How John Paul II Perceives His Role

1989 closed with an "earthquake" in Europe which sent shockwaves from the Baltic on the north to the Black Sea on the Southeast, and from Moscow to Rome. While the tremors began in Poland, they spread quickly to other countries in Central Europe. The intensity of the quake brought Gorbachev to Rome for a session with Pope John Paul II. A cover story in USA Today (Nov. 30, 1989) evaluated the convulsion by declaring - "The Soviet president's session Friday with Pope John Paul II is the latest development of a revolution in the Communist world that the Pope helped spark and Gorbachev has allowed to happen." US News & World Report captioned their report of the historic meeting - "Gorby's Bow to the Roman Legions." This was an allusion to the remark of Stalin at Potsdam when told that the Pope would object to some of the decisions being made. Stalin asked, "How many divisions did you say the Pope had?" Papal power has grown much since 1945.

With his elevation to the Papal chair in 1978 John Paul II has sought to project himself on the world scene, and for a reason. His personal study has been given to eschatology, which has led him to believe "with a fervor which sometimes astonishes even his personal staff that, possibly before the end of the century, something. 'decisive' may sweep the world." He has been known to ponder whether "he has been cast in the roll of head of the Church during what could be the final decade of the world ...." (The Year of Armageddon, pp. 32-33) While he has considered various physical happenings, such as a nuclear war as the possible "decisive" event, he has been motivated with a sense of destiny and has "made himself the very visible foremost Christian leader of the age." (Ibid., p. 33)

The meeting between Gorbachev and the Pope had one common objective - a united Europe - according to Michael Novak of the American Enterprise Institute. He stated further that "one of John Paul's deepest themes has been that Europe is a

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single tree with two branches, east and west, springing from one set of roots in Judaism and Christianity." (Quoted in USA Today, op. cit.)

Coming events are now casting their shadows before. The final predictions of the sure word of prophecy can be to us a light which will help us through the darkness till the day dawn. But we must have our understandings clear of what has been fulfilled in harmony with prophecy. It dare not be the idle speculations of the Adventist futurists. Yet we dare not close our eyes to those sections of prophecy which as yet have not been fulfilled.

The key prophecy in the book of Daniel is the seventh chapter. The basic outline presented in that "night vision" to Daniel is only enlarged with more detail supplied in the visions which followed. Daniel 7 takes in the sweep of history from Daniel's day as prime minister in the courts of Babylon to the time when the Kingdom will be given to the saints of the Most High. It places within its sequence the judgment before the Ancient of days. Its major importance for us now is that this prophecy identifies the papacy as "the little horn" and thus opens to us the significance and meaning of the events prophetically described in the book of Revelation.

*When told that the four beasts the lion, the bear, the leopard and the non-descript were four kings or kingdoms which were "to arise out of the earth" (7:17, 23), Daniel did not ask further questions about the first three. He knew that the symbol of Babylon was a lion with two wings. He saw it every day in the mosaics of the walls and corridors of Babylon. He knew what Jeremiah had written in describing the conquest of: Nebuchadnezzar in the overthrow of the nations east of the Jordon. (Jer. 49:19, 22, 28) But Daniel desired to know "the truth of the fourth beast" (7:19) with ten horns, which sustained and nurtured "the little horn." He was told plainly and specifically - "The fourth beast shall be the fourth. kingdom upon the earth." (7:23) , Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece - all gave way to Rome. Out of Rome arose "the little horn." In its rise, it would come up after the ten, from "among" them and uproot three of the original horns. (7:8) This answers to only one power in history, and that is, the central government of the Roman Catholic Church - the Papacy, which today finds its voice in John Paul II.

Certain factors of this prophecy need to be clearly kept in mind at all times: 1) The roots of this "little horn" were ever rooted in the fourth beast not "Judaism and Christianity" but pagan Rome. Its legacy to the world was not Judeo-Christianity but paganism in deceptive garb. 2) The first three beasts, while their dominion was taken away, "their lives were prolonged for a season and time." (7:12) Prolonged in whom?

