October 2019
An Amazing Fact: In 2017, the Vatican’s post office released a stamp commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation—even depicting Martin Luther, who led the charge for reform. Yet there was a time when the Catholic Church said that he was a devil! What’s going on?!
Dear friend,
This is simply stunning! The Vatican has just made an unprecedented, audacious overture for religious unity. A few short weeks ago, Pope Francis released a viral video in which he announced an invitation to global religious and political leaders to head to Rome and sign a “global pact” to educate the world in a “new humanism” designed to rescue the planet.
The papal summons was also given to international experts in economics, academics, science, sociology—and even prominent celebrities—with the goal of “universal solidarity.” Does this remind you of anything?
“For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived” (Revelation 18:23).
While the pact sounds inviting, you and I know from the Bible that papal efforts to unite the world have far-reaching implications that few in our world see. That’s why Amazing Facts believes strongly that now, more than ever, we should be boldly sounding the trumpet of prophecy and calling believers everywhere to sober vigilance. And we must act now to bring as many people to Christ as we can before the door of probation closes!
The Sinister Specter of Sunday
It should alarm all Sabbath-keepers that at the beginning of the pope’s speech, he references his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, in which he highlights the importance of keeping Sunday holy for preserving the planet.
This echoes Pope John Paul II, when he decreed in 1998 that “Christians will naturally strive to ensure that civil legislation respects their duty to keep Sunday holy.”
Friend, how big a stretch would it be from having a law that merely respects Sunday worship to enforcing it? According to Revelation 13:17, it will happen—maybe sooner than we think!
The timing of the pope’s declaration to educate the world’s children was also no accident, coming a week before the world’s largest mass youth environmental demonstration. The pope said, “The goal is to arouse an awareness and a wave of responsibility, … starting from the young and reaching all people of goodwill.”
Now as major earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and fires continue to terrify the earth’s inhabitants, radical leaders are moving to mobilize the youth to gather in ever-larger numbers to clamor for laws to “reverse climate change.” Driven by fear, people will be willing to make strange concessions for the illusion of safety and security for their children.
Protestant Amnesia
So what does all this mean for you and me? The goal of the papacy hasn’t changed: It ultimately wants to unite the world under its authority and enforce us into false worship. More than 100 years ago, Christian writer Ellen G. White saw the trend:
“The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman Church … 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 … and to undo all that Protestantism has done” (The Great Controversy, p. 563).
Even though the Vatican can put Luther’s face on a postage stamp, they can’t hide what he believed. Luther taught that Papal Rome is the Babylon of Revelation, and that prophecy foretold it would someday compel worship of the beast (Revelation 14:9). Of course, for hundreds of years, these were the same views held by virtually all Protestants.
But go into most Protestant churches today and you won’t hear a peep about the pope. It seems time has caused enough spiritual amnesia to heal Babylon’s deadly wound. In fact, most evangelical leaders are all too eager to embrace the Pontiff as a brother in faith. Of course, there is nothing wrong with different faiths getting along—but do you really think that is all that’s happening here?
Your Consistent Voice of Truth
But Amazing Facts stands boldly for neglected Bible truth. We won’t hide end-time doctrine or sell out! No Vatican invitations, no favors from a political party, and nothing else will stop us from boldly proclaiming the three angels’ messages, including the call to “Come out of her, my people” (Revelation 18:4).
Karen and I just returned from Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore, where thousands of spiritually hungry souls turned out to hear the FULL and EVERLASTING gospel message. We graduated missionary students, distributed publications in a Muslim country, recorded television programs, and baptized new believers!
People are starving for truth! Since I released a video response (September 18) to the pope’s message, it’s been seen more than 500,000 times and shared 40,000 times on YouTube and Facebook. Amazing Facts is boldly proclaiming God’s message, and people are hearing! But this fast-response, evangelistic, last-day warning would never have been possible without you.
It is you that keeps this work moving forward. No single benefactor, denomination, or corporation is powering our Christ-centered work. It is you and your gifts—small and great—that empower a prophetic voice of truth, helping prepare people for Jesus’ soon return.
Give Before the Doors Close
That’s why I’m asking you to give this month in a big way. The pope’s message should be a Clarion call to every Bible-believing Christian that we must dedicate ourselves today to His work. No more delays. No more excuses. We don’t have much time left!
Friend, the pope is calling world leaders together to sign a global pact. But God is calling you and me to work together to make a global impact for the kingdom of heaven. Will you please join me in standing boldly for truth is these momentous times? Thank you!
Boldly proclaiming prophetic truth,
Pastor Doug Batchelor
President, Amazing Facts International