Closer to the Sunday Law

DATE OF PUBLICATION: JANUARY 2005 WM 1253

FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW —

# Edging Closer to the Sunday Law

— GET READY, GET READY, GET READY

CCT STARTED BY BISHOPS

In a separate tract study, Christian Churches Together [WM–1252], which I gathered from various sources several weeks ago (and releasing with this tract), I presented the astounding fact that it was two Roman Catholic bishops in Baltimore who, working with two Protestants, got that new multi-denominational Protestant/Catholic/Orthodox organization started and moving toward full implementation.

But now a friend (whom I will not name because he has close ties to what is happening in Washington, D.C.) provides this information:

MM STARTED BECAUSE OF A CATHOLIC

It is of the highest significance that the organization, Moral Majority, was also started because of a Roman Catholic! In 1979, at the urging of Catholic activist, Paul Weirich, Jerry Falwell initiated that coalition. The initial objective was to gather together various Protestant groups, to carry out the "American Catholic Bishops’ Plan" and, more specifically, their "Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities." The aim was to use the abortion issue as the means of uniting various Christian organizations to take a much more active part in U.S. politics.

Speaking about how Catholic bishops planned to use the Moral Majority as a means of accomplishing their objectives, Dr. Stephen Mumford wrote this:

"This plan is a superbly detailed blueprint of the [Catholic] bishops’ strategy for infiltrating and manipulating the American democratic process at the national, state, and local levels. It creates a political machine controlled by the bishops."—Life and Death of NSSM 200, p. 137.

"The ‘Pastoral Plan’ specifically directed the creation of ‘grassroots’ organizations for the purposes of advancing the papal agenda."—Ibid., p. 166.

"Vital to the success of the Bishops’ Plan has been the creation of, first, the Moral Majority."—Ibid., p. 176.

THE TFV COALITION

This idea of uniting the churches in powerful new political coalitions, to force the U.S. government to accede to their demands

, produced the Moral Majority, 26 years ago, and the beginnings of Christian Churches Together in the summer of 2001. But Jerry Falwell, having retired from active leadership of his Virginia Church, is now pushing a new organization, The Faith and Values Coalition.

Here is a fax issued by Falwell’s organization in late November 2004:

" ‘Following the sweeping re-election of President Bush and a new generation of conservative lawmakers nationwide, a new organization, The Faith and Values Coalition (TFVC) has been launched,’ said Falwell . . Essentially, TFVC is a 21st Century resurrection of the Moral Majority! . . Dr. Tim LaHaye [author of the Left Behind Series] will serve as the Coalition’s board chairman . . ‘One of our primary commitments is to help make President Bush’s second term the most successful in American history,’ Dr. Falwell said.

"Falwell noted that during Moral Majority’s heyday, ‘we registered millions . . [who] joined heads and hands to reclaim America for God. Many historians believe the result was the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 and the genesis of what the media calls the ‘Religious Right’ . . ‘At that time, God burdened my heart to mobilize religious conservatives around a pro-life, pro-family, strong national defense, and pro-Israel platform, designed to return America to her Judeo-Christian heritage. And I distinctively feel that burden again . .

" ‘On election night, I actually shed tears of joy as I saw fruits of a quarter century of hard work’ . . TFVC will be organizing in all 50 states and enlisting and training millions of Americans to become partners in this exciting task of bringing this nation back to the moral values of faith and family on which it was founded."

The stated objective of these various Christian coalitions is to "cleanse the nation" of its evils.

Indeed, some evils may be cleansed; but we know, from Great Controversy, that some other things will be eradicated: including the Bible Sabbath and those who refuse to abandon it.

ECT STARTED BY CATHOLICS

You may recall how Evangelicals and Catholics Together was started in the mid-1990s by several Catholic and Protestant leaders. Although it dwindled, this present study lists a remarkable number of organizations which are taking its place.

AMERICAN VALUES

Gary Bauer and Dr. James Dobson have their American Values organization, which is extremely powerful due to its ability to quickly get millions of phone calls placed to Congressional switchboards.

TAKE AMERICA BACK

Yet another very active religious coalition is led by D. James Kennedy, a prominent Florida Presbyterian pastor. Called Take America Back, it is continually adding new members. What is it that these religious coalitions want to bring America back to?

CATHOLIC LEAGUE

This organization worked closely with the others, named above, in getting out the vote for the 2004 presidential election. They are all working far more closely in achieving their objectives than at any earlier time. The Catholic League includes some Protestants. This quote is from their pamphlet, Catholic Campaign for America:

"Building the greatest coalition of Catholic leaders in American history and recruiting these leaders from every part of the country and from every walk of life. Our mission is to activate Catholic citizens and increase the Catholic electorate’s influence in formulating public policy."—"Because It Is Time."

Could their objective be stated more clearly than that!

CHRISTIAN COALITION

This organization, founded in 1979, has, in recent years, burst back into new life. It is aggressively working to achieve its goals.