This second factor helps us to identify the symbolic description of the first beast of Revelation 13. There a "non-descript" beast appears "like unto a leopard" with "feet of a bear" and the "mouth of a lion." (13:2) While also having ten horns, it has seven heads, connecting it with the dragon of Revelation 12, which is declared to be "the Devil and Satan." (12:9; 20:2) - Instead of being symbolically pictured as the "little horn," the papacy is the reigning "head' during the persecution of "the woman which brought forth the man-child." (12:13-14,.cmp. with 13:5-7)

This head is "slain to death." (13:3, margin) But when "resurrected," all the world stands in wonderment declaring - "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" (13:4) We see today a great war-machine become impotent before the "powers" wielded. by the Papacy. But it must be kept in mind whence this "power" and "great authority" is derived. The text says - "the dragon gave him his power and his seat, and great authority." (13:2)

When God is no longer holding in check the forces of the enemy, and the nations of the earth are being gathered by the "spirits of devils" for the final confrontation in "the war of the great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:14 Gr.), the devil's vicegerent is in full command of the field forces, even as God's Vicegerent - the Holy Spirit - is in full command of the forces of truth. We can know that we have indeed come to this final hour for the times of the nations are fulfilled.. (Luke 21:24) An unwillingness to accept the significance and meaning of this prophecy, will cause us to place ourselves on the wrong side in this final conflict. Keep in mind that the prophetic emphasis of Daniel 7 is on the European theatre of the conflict. As the picture is enlarged in the prophecies following, the revelation is broadened., and the final focus turns to Jerusalem, just before "Michael stands up." (Dan. 11:45-12:1)

"God has given His object lesson. If the world will not heed, will not the people of God take heed? In the twenty-first chapter of Luke, Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem; with it He connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of this world just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mark the words: 'Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.' [verses 34-36]

"This is a warning to those who claim to be Christians. Those who have had light upon the important, testing truths for this time, and yet are not making ready for the coming of the Son of man, are not taking heed .... There is no period of time when spiritual slothfulness is excusable.

"Only by being clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness can we escape the judgments that are coming upon the earth. Let all remember that these words were among the last that Christ gave His disciples. If this instruction were often repeated in our papers and publications, and less space were taken for matter which is not one-hundredth part so important, it would be more appropriate. In these sacred, solemn warnings the danger signal is lifted. It is this instruction that church members and the people of the world need; for it is present truth." (Ms. Release #1102, p. 11: Letter 20, 1901)

Ask yourself two questions: 1) Why did Ellen G. White emphasize the 21st chapter of Luke over Matthew 24 and Mark 13? 2) What is in Luke 21 about "what was to come upon Jerusalem," that is not found in either Matthew or Mark? Check your answers by reading Luke 21; give special attention to verses 20-25.

NOTE: The prophecy of Daniel 7 clearly places "the little horn" among the ten horns, or Europe. It was to be "slain to death" in the symbolism of Revelation. This death sentence was carried out by France, known as "the eldest son of the church." In 1798, on orders of Napoleon, the reigning pope was taken prisoner, and the government of the Papacy was abolished. George Trevor, Canon of York, wrote commenting on this event - "The Papacy was extinct: not a vestige of its existence remained; and among all the Roman Catholic powers not a finger was stirred in its defense." (Rome and Its Papal Rulers, p. 440)

Even as the rapidity of the change in Europe surprised all, so the final movements will be rapid ones. We need to be awake, watching and praying.

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MISSION ... POSSIBLE NOW

OPERATION GREAT CONTROVERSY

For ROMANIA, RUSSIA, HUNGARY, and Other EAST-BLOC Countries

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STEVE & FAYE DUDAS - RT. 1, BOX 1042 - HIGH SPRINGS, FL 32643

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1980-1990

BACKGROUND: In 1978, located in Gainesville, across from the University of Florida, we opened a Health Food Store. The purpose of this store was to have contact with the students, that they might have access to the 3 Angels Message. I, Steve Dudas, a native Hungarian, and Faye, my wife from Minnesota, began discreetly distributing in the store the book GREAT CONTROVERSY.

EXPERIENCES: One of the many GREAT CONTROVERSYs was given to a Jewish young man, who initially accepted the Advent Message through this book. Today he writes and edits for the General Conference Jewish Department.

Another student given the GREAT CONTROVERSY told us, that his nephew phoned him from North Carolina and requested that he should locate a book entitled GREAT CONTROVERSY. The student replied: "Just today I received that very same book at a Health Food Store." Later he was baptized in the Gainesville SDA Church.

TRANSITION: Through the GREAT CONTROVERSY we experienced profound changes in people's lives. Thoughts came to me at night, how can this book be more widely known. Having been raised in a Communist country, my first thought was of those people who are oppressed. I knew of the need for E.G. White's books in those countries where risk, danger and unavailability were hindrances to obtaining these gems. These thoughts did not leave me with peace.

