TRO Newsletter Archive

[Richard Myers]

America, Land of Liberty

March 2016

by  Richard Myers

Suffering under oppression and tyranny, the American colonies crafted a declaration of independence from British rule stating "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Thus, the United States of America was founded upon Protestant principles of liberty and freedom, and recognized these were not granted by the state, but by the Creator God. The state was to recognize these as "unalienable rights."

The Constitution and its Bill of Rights specifically guarantee rights to its citizens. The first amendment states  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Thus, any who would call for a religious law that would dictate how or when we are to worship God, would be directly attacking the freedom granted by God and the Constitution of the United States. Our liberty was obtained at great expense. One does not have to be a Christian to appreciate America is the land of liberty.  Each citizen must do all in his power to preserve that liberty.

Constitutional Convention




Constitution




Protestant Reformation

Where did these great truths come from? They are Protestant truths that served as the foundation of the Protestant Reformation. There was no freedom of conscience in the Roman Church. Millions were killed in an effort to force compliance with a religion that held her people in bondage to the dictates of church dogma rather than living free in Christ Jesus. The Bible teachings of the Apostle Paul were discovered after many years of darkness. It was understood that man is justified by his faith in Christ, not by his works of penance. Neither works nor money (indulgences) could buy that which is freely given to repentant sinners. The soul must be left free to choose whom it will serve. It is not to be constrained by church dogma and threatened with the rack if non-compliant.

Those who came to America seeking freedom from kings and popes learned they needed to be protected by laws that gave all citizens the right to liberty of conscience, and freedom from religious and political tyranny. They had seen the evil when power is vested in kings and popes, thus they established a system of government where the rights of the individual was protected from majority rule. The founders of America recognized the dangers inherent in a powerful central government, and so wrote the Constitution to provide the greatest protection from it and other powerful institutions.

Losing freedom

It is apparent that Americans are losing their freedoms established by the Constitution. Religious rights are trampled upon, the central government has secured unto itself rights reserved for the states. And most threatening of all is the papal power which is seeking to reestablish its rule over the world. The Roman pope was invited to stand in the halls of freedom to address the Congress of the United States of America. It was given opportunity to work towards its ultimate goal to "change times and laws" in the United States and then in the world. 


                                                                              photo: Architect of the Capitol
Francis with Roman Catholic Cardinals and friends admire a statue of a Roman Catholic priest.
A move to remove the statue failed when Hispanic Catholics in California objected.


Almost 20 years ago Pope John Paul II  called for the nations of the world to legislate Sunday laws (Dies Domini, 5/31/98). In a most clever manner, the Vatican now has purposed to encourage nations to legislate Sunday laws under the guise of protecting the environment and giving the family a day of rest. In this effort will be secured the unity it has been seeking since the "deadly wound" was healed. In a church racked by corruption which included homosexual priests being protected by the church after molesting boys for years, we now see a "humble" Jesuit who has brought into the Roman Church the "oppressed and downtrodden." While not yielding up her supremacy, she is all encompassing. As it has always been, even pagan rites are allowed into her domain. Church traditions have precedence over Bible doctrine.

In America, churches professing to be Protestant have crossed over the abyss and now are aligned with their "mother church." Roman Catholicism, which at heart contradicts Protestant principles of Sola Scriptura and justification by faith, changed the day of Worship from the seventh day of the week to the first day. Now, both professing Protestant churches and the Vatican are aiming to make the false Sabbath a legislated sacred day. As with Islam, the Roman Church has no respect for the Constitution of the United States and is openly encouraging duly elected United States Congressmen and the President and Vice President of the United States to make Sunday the day of rest. We will continue to follow up on this in the near future.

America, world's last great hope for freedom

America was the world's last great hope for freedom. When America speaks as a dragon we may know freedom is lost. But, though we lose our freedom in this world, or have our bodies burned, we have been set free in Christ Jesus. There is still a profession of standing for freedom in America. Its Congress just voted to call the evil perpetrated upon non-Muslims by the Islamic State, genocide. But, even so, the current administration is not rushing to agree. That administration which is working hard to circumvent the Constitution has as its leader a man who in light of his failure to condemn such heinous crimes, attempted to downplay the Muslim slaughter of innocents by saying “humanity has been grappling with these questions throughout human history. And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.” Yes, it is true. And so it was on the other side also. A god-fearing leader would have condemned both sides for their past history, and would have condemned the Islamic State as they tortured, raped, and murdered men, women, and children who refused to deny Christ and accept Islam.

