Organ in Worship / Martin Luther: Ensign of Baal / Reformers in History Said No, Modern Churches say Yes / St. Bartholomew Massacre 1572 & Ecumenism

INSPIRING TONES

"The rich notes of the deep-toned organ, blending with the melody of many voices as it swells through the lofty domes and pillared aisles of her grand cathedrals, cannot fail to impress the mind with awe and reverence." (Ellen White, The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Four, p 382)

IN SO MANY CHURCHES

You can see organs in so many Christian churches, with the larger models in the grand cathedrals and large institutional churches.

AS A RESULT OF COMPROMISE WITH THE WORLD

But this was not always so. There had been a time when Christians rejected the use of the organ in worship on grounds of its worldliness:

"Because the organ was a means of enjoyment by society in general, its use was rejected in early Christian circles." (Organ, The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, ed. Samuel Jackson, vol. 8, Funk and Wagnalls, 1910, p 257)

WHEN COMPROMISE CREEPS IN

"Smaller organs were at first employed before singing classes, especially in cloisters, to fix the correct tone, and the first large organ of which there is certain knowledge was that erected under Charlemagne in the cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle." (Organ, The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, ed. Samuel Jackson, vol. 8, Funk and Wagnalls, 1910, p 257)

The first organs were smaller models. The choirs needed them for practicing. But it wasn't long before the new cathedrals got their full-sized models.

So? They just wanted beautiful music, you might say.

A LINK IN THE CHAIN OF POPERY - SILENCING THE VOICE OF REASON AND CONSCIENCE

The organ is not a stand-alone component in the Roman Catholic system. It fascinates "the senses of the people" and silences "the voice of reason and of conscience":

"Many Protestants suppose that the Catholic religion is unattractive and that its worship is a dull, meaningless round of ceremony. Here they mistake. While Romanism is based upon deception, it is not a coarse and clumsy imposture. The religious service of the Roman Church is a most impressive ceremonial. Its gorgeous display and solemn rites fascinate the senses of the people and silence the voice of reason and of conscience. The eye is charmed. Magnificent churches, imposing processions, golden altars, jeweled shrines, choice paintings, and exquisite sculpture appeal to the love of beauty. The ear also is captivated. The music is unsurpassed. The rich notes of the deep-toned organ, blending with the melody of many voices as it swells through the lofty domes and pillared aisles of her grand cathedrals, cannot fail to impress the mind with awe and reverence." (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p 566)

The Adventists have adopted so many components of this system. Their "magnificent churches" are tastefully decorated with "choice paintings". One of their "lofty domes" is pictured below.

To be fair, we note that "golden altars" and "jeweled shrines" are not YET commonplace in Adventist churches.

Now that Adventists have adopted so much of the Romish ritual, the people are certainly impressed "with awe and reverence".

But is this the right way?

MOCKING THE LONGINGS OF THE SIN-SICK SOUL

"This outward splendor, pomp, and ceremony, that only mocks the longings of the sin-sick soul, is an evidence of inward corruption. The religion of Christ needs not such attractions to recommend it. In the light shining from the cross, true Christianity appears so pure and lovely that no external decorations can enhance its true worth." (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, pp 566, 567)

You can visit the Catholic church with the Catholic sign out front on Sundays, or the Catholic church with the Adventist sign out front on the Sabbath.

REALLY?

"Protestants have tampered with and patronized popery; they have made compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand. Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy." (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p 566)

The Adventists have been busy tampering with and patronizing popery. Read here about their active involvement in the ecumenical movement, which has included awarding a gold medal to the pope ("patronizing popery"). In fact, the Adventist church, as an organization, has been building bridges to Babylon. Bridges that the pope wants too use now -- for that full, visible unity. (documented here)

WHY THE ADVENTIST CHURCH GIVES A GOLD MEDAL TO THE POPE

Why are the Adventists, as a church, giving this award to the pope?

"But blackest in the black catalogue of crime, most horrible among the fiendish deeds of all the dreadful centuries, was the St. Bartholomew Massacre. The world still recalls with shuddering horror the scenes of that most cowardly and cruel onslaught. The king of France, urged on by Romish priests and prelates, lent his sanction to the dreadful work. A bell, tolling at dead of night, was a signal for the slaughter. Protestants by thousands, sleeping quietly in their homes, trusting to the plighted honor of their king, were dragged forth without a warning and murdered in cold blood.

As Christ was the invisible leader of His people from Egyptian bondage, so was Satan the unseen leader of his subjects in this horrible work of multiplying martyrs. For seven days the massacre was continued in Paris, the first three with inconceivable fury. And it was not confined to the city itself, but by special order of the king was extended to all the provinces and towns where Protestants were found. Neither age nor sex was respected. Neither the innocent babe nor the man of gray hairs was spared. Noble and peasant, old and young, mother and child, were cut down together. Throughout France the butchery continued for two months." (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p 272)

"August 24, 1572, was the date of the infamous St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in France. On that day, over 400 years ago, began one of the most horrifying holocausts in history. The glorious Reformation, begun in Germany on October 31, 1517, had spread to France and was joyfully received. A great change had come over the people as industry and learning began to flourish, and so rapidly did the Truth spread that over a third of the population embraced the Reformed Christian Faith.