Both D. James Kennedy and Jerry Falwell are setting up offices in Washington, D.C., so they can influence Congress and the President more closely. The Christian Coalition has its own Congressional liaison leader who promotes their agenda daily. Bauer has had an office in Washington, D.C. for years.

DECREES ARE FAST LAWS

We are living at a time when laws "for the good of the nation" can be "decreed" with the stroke of a pen by the U.S. president. He does not have to wait for the slower movements of the U.S. Congress to do it. Advent believers should be aware of how rapid the end may come!

The word, "decree" (that is, not a law mandated by Congress), is used in the new Patriot Act Update, enacted on October 2, 2004. Read this astounding statement:

"The President, in case of any national emergency, shall decree any moral actions needed to assure American citizens of their national heritage under God. Does not our pledge of allegiance say, ‘One nation under God with liberty and justice for all?’ "—Patriot Act Update, October 2, 2004.

The Spirit of Prophecy not only speaks of the coming Sunday crisis statute as a "law," but it is also referred to as a "decree." A "law" is enacted by Congress; but a decree is issued solely by the President. It can be done very quickly.

"If the believers in the truth are not sustained by their faith in these comparatively peaceful days, what will uphold them when the grand test comes and the decree goes forth."—4 Testimonies, 251.

"The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast."—5 Testimonies, 152.

"Sundaykeeping is not yet the mark of the beast, and will not be until the decree goes forth causing men to worship this idol sabbath."—Faith I Live By, 286 (Manuscript 118, 1899; see GC 449).

We are told that this will come as a result of a grand coalition of churches in America:

"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."—Great Controversy, 445.

To an unusual extent, the Protestant and Catholic coalitions worked fairly closely to re-elect George W. Bush to the presidency.

THE CHRISTIAN COALITION SESSION

The Christian Coalition maintains extremely close contacts with every major Protestant and Catholic denomination and organization in America,—as well as with the most highly placed officials in the Republican Administration and Congress.

The theme of the 2004 Christian Coalition meetings this year was "Let’s Take America Back!" The audience was told: "Let’s take it back from the abortionists, gay rights activists, pornographers, same-sex marriage supporters, children’s literature trashers, junk video merchants, drug pushers, and the condoms-are-the-answer league."

We can agree with the worth of such projects; but, once power is in hand, other "Christianizing" projects will also be undertaken.

"Before conservative Christians get too comfortable with this church-state alliance . . this anointment of the GOP as ‘God’s Only Party’—they would do well to remember a bit of familiar wisdom: Those who seek power by riding the back of a tiger soon end up inside."—Charles C. Haynes, Charleston Gazette-Mail.

In reality, the coalitions are riding the back of the second beast of Revelation 13.

Which recalls another statement:

"The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon."—5 Testimonies, 452.

A SPECIAL CONTACT

We have a close friend who is highly involved in the Christian Coalition. From time to time, he gives us reports on developments. The push to enact a National Sunday Law is very likely to originate with those various religious coalitions.

This fall, he and his wife were invited to be present at the meeting of the Christian Coalition. It was held on Capitol Hill—in one of the auditoriums of Congress. During the meetings, many congressmen left their chambers (some, just minutes prior to voting or completing important legislation), so they could speak to the assembled Christian activists. Both Capitol Hill and the White House know that the Religious Right is continually gaining in power and influence; and they are anxious to please this fast-growing force in American politics.

In the many speeches that were made, four issues were paramount:

1 - We must take America back. In order to do this, legislation must be enacted that will stop its moral decay.

2 - The power of activist judges must be stifled and the authority given back to Congress.

3 - We must work urgently to "get out the Christian vote" - and tell them that they must only vote for candidates who stand for Biblical values.

4 - We must go to the "grassroots" (i.e., person to person) in order to promote our moral agenda. Our agenda must include every moral issue that is causing the degeneration of America.

One significant theme was that Protestants have let the Catholics lead out opposing abortion; but now Protestants must actively unite with them in carrying on this and other tasks.

MESSAGES GIVEN AT THE CC MEETINGS

Many congressmen spoke to those in attendance at the special Christian Coalition session, held this fall in Washington, D.C. Here is what two, who were not legislators, said:

Jerry Falwell

received a standing ovation: "We also know the solution and it isn’t the Democrats or the Republicans, but it’s Christ Jesus . . The Republican party doesn’t have the head count to elect officials without the religious right; so we must stand with them, because they stand more on the side of God and right than our other choice . . I’m optimistic about America. It’s been going downhill for the last 30 years . . There’s been a quiet, but sure, religious awakening; and I believe we’re about to see a spiritual awakening and revival like never before. There are 80 million Evangelicals ready to make a difference!"

