picks and chooses language from various decisions to bolster its conclusion that these Sunday laws are in the modern setting are civil regulations. No matter how much is written, no matter what is said, the parentage of these laws is the Fourth Commandment; and they serve and satisfy the religious predispositions of our Christian communities.”
Also Charles Spurgeon, the famous 19th Century Baptist preacher, sums up his dissent against Sunday Laws when he said: “I am ashamed of some Christians because they have so much dependence on Parliament (government) and the law of the land. As to getting the law of the land to touch religion, we earnestly cry, ‘Hands off! Leave us alone!’ Your Sunday bills (Laws) and all other forms of act-of-Parliament religion seem to me to be all wrong.” American State Papers, Bearing on Sunday Legislation, p. 737.
"Remember that religious legislation, regardless of how innocent or beneficial it may appear, always seems to bring persecution to minority groups," explains Pastor Raphael Perez. Perez feels that he is in the minority group because His church keeps the Seventh-day, or Saturday, as the Sabbath instead of Sunday. He concludes by reiterating a call to religious liberty and calls for toleration, "America became great because if its free institutions. Our U.S. Constitution forbids the establishment of a state church and forbids the church from using the state to punish the voice of dissent. These principles established by the Founding Fathers made this nation a bastion of liberty, freedom, and justice for all.
About The Eternal Gospel Church: Eternal Gospel Church was founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist Believers, and has been engaged in a world-wide newspaper campaign for over 20 years with the goal of teaching people about the sensitive nature, complexities, and history of Sunday Laws. Their most recent full-page ads were published in the USA Today, the New York Times, the LA Times, and the Tampa Tribune. Their mission is to protect the spirit of liberty and encourage religious and civil liberty. The Eternal Gospel Church works in collaboration with the General Assembly of Free Seventh-day Adventists.
Source
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The Vatican, head of the world’s largest Christian denomination, has also weighed in on the Sunday Law question: “The pope said traditional family values and Sunday rest were key to escaping the ills of modern society… Particularly in a period of economic crisis and social unease, families should celebrate Sunday as the day of man and his values.” - Pope Says Family Values are Key to Escaping Modern Ills, AFP News, June, 3, 2012.
Surprisingly, the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled in two separate cases [McGowan v. Maryland, 1961, and Braunfeld v. Brown, 1961] that Sunday laws are not a violation of the First Amendment – which separates church from state – but rather, Sunday Laws are “secular” and are designed to improve “health, safety, recreation, and general well-being” of its citizens.
A Lesson from History
Pastor Raphael Perez says that we should learn from history and not make the same mistakes of the past. He says that on the surface all these Sunday Laws sound quite refreshing. However, he claims that we cannot ignore that in Colonial America, Sunday Laws, or Blue Laws, were established as early as 1655 by the Puritan Christians in an effort to try to compel the people to attend their religious services - by law! Failure to do so would result in fines, imprisonment, and even death.
"Also in Europe, during the Middle Ages, at the Council of Laodicea 363-364 A.D., Canon 29, church and state united to persecute those who didn’t follow the Sunday Law" says Pastor Perez, a former Roman Catholic seminary student now turned Seventh-day Adventist.
Voice of Dissent
Not everyone is convinced that Sunday Laws are good for society. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas gave a dissenting opinion against the establishment of Sunday by law in MCGowan v. Maryland, 366 U.S. 420 (1961): “The Court picks and chooses language from various decisions to bolster its conclusion that these Sunday laws are in the modern setting are civil regulations. No matter how much is written, no matter what is said, the parentage of these laws is the Fourth Commandment; and they serve and satisfy the religious predispositions of our Christian communities.”
Also Charles Spurgeon, the famous 19th Century Baptist preacher, sums up his dissent against Sunday Laws when he said: “I am ashamed of some Christians because they have so much dependence on Parliament (government) and the law of the land. As to getting the law of the land to touch religion, we earnestly cry, ‘Hands off! Leave us alone!’ Your Sunday bills (Laws) and all other forms of act-of-Parliament religion seem to me to be all wrong.” American State Papers, Bearing on Sunday Legislation, p. 737.
