Q: What is your point of view on the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation on Oct. 31, when Protestantism will officially be dead? Will this lead to the National Sunday Law? Now that we see the pope’s appeal to ecumenism, why is the church so silent about preaching the three angels’ messages? — Lito, from Thailand
A: Lito, it seems that the hard-won principles of the Reformation, including Sola Scriptura (the Bible alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone is Mediator), and Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be glory) treasured by Protestants are rapidly diminishing as many draw closer to the Roman Catholic Church. However, based on the Bible we can rest assured that God will continue to have a people on Earth who will be faithful to His Word, and His Word alone (see Revelation 12:17; 14:12).
Regarding the national Sunday law, we must be careful not to specify a certain event as being the event that ushers in this last-day law. While we eagerly look forward to the soon return of Jesus, we are cautioned that “the Lord does not move upon His workers to make them take a course which will bring on the time of trouble before the time. Let them not build up a wall of separation between themselves and the world, by advancing their own ideas and notions”
(“Ministry to the Cities,” page 60).
I encourage all to read (or re-read) the chapter “Liberty of Conscience Threatened” in “The Great Controversy” to gain an accurate view of circumstances and events surrounding the implementation of a national Sunday law. You may download a free copy of the book here.
Regarding your final question — it is vitally important that we proclaim the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14, and I am happy to tell you that the Seventh-day Adventist Church around the world is indeed proclaiming this message. People by the thousands are accepting it. Praise God! But we need to continue to share this vital message with the entire world, and this work is not to be left only to the ordained ministers. God calls every member of His last-day church to become acquainted with these life-saving messages and share them with those around them — that is what Total Member Involvement is all about — everyone doing something for Jesus in pointing people to Christ, His three angels’ messages and His soon coming.
For more information about how you can become involved with sharing the everlasting gospel declared in the three angels’ messages, I encourage you to talk with your pastor or personal ministries director at your local church.