Finally, by faith, we asked God to use us as an instrument for him. That through the printed pages ... the 3 Angels' Message would be more widely exposed and especially in the Communist countries. With no experience in printing; we depended on God totally in this project. God taught us day by day literally how and what to do. By faith, we first rented an IBM Composer and my wife started to typeset the Romanian GREAT CONTROVERSY. Without even knowing the language, slowly letter by letter, she worked 8 to 13 hours per day. Meanwhile, still operating the store, we felt impressed it was time to sell it and accelerate the GREAT CONTROVERSY project full time. While my wife worked on typesetting, I went to Europe to work for this project. Our goal was to save money and buy a IBM Composer. Upon returning, my wife had patiently finished the book after 6 months. Now what next? How to print it? Again prayer and faith.

Late one night I felt compelled to call Inspiration Books and share our burden. At their invitation I met with them. With their generous help, the miracle happened. Within a short time 25,000 Romanian GREAT CONTROVERSYs were printed and shipped to Europe!!

EUROPE: We moved to Europe and waited for the next procedure of how to smuggle them through the borders.

Meanwhile we supported ourselves by hanging wallpaper. Waiting was the watchword. God always led us to just the right people at the right time. These books would in due time get across the difficult borders.

In Western Europe, we observed that the GREAT CONTROVERSY was not available at low cost in a paperback edition. We prepared it for printing and in a short time, 25,000 German inexpensive paperback GREAT CONTROVERSYs came off the press. This snowballed until Hungarian, French, and Dutch GREAT CONTROVERSYs were available in inexpensive editions. God had brought us in contact with like-minded persons, who had a vision of this work as we did. Although each worked independently, each supplied his own personal needs. Amazingly, all worked in unity.

I read in the newspaper that the Pope was coming to Switzerland. That is when I got the idea of how to distribute the German GREAT CONTROVERSY. I was impressed to go to an advertising agency. In the political section of the newspaper an ad space was reserved for the day the Pope would arrive. The ad was put in six different newspapers around the country. A simple ad, advertising the GREAT CONTROVERSY free of charge to anyone. The response was tremendous! From one newspaper, which was international, 28 countries requested the book. Nearly 2,000 GREAT CONTROVERSY were mailed free of charge. God worked miraculously! This experience was shared in different countries and the fire started. Germany, France, Holland and Scandinavia also were prepared for the Pope's visit. Sweden realized their GREAT CONTROVERSY, covered by dust, had been hidden in the closet. Now, some brethren demanded public use of it. In Norway and Sweden, over one million pieces of literature advertised the GREAT CONTROVERSY. The fire jumped over the ocean, as newspaper ads appeared in the USA, prepared for the Pope's visit.

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SMUGGLING: Smuggling can be a nerve wracking experience, but when there is a mission, with God, nothing is impossible, even under the most severe circumstances. Driving nights, sleeping in the car on the roadside was not comfort, but when God is pushing us forward we cannot stop. My wife risked alone, taking books on the train and I went by car in another direction. At the border control soldiers confiscated 986 books, then put me through two courts. Even through this bad experience God was teaching a lesson. Soon after that experience, at the very same border, my wife encouraged me with a text God had given her ... Micah 2:13 (NARS) "The breaker goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate, and go out by it. So their King goes on before them and the Lord at their head."

The cars in front of us were searched severely, even in the engine of the car! After five tense minutes which seemed more like thirty minutes, we were quickly waved to go on without being searched! Safe on the other side! What a sense of relief brethren!! I remembered our brethren in the USA, who at that time were reading Walter Rea's book "THE WHITE LIE." If my brethren in America would be able to smuggle with me, they could testify to these miracles, that those books were indeed inspired by God.

Truck drivers with boxes of GREAT CONTROVERSY in their trucks were sealed and driven across forbidden borders without being searched! But the price was high for their service as were their risks. To reach souls is more precious than we can value it by money. Miracle after miracle was transpiring. God sent to us indirect a diplomat, who arranged that books for 1 year could be sent directly to an Embassy per mail.

COMMUNIST BORDERS OPENED: Within months, after 40 years of oppression, the borders are opening. The "gate" is open now... the king goes on before them ... (Micah 2:13). Now is our easy access to these countries. We prayed, talked, and dreamed of the day that this would happen. We can give the 3 Angels Message to these people without difficulty today.