Satan had 6,000 to prepare for our day 

What we see today is the culmination of cleverly laid plans that if possible would deceive the very elect. But, the elect are walking in the Spirit and looking unto Jesus and reading from His Word. They will not be deceived, for are not looking to man, but to Christ for their wisdom. The last test to come to humanity is something so basic that God has kept it until the very end of this world's history. To whom will we give our allegiance? Will we follow the laws of man or the commandments of God? And, the last test is exactly that, one of the commandments written by God's own hand on tables of stone. Will we keep His commandment or the false commandment enforced by an alliance of church and state?

The fourth commandment is why I walked into a Seventh-day Adventist Church having never heard a church evangelist, not having family in the church, and not knowing anything about the state of the dead, a loving God who does not burn the sinner for eternity, or any other church doctrine. It was only understanding there was nothing in the Bible to undo one of God's ten commandments. Yes, it took some study to set aside the lies about the Sabbath, but it was not that difficult to understand. If I had a consecrated teacher, it would have been rather easy to arrive at the truth sooner. But, the point being is there are many who love God and want to keep His commandments, and they will learn the truth as they pray about why it is Christians are being persecuted for keeping one of God's ten commandments.

Then, if this is so obvious, how can it be that Satan has been so clever with his plan to deceive? There is a difference between those who love God and keep His commandments and those who don't. The professor of faith who is not fully surrendered will be taken snare if he rejects the simple truths about God's holy day. We understand the sun day is a religious matter. It is the belief by most of the Protestant world that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday. But, there is nothing in Scripture to support such a teaching. As we near the end, disasters will be more frequent. The false pastors, unable to meet the truth of the Sabbath commandment from Scripture, will point to the disasters as God's displeasure for the sun day being desecrated. Having understood it is a religious law which will be legislated with the influence of both professing Protestant pastors and Catholic leaders, we have missed the clever plans now being put forth by the pope himself. If we go back to last year, we see he was advocating for restriction on burning fossil fuels in an effort to reverse global warming, now being called "climate change". Why would he take such a strong stand on this issue? At first, it appears to fit with his socialist agenda. But, as last year progressed, it became more apparent Satan had been working on another issue. He set the stage for what will be the Vatican's uppermost challenge, to "change the times and laws" in regards to one of God's ten commandments.

"Mother Earth" encyclical

Pope Francis published his "environmental" encyclical June 18, 2015. When we read how he began, we will better see how the stage was set far before he ever became pope. Why did he choose the name "Francis"? He said he chose to be called after St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation,” the same created world “with which we don’t have such a good relationship.”

Francis appears to be an honest man, but however well intentioned, he is marching down the wrong path. If one were to take time to carefully read his entire encyclical, most would be surprised at how much truth is revealed in this very thorough work. I was reminded of a statement most of us will be familiar with: "In the professed Christian world enough is expended for jewels and needlessly expensive dress to feed all the hungry and to clothe the naked."  CT 302. One cannot argue with the lifestyle of Jorge Mario Bergoglio either before or after he became pope. Here is a short statement that reveals some of the truth in his encyclical.

"The existence of laws and regulations is insufficient in the long run to curb bad conduct, even when effective means of enforcement are present. If the laws are to bring about significant, long-lasting effects, the majority of the members of society must be adequately motivated to accept them, and personally transformed to respond. Only by cultivating sound virtues will people be able to make a selfless ecological commitment. A person who could afford to spend and consume more but regularly uses less heating and wears warmer clothes, shows the kind of convictions and attitudes which help to protect the environment. There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions, and it is wonderful how education can bring about real changes in lifestyle. Education in environmental responsibility can encourage ways of acting which directly and significantly affect the world around us, such as avoiding the use of plastic and paper, reducing water consumption, separating refuse, cooking only what can reasonably be consumed, showing care for other living beings, using public transport or car-pooling, planting trees, turning off unnecessary lights, or any number of other practices. All of these reflect a generous and worthy creativity which brings out the best in human beings. Reusing something instead of immediately discarding it, when done for the right reasons, can be an act of love which expresses our own dignity."

