ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 201

“BACCHIOCCHI RESPONDS TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS - Part 1”

Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,

Retired Professor of Theology and Church History,

Andrews University

INDEX OF TOPICS OF THIS NEWSLETTER

* EXCITING NEWS!!! Incredible Demand for

Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical?

* “BACCHIOCCHI RESPONDS TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS - Part 1”

This is the essay of this newsletter

* UPCOMING SEMINARS for the Months of May and June

* CRISTINA PICCARDI’S NEW DVD RECORDINGS done

at Loma Linda. Special Package Offer on four albums.

* SPEAKING IN TONGUES by William Richardson, Ph. D.,

is out!!! We are processing all your orders.

* NEW DVD REVELATION SEMINAR by Prof. Jon Paulien.

Four one hour live video lectures by a foremost Adventist scholar

* SPECIAL OFFER on 12 DVD and CD albums for only $150.00,

instead of the regular price of $1150.00

* HOW TO CONTACT THE CENTER FOR CANCER CARE

that shut down 95% of my Liver Cancer

* INCREDIBLE OFFER ON NEW HITACHI 3000 lumens

projector for only $1395.00.

* THE SMALLEST AND MOST POWERFUL REMOTE

presenter to change slides on your laptop.

* DA-LITE SCREENS FOR YOUR CHURCH at 30% discount

Choose your screen directly at da-lite.com

* PROF. ROY GANE’S SANCTUARY SEMINAR: only $19.99 for

four video lectures by an Adventist authority on sanctuary.

  Purchase at http://www.preludefilms.com

EXCITING NEWS!!!

INCREDIBLE DEMAND FOR

POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

The demand for Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? has surpassed my fondest expectations. The book came off the press on April 25, 2008 and the first printing of 10,000 copies is almost sold out in less than one month. A new reprint is already in progress.

This has been an unprecedented experience for me. Never before I received so many orders for a book not yet published. The secret is that I posted excerpts of each chapter in our biweekly Endtime Issues Newsletter that is emailed to over 35,000 subscribers. Many readers were so impressed the timeliness and quality of this witnessing book, that they placed their orders long before the book came off the press. This past week I received an order for 1000 copies from South Africa, 200 copies from East Indonesia, 100 copies from Singapore, and many orders from England and Australia.

Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? consists of 384 pages with a very attractive, laminated colorful cover, with pictures representing seven of the ten popular beliefs examined in the book. Take a look at the cover by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/pbcover.htm

For few more days until May 30, 2008 Popular Beliefs is offered at the special introductory price of $5.00 per copy, for a case of 30 copies. The total cost for a case of 30 copies now is only $150.00, including the mailing expenses. Beginning on June 1, 2008 the price goes up to $7.00 per copy. This means that from June 1, the cost for a case of 30 copies is $210.00, instead of $150.00.

If you or your church has not yet ordered a case of 30 copies Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? at the special price of $150.00, be sure to place your order by May 30, 2008 to take advantage of the introductory offer. See details at the end.

My Legacy to our Adventist Church

In many ways Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? represents for me my legacy to our Seventh-day Adventist Church. This may be my last and hopefully my most important contribution to the mission of our Adventist church. All my previous 17 books are making a contribution by helping truth-seekers to understand and accept fundamental Bible teachings held by our church. But the impact of Popular Beliefs most likely will be greater than any of my previous books, because it examines, not one, but 10 popular beliefs, which are biblically wrong.

When I was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer on February 2007, one of my deep regrets was the inability to complete Popular Beliefs during the remaining few months I was expected to live. I promised to the Lord that if He would extend my life, I would put forth my best efforts to complete Popular Beliefs, to express my gratitude for His providential healing.

The Lord answered my prayer in an unexpected way. He led me to Cancer Research Center in Goshen, Indiana, which is only one hour away from Andrews University where we live. The Center is a pioneer in the field of nuclear oncology and treated my liver cancer with a combined strategy of chemotherapy and microsphere embolization - a treatment unavailable at other cancer centers. Within two months my cancer was reduced by 95%. Grateful to God for a new lease on life, I fulfilled my promise by devoting every spare moment of this past year to complete Popular Beliefs.

When Popular Beliefs came off the press on April 25, I was overwhelmed by a deep sense of gratitude to God for restoring my health and for enabling me to complete this important research project. I felt that an appropriate way to express my gratitude to God, was to plan for a dedication service for the book and in a special way for a re-dedication of my life to His service. About 30 fellow believers, including three medical doctors and a few teachers, attended the dedication service at our home.

