Pope Francis Urged the Global Christian Forum to Create a Visible and Unified Body

From April 15-20, 2024, the 4th Global Gathering of the Global Christian Forum marked its 25th anniversary and met to strengthen interfaith relationships and push for the visible unity of all the churches. The event praised the Pentecostal faith, Catholic education, the Jesuit Fathers, Presbyterian ministerial training, and Methodist pastoral internships. Dr. Casely Essamuah, the Secretary for the Global Christian Forum, told the world-wide gathering of Christians in Accra, Ghana, that "we all are equals" and that no one "has to apologize" for who they are or what they "believe." He also welcomed the Vatican representative, Archbishop Flavio Pace, who was appointed by Pope Francis. [1]

Archbishop Flavio Pace, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and leader of the Catholic Delegation, read the Pope's message to the gathering of Catholics, Evangelicals, Seventh-day Adventists, and Orthodox. [2] Francis' message summed up the essence of the ecumenical movement: "the visible unity among all Christians."

The Pope's message was as follows:

• "I extend my heartfelt greetings to all present at the Fourth World Gathering of the Global Christian Forum. Your assembly has participants from all over the world, which reflects a beautiful mosaic of contemporary Christianity with its rich diversity while still founded on our shared identity as followers of Jesus Christ." [3]

• "Unity is an indispensable element for embracing the vision of the Kingdom of God. As such, there is an intrinsic bond between ecumenism and Christian mission. Throughout its history, the Global Christian Forum has contributed significantly to the promotion of this bond by providing a space in which members, especially those from different historical expressions of the Christian faith, grow in mutual respect and fraternity by encountering one another in Christ." [3]

• "May this gathering, on the forum's silver anniversary, deepen your faith and revitalize your fraternal love as you pray together, exchange your personal stories and address the challenges facing the global Christian community. To all of you, I invoke the blessings of Almighty God, and pray that the gathering will advance the visible unity among all Christians." [3]

Make no mistake about the Global Christian Forum's mission and its ecumenical work. They are working to achieve full, visible unity among all churches. This isn't Adventism. This is not true Protestantism. And it is certainly not apostolic Christianity. This is Babylonian wine, straight from the harlot's cup of indignation. The issue with these ecumenical gatherings is that they are building bridges to Rome. This is what the Pope wishes and prays for. Eventually, we come to believe that it doesn't matter whether we are Adventist, Catholic, Evangelical, or Orthodox. We all believe in Jesus, so that's all that matters.

Top Christian leaders from around the world gathered for interfaith worship, to find common ground, and to promote mutual respect. The goal was to achieve healing and reconciliation, as well as to end division in the "body of Christ." They met to strengthen their global witness. They are learning to collaborate, despite their doctrinal differences. The churches are embracing diversity, including every religious expression, in order to strengthen one another, seek forgiveness, and bring about unity.

Are Seventh-day Adventists supposed to ask forgiveness? Forgiveness for what? For sharing God's truth? We have been commanded by God not to go down the path of apologizing for His final warning message:

"We are not to cringe and beg pardon of the world for telling them the truth: we should scorn concealment. Unfurl your colors to meet the cause of men and angels. Let it be understood that Seventh-day Adventists can make no compromise. In your opinions and faith there must not be the least appearance of waverings: the world has a right to know what to expect of us" (Evangelism, p. 179).

One of the most terrifying and inexplicable challenges facing Adventism today is the utter silence on the part of those who should be speaking out loud and clear. It is unconscionable and disturbing to know that some ministers and watchmen would actually suppress our message for the sake of joining up with Rome in interfaith worship. Why? Because the Remnant church of Bible prophecy exists in this period of earth's history for one purpose: to give the last invitation of mercy to our dying world.

"The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands his servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at the peril of their souls." (Great Controversy, 609).