Francis began his encyclical quoting Francis Assisi. “ 'Praise be to you, my Lord'. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. 'Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.' ” These words were penned long before the hippies began their love affair with "Mother Earth." This is a revelation of the pope and his intense desire to join forces with those who are fighting to protect "Mother Earth." In one very pointed publication, the pope has unified an army which will demand one day a week be set aside as a day of rest wherein "Mother" may rest from the attack by cruel mankind. That day will not be the Sabbath of the Lord, but it will be the sun day. It has been labeled the "green sabbath."

Obama statement on encyclical   

On the very same day the pope's message was published, the President of the United States immediately responded. "I welcome His Holiness Pope Francis's encyclical, and deeply admire the Pope's decision to make the case - clearly, powerfully, and with the full moral authority of his position - for action on global climate change." This comes as no surprise, it is a plank in the Democrat Party's platform. What is unusual for an American president is to address the pope as "His Holiness" and to give the man "full moral authority" when he is but a man even though he is called "Vicar of Christ." This is not a Christian attitude, nor is it in harmony with the Protestant heritage of America.

Protestant America Crossing the Abyss


photo: Architect of the Capitol

The Vatican leader was invited by the Republican leader of the House of Representatives and the Democratic Vice President who is the leader of the Senate, both Roman Catholics. The pope's address was just what all thought it would be, a statement of Roman Catholic beliefs which were presented to encourage American politicians to follow that path. The statement made regarding religious "fundamentalism" as a danger was interesting. " We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind. A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms. But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world, with its open wounds which affect so many of our brothers and sisters, demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps." While God is separating the sheep from the goats, the "Vicar of Christ" is demanding no such separation take place. God forbid there would be two groups, saints and sinners. Soon, very soon, those two groups will be forever fixed. Characters will have been formed that none can escape. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11.

"Polarization" is taking place, and we know he will confront it. The long arm of the state will be used in an attempt to stamp out that small group that refuses to join the ecumenical movement. The whole world is being unified before our very eyes. Both conservative and liberal will join forces in paying homage to the image being created.

Pope Addresses United Nations

On September 25th, 2015, Francis addressed the United Nations assembled in New York on their 70th anniversary. He expressed his hope for action on the subject of "climate change." "The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the World Summit, which opens today, is an important sign of hope. I am similarly confident that the Paris Conference on Climatic Change will secure fundamental and effective agreements. Solemn commitments, however, are not enough, although they are certainly a necessary step toward solutions. The classic definition of justice which I mentioned earlier contains as one of its essential elements a constant and perpetual will.....Our world demands of all government leaders a will which is effective, practical and constant, concrete steps and immediate measures for preserving and improving the natural environment...."

Paris summit meeting

Both the President of the United States and the pope, the two most powerful men in the world, had been expressing their hopes the Paris Summit on climate change would yield success in reducing the use of fossil fuels. The meeting is United Nations "Conference of the Parties 21." The intent of the United Nations, the pope, and the president is to bring about change in the world. The subject of "Parties 21" is something which is important to understand as it pertains to the sovereignty of nations, or more pointedly, the removal of national sovereignty.

The Paris Summit was an attempt at social engineering. It is more than an attempt to reduce the use of fossil fuels. It sought to have the wealthy nations of the world pay for their use of fossil fuels. As the majority of the nations seek for this change in social relations, the pope and president are calling for, there is a clever plan to relax the need for taking from the rich to give to the poor. What if all of the nations of the world were to agree to cease doing business one day a week? This would create a huge reduction in the production of co2. Businesses and factories would cease burning fossil fuel, trains, ships, and trucks would cease  burning fuel.

Who could object? The great burden to pay for the cost of climate change would be lifted off the backs of the wealthy. The unions would be pleased. Their workers would be assured of one day a week off. Families would be together one day a week. There is agreement to allow "Mother Earth" to rest one day a week. There appears to be only one small group who will contest this arrangement.

