"The Seventh-day Adventist Church cannot be treated either as a new religious movement,; or as a sect," declares a joint statement drawn by the Roman Catholic Church and the [Seventh-day] Adventist Church in Poland.

Recognizing each other's autonomy and independence, the document was issued following 15 years of dialogue aimed at better understanding of the teachings and practice of the Catholic and the Adventist Churches, as well as improving relations without compromising each other's identity.

COMMENT:
This first paragraph reveals two important facts;. (1) Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership had been dialoging with the Roman Catholic Church for "15 years." (2) The result of this dialogue is a "document" of joint agreement. Rather than comment on this obvious breach of trust, we will let the inspired messenger to the Seventh-day Adventist Church comment.

"Romanism is now regarded by Protestants [Adventists] with far greater favor than in former years," Ellen White wrote. "In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome." (Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, page 563, emphasis supplied).

"The time was when Protestants [Adventists] placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly purchased," Ellen concluded. "They taught their children to abhor popery and held that to seek harmony with Rome would be disloyalty to God. But how widely different are the sentiments now expressed!" (ibid., GC, p. 563, emphasis supplied).

Adventist News Network Continued
The document cites the fact that "relations between Catholics and Adventists have not been best in the past." The statement was signed by representatives of the Churches, including Pastor Wladyslaw Polok, president of the [Seventh-day] Adventist Church in Poland, and Archbishop Alfons Nossol, chairman of the Polish Episcopate's Commission for Ecumenical Affairs.

COMMENT:
The statement that "relations between Catholics and Adventists have not been best in the past" proves that this signed "document" is a new Seventh-day Adventist position on the papacy. Notice also that the "statement was signed by representatives of the Churches." Seventh-day Adventist leadership, beyond the knowledge of the laity, signs an agreement with Rome - With the Antichrist? They report the signing after the fact. Most Adventists are fast asleep and will never know the difference. But what does the messenger of the Lord say?

"The papacy is just what prophecy declared that she would be, the apostasy of the latter times," Ellen White warned. (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, quoted).. "It is a part of her policy to assume the character which will best accomplish her purpose; but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent." (ibid., The Great Controversy, page 571, emphasis supplied).

"The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned, and the Protestant [Adventist] world are inclined to accept the statement," Ellen White stated. "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." (ibid., GC, p. 563, emphasis supplied).

Adventist News Network Continued
"With regret we recognize cases when the different religious and civic circles have denied the ecclesiastical status of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, even referring to it as a sect. Such an approach is unacceptable and, we believe, it is highly detrimental for the mutual relations," the document states.

COMMENT:
Should we be concerned about what the papacy and other churches of Babylon think of us. Does Adventist leadership steel believe that the papacy is still the great Antichrist? Evidently not! Then the statement that "it is highly detrimental for the mutual relations," What mutual relations? Are we to now have "relations" with the great Antichrist of Revelation 13?

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" the apostle Paul wrote, "and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).

"Have these [Adventist] persons forgotten the claim of infallibility put forth for eight hundred years by this haughty power?" Ellen White asks, ". . . how can she renounce the principles which governed her course in past ages?" (ibid., GC, p. 564, emphasis supplied).

Adventist News Network Continued
"This document affirms religious liberty. We are regarding it as an important development not only for our Church in Poland. Religious minorities are too often regarded as less than what they are," said Pastor Polok.

COMMENT:
"The document affirms religious liberty." You must be kidding! Since when did the papacy ever care about religious liberty? Is pastor Polak, and Adventist leadership, totally ignorant of the chapter, "Liberty of Conscience Threatened," in the book, The Great Controversy? The sub-title alone, "Aims of the Papacy," exposes the true motives of the Antichrist!

"The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility," Ellen White warned. "All that she has done in her persecution of those who reject her dogmas she holds to be right; and would she not repeat the same acts, should the opportunity be presented?" (ibid., GC, p. 564, emphasis supplied).

"Let the restraints now imposed by secular governments be removed and Rome be reinstated in her former power," Ellen White warned, "and there would speedily be a revival of her tyranny and persecution." (ibid., GC, p. 564, emphasis supplied).

Adventist News Network Continued
"The statement recognizes that though the Churches can refer to similarities, they also see difference between each other's 'doctrine, practice and church policies.'" However, both sides affirm a need to cultivate respect for each other and learn to understand each other. The dialogue was "conducted on the basis of partnership, care to uphold a full identity of both sides, as well as their autonomy and independence, in the spirit of mutual respect and Christian love, and in recognition of the ideals of tolerance and religious freedom."