"Remember that religious legislation, regardless of how innocent or beneficial it may appear, always seems to bring persecution to minority groups," explains Pastor Raphael Perez. Perez feels that he is in the minority group because His church keeps the Seventh-day, or Saturday, as the Sabbath instead of Sunday. He concludes by reiterating a call to religious liberty and calls for toleration, "America became great because if its free institutions. Our U.S. Constitution forbids the establishment of a state church and forbids the church from using the state to punish the voice of dissent. These principles established by the Founding Fathers made this nation a bastion of liberty, freedom, and justice for all.
About The Eternal Gospel Church: Eternal Gospel Church was founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist Believers, and has been engaged in a world-wide newspaper campaign for over 20 years with the goal of teaching people about the sensitive nature, complexities, and history of Sunday Laws. Their most recent full-page ads were published in the USA Today, the New York Times, the LA Times, and the Tampa Tribune. Their mission is to protect the spirit of liberty and encourage religious and civil liberty. The Eternal Gospel Church works in collaboration with the General Assembly of Free Seventh-day Adventists.
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Preference versus Conviction
Uploaded by mkencrl on Apr 23, 2011
(A few years ago the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists brought a lawsuit against Pastor Rafael Perez and the Eternal Gospel church in West Palm Beach-Florida, for using the name "Seventh-day Adventist" which was trademarked in 1981.)
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Eternal Gospel Ministry - 2009 Fall Camp Meeting
Tuskahoma, Oklahoma
2009 Fall Camp Meeting
Date: October 9, 10, 11, 2009
2009 Fall Camp Meeting
Date: October 9, 10, 11, 2009
Fall Camp Meeting 2009 (July/August 2009)
As we approach the end of summer we want to remind you of our Oklahoma Camp Meeting 2009 this autumn. It would do us good to recall the blessings, the purposes, and objectives of these gatherings.
The Spirit of prophecy has given us divine counsel on the matter of attending camp meeting. “It is important that the members of our churches should attend our camp meetings. The enemies of truth are many; and because our numbers are few, we should present as strong a front as possible. Individually you need the benefits of the meeting, and God calls upon you to number one in the ranks of truth...Strengthen the meeting all you possibly can by being present with your families. Put forth extra exertion to attend the gathering of God’s people.” Testimonies, Vol. 6, pp. 38, 39.
Camp meeting is a time for preaching, fellowship, and personal soul-searching. Notice what is the focus for the theme of camp meeting: “The very first and most important thing is to melt and subdue the soul by presenting our Lord Jesus Christ as the sin-pardoning savior. Never should a sermon be preached, or a Bible instruction in any line be given, without pointing the hearers to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).” Ibid. pp. 53, 54.
These words apply to the needs of all who attend camp meeting. They are to be evangelistic. We must hear the important truths for this time. They are also to be a place for revival and reformation as well.
The speakers for the October camp meeting will include: Dr. Sudhir Pandit, MD, Pastor Raphael Perez, Pastor Stephen Lewis, and Elder Charles Gordon.
You are Cordially Invited to attend Our
Fall 2009 Camp Meeting
Speakers:
To Be Announced...
Dates:
Friday October 9, 2009 - Starting at 6:30 p.m.
Sabbath October 10, 2009 - All Day Starting at 7:30 a.m.
Sunday October 11, 2009 - Starting at 7:30 a.m.
Location & Directions:
Tuskahoma, Oklahoma located in the mountains of Southeast Oklahoma (click map link below)
Tuskahoma, Oklahoma located in the mountains of Southeast Oklahoma (click map link below)
Accommodations:
Camping and tents will be permitted. Facilities for shower and restrooms are available. RVs are welcome, hook-up available. Call to reserve a camping spot or for information on local hotels 1-800-769-2150. We do have limited rooms available on our campground. The local hotels are:
Camping and tents will be permitted. Facilities for shower and restrooms are available. RVs are welcome, hook-up available. Call to reserve a camping spot or for information on local hotels 1-800-769-2150. We do have limited rooms available on our campground. The local hotels are:
A & A Hotel 918-569-4101
Sardin Inn 918-569-4665
Clayton Country Inn 918-569-4165
Hickory Ridge 888-545-4992
Little Haven 918-569-3333
Sardin Inn 918-569-4665
Clayton Country Inn 918-569-4165
Hickory Ridge 888-545-4992
Little Haven 918-569-3333
Campmeeting Schedule
To be announced...