Catholic priest

Frank Pavronne, of Priests for Life: "Because Jesus Christ is Lord, we have a mission to accomplish and that’s to elect members to Congress who believe in the right to life . . We must mobilize those who agree. Christians must storm the gates of hell . . The election question is what kind of a government will we have."

PUSHING RAPIDLY FORWARD

The following "legislative briefings" will give you an idea of how fast the Republican House is moving to fulfill Christian concerns:

(1) Promoting a ban on cloning, (2) Working to defund Planned Parenthood. (3) Defeated "Hate Crimes Bill" which would criminalize what preachers say. (Stay out of Canada!) (4) Voted to keep the "Under God" clause in the pledge. (5) Working on the "Defense of Marriage Act." (6) Working to override federal judges and refer cases to state courts. (7) Pushing the "Ten Commandments Defense Act." (8) Voted for the "Laci Act" which ascribes personhood to unborn infant victims of crimes.

SETTING THE AGENDA

Our friend spoke with Roberta Combs, head of the Christian Coalition, yesterday morning. In January, he will be meeting with David Bauer and Dr. James Dobson. He also has a personal invitation to attend the Presidential Inauguration on January 20.

He has advised me that Karl Roe, Bush’s special adviser in the White House, is going to meet with the leaders of the Christian Coalition next week (just after Christmas) "to strategize." They have been told that Bush wants them "to give him an agenda to consider."

That is legalese for this: "You represent the Religious Right, which has helped put me in the White House. Now what can I do for you to make you happy?" Bush knows he must do some very special favors for them, in order to keep the Protestants and Catholics on the Republican side in forthcoming elections.

My friend has been invited to be present at an important forthcoming Christian Coalition planning meeting, to be held in January.

NATIONAL ID CARDS

Last Friday, Bush signed the new Homeland Security Act. It includes an extremely important provision near the end:

"Legislation Sets Stage for Uniform Driver’s Licenses, Washington—The anti-terrorism bill to be signed by Pres. Bush on Friday opens the door for people across the nation to have similar driver’s licenses, a plan that is fueling a debate over whether security concerns will lead to what amounts to a national identification card . .

"Civil liberties groups and other critics say the move by Congress to . . force states to adopt tough anti-fraud measures is the first step toward a system that could encroach on privacy rights.

"The American Civil Liberties Union says that such licenses could give the government a way to have citizens carry cards that eventually could be used to reveal a range of private information, including where people go and what they do . .

" ‘It’s just a matter of time and the government’s own discretion about what kind of data could be contained on that card,’ says Larry Pratt, Executive Director of Gun Owners of America.

"ACLU attorney, Marv Johnson, worries that advances in technology would allow the U.S. government to install radio frequency chips in driver’s licenses that would allow information on the licenses to be accessed by readers several feet away.

" ‘It’s a fairly frightening scenario,’ said ACLU attorney, Marv Johnson. ‘We’ve never been a country in which you’ve had to show your papers.’ "—USA Today, December 16, 2004.

TIME TO GET READY

As we see this law approaching, we must arouse to action, pray earnestly, and set to work to share the final message by word of mouth and by the sharing of books.

"Those who seek to compel men to observe an institution of the papacy, and trample upon God’s authority, are doing a work similar to that of the Jewish leaders in the days of the apostles. When the laws of earthly rulers are brought into opposition to the laws of the Supreme Ruler of the universe, then those who are God’s loyal subjects will be true to Him.

"We as a people have not accomplished the work which God has committed to us. We are not ready for the issue to which the enforcement of the Sunday law will bring us. It is our duty, as we see the signs of approaching peril, to arouse to action.

"Let none sit in calm expectation of the evil, comforting themselves with the belief that this work must go on because prophecy has foretold it, and that the Lord will shelter His people. We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience.

"Fervent, effectual prayer should be ascending to heaven that this calamity may be deferred until we can accomplish the work which has so long been neglected. Let there be most earnest prayer, and then let us work in harmony with our prayers."—5 Testimonies, 713-714.

"This very class [religious leaders] put forth the claim that the fast-spreading corruption is largely attributable to the desecration of the so-called ‘Christian sabbath,’ and that the enforcement of Sunday observance would greatly improve the morals of society."—Great Controversy, 587.

"Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth.

"Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government. Ministers who deny the obligation of the divine law will present from the pulpit the duty of yielding obedience to the civil authorities as ordained of God. In legislative halls and courts of justice, commandment keepers will be misrepresented and condemned. A false coloring will be given to their words; the worst construction will be put upon their motives."—Great Controversy, 592.

"As the Protestant churches reject the clear, Scriptural arguments in defense of God’s law, they will long to silence those whose faith they cannot overthrow by the Bible. Though they blind their own eyes to the fact, they are now adopting a course which will lead to the persecution of those who conscientiously refuse to do what the rest of the Christian world are doing, and acknowledge the claims of the papal sabbath.

"The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet’s words: ‘The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’ Revelation 12:17."—Great Controversy, 592.

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