OPPORTUNITY: Providentially the borders were opened so suddenly. The percentage of the books to be read is very high but this will not last very long. Freedom brings prosperity, TVs, videos, pleasures, cars, etc. In a very short time the thirst for spiritual needs is unwanted. Today is the opportunity without the danger and risk.

INTER-EURO PUBLISHING: Inter-Euro Publishing has been working quietly since 10 years. Right now, thousands of books are waiting on the border to be distributed. We are producing 4-color, attractive, inexpensive, paperback editions for minimal cost. These books are being printed or reprinted in Europe. the Pope plans to go to Czechoslovakia and Hungary and later to Russia. Thousands of GREAT CONTROVERSY are needed for this visit.

The mission is possible now, brothers and sisters, this is the golden opportunity to do something for the East Bloc Countries.

'The days in which we live are solemn and important ... Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones." 9T p.11

In His service

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STEVE & FAYE DUDAS, RT.1.B0X 1042 - HIGH SPRINGS FL 32643

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To Our Readers:

As you all know, we seldom recommend a special project. We feel that this project is worthy of your consideration and involvement. If you desire further information or how you can have a part in putting The Great Controversy "behind what was once "the Iron Curtain" in the national language of these Eastern Bloc nations, write direct to Steven and Faye Dudas at the address indicated.

WHG

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In the last Sabbath School lesson for the adults in 1989, a question was asked: "Is the return of the Jews to Palestine in this century, followed by the establishment of the modern state of Israel the fulfillment of prophecy?" (p. 93) The answer is given from the SDA Bible Commentary, Vol..4, p. 33. It reads: "Any idea that the return of the Jews to their ancestral home, that is, to the new state of Israel, may in any way be related to Bible prophecy is without valid Scriptural foundation." (1976 edition)

The original edition in 1955, read:

Any idea that the return of the Jews to their ancestral home, that is, to the new state of Israel, may in any way be related to Bible prophecy (is the product of wishful thinking on the part of misguided, even if sincere, religious enthusiasts, and) is without valid Scriptural foundation. (Part in parenthesis was omitted in the Sabbath School lesson quarterly. See p. 94)

The question asked can be answered quickly and positively - "No" - for the reason as is given in the SDA Bible Commentary. However, this is not the whole picture, and thus not the whole answer.

There is no question that "since the death of the Son of God on Calvary, there is no salvation, nor eternal homeland, except for those who believe in Him and accept His sacrifice." (Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 2, p. 230) While the restoration of the Jews to the land of Palestine in 1948 did not fulfill any prophecy, events in the history of Jerusalem as a city have. But these fulfillments are not because it is still the chosen city where God once placed His presence, but as a sign to Christians who have eyes to see. Why? Jesus so stated in His eschatological discourse on the Mount of Olives. Events in the history of that city were to tell His people, something. He said - "When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee ... and let them which are in the midst of it depart out." (Luke 21:20-21) Keep in mind that this city in A.D. 66, when the Roman armies did compass it, was then no longer the city of God, nor ever would be again, yet an event in its history was given as a sign for which His people were to watch, for it would signal to them coming disaster. They were to flee from it.

Dr. Jean Zurcher, author of the adult Sabbath School lessons for the 2nd Quarter, 1980, wrote in his lesson helps book that-

Jerusalem is both the beginning and the culmination of Jesus' prophecy ... Having predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jews 'into all nations,' Jesus declared, 'Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled' (Luke 21:24). (Christ of the Revelation, p. 71, emphasis his)

While the state of Israel itself is not a fulfillment of any prophecy, to leave the question and answer hanging in space is to rob the student of the Sabbath School lesson of its significance. When in 1948, Israel did become a State, coming events were casting their shadows before.

The church was not left without a witness to this fact, after the historic event occurred in 1948. At a world-wide Bible Conference held in the Sligo Park Church in 1952, Elder Arthur S. Maxwell presented a paper on "The Imminence: of Christ's Second Coming." After noting that the establishment of the new state of Israel was not a fulfillment of prophecy, . he said, "However, there is one prophecy concerning Palestine that we should all be watching with special care. Said Jesus, 'Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of. the Gentiles be fulfilled.' Luke 21:24." He pointed out that while "the forces of Israel" were victorious "in every other part of Palestine, they failed to take the most dazzling objective of, all" - the old city of Jerusalem. "Mysteriously," he said, "they were held back from achieving this most cherished goal, this culminating triumph, as by an unseen hand." Then Maxwell asked - "What could be the reason?" and answers, "Only that, the times of the Gentiles are not yet fulfilled." (Our Firm Foundation, op. cit.)