A Most Effective Witnessing Publication

Fellow-believers often ask me this question: What book would you recommend for a neighbor or office worker who has questions about our Adventist beliefs? Until now my answer has been: “Unfortunately we do not have a single book that answers questions about our fundamental beliefs in the context of what other Christians believe. Most of our Adventist books, including the ones that I have written, deal with one particular belief like the Sabbath, the Second Advent, the State of the Dead, Temperance, the Sanctuary, etc. But these books do not compares and contrasts our Adventist beliefs with the popular Christian beliefs of other Christians.

The Good News is that this much needed book is finally available. Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? is designed to meet this specific need. Adventists who have been looking for a book to give their friends with questions about our Adventist beliefs, will be glad to give to their friends this book, because it exposes false teachings and affirms biblical truths in a calm, dispassionate, and objective way.

My Sincere Hope

I have written this book with the earnest desire to help Christians of all persuasions to re-examine their popular beliefs in the light of the normative authority of the Bible. At a time when most Christians still hold to popular beliefs that derive from human traditions rather than from biblical revelation, it is imperative to recover those biblical truths that God has revealed for our eternal salvation.

It is my fervent hope that this book, fruit of many months of dedicated research, will help Christians of all persuasions to “come out” of the Babylonian confusion of popular but unbiblical beliefs, and accept God’s glorious plan for our present life and our future destiny.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER UNTIL MAY 30 ON

POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

Until May 30, 2008, we offer  Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical?  at the following introductory prices:

          1 copy of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $30.00 per copy. Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $10.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination. The price will remain the same after May 30, 2008.

          10 copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $10.00 per copy, postage paid, instead of the regular price of $30.00. ($100.00 for 10 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $40.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination. The price will remain the same after May 30, 2008.

          30 copies (one case) of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $5.00 per copy ($150.00 for 30 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $100.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination. Beginning on June 1, 2008, the price will go up to $7.00 per copy, that is, $210.00 for case of 30 copies. The airmailing expenses remain the same.

100 copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $4.00 per copy, postage paid. ($400.00 for 100 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $300.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.  Beginning on June 1, 2008, the price will go up to $5.00 per copy, that is, $500.00 for 100 copies. The airmailing expenses remain the same.

HOW TO ORDER POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

You can order Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at the introductory prices given above, in four different ways:

(1) ONLINE: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_35

(2) PHONE:  By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.

(3) EMAIL:  By emailing your order to <[email protected]>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date. 

(4) REGULAR MAIL: By mailing a check to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, USA. We guarantee to process your order as soon as we receive it.

WOULD YOU LIKE US TO PRESENT AT YOUR CHURCH OUR POPULAR SEMINARS WITH WORDS AND SONGS ?

Would you like us to present at your church one of our popular seminars on the SABBATH or SECOND ADVENT or CHRISTIAN LIFE with Words and Songs? These seminars have been greatly enhanced by the participation of Cristina Piccardi, an outstanding soprano from Brazil who joined my ministry seven months ago. She sings several times before and after each of my lectures. She also gives a sacred concert on Sabbath afternoon. Her powerful and passionate singing touches the hearts of people everywhere. Her singing has almost double the attendance at the seminars.

Our 2008 calendar is already filled for the next few months, but we still have a few openings in the latter part of the year. We will be glad to email you the list of the open weekends so that you can choose the weekend that best suits your church.

To make it possible for many churches to benefit from our seminars, we keep the cost of the seminar down by asking only for the refund of two airline tickets and two nights for two rooms in a reasonable hotel. We do not ask for any honorarium. Instead, we trust in the Lord to meet our financial obligations through the sale of our publications and recordings on Saturday night.

Who is Cristina Piccardi?

Cristina was born in Brazil 26 years ago and came to Andrews University two years ago to accompany her husband who is studying at the seminary. She has earned degrees in voice performance both in Brazil and at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she received full scholarship during the two years of her studies, graduating in December of 2005 with a Master in Voice Performance. In the same year she performed in a leading role with symphonic orchestras in the USA and overseas. At the annual 2005 International Competition for Opera Singers she won the first prize as the best soprano singer of the year.