*Meals will be Provided Friday Evening to Sunday Morning
*Meals will be Provided Friday Evening to Sunday Morning
Source: http://www.eternalgospel.com/
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
Who is responsible for apostasy?
Apostasy
Who is responsible for apostasy?
Author: Ron Spear
“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16.
The Old Testament is the history of the apostasy of God’s church. The Exodus movement with nearly two million souls and only two entered the Promised Land—Caleb and Joshua. The history of the seventy year captivity is another example of the church’s apostasy. From Genesis to the time of John the Baptist there was almost continual rebellion. John came preaching repentance and they killed him for it. He prepared the way for Christ’s ministry. The history of the church in Christ’s day was revealed in Matthew chapter 23. Christ cried out, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” Jesus attempted to convert the leaders of His church, and they killed Him for it. The prophets of the Old Testament were killed and persecuted for their straight testimony to the church. All through the ages those who lived the truth and preached it were imprisoned and killed for their straight testimony.
“According to the light that God has given me in vision, wickedness and deception are increasing among God’s people who profess to keep His commandments. Spiritual discernment to see sin as it exists, and then to put it out of the camp, is decreasing among God’s people; and spiritual blindness is fast coming upon them. The straight testimony must be revived, and it will separate those from Israel who have ever been at war with the means that God has ordained to keep corruptions out of the church. Wrongs must be called wrongs. Grievous sins must be called by their right name. All of God’s people should come nearer to Him and wash their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Then will they see sin in the true light and will realize how offensive it is in the sight of God.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 324.
During the 1,260 year prophecy, history reveals that more than 50 million sincere, dedicated saints chose death rather than to yield their conscience and compromise the precious gospel of salvation.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church
The question that we must ask now is, Have we followed in the same apostasy as that of the ancient church?
“I have been shown that the spirit of the world is fast leavening the church. You are following the same path as did ancient Israel. There is the same falling away from your holy calling as God’s peculiar people. You are having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Your concord with unbelievers has provoked the Lord’s displeasure. You know not the things that belong to your peace, and they are fast being hid from your eyes. Your neglect to follow the light will place you in a more unfavorable position than the Jews upon whom Christ pronounced a woe.
“I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies has been steadily increasing as the people backslide from God. It is all through our ranks, all over the field. But few know what our churches are to experience. I saw that at present we are under divine forbearance, but no one can say how long this will continue. No one knows how great the mercy that has been exercised toward us. But few are heartily devoted to God. There are only a few who, like the stars in a tempestuous night, shine here and there among the clouds.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 75-76.
Could it be that God counseled us in apostasy? Could it be that we have more to fear from within the church itself than from the world—even the papacy?
“The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ’s righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 81.
“God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals.” Ibid., 82.
“The church cannot measure herself by the world nor by the opinion of men nor by what she once was. Her faith and her position in the world as they now are must be compared with what they would have been if her course had been continually onward and upward. The church will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. If her moral character and spiritual state do not correspond with the benefits and blessings God has conferred upon her, she will be found wanting. The light has been shining clear and definite upon her pathway, and the light of 1882 calls her to an account. If her talents are unimproved, if her fruit is not perfect before God, if her light has become darkness, she is indeed found wanting. The knowledge of our state as God views it, seems to be hidden from us. We see, but perceive not; we hear, but do not understand; and we rest as unconcerned as if the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, rested upon our sanctuary. We profess to know God, and to believe the truth, but in works deny Him. Our deeds are directly adverse to the principles of truth and righteousness, by which we profess to be governed.” Ibid., 83-84.
The Reason For The Long Delay—See Testimonies, Vol. 2, 194
God says we are in the third watch. The delay is because:
“I saw that watch after watch was in the past. Because of this, should there be a lack of vigilance? Oh, no! There is the greater necessity of unceasing watchfulness, for now the moments are fewer than before the passing of the first watch. . . . If we watched with unabated vigilance then, how much more need of double watchfulness in the second watch. The passing of the second watch has brought us to the third, and now it is inexcusable to abate our watchfulness. The third watch calls for threefold earnestness. To become impatient now would be to lose all our earnest, persevering watching heretofore. The long night of gloom is trying; but the morning is deferred in mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be found unready. God's unwillingness to have His people perish has been the reason for so long delay. . . . ” Maranatha, 56.