We are not living in 1948, nor 1952, but in 1990. Jerusalem is no longer trodden down of the nations, but. has been declared by the action of the Knesset, to be "united in its entirety," the "capital of Israel" and "the seat of the President of the State, the Knesset, the Government and the Supreme Court." We can no longer put the fulfillment of Luke 21:24 into the future, and thus avoid confronting the meaning and significance of its fulfillment. We are in the "NOW" time when Jesus' own prophecy has been fulfilled. To lead the Sabbath. School into a complacency in regard to the fulfillment of this prophecy is treasonable in the sight of Heaven, and a continued betrayal of light which God through "messengers has been giving this generation of the Church, starting with the 1952 Bible Conference. For additional documentation, see The Times of the Gentiles Fulfilled.

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Last month we talked over the infinite grace of God. There is nothing "cheap" about that grace. Our attitude toward it is what either makes it "cheap" or of all-sufficient merit. This month we wish to consider another perversion of truth which pervades the community of Adventism clustered on the periphery. Great emphasis, and rightly so, is placed on Revelation 14:12. It reads - "Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." But interestingly when Christ returns the second time, the Bible says that He is sent forth "to take vengeance on them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thess. 1:8) In that coming event, "obedience" is connected with the "gospel" not "the commandments of God."

The requirements of God have not altered and will not be altered. They are the same now for the human race as when Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden - perfect obedience, perfect loyalty. God knew that having sinned, it was impossible for man to render the required obedience. (See SM, bk. i, p. 279) For this reason the plan of redemption was devised. Jesus was sent forth to proclaim the good news - the gospel. He came into this world and through His ministry proclaimed the gospel not only by preaching the word, but also in restoring the sick, and in raising the dead. In Jesus' healing ministry, we see most clearly the "gospel." We are dead in sin with no resurrection power within us. We need a Life-Giver.

Consider the experience of Jairus. (Luke 8:41-56) His only daughter, his only child, was dying. He appealed to Jesus to come and restore her to health. Jesus responded, but making his way through the crowds which thronged was slow, and also painful to the heart of Jairus. Every moment counted. Word came that his daughter had died; it was useless to trouble Jesus further. Jesus heard and said to Jairus - "Fear not, only believe, and she shall be saved." (Luke 8:50 Greek) What else was there for Jairus to do? He could not raise his daughter to life. He had no alternatives, but to "believe only" (KJV). This was the same message which Paul gave the jailer of Philippi - "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 17:31)

We have no alternatives in the life and death struggle with sin. To meet the requirements of God, to be numbered among the victorious group pictured in Revelation, we must obey the gospel - "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." O how tragic it is today that concerned people of the Adventist community are being deceived with exhortation, "obey ' the commandments only and thou shalt be saved." In the end, they will be among those who are rejected because they obeyed not the gospel, being deceived, they obeyed neither the gospel - the power of God unto salvation - nor the commandments, the requirements of God. To emphasize the keeping of the commandments without the gospel is to promote a form of godliness without the power thereof. "God designs that the message of redemption shall come to His people as the latter rain." (ST, April 18, 1900)

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I want to compliment you on your note about the Pilgrim's Rest insert concerning Morris Venden. I too was turned off by this article. I had given some credence to the story the lady told - not accepting it as a proved fact but as a possibility. After reading that insert by Ferrell, my sympathies turned more in favor of Venden. Were I he, I would consider it beneath my dignity to disprove such charges. Even if Venden is guilty, Ferrell's tactics are beneath what one would expect of a Christian. I will always have a large box of salt nearby when I read anything else that Ferrell sends me.

The plans of this layman when reading any of Ferrell's publications is a good example for all to follow.

We were criticized for suggesting that Venden take Ferrell into Federal Court. We were reminded that it was not Biblical. I would advise all to note what Paul did when confronted with an attack on his ministry and his life. He appealed unto Caesar. See Acts 25:10. (I would do the same as Paul if anyone sought to destroy my ministry through malicious slander.) And do not forget that God was with him all the way to Rome. (See Acts 23:11; 27:23-24)