Cristina left the opera world to dedicate her singing talents to sing sacred music. She is far the best soprano I have ever heard in the Adventist Church during the past 30 years of itinerant ministry around the world. You can enjoy a preview of Cristina’s outstanding singing by clicking at this link:  http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cristina/ You can see and hear her singing the first stanza of The Holy City.

If your church board wishes to preview one of our seminars, we will gladly mail you free of charge the DVD album with our SABBATH SEMINARS with Words and Songs, that was recorded in Loma Linda. The album contains 3 DVDs with 6 hours of live recording of my lectures and Cristina’s singing.

Feel free to contact us by email <[email protected]> or by phone (269) 471-2915. We will gladly supply you with any additional information and reserve a weekend for your church.

“BACCHIOCCHI RESPONDS TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS - Part 1”

Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,

Retired Professor of Theology and Church History,

Andrews University

Criticism is the price of success. Any one who accomplishes something, can expect to be admired by some and criticized by other. This has been my experience during the past 30 years.

Countless people from all over the world have expressed their appreciation for my ministry of research, writing, and lecturing on the fundamental beliefs of our Adventist faith. But I have also been the target of several false allegations from both Adventists conservatives on the one hand, and liberals one the other hand.

The liberals feel that I am too conservative because I have published such books as Women in the Church, Christina Dress and Adornment, Wine in the Bible, and The Christian and Rock Music. The conservatives, on the other hand, view me as too liberal because I dared to make a plea for a balanced understanding of Ellen White, a symbolic interpretation of the Number of the Beast 666, and a broader understanding of the 1260 years prophecy.

I should mention that the symbolic interpretation of 666 is not original with me. It has been communicated to the Adventist Church at large through the Sabbath School Lesson of June 1-7, 2002. All what I did is to document and popularize the recent findings of Adventist scholarship. The same is true of the broader interpretation of the 1260 years prophecy, which can be seen in the Sabbath School Lesson for July 19, 2006. The lesson dates the 1260 years prophecy from “the late fifth, early sixth century . . . to the late eighteenth, or early nineteenth, century,” avoiding mentioning the traditional dates of 538 to 1798. My response will show that what I have written reflects informed Adventist scholarship, not a rejection of Adventist prophetic interpretation.

The most vicious attacks have come from “concerned brethren” with a conspiracy mentality. They sincerely believe that Jesuits have infiltrated into our Adventist church. Several of our General Conference leaders have also been accused of being “Jesuit spies.” But, I am supposed to be the most influential secret “Jesuit spy” paid by the Vatican to conduct subversive activities in our Adventist church.

A brother wrote to me: “I am convinced you are receiving two pay checks, one from Andrews University and the other from the Vatican for the service you render to them.” The truth is that I have NEVER received any pay check from Andrews University since July 1, 2000, when I took an early retirement in order to devote myself more fully to Biblical research, writings, and lecturing. And I NEVER RECEIVED AT ANY TIME any pay check from the Vatican or the Gregorian University, simply because I never rendered any service to them.

False Allegations Are Damaging My Ministry

The false allegations circulating about me would be hysterically funny if they were not so damaging to my ministry. Recently five pastors who at first were eager to invite me to present my seminars at their churches, were later forced to cancel their invitation, because one or two board members, persuaded the other members that I am a “Jesuit spy,” who subtly and deceptively is influencing Adventists to abandon some of our fundamental beliefs. Thank God that the few cancellations pale in comparison with the new invitations.

One pastor was asked by an elder to call an emergency board meeting because he wanted to present his case against me. He succeeded to influence the rest of the board members to cancel their official invitation two days before the scheduled date of the seminar. With great sadness the pastor apologized for the irrational decision of the board, and arranged for a refund of the airline ticket.

Few days ago a young pastor close to Andrews University where we live, had a similar experience. He is one of my former bright students who greatly respects my scholarship and my commitment to the message/mission of our church. He was eager to invite me at his church for a weekend seminar, but faced opposition from a few misinformed board members who allege that I have abandoned some of our Adventist fundamental beliefs. Shortly I will show that this allegation is totally false.

Since this church is close to Andrews University, this young pastor has arranged for me to respond to the false allegations at their next church board meeting. I look forward to meet with the board members and I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord will bless this meeting. By His Spirit all the false allegations will be put to rest, because they are based on misinformation, rather than on what I have written or preached. I have been a deeply committed Adventist all my life and I have paid a price for standing for our Adventist faith.