Ganoune Diop not only attended this event, but he also defended it. He claims that the Global Christian Forum is exalting the supremacy of Christ, so it must be okay to participate in the ecumenical movement. The only problem is that Jesus never did what Diop and the ecumenical movement are doing today.

"Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise. His heart overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He was never indulgent to their sins. He was too much their friend to remain silent while they were pursuing a course that would ruin their souls" (Desire of Ages, 356).

Jesus didn't remain silent, and we today have an end-time, present truth message that has been ordained by God to be given to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Have our lives on planet Earth become so comfortable and our institutions so prosperous that we will instead purchase peace at the cost of our silence? God forbid! Have we not learned anything about Bible history? Have we forgotten the admonitions of the Lord to His ancient people? Ancient Israel was also established for a divine purpose. They were also given a message to bear. These instructions given in God's word are for us today:

• "Speak unto them; diminish not a word." Jeremiah 26:2.

• "Declare all that thou seest." Ezekiel 40:4.

• "Warn them from me." Ezekiel 33:7.

• "Speak to them all that I command you." Jeremiah 1:7.

• "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it." Deuteronomy 4:2.

• "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time … thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed" Esther 4:14.

• "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Acts 20:27.

• "I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation." Psalm 40:10.

• "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace." Acts 18:9.

Who benefits today from our silence? Who stands to gain the most when we diminish nearly every word from the Three Angels' Message? Who wins when Bible truth and Reformation history are replaced with ecumenism and common ground with Rome? The Vatican wins, and her objective is complete.

We see church leaders focusing on environmentalism, ecumenism, Romanism, feminism, and the LGBT+ movement rather than warning people about the real dangers that threaten them. And this is not limited to ministers; the sin of silence exists everywhere. It appears in our work on religious liberty, humanitarianism, education, and even medical care.

The era of the silent church must end because a silent people are not a true people. A silent pastor is not a true pastor. A silent watchman is not a true watchman. The horrible silence that exists in Adventism is not the result of ignorance. It is the result of willful disobedience and rebellion. The problem today is that our people are silent on purpose. No wonder they can run with Rome. No wonder they are pleasing men.

The current ecumenical movement only confirms what we already knew. Over 100 years ago, God warned us against becoming silent with our message while at the same time seeking to unite with those who "depart from the faith." The following statement reveals not our ignorance but our disobedience to God's instructions. Is it any wonder why Rome is laughing at us?

"The world knows very little of the truths that we believe, and in clear, straight lines the message for this time must be given to all the world. The message comes to me, 'Wake up the watchmen.' Let every one now come into working order … We have a testing message to give, and I am instructed to say to our people, Unify, unify. But we are not to unify with those who are departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. With our hearts sweet and kind and true, we are to go forth to proclaim the message, giving no heed to those who lead away from the truth" (Review and Herald, April 19, 1906).

"As God called the children of Israel out of Egypt, that they might keep his Sabbath, so he calls his people out of Babylon, that they may not worship the beast or his image. The man of sin, who thought to change times and laws, has exalted himself above God, by presenting a spurious Sabbath to the world; the Christian world has accepted the child of the papacy, and cradled and nourished it, thus defying God by removing his memorial, and setting up a rival Sabbath" (Review and Herald, December 13, 1892).

"Satan has taken the world captive. He has introduced an idol sabbath, giving to it great piety and importance. He has stolen the homage of the Christian world for this idol. They do homage to a tradition, a man-made commandment. As Nebuchadnezzar set up his golden image in the plains of Dura, and so exalted himself, so Satan exalts himself in the false sabbath, for which he has stolen the livery of heaven" (Manuscript, 65, 1897).

Sources

[1] https://x.com/Advent1844/status/1783709797423972575

[2] http://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/news/2024/2024-04-19-message-francois-au-fcm.html

[3] http://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/papa-francesco/2024/Messages/Messaggio-al-IV-Raduno-Mondiale-del-Global-Christian-Forum.html

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This release was published on openPR.