The apostasy was not the Assyrians and people in the northern kingdom of Israel. This has been the case in almost every generation. In the church’s history the leaders caused them to err. See Isaiah 1:1-9. There was only a very small remnant that was faithful.
“Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.” Isaiah 1:9.
The leaders compromised the standard of righteousness by faith by their own lifestyle.
“God sends you into the world as His representative. In every act of life you are to make manifest the name of God. This petition calls upon you to possess His character. You cannot hallow His name, you cannot represent Him to the world, unless in life and character you represent the very life and character of God. This you can do only through the acceptance of the grace and righteousness of Christ.” Mount of Blessing, 107.
The Rebellion Of The Ancient Church Is Now The Rebellion
Of The Present Day Seventh-day Adventist Church
“God has shown me that these men are Hazaels to prove a scourge to our people. They are wise above what is written. This unbelief of the very truths of God’s word because human judgment cannot comprehend the mysteries of His work is found in every district, in all ranks of society. It is taught in most of our schools and comes into the lessons of the nurseries. Thousands who profess to be Christians give heed to lying spirits. Everywhere the spirit of darkness in the garb of religion will confront you.
“If all that appears to be divine life were such in reality; if all who profess to present the truth to the world were preaching for the truth and not against it, and if they were men of God guided by His Spirit—I then might we see something cheering amid the prevailing moral darkness. But the spirit of antichrist is prevailing to such an extent as never before. Well may we exclaim: ‘Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.’ I know that many think far too favorably of the present time. These ease-loving souls will be engulfed in the general ruin. Yet we do not despair. We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers there can be no true Christians, but this is not the case. God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor.
“The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to ‘science falsely so called’ will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. In the day time we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold their genuine luster.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 79-80.
What excuse will leaders, pastors and laity use in the judgment that is soon to come?
“We need to beware lest we suffer the same fate as did ancient Israel. The history of their disobedience and downfall has been recorded for our instruction, that we may avoid doing as they did. It has been written ‘for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.’ If we pass by these cautions and warnings, developing the same traits of character developed by the Israelites, what excuse can we plead?” Review and Herald, July 10, 1900.
The patience of our loving Saviour Jesus Christ has waited now 160 years for His beloved remnant church to fulfill its mission. God will not long continue His wonderful loving patience.
“My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.” Ezekiel 34:6-7.
“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.” Ezekiel 33:11-13.
God’s message of warning is before the leaders of the church, the pastors and the lay leaders. There is great wickedness among us. Many of our pastors are preaching like the Evangelical world. Some are celebrating like Pentecostals with worship and music. Remember ancient Israel is now becoming our history. Could it be that we have done worse than the ancient church?
“I saw that many who profess to believe the truth for these last days think it strange that the children of Israel murmured as they journeyed; that after the wonderful dealings of God with them, they should be so ungrateful as to forget what He had done for them. Said the angel: ‘Ye have done worse than they.’ I saw that God has given His servants the truth so clear, so plain, that it cannot be resisted. Wherever they go, they have certain victory. Their enemies cannot get round the convincing truth. Light has been shed so clear that the servants of God can stand up anywhere and let truth, clear and connected, bear away the victory. This great blessing has not been prized, or even realized. If any trial arises, some begin to look back and think they have a hard time. Some of the professed servants of God do not know what purifying trials are. They sometimes make trials for themselves, imagine trials, and are so easily discouraged, so easily hurt, self-dignity is so quick to feel, that they injure themselves, injure others, and injure the cause. Satan magnifies their trials and puts thoughts into their minds that if given way to, will destroy their influence and usefulness.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 129.
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Source: http://www.eternalgospelherald.com/Adventist%20Apostasy.htm
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Saturday, January 10, 2009
Eternal Gospel Ministry Florida Camp Meeting
Florida Camp Meeting
When: January 16, 17, 18, 2009
Where: Lake Placid, FL
Speakers: Mike Nicholson, Raphael Perez, Moses Mason, and Dennis Simpson
Source: http://www.eternalgospel.com/
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