This evening I received a cancelation from a church where Cristina Piccardi and myself were scheduled to present our weekend seminar with Words and Songs in a few weeks time. This took me by surprise, because I had already mailed to this church the package of promotional posters and handbills which I paid for.

The few cancellations just mentioned do not discourage me, because when one door closes, the Lord providentially opens another one. In fact, ten minuted after receiving the last cancellation, I received an invitation from another church, asking if we would be available for the same date to speak at a rally in their church. I was also informed that their church board had voted to contribute to our ministry a generous love gift.

This sudden escalation of cancellations, compelled me to respond to some of the false allegations. I feel that if I remain silent, some will believe that the allegations are true. Thus, in this newsletter and the following, I will respond to the five major allegations. Some of them have been addressed in previous newsletters. To avoid needless repetition, I will summarize what I wrote, referring the readers to the fuller treatment.

More Pleasure in Fabricating Lies than in Proclaiming the Truth

It is distressing to know that there are a few Adventists who choose to spend their time listening, recycling, and circulating false allegations, rather than investing their time in learning and sharing our timely Adventist message with truth-seekers. They seem to find more pleasure in fabricating lies than in sharing the truth.

To get an idea of the extent of the problem, go to GOOGLE and enter “Bacchiocchi Jesuit.” You will be surprised to see there are over 2900 entries, written mostly by Adventists afflicted by a “conspiracy complex,” and determined to prove that Jesuits have infiltrated the Adventist Church. Allegedly I am supposed to be one of the most influential Jesuit, who is influencing our Adventist church to modify or even abandon the anti-Catholic interpretation of end-time prophecies. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Surprisingly, over 90% of my detractors, have never contacted me to find out if the allegations they are circulating are true or false. It is evident they choose to ignore Christ’s admonition to go directly to your brother and discuss the problem “between you and him alone” (Matt 18:15). They do not want to follow Christ’s method, because they do not want to run the risk of killing the pleasure of fabricating and circulating false allegations.

Shortly I will show that these allegations are totally false. The fact is that I have written more books and articles than any other Adventist author, which expose the influence of the Papacy in leading Christian churches to accept a host of heresies popularly accepted today. My latest book, Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? is a case in point. The cover itself speaks volumes about the role of the Papacy in promoting the popular heresies of our time.

Most of the ten popular beliefs (heresies) examined in Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical?, such as infant baptism, Mariolatry, Sunday Sacredness, Immortality of the Soul, Life after Death, Purgatory, Hell as eternal torment, trace their origin to the teachings of ancient Catholic theologians, Councils, and papal dogmas.

You will find Popular Beliefs to be a powerful witnessing tool, urgently needed to help truth-seekers to understand why most of their popular beliefs are biblically wrong and why our Adventist beliefs are biblically right. If you have not ordered your copy yet, you still have a few more days until May 30, 2008 to purchase it at a discounted introductory price of only $5.00, by the case of 30 copies. Beginning on June 1, 2008, the price will go up to $7.00 per copy. This means that the cost of a case of 30 copies will go up from the current price of $150.00 to $210.00. The quoted prices include the mailing expenses.

You can order Popular Beliefs online by clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_35 If you prefer to order the book by phone, calls us at (269) 471-2915. Over 8000 copies have been mailed during past two weeks. We expect the book to be sold out by the end on May.

Most Adventists Ignore False Allegations

Thank God that most Adventists ignore the false allegations circulating about me. They draw their conclusions, not from senseless gossip, but from a careful reading of what I have written. A telling example is the orders I received for the new book Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? Long before the book came off the press on April 25, 2008, we received orders for over 6000 copies from people who read the chapters I posted in the Endtime Issues Newsletter. They found what I wrote to be both biblically correct and urgently needed to share their Adventist faith with their neighbors and fellow workers. (While writing this paragraph I received a call from the Southern Publishing Association of South Africa, requesting 1000 copies of Popular Beliefs. Next week I will rent a van to deliver the shipment to a Sea-freight company in Chicago)

Another example is the invitation I received this past week from Joe Orbe, Jr., the Director of the Adventist University of the Philippines Religious Affairs and the Senior Pastor of the Philippine International Church. Pastor Orbe informs me that he has read the controversy about me in the internet and “searched for my response to the false allegations.” He concluded: “Your commitment to the truth and its progress is the compelling force for this invitation that you be our speaker for the university Week of Prayer on August 11-16, 2008, the venue of which is the Philippine International Church. There will be more than 3,000 students, staff and faculty in attendance, excluding nearby missions and churches.”