Sunday rest

The urgent need for climate change action is uniting environmentalists with unions workers. The question comes up, which day shall we rest upon? The environmentalists don't care. One day in seven will be fine. But, to close businesses on different days is not workable. So, we have to agree on which day the world will rest. For the world to agree on such a matter, it will need the participation and leadership of the United States.  Is this something the Democrats and Republicans can agree on? They are generally opposed to each other on most political issues. Could the two sides agree on having a day of rest, and if so, can they agree on which day? One of the two most powerful men in the world, some would say he is the most powerful, has already made the decision as to which day will be the day of rest. The pope and his predecessors already have proclaimed Sunday as a sacred day. Is it possible America could agree? In an effort to reduce co2 emissions, it seems unlikely President Obama would disagree. The base of his party includes labor unions who have been pushing for Sunday laws in
Europe for some time. And, on the Republican side, conservatives would be happy to not have to pay for climate change. Also, there is a large Evangelical base in the party that already view Sunday as the Sabbath.

With the United States providing leadership, it would seem the United Nations, the pope, the environmentalists, the labor unions, and the Evangelical Christians would find success in seeking Sunday as the day "Mother Earth" could rest. The whole world would be willing to refrain from work on the sun day.

“It’s the alliance between science and religion and policy that’s going to save us,” said Veerabhadran Ramanathan, professor of atmospheric and climate sciences at the University of California, San Diego.  [  ] http://ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/right-role-technology-dissected-santa-clara-encyclical-conference

Objections to Sunday sacredness

There will be a few who will not accept legislation making Sunday a day of rest. They will fight such an attempt. And, they will be despised by the world. What can be done to quiet this small group that not only object, but insist on not working on the Bible Sabbath?  Not being able to refute their Bible doctrine, the pastors from the Sunday churches will point to the disasters taking place at an increasing rate as the result of the desecration of Sunday, it is God's wrath upon an impenitent world. The penalties for breaking the Sunday rest will be increased. And, those who speak against the world's desire to make Sunday special will be persecuted for their beliefs. The laws against hate speech will be strengthened. If one's religion is said to be the cause of resting on the Sunday, that will be a violation of the hate speech law. And, who will side with those who are attempting to swim against the current? None accept those who are moved by Biblical principle.

Could this battle devolve into physical violence against the little group resisting the sun day laws? That would seem contrary to what we see happening in the world today. There is much concern about violence. And, there is even serious discussion about using speech that may encourage others to violence. Many are pointing fingers at Donald Trump in response to his words which are felt to have encouraged violence. Is this fair? Trump's speech appears to be a concern. “I’m sorry but you’re 100 votes short, even though the next one is 500 votes short, I think you would have problems like you’ve never seen before. I think bad things would happen, I really do. I believe that. I wouldn’t lead it but I think bad things would happen.” [   ] 3-16-16 http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/03/16/donald-trump-warns-of-riots-and-bad-things-if-supporters-ignored/  He is unhappy, therefore he says "bad things would happen." Because someone disagrees with me, is that an excuse to use physical violence? Someone was punched at one of his rallies. Is it ok to punch someone because you don't like what they said? The one who threw the punch is charged with a crime.

The holy book of Islam prescribes punishment for those who speak against Muḥammad. This is foreign to America. Islam at its heart does not believe in a separation between church and state. Many Muslims today desire to have laws that dictate how we are to worship God. They would have the state punish those whose speech was unacceptable to their religion. Are there others who have the same beliefs?

We understand there is a limit to free speech when it calls for violence. Islam calling for violence against those who do not agree with their religion is not tolerated in America, or at least it never used to be under the Constitution. And, when we see some politicians which appear to accept physical violence at their campaign rallies we question the legality of such actions. And, we hear a great deal in the media today as a result.

Pope threatens violence

Not long ago, Francis was commenting on the torture and murder of innocents in Syria, how wrong it is. Then he said something very shocking to me, and I am sure some other Americans were surprised to hear what some call the "Vicar of Christ" say If a friend "says a swear word against my mother, then a punch awaits him." "One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people's faith, one cannot make fun of faith." I don't believe I have heard anyone in the media report this as being similar to the threats being made by Trump.    Thus, we get a glimpse of the principles which will soon be used against those who rise up against the false Sabbath Day of rest.

What are we to do?