However, alarm bells began to ring at the Vatican! France was her eldest daughter and main pillar - the chief source of money and power. . . . King Pepin of the Franks (the father of Charlemagne) had given the Papal States to the Pope almost 1000 years earlier. Almost half the real estate in the country was owned by the clergy.

Meanwhile, back in Paris, the King of France and his Court spent their time drinking, reveling and carousing. The Court spiritual adviser—a Jesuit priest— urged them to massacre the Protestants—as penance for their many sins! To catch the Christians off-guard every token of peace, friendship, and ecumenical good will was offered.

Suddenly—and without warning—the devilish work commenced. Beginning at Paris, the French soldiers and the Roman Catholic clergy fell upon the unarmed people, and blood flowed like a river throughout the entire country. Men, women, and children fell in heaps before the mobs and the bloodthirsty troops. In one week, almost 100,100 Protestants perished. The rivers of France were so filled with corpses that for many months no fish were eaten. In the valley of the Loire, wolves came down from the hills to feed upon the decaying bodies of Frenchmen. The list of massacres was as endless as the list of the dead!

...

When news of the Massacre reached the Vatican there was jubilation! Cannons roared—bells rung—and a special commemorative medal was struck—to honor the occasion! The Pope commissioned Italian artist Vasari to paint a mural of the Massacre—which still hangs in the Vatican!" http://www.reformation.org/bart.html

Medal struck by the Pope to commemorate the slaughter of about 70 000 French Christians.

UNDER ONE BLANKET

Having seen how the Romish system works, and what happens to Protestants when the Romish forces get the upper hand, its very interesting to see that the Adventists, as a church, are so active in ecumenism. This activity is accompanied by plenty of "compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand." (White, supra)

"Papists place crosses upon their churches, upon their altars, and upon their garments. Everywhere is seen the insignia of the cross." (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 568) You can see the papist cross, pictured at left, on top of the 7th-day papist church in Collegedale, TN.

INWARD CORRUPTION

The papist Adventist church has adopted so many elements of Catholic worship. Of course, "This outward splendor, pomp, and ceremony, that only mocks the longings of the sin-sick soul, is an evidence of inward corruption." (White, supra)

OUTWARD SPLENDOR

The Adventist love for elaborate images in honor of their gods has been thoroughly documented in the pages of this website.

PREVIOUS REFORMATION ROLLED BACK

"The Early Reformers, when they came out of Rome, removed them [organs] as the monuments of idolatry. Luther called the organ an ensign of Baal" (John McClintock and James Strong, Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. 6, Harper & Brothers, 1883, p 762)

But those were the reformers, who "came out of Rome".

GOING BACK INTO ROME

Nowadays, the trend is to go back into the fold.

"But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She 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, to re-establish persecution, and to undo all that Protestantism has done. Catholicism is gaining ground upon every side." (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, pp 565, 566)

Adventist college president Dr. Charles Scriven claims that Ellen White was a drunken woman who just copied her great insights from others. But as you can see, Sister White knew exactly what she was talking about -- in advance.

Whether we're talking music in worship, church architecture, or Jesuit infiltration of Adventist leadership positions, "Catholicism is gaining ground upon every side." (White, supra)

PERSECUTION IS COMING, BUT THEY CRACK JOKES

But at least they still have a sense of humor: "Seventh-day Adventists are children of Luther." (William G. Johnsson, The Catholic Church and the Bible: A Review of the Gift of Scripture, Reflections - A BRI Newsletter, July 2006, p 5)




RELATED READING:

Come out of Babylon (Revelation 18 Angel) vs. Come into Babylon (Jesuit Leadership in Adventist HQ) / But Whatever you do, "Make a Liberal Donation"

Walter Veith, Colin Standish: JESUIT INFILTRATION TACTICS

BOPE / Special Forces and their Fight Against Evil



Graphics:

http://ling.uta.edu/~laurel/aachen_dom.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Roskilde_Dom_Orgel.jpg

http://z.about.com/d/catholicism/1/0/6/-/-/-/Pope_Benedict_Easter_Vigil_2007.jpg

http://www.reformation.org/bart.html

http://www.revelation-today.com/Huguenot01.jpg

http://www.calltorepent.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/pope-beach.jpg


Other acknowledgments: "Reflections is the official newsletter of the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference. It seeks to share information concerning doctrinal and theological developments among Adventists and to foster doctrinal and theological unity in the world church. The newsletter is only accessible to pastors, theologians, and administrators of the church." http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/


WHY CAN'T LAY PEOPLE READ IT TOO? WHY IS IT JUST FOR THE PRIESTS?

[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3