If you live in the Philippines, you are welcomed to attend the seminars which I will present with Cristina Piccardi, an outstanding soprano from Brazil. She will sing several times before and after each presentation. This is the tentative schedule.

AUGUST 8-9, 2008: AIIAS WEEKEND SEMINAR.

AIIAS is the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, made up of two schools, the Theological Seminary and the School of Graduate Studies. The University Pastor, Elizer Barrientos, has informed me that over 1000 believers will attend the weekend meetings.

AUGUST 11-16, 2008: AUP WEEK OF PRAYER

The Week of Prayer will be held at the Adventist University of the Philippine. According to the Senior Pastor, Joe Orbe, over 3000 students, staff, and faculty will be attending the meetings, without counting visitors from neighboring churches.

AUGUST 17, 2008: A RALLY IN MANILA

On Sunday August 17, an evening rally will be held in Manila for the city churches. A large attendance is expected for this final meeting. Cristina will offer a mini concert before my farewell sermon.

A PLEA FOR HELP TO PURCHASE CRISTINA’S AIRLINE TICKET

A United Airlines economy class ticket from South Bend, Indiana to Manila, costs at this time about $2750.00. When Pastor Orbe extended us the invitation for the Week of Prayer at the AUP University Church, he thought that funds would be available to cover both tickets. This proved not to be the case. We need to raise money for both of our tickets. So far a benefactor has offered to pay for my ticket, but no contribution have yet come in to cover Cristina’s airline ticket.

Leaving Cristina behind would be regrettable because every weekend her powerful and passionate singing touches the hearts of people. If you have heard her singing in person or through her video recording, you will agree with me that she is one of the best Adventist soprano in the world. Three years ago she won the first price at an international opera singers’ competition. I know that our people in the Philippines will be deeply moved by her singing before and after each of my lectures.

You can enjoy a preview of Cristina’s outstanding singing by clicking at this link:  http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cristina/ She sings the first stanza of THE HOLY CITY.

Dr. Heidi Cerna, an accomplished pianist who is currently serving as Chair of the Music Department of the Adventist University of the Philippines, is planning for a special recording with Cristina in Los Angeles on Monday, May 26, 2008, in conjunction with our Advent Seminar with Words and Songs at the White Memorial SDA church. Dr. Heidi plans to take the new CD Album back to the Philippines to raise fund for a new performing center at AUP.

If you live in Los Angeles, you are cordially invited to join us next Friday/Sabbath at the White Memorial SDA Church for a blessed experience of worship and fellowship. Your hearts will be warmed by Cristina’s powerful singing and your mind will be expanded by my informative powerpoint lectures on the Advent Hope. For directions and information, call Pastor Ben Del Pozo at (323) 440-1200 or (626) 292-1305.

If you feel impressed to help defray part of the cost of Cristina’s airline ticket to Manila, you can send your donation to: Biblical Perspectives, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. To make a donation by credit card, you can call Cristina directly at (269) 470-1476 or our office at (269) 471-2915. We can take down the information by phone.

As a token expression of gratitude we will mail you the latest DVD ALBUM By His Grace professionally recorded few weeks ago in Loma Linda with high definition cameras. You will enjoy listening and seeing Cristina singing with power and passion 16 sacred songs. Thank you for your contribution.

The Fruits of My Ministry Speak for Themselves

Before responding to specific allegations, it may be helpful to mention the impact of my books and seminars. Jesus said: “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt 7:16). If I were a “Jesuit Spy” the fruits of my ministry would reveal it. The fact is that the Lord has used my publications, recordings, and preaching to lead many ministers of different denominations to accept the Sabbath and move the worship service of their congregations from Saturday to Sunday.

In recent years I have been invited to speak by Salvation Army, Southern Baptists, Mennonites, Churches of God, and Methodist congregations who recently moved their services from Sunday to Saturday. Last December Cristina Piccardi and myself were invited in Lexington, Kentucky, to minister at a rally of about 500 non-SDA Christians, belonging to different congregations that became Sabbathkeepers.

