This abridged version happens to leave out much. Most notably all of the sections about the Papacy being the beast of Revelation. The argument today is that the Catholic church is no longer the same as it was which was outlined by Loren Seibold in his controversial article called “Letting Catholics off the Hook”. http://www.thethirdangelsmessage.com/catholics_off_hook.php
Sabbath a Distinguishing Mark
Secret deals have also apparently been made between church leaders of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and also Protestant church leaders and Catholic’s saying “it had been agreed that the Seventh-day Adventist Church would tone down its public presentations of the Bible Sabbath.”
http://www.sdadefend.com/MINDEX-C/Secret-interchurch.pdf
This is a serious matter for those who claim to still stand for the pillars of our faith.
The Sabbath was said to be a distinguishing mark between God’s people and the other nations or denominations.
“No other institution which was committed to the Jews tended so fully to distinguish them from surrounding nations as did the Sabbath. God designed that its observance should designate them as his worshipers. It was to be a token of their separation from idolatry, and their connection with the true God. But in order to keep the Sabbath holy, men must themselves by holy. Through faith they must become partakers of the righteousness of Christ. When the command was given to Israel, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” the Lord said also to them, “Ye shall be holy men unto Me.”[4 EX. 20:8; 22:31.] Only thus could the Sabbath distinguish Israel as the worshipers of God. (Ellen White Desire of Ages page 283)
It would seem that at least some are trying to blur the lines between the people of God, and the world.
Rome Doesn’t Change
I think sometimes when looking at the Catholic Church and considering that today they are held back by laws of the land from enforcing their religion on others we begin to think they look rather innocent. Well, if those laws were removed, she would be the same as she always was. Because the doctrines are the same, thus the spirit and principles behind those doctrines is the same.
“Rome never changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will change” (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, June 1, 1886).
So it isn’t them that have changed, but rather us. It is a backslidden church.
“The Lord has pronounced a curse upon those who take from or add to the Scriptures. The great I AM has decided what shall constitute the rule of faith and doctrine, and he has designed that the Bible shall be a household book. The church that holds to the word of God is irreconcilably separated from Rome. Protestants were once thus apart from this great church of apostasy, but they have approached more nearly to her, and are still in the path of reconciliation to the Church of Rome. Rome never changes. Her principles have not altered in the least. She has not lessened the breach between herself and Protestants; they have done all the advancing. But what does this argue for the Protestantism of this day? It is the rejection of Bible truth which makes men approach to infidelity. It is a backsliding church that lessens the distance between itself and the Papacy. {ST, February 19, 1894 par. 4}
Consigning anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint to the Historical Trash Heap
“The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions.”(GC 607)
What means at their command do they use. Ted Wilson’s father once said:
“Although it is true that there was a period in the life of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when the denomination took a distinctly anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint…that attitude on the church’s part was nothing more than a manifestation of widespread anti-popery among conservative Protestant denominations in the early part of this century and the latter part of the last, and which has now been consigned to the historical trash heap so far as the Seventh-day Adventist Church is concerned.” (Neal C. Wilson, past president of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference)
So here we have evidence that there is an “effort to shut away the light” regarding the Papacy and other issues, and Ted Wilson has “used means at his command to suppress discussion of these vital questions” and basically “consigned” the “anti-popery” questions and talk in the Great Controversy “to the historical trash heap”.
And to be perfectly honest, it worked like a charm as many are calling the distribution of this book a “reformation” and “revival”. Meanwhile everything about the reformation was deleted out of the book.
Sometimes the words of Elder Ted Wilson and the works seem to conflict with each other. See my open letter to Ted Wilson for much more on this:
http://www.thethirdangelsmessage.com/open_letter_ted_wilson
Notice carefully the following account, which I believe can only be seen and understood with spiritual eyes.
“. . .That night I dreamed that I was in Battle Creek looking out from the side glass at the door and saw a company marching up to the house, two and two. They looked stern and determined. I knew them well and turned to open the parlor door to receive them, but thought I would look again. The scene was changed. The company now presented the appearance of a Catholic procession. One bore in his hand a cross, another a reed (learn the meaning of these symbols). And as they approached, the one carrying a reed made a circle around the house,saying three times: ‘This house is proscribed. The goods must be confiscated. They have spoken against our holy order.’ Terror seized me, and I ran through the house, out of the north door, and found myself in the midst of a company, some of whom I knew, but I dared not speak a word to them for fear of being betrayed. I tried to seek a retired spot where I might weep and pray without meeting eager, inquisitive eyes wherever I turned. I repeated frequently: ‘If I could only understand this! If they will tell me what I have said or what I have done!’ I wept and prayed much as I saw our goods confiscated. I tried to read sympathy or piety for me in the looks of those around me, and marked the countenances of several whom I thought would speak to me and comfort me if they did not fear that they would be observed by others. I made one attempt to escape from the crowd, but seeing that I was watched, I concealed my intentions. I commenced weeping aloud, and saying: ‘If they would only tell me what I have done or what I have said!’ My husband, who was sleeping in a bed in the same room, heard me weeping aloud and awoke me. My pillow was wet with tears, and a sad depression of spirits was upon me.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 578.
I think that we can safely conclude that the issues regarding the trademarking of the name, taking others to court and using tithe to do so, views on the Sabbath, as well as abortions and other practices in the hospitals. That the following can safely be said to be true today:
“Yet we hear that the voice of the conference is the voice of God. Every time I have heard this, I have thought it was almost blasphemy. The voice of the Conference ought to be the voice of God, but it is not, because some in connection with it are not men of faith and prayer, they are not men of elevated principle. There is not a seeking of God with the whole heart; there is not a realization of the terrible responsibility that rests upon those in this institution to mold and fashion the minds after the divine similitude.” Manuscript 37, p. 8. April, 1901.
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