COMMENT:
"The dialogue was "conducted on the basis of partnership. . . independence . . .mutual respect and Christian love. . .recognition of the ideals of tolerance and religious freedom?" Astounding! It is almost unbelievable that anyone calling themselves a Seventh-day Adventist, let alone those in leadership, could be so ignorant, or even worse disregard, the history of the papacy during the dark ages and the Reformation. Are Seventh-day Adventists still Protestant? Evidently not, for they point out that, "The statement recognizes that. . .the Churches can refer to similarities," between the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. (See, Bert B. Beach and Lukas Vischer, So Much In Common, "Between the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland, 1973). (Note:- A copy of So Much In Common may be obtained from: Adventist Laymen's Foundation, P. O. Box 69, Ozone, AR 72854).

"But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history," Ellen White wrote. "The Protestant [Adventist] churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times." (ibid., GC, p. 565, emphasis supplied).

"The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation," Ellen White continued.. "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." (ibid., GC, p. 565, emphasis supplied).

Catholicism is gaining ground upon every side. See the increasing number of her churches and chapels in Protestant countries. Look at the popularity of her colleges and seminaries in America, so widely patronized by Protestants. Look at the growth of ritualism in England and the frequent defections to the ranks of the Catholics. These things should awaken the anxiety of all who prize the pure principles of the gospel.

Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pages 565, 566. (emphasis supplied)

Adventist News Network Continued
"This is an important turn of events for our Church," says Prof. Zachariasz Lyko, who for many years was responsible for the Polish Adventist Church's public affairs. "This development is not a result of criticism, public attacks or confrontation, but Christian kindness toward each other and respect for dignity of a human person."

COMMENT:
"Christian kindness toward each other" and "respect for dignity of a human person." Christian kindness and dignity for what human person? The pope? Please! The dark history of nearly 2,000 years testifies to the "Christian kindness" of the papacy toward other faiths

"Protestants [Adventists] have tampered with and patronized popery; they have made compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand," Ellen White stated. "Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy." (ibid., GC, p. 565, emphasis supplied).

"The people need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to civil and religious liberty," Ellen White added further. (ibid., GC, p. 566, emphasis supplied). Yet the report stated that, "Prof. Zachariasz Lyko, who for many years was responsible for the Polish Adventist Church's public affairs," which is part of the Seventh-day Adventist "Religious Liberty" department. Indeed, the leadership of the SDA Church "need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to civil and religious liberty."

Adventist News Network Continued
"Many of us can recall how we have been labeled with different names. We have been misunderstood and often ridiculed. As for us, we wanted to sit down together and recognize that Christian love requires a different kind of relation in the society we are a part of. As Seventh-day Adventists we seek to take a positive approach to other faiths [Roman Catholic]. We have stated this publicly and this document affirms our attitude," he added.

COMMENT:
"As for us, we wanted to sit down together [with papists] and recognize that Christian love requires a different kind of relation in the society we are a part of." We will let the Spirit of Prophecy address this one:

"They [Protestants/Adventists] excuse her horrible cruelty as the result of the barbarism of the times," Ellen White stated, "and plead that the influence of modern civilization has changed her sentiments." (ibid., GC, p. 563, emphasis supplied).

"We wanted to sit down together," with papists? The report stated that the Adventists wished to "recognize that Christian love requires a different kind of relation." What kind of a relationship can there be with the great Antichrist of the last days?

"As Seventh-day Adventists we seek." That is the problem. Leadership "seeks" and decisions are made in the name of Seventh-day Adventists - and laity knows nothing about what leadership is seeking and signing! Leadership then reports to laity fifteen years after the fact.

"A prayerful study of the Bible would show Protestants [Adventists] the real character of the papacy and would cause them to abhor and to shun it;" Ellen White observed, "but many are so wise in their own conceit that they feel no need of humbly seeking God that they may be led into the truth." (ibid., GC, p. 572, emphasis supplied).

Adventist News Network Continued
The document does not deal with doctrinal and theological issues. During the years of meetings, both sides presented their theological views and doctrinal positions in the interest of better understanding between both confessions.

COMMENT:
"During the years of meetings [fifteen years to be exact], both sides [Seventh-day Adventist and Roman Catholic] presented their theological views and doctrinal positions in the interest of better understanding between both confessions." Does anyone really believe that the papacy cares a whit what Seventh-day Adventists believe and teach - except for pioneer Adventist views that the papacy is the great Ant-Christ!

"As the Protestants [Adventist] churches have been seeking the favor of the world, false charity has blinded their eyes," Ellen White wrote. "They do not see but that it is right to believe good of all evil, and as the inevitable result they will finally believe evil of all good." (ibid., GC, p. 571, emphasis supplied).

"Instead of standing in defense of the faith once delivered to the saints," Ellen White stated, "they are now, as it were, apologizing to Rome for their uncharitable opinion of her, begging pardon for their bigotry." (ibid., GC, pp. 571, 572, emphasis supplied).