It is inconceivable that I would devote my life to help people of all faith to understand and experience the blessings of the Sabbath, if I were a Jesuit spy paid by the Vatican. If the latter were true, I would have been fired by the Vatican long time ago, for acting contrary to their demands. The fact is that I have had no personal contact with any Jesuit since the publication of my dissertation in 1977.

The Failed Attempt of the Pontifical Gregorian University to Discredit my Academic Accomplishments

A decisive proof that discredits the allegation that I am a Jesuit spy, is the official letter dated on June 11, 2004, written by Dr. Barbara Bergami, the General Secretary of the Pontifical Gregorian University, and addressed to Bishop James Murray of Kalamazoo, whose dioceses includes Berrien Springs, Michigan, where we live. In her letter, Dr. Bergami asks Bishop Murray to investigate my alleged false claims to have received a gold medal donated by Pope Paul VI for earning the academic distinction of summa cum laude, as well as the claim that I received the imprimatur, that is the approval for the publication of my dissertation From Sabbath to Sunday by the Pontifical Gregorian University Press.

Readers of our Endtime Issues Newsletter will recall that I posted a 50 pages lengthy response to these false allegations on newsletters 159-160. You can read my response by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/Gregoriana/ When confronted with the threat of legal action, the new Rector of the Gregorian University graciously apologized for the inaccuracies of the allegations, acknowledging that my claims are accurate.

The implication of the story is self-evident. The fact that the General Secretary of the Gregoriana attempted to discredit my academic achievements, clearly shows that I am not perceived to be one of their Jesuit agents, but a persona non grata, because my publications and lectures are detrimental to the Catholic Church.

The Response from Adventist Congregations

Another line of evidence that discredits the false allegations circulating about me, are the testimonies from pastors who have invited me several times to minister to their congregations. If my ministry was deceptive or divisive, some pastors would have registered their complaints. But, there has never been a single complaint from the over 1000 churches and schools in many countries where I have presented my seminars during the past 30 years. On the contrary, over the years several churches have invited again and again.

For example, Pastor Benjamin del Pozo, D. Min, invited me three times at his previous Temple City SDA Church, in Los Angeles. During his pastorate attendance at the Temple City church grew from about 100 to over 400 members. His secret of church growth is his caring personality and passionate preaching.

Recently Pastor Ben has been moved to the White Memorial Church in Los Angeles to serve as the Senior Pastor. For years this has been a dying church, with only about 150 members left to fill the 2000 seats impressing sanctuary. Last August 17-18, 2007 when he invited me, the head count was 450. Ben has invited me again for another great rally next weekend on May 23-24, 2008 at the White Memorial Church. We look forward to a larger attendance this time. If you live in Los Angeles, be sure to join us. You will enjoy informative powerpoint lectures on the Second Advent and Cristina’s powerful and passionate singing that will touch your hearts.

Paul Boling, The Senior Pastor of the Avon Park SDA Church, a 900 members congregation near Orlando, Florida, emailed us the following evaluation statement about our SABBATH SEMINAR IN WORDS AND SONGS we presented at his church.

November 18-2007

Over the past years I have had the privilege of inviting Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi to speak at 2 churches that I have pastored. So, I was eager to again host his seminar in the Avon Park SDA Church, of the Florida Conference. 

However, the weekend visit of November 16-17, 2007 was slated to be different, because he was bringing his own guest singer, Cristina Piccardi. This gifted vocalist added immeasurably to Dr. Bacchiocchis timely lectures. She is extremely well trained, and she graciously brought to our congregation the most beautiful music we have ever heard, coupled with her love for God. Our congregation was so overjoyed with her concert, and they want the team of Bacchiocchi and Piccardi to return soon!”

Pastor Paul Boling

Senior Pastor

Avon Park Seventh-day Adventist Church

Elder Ralph S. Watts III, President, Hawaii Conference, Seventh-day Adventists, offered this evaluation of the presentations I gave at the annual 2007 convocation of the 13 churches in the Oahu.

Dear Dr. Bacchiocchi:

Aloha! I want you to know how deeply appreciative I am of your ministry to us for our Oahu 2007 Convocation. Your messages were so timely and relevant. The Sabbath is a theme which burns bright in the hearts of us as SDAs. I have heard nothing but glowing response and reaction to your being here with us. All of our churches and members were greatly blessed.

On behalf of the Hawaii Conference we say “Mahalo” for your tireless work in taking this message all round the world. It is making a difference and only eternity will tell all the stories.

