Amos 3:3

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

THE WORLD AND THE COUNTERFEIT REFORMATIONS IN FALSE UNITY

1. They will form new parties.

“Confederacies will increase in number and power as we draw nearer to the end of time. These confederacies will create opposing influences to the truth, forming new parties of professed believers who will act out their own delusive theories. The apostasy will increase. "Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1). Men and women have confederated to oppose the Lord God of heaven, and the church is only half awake to the situation. There needs to be much more of prayer, much more of earnest effort, among professed believers.” Selected Messages, book 2, p 383

2. They will waive the discussion of important doctrinal subjects.

“The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed--however important they might be from a Bible standpoint--must necessarily be waived.” Great Controversy, p 444

3. They will unite in Temperance and Sunday movement.

“This claim is especially urged in America, where the doctrine of the true Sabbath has been most widely preached. Here the temperance work, one of the most prominent and important of moral reforms, is often combined with the Sunday movement, and the advocates of the latter represent themselves as laboring to promote the highest interest of society; and those who refuse to unite with them are denounced as the enemies of temperance and reform. But the fact that a movement to establish error is connected with a work which is in itself good, is not an argument in favor of the error. We may disguise poison by mingling it with wholesome food, but we do not change its nature. On the contrary, it is rendered more dangerous, as it is more likely to be taken unawares. It is one of Satan's devices to combine with falsehood just enough truth to give it plausibility. The leaders of the Sunday movement may advocate reforms which the people need, principles which are in harmony with the Bible; yet while there is with these a requirement which is contrary to God's law, His servants cannot unite with them. Nothing can justify them in setting aside the commandments of God for the precepts of men.” Great Controversy, p 587

Please note that although the whole world is involved in this corrupted unity; yet there is no doubt, that it is the Seventh-day Adventist Church under the banner of the General Conference Corporation of America who is the leading advocate of the temperance work.

“Of all who claim to be numbered among the friends of temperance, Seventh-day Adventists should stand in the front ranks.” Gospel Workers, p 384

These also include all the so-called health reformers, fanatics, time-setters. Those who love excitement, who have false message, who suppress some or part of the message, who pervert the message, who use worldly policy, who pattern their organization after the Babylonian or hierarchical churches, who have no Gospel Order, who have no Church Discipline, who are independent atoms, who claim God's prerogative as the director of God’s work or their ministry, who profess to keep the Sabbath and teach the truth but will not receive the seal of God.

How does God regard a defective link or a false movement?

“One defective link will make a chain worthless.” Testimonies, vol. 8, p 158

“The question may be asked, Are we to have no union whatever with the world? The word of the Lord is to be our guide. Any connection with infidels and unbelievers that would identify us with them, is forbidden by the Word. We are to come out from among them, and be separate. In no case are we to link ourselves with them in their plans of work.” Gospel Workers p 394

“We may disguise poison by mingling it with wholesome food, but we do not change its nature. On the contrary, it is rendered more dangerous, as it is more likely to be taken unawares. It is one of Satan's devices to combine with falsehood just enough truth to give it plausibility.”

Great Controversy, p 587

“A man may swallow poison, thinking it is food, but his sincerity will not save him from the dose.” RH, March 8, 1881

4. They will oppose the authority of God.

“Satan tempted man to sin, as he had caused angels to rebel, that he might thus secure co-operation in his warfare against Heaven. There was no dissension between himself and the fallen angels as regards their hatred of Christ; while on all other points there was discord, they were firmly united in opposing the authority of the Ruler of the universe.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 325

“In the days of Christ the Scribes and Pharisees searched the Old Testament Scriptures. But they interpreted what they read to sustain their tradition. They taught for doctrine the commandments of men. They failed to see the central truth of the living oracles; and in missing this, they missed everything. When Christ came, they refused to receive Him, because He was different from their idea of what the Messiah should be. Divided on most points, they were united on one point—opposition to Christ.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, p 155

What kind of feelings the following cherished?

“Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and the two hundred and fifty princes who had joined them, first became jealous, then envious, and next rebellious.” Testimonies, vol. 3, p 346

5. They will have a common interest.

“The willing subjects of Satan are faithful, active, and united in one object. And although they hate and war with one another, yet they improve every opportunity to advance their common interest.” Testimonies, vol. 1, p 346

“The subjects of Satan, although they hate and war with one another, are active and united in the one object of destroying souls. They are vigilant in improving every opportunity to advance their common interest, and war against the kingdom of Christ. But He who is the great Commander in Heaven and on earth, has limited their power. ST, November 18, 1886 par. 4

CHARACTERISTICS OF FALSE UNITY

a. Deceptive harmony

“With the ungodly there will be a deceptive harmony that but partially conceals a perpetual discord. In their opposition to the will and the truth of God they are united, while on every other point they are rent with hatred, emulation, jealousy, and deadly strife.” Testimonies, vol. 5, p 101

b. Corrupt harmony

“Church and the World in Corrupt Harmony.--The Word of God plainly declares that His law is to be scorned, trampled upon, by the world; there will be an extraordinary prevalence of iniquity. The professed Protestant world will form a confederacy with the man of sin, and the church and the world will be in corrupt harmony.” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p 975

c. Dragonic bond

“Union Through a Dragonic Bond.--A spirit of hatred and opposition to the Hebrews formed the bond of union, and created the mutual sympathy among different bodies of men, who otherwise might have warred against each other. This will illustrate what we frequently witness in our day in the existing union of men of different denominations to oppose the present truth, whose only bond seems to be that which is dragonic in its nature, manifesting hatred and bitterness against the remnant who keep the commandments of God. "Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them." SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p 1137

d. Confederacy of Satan’s forces.

“(Quoted Rev. 17:13, 14). "These have one mind." There will be a universal bond of union, one great harmony, a confederacy of Satan's forces. "And shall give their power and strength unto the beast." Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanists.

“In the warfare to be waged in the last days there will be united, in opposition to God's people, all the corrupt powers that have apostatized from allegiance to the law of Jehovah. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue, for in the Sabbath commandment the great Lawgiver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth…” Selected Messages, book 3, p 392

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