Adventist News Network Continued
"Our Church recognizes that such dialogue cannot be a dialogue of compromise, but one of cooperative spirit and common understanding," Lyko explained.

COMMENT:
"Our Church recognizes." Leadership is always ready and willing to tell the world, or even the papacy, what "our Church recognizes" or what Seventh-day Adventists believe. In the same breath, leadership talks of a "common understanding" with the papacy. How blind are the leaders of the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church?

"It is not without reason that the claim has been put forth in Protestant countries that Catholicism differs less widely from Protestantism than in former times," Ellen White stated. "There has been a change; but the change is not in the papacy. Catholicism indeed resembles much of the Protestantism [Adventism] that now exists, because Protestantism [Adventism] has so greatly degenerated since the days of the Reformers [Pioneers]." (ibid., GC, p. 571, emphasis supplied).

Adventist News Network Continued
"We are doing nothing different except what the early pioneers of our Church supported and advocated. It is always better to engage in a respectful conversation than in a confrontation that often prevents achieving desired changes," he said.

COMMENT:
"What the early pioneers of our Church supported and advocated?" What history is contemporary Adventist leadership reading? Surely not Seventh-day Adventist history! One only need observe the works of Waggoner and Jones, Uriah Smith, Andrews and James White to see that this a totally a false statement.

"If we desire to understand the determined cruelty of Satan, manifested for hundreds of years, not among those who never heard of God, but in the very heart and throughout the extent of Christendom, we have only to look at the history of Romanism," Ellen White wrote. "Through this mammoth system of deception the prince of evil achieves his purpose of bringing dishonor to God and wretchedness to man." (ibid., GC, p. 570, emphasis supplied).

Adventist News Network Continued
Lyko commented that "as a Church, our side was not interested in compromising any of our fundamental beliefs."

COMMENT:
Seventh-day Adventist leadership had already compromised the "Fundamental Beliefs" in the Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56! (See, Neil C. Livingston, The Greatest Conspiracy, Chapter 12, "The Ultimate Betrayal." www.adventist4truth.com).

"Over the years, however, as the exchange of information between us took place, we noted many confessional similarities but also differences. The Catholic side recognizes in the document the Christocentric character of our beliefs, and especially our belief in the Trinity, as well as ecclesiological identity of the Church, a status affirmed by an act of the Polish Parliament. On our part, we spoke of a need to change attitudes toward our denomination and recognized the openness of the Catholic Church, especially in recent times, toward the Bible," Lyko explained. [Ray Dabrowski]

"The Catholic side recognizes in the document the Christocentric character of our beliefs, and especially our belief in the Trinity?" There was no statement in Adventist theology on the "Trinity" until fifteen years after the death of Ellen White, when the "new" Statements of Fundamental Belief, and a official Church Manual were published in 1931.(See, Neil C. Livingston, The Greatest Conspiracy, Chapter 7, "A Creed and A Church Manual." www.adventist4truth.com). The doctrine of the "Trinity" must be stated to be accepted by the National and World Council of Churches.

In the same sentence it is stated that "The Catholic side recognizes in the document. . . our belief in. . . ecclesiological identity of the Church." What Church? The Roman Catholic Church, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Does it really matter! Both Catholic and Adventist Churches now wield "ecclesiological authority" over their members. Both systems excommunicate (disfellowship) members for the dastardly crime of not recognizing the ecclesiologcal authority of the Church.

"Over the years. . .as the exchange of information between us took place?" Adventist laymen are always in the dark about what leadership is up to. Again, this report comes to light fifteen years after the fact!

"We noted many confessional similarities?" Does that statement make you uneasy dear Adventist brother and sister? "There is as great a difference in our faith and that of nominal professors as the heavens are higher than the earth," Ellen White observed. (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, page 300). This statement would be doubly applicable to the Roman Catholic Church, would it not? Yet SDA leadership states, "We noted many confessional similarities" between the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Either the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have gone completely bonkers, or Satan has taken the helm of the ship. Which of these two (or both) scenarios is true is difficult to discern.

"The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties," Ellen White warned. "She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged." (The Great Controversy, page 571, emphasis supplied).

"Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today," Ellen White continued. "The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves." (ibid., The Great Controversy, page 571, emphasis supplied).

"The papacy that Protestants [Adventists] are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation," Ellen White stated, "when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity." (ibid., The Great Controversy, page 571, emphasis supplied).

"She possesses the same pride and arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the prerogatives of God," Ellen White concluded. . .

"Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now than when she crushed out human liberty and slew the saints of the Most High." (ibid., The Great Controversy, page 571, emphasis supplied).

Oh, dear reader, the deceptions of Satan in these last hours of earth's history are very clever. Pray, as you have never prayed before, dear brother! Pray for your family and your children, dear sister!