I will look forward to having you back on the island with us again. Hopefully I can get those dates in my calendar and make it to the meetings.

With warm aloha!

Ralph S. Watts III

President, Hawaii Conference, Seventh-day Adventists

2728 Pali Highway

Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

Indeed, we will be back in Honolulu on June 13-14, 2008 to speak at the Central SDA Church, then on June 18 at the Kailua SDA Church, and finally on June 20-21 at the Japanese SDA Church. We look forward to worship and fellowship with our Hawaiian believers. The warmth of their weather is reflected in the warmth of their Christian love and fellowship.

Similar evaluation statements could be multiplied. But the samples cited above should suffice to show to those who succeeded in blocking my visit to their churches, that they are doing a disservice to their church members. By their action they deprive their congregation of the opportunity to expand their understanding and experience of our fundamental Adventist beliefs.

Five Major False Allegations

Five major false allegations have been fabbricated to prove that I am no longer a genuine, faithful Seventh-day Adventist. For some I am a “Jesuit spy,” while for others I am either too conservative or too liberal to fit into the standard Adventist mold. In an attempt to clear the air, I will respond to two allegations in this newsletter and to the remaining three allegations in the next newsletter. Since I have already responded to some allegations in previous newsletters, I will refer the reader to them for a fuller response.

This is the list of the Five False Allegations:

FIRST FALSE ALLEGATION EXAMINED IN THIS NEWSLETTER

Bacchiocchi is not a loyal Aventist, but a “Jesuit Spy” who promotes Sunday as the biblical Sabbath. He would have never received a gold medal by Pope Paul VI for promoting the biblical Sabbath in his dissertation From Sabbath to Sunday.

My response will show that this allegation is both false and absurd. Each of my four books on the Sabbath compelling shows that Sunday is not the Sabbath. The two days have a different origin, meaning, authority, and experience.

SECOND FALSE ALLEGATION EXAMINED IN THIS NEWSLETTER

Bacchiocchi is not a loyal Adventist because he has rejected the official Adventist interpretation of the Number 666 of the Beast as representing the Pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei, which is inscribed in the papal tiara. This is an official Adventist teaching that no scholar or church leaders has the right to change. Consequently, he no longer upholds a fundamental prophetic interpretation of the Adventist Church.

My response will show that the above interpretation has never been an official Adventist teachings. On the contrary, our church leaders have issued repeated warning against the application of 666 to the Pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei, because the only papal tiara with this inscription was fabricated by an unscrupulous Adventist artist.

THIRD FALSE ALLEGATION TO BE EXAMINED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER

Bacchiocchi is no longer a faithful Adventist because he rejects the prophetic gift of Ellen White by claiming that there are inaccuracies in The Great Controversy and that she sought the help of respected church leaders to gather information for some of her books.

My response will show that I am a faithful Adventist, because I firmly believe that Ellen White had both divine revelations and human limitations. The latter account for some of the inaccuracies in her writings. My plea is not for the rejection, but for a balanced understanding of Ellen White’s prophetic gift. This is the plea that informed Adventist leaders have made during the past 30 years.

FOURTH FALSE ALLEGATION TO BE EXAMINED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER

Bacchiocchi is no longer a faithful Adventist because he does not accept the official Adventist interpretation of the 1260 years prophecy as starting from A. D. 538 and ending in 1798.

My response will show that I am not rejecting the Adventist interpretation of the 1260 years prophecy as such. What I am questioning is the legitimacy of the traditional dates of 538 to 1798 used to delimit the beginning and end of this prophecy. The same concern is express in recent Adventist research. For example, the Sabbath School Lesson for July 19, 2006, avoids mentioning the traditional dates. Instead it says: “If we date the beginning of papal Rome to the late fifth, early sixth century, 1,260 years later brings us to the late eighteenth, or early nineteenth, century.” Its principal author, Clifford R. Goldstein, Editor of the Sabbath School Quarterlies, avoids mentioning the traditional dates, because he is aware of inherent problems with these dates.

FIFTH FALSE ALLEGATION TO BE EXAMINED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER

Bacchiocchi is no longer a faithful Adventist because in his two volumes God’’s Festivals in Scripture and History, he promotes the ceremonial observance of the OT Festivals

This allegation is totally false. First, I have never promoted the ceremonial observance of the OT Festivals. I have even placed a disclaimer on page 3 of The Fall Festivals, saying: “This book does not promote a ceremonial observance of the ancient Feast of Israel. Rather, it proposes to remember during the course of the year the redemptive acts of the Plan of Salvation typified by the Feasts.”