We must resist any attempt to make a national Sunday law. There were some who saw the urgency to be at the Capitol Building when the pope came to address the U.S. Congress. What did they see, and what did they hear? Were there cardinals on the ground prior to the pope's address? There were. What were they doing on Capitol Hill?

Are there attempts being made to reach the lawmakers with the truth? What can we do to resist the Sunday laws that are coming?

   When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near." Vol 5, Testimonies For the Church, pg 451 (1885). 

It is not only the Roman Church that has turned to the state to enforce religious doctrine, we see it today and in the past with Islam. There is not separation of church and state. Islam employs the state to punish dissent from her doctrines. Today in India we see a strong move of the state to punish dissenters from the Hindu religion. In Greece their Constitution gives the state the right to enforce religious doctrine. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,  the Church of England persecuted those of other faiths. Pastors were forced to leave their churches. They and their church members were subjected to fines, imprisonment, torture, and death.

As we near the end of this world's history, we ought to have learned the lesson. But, spiritual things are spiritually discerned. The world is not improving its morality, it is falling lower and lower as Jesus predicted. "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:37. In the days of Noah the world was so evil, God destroyed every living thing except what was in the sea and on the ark. So, we are approaching that moral condition today.

As we approach the last crisis, it is of vital moment that harmony and unity exist among the Lord's instrumentalities. The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head--the papal power--the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses. This union is cemented by the great apostate. While he seeks to unite his agents in warring against the truth he will work to divide and scatter its advocates. Jealousy, evil surmising, evilspeaking, are instigated by him to produce discord and dissension. The members of Christ's church have the power to thwart the purpose of the adversary of souls. At such a time as this let them not be found at variance with one another or with any of the Lord's workers. Amidst the general discord let there be one place where harmony and unity exist because the Bible is made the guide of life.  7T 182

    Now is the time to lay up treasure in heaven, and to set our hearts in order, ready for the time of trouble. Those only who have clean hands and a pure heart will stand that trying time. Now is the time for the law of God to be in our minds (foreheads), and written in our hearts. The Lord has shown me the danger of letting our minds be filled with worldly thoughts and cares. I saw that some minds were led away from present truth and a love of the holy Bible, by reading other exciting books; and others were filled with perplexity and care for what they shall eat, drink and wear. I saw some, looking too far off for the coming of the Lord. Time has continued on a few years longer than they expected, therefore they think it may continue a few years more, and in this way their minds are being led from present truth, out after the world. In these things I saw great danger; for if the mind is filled with other things, present truth is shut out, and there is no place in our foreheads for the seal of the living God. This seal is the Sabbath. I saw that the time for Jesus to be in the most holy place was nearly finished, and that time can last but a very little longer; and what leisure time we have should be spent in searching the Bible, which is to judge us in the last day.   
     My Dear Brethren and Sisters:--Let the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ be in your minds continually, and let them crowd worldly thoughts and cares from the mind. When you lie down, and when you rise up, let them be your meditation. Live, and act wholly in reference to the coming of the Son of Man. The sealing time is very short, and soon will be over. Now is the time to make our calling and election sure, while the four angels are holding the four winds.  Broadside2, January 31, 1849.

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[  ] June 18, 2015, ENCYCLICAL LETTER, LAUDATO SI’ Pope Francis  on CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME     http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html



[  ]   Statement by the American President on Pope Francis’ Encyclical

I welcome His Holiness Pope Francis's encyclical, and deeply admire the Pope's decision to make the case - clearly, powerfully, and with the full moral authority of his position - for action on global climate change.

As Pope Francis so eloquently stated this morning, we have a profound responsibility to protect our children, and our children's children, from the damaging impacts of climate change. I believe the United States must be a leader in this effort, which is why I am committed to taking bold actions at home and abroad to cut carbon pollution, to increase clean energy and energy efficiency, to build resilience in vulnerable communities, and to encourage responsible stewardship of our natural resources. We must also protect the world's poor, who have done the least to contribute to this looming crisis and stand to lose the most if we fail to avert it.

I look forward to discussing these issues with Pope Francis when he visits the White House in September. And as we prepare for global climate negotiations in Paris this December, it is my hope that all world leaders--and all God's children--will reflect on Pope Francis's call to come together to care for our common home.