Why so much controversy about the Pope's visit to the US on April 15 and senate meetings on April 17? | By David Gates


Differing opinions exist over the Pope's upcoming visit to Washington, D.C. on April 15 and the reasons for his visit to the US Senate Office on April 17. Rumors of secret meetings between Evangelical and Catholic leaders remain officially un-documented. Are God's people to thus remain unconcerned?
With the publication of the papal encyclical Dies Domini some years ago, Rome's agenda has already been made public, to persuade all nations to legislate a national day of rest which is neither biblical or in harmony with the principles religious liberty. Legislating a false day of worship will bring about the very events which all seek to avoid…God's judgments.
The nice looking young man standing on a street corner near my son-in-law, Richard, down in Bolivia, introduced himself as having just graduated from the Vatican's only university in Washington, DC. "Did you know," he asked Richard, "that the Pope is coming to the US on April 15?" Richard smiled and nodded as the young Theologian continued. "One of the reasons he is going to Washington is to help change some of the laws."
How much water must cover the deck before passengers become convinced the ship is really sinking?


WHAT ARE PEOPLE TO DO?

"It is our duty, as we see the signs of approaching peril, to arouse to action. Let none sit in calm expectation of the evil, comforting themselves with the belief that this work must go on because prophecy has foretold it, and that the Lord will shelter his people. We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience. Fervent, effectual prayer should be ascending to heaven that this calamity may be deferred until we can accomplish the work which has so long been neglected. Let there be more earnest prayer; and then let us work in harmony with our prayers."--Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 713, 714.


JOIN A WORLDWIDE THREE DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING

when her people were threatened with death, Queen Esther asked them to fast and pray for three days. When faced with laws threatening the liberties of our nation, it is fitting that we do the same.
I have made the decision to join with friends and family in two days of intercessory prayer followed by a third day of prayer and fasting beginning April 15. Pray that God might intervene to preserve our liberties yet a little longer to allow God's people to "watch, pray and work" for the salvation of souls.
Regardless of your religious convictions or beliefs, it is always appropriate to ask for God's intervention and His will to be done.
As we see this historical event taking shape, we are ordered by God to pray earnestly. There are some things that God cannot do unless His people pray. We therefore invite you join a special circle of prayer by God's people around the world and to forward this to your friends. Will you join us at God's throne room in prayer April 15-17?

Thank you so much.
David Gates | President


"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chron 7:14


"It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger…We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience.
When God has given us light showing the dangers before us, how can we stand clear in His sight if we neglect to put forth every effort in our power to bring it before the people? Can we be content to leave them to meet this momentous issue unwarned?
Let the watchmen now lift up their voice, and give the message which is present truth for this time. Let us show people where we are in prophetic history, and seek to arouse the spirit of true Protestantism, awakening the world to a sense of the value of the privileges of religious liberty so long enjoyed.
The people of our land need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to civil and religious liberty." --Christian Service, pp. 163-164


"Shall we sit with folded hands, and do nothing in this crisis? . . . God help us to arouse from the stupor that has hung over us for years."--Review and Herald, Dec. 18, 1888.


"It has been shown to me that Satan has been working earnestly to carry out his designs to restrict religious liberty. Plans of serious import to the people of God are advancing in an underhand manner among the clergymen of various denominations, and the object of this secret maneuvering is to win popular favor for the enforcement of Sunday sacredness. If the people can be led to favor a Sunday law, then the clergy intend to exert their united influence to obtain a religious amendment to the Constitution, and compel the nation to keep Sunday." – Review and Herald, Dec. 24, 1889


"There are three watchwords in the Christian life, which must be heeded if we would not have Satan steal a march upon us; namely, Watch, Pray, Work."--Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 283.