FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE WALDENSES, THE SABBATH AND THE BIBLE
“In the lands beyond the jurisdiction of Rome, there existed for many centuries existed bodies of Christians who remained almost wholly free from papal corruption. They were surrounded by heathenism, and in the lapse of ages, were affected by its errors; but they continued to regard the Bible as the ONLY RULE OF FAITH, and adhered to many of its truths. These Christians believed in the PERPETUITY OF THE LAW OF GOD, AND OBSERVED THE SABBATH OF THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT. Churches that held to this faith and practices, existed in Central Africa and among the Armenians of Asia.
“But of those who resisted the encroachment of the papal power, the WALDENSES STOOD FOREMOST. In the very land where popery had fixed its seat, there its falsehood and corruption were most steadily resisted. For centuries the churches of the Piedmont maintained their independence; but the time came at last when Rome insisted upon their submission.
“After ineffectual struggles against her tyranny, the leaders of these churches reluctantly acknowledged the supremacy of the power to which the WHOLE WORLD seemed to pay homage. There were SOME, however, who refused to yield to the authority of Pope or prelate. They were determined to maintain their allegiance to God, and to preserve the purity and simplicity of their faith. A SEPARATION TOOK PLACE. Those who adhered to the ancient faith now withdrew; some, forsaking their native Alps, raised the banner of truth in foreign lands; others, retreated to the secluded glens and rocky fastness of the MOUNTAiNS, and there preserved THEIR FREEDOM TO WORSHIP GOD.” – E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed., pp. 63, 64. Pacific Press Publishing Asso., Mountain View, CA.
Learn as much as you can on what the Waldenses and others of the earliest Christians who were the immediate fruits of the missionary labors of Christ’s first disciples and apostles, treasured, practiced, and defended with their lives:—-the Bible and Bible only as the rule of faith; the perpetuity of God’s law: the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; and the inalienable right of liberty and freedom to worship God according to the dictates of the conscience: these are possible only by the separation of church power and state power, which is still protected by the original First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. It is upon this terminal issue that mankind will choose EITHER to receive the mark of the beast or the seal of the living God. This last choice determines the soul’s eternal destiny.
Choose to do God’s will and you will “please Him” as Enoch did before his translation! Bless all, NMF