Second, our Seventh-day Adventist Church is currently re-examining the spiritual relevance of the Feast of Israel for our church calendar and life today. Two consultations on The Feasts of Israel have already been held at Andrews University, sponsored by the GC Biblical Research Institute. I was invited to present a paper at the first consultation. I missed the second consultation because of a speaking engagement. Much of what I have written is viewed favorably by scholars examining this subject.

PLEASE READ AND USE MY RESPONSE TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS

Considerable time and effort has gone into preparing this response to the major false allegations made against me. I have prepared this long-overdue response for two reasons:

First, I wanted to dispel any suspicion on the part of church members who have been exposed to false allegation circulating about me.

Second, I want to provide especially our pastors with a document they can use in church board meetings when some members use false allegations to block the invitation to their church. In these instances, the best way to put to rest the false allegations, is to print this document, and place it in the hands of my detractors, asking them to read my response to their allegations. Chances are that after reading my response, most board members will see the falsity of the allegations.

Thank you for reading and using this document whenever it becomes necessary. May it be used by the Lord to counteract the efforts of the Evil One to undermine my ministry to His glory.

FIRST FALSE ALLEGATION: THE GOLD MEDAL

Bacchiocchi is not a loyal Adventist, but a “Jesuit Spy” because he studied at a prestigious Jesuit University in Rome, called the Pontifical Gregorian University. The fact that he received a gold medal donated by Pope Paul VI for earning summa cum laude in his school work and dissertation From Sabbath to Sunday, proves that he is promoting Sunday as the biblical Sabbath. He would have never received a gold medal for promoting the biblical Sabbath.

BACCHIOCCHI RESPONDS

This is a common allegation that I have faced countless times in different places. My detractors ignore that Jesuit Universities are scattered in many countries. In the USA alone there are 28 Jesuit colleges and universities and two theological centers. See the listing at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Jesuit_Colleges_and_Universities

Scores of Adventists have earned and are earning degrees at Jesuit Universities, simply because they offer excellent programs and outstanding teaching. It is very difficult for any Adventist professor to compete with a Jesuit professor, simply because the latter has no wife and children to worry about. They devote themselves exclusively to what they call “the apostolate of research.”

Adventists who earn degrees at Jesuit Universities, very seldom are accused of becoming Jesuit spies. The reason is that sitting in a class taught by a Jesuit professor, sometimes it can be less risky than sitting in a class taught by a liberal Adventist. Why? Because most Jesuits are brilliant thinkers, who often take issue with the theological teachings of their Catholic Church. I have sat in classes at the Gregoriana where my professors openly challenged such dogmas as papal infallibility.

Contrary to what some Adventists think, the Jesuit order today is NOT a monolithic organization totally committed to defend Catholic teachings and to infiltrate in other churches. The fact is that during the course of its history, the Jesuit order was shut down several times because of insubordination to the Pope. Even in 1981 John Paul II temporarily asserted greater control over the order by appointing a conservative theologian to oversee it, rather than allowing the Jesuits to elect their own leader.

During his tenure as Director of The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) influenced John Paul II to press charges against such Jesuit theologians as Edward Schillebeeckx of Holland, Jack Pohier of France, Bernard Hasler of Switzerland. Hans Kung was stripped of his post as teacher of Catholic theology at the University of Tubingen for questioning papal infallibility. Prof. Charles Curran was suspended from his teaching post at the Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., for advocating that sterilization and contraception were not always wrong. Jesuit priest Terrance Sweeney was forced to resign from his order, because he refused to destroy the results of a survey of American Bishops about celibacy and the ordination of women. A quarter of those surveyed reportedly approved optional celibacy. These examples show that often Jesuits represent a dissenting voice within the Catholic church.

Attending a class taught by an open-minded Jesuit, often can be a refreshing and enlightening experience. Personally I learned that the challenges facing the Catholic Church today are far greater than the problems experienced by our Adventist church.

Have Jesuits Infiltrated the Adventist Church?

The notion that Jesuits have or are infiltrated in the Advestist Church today, is hard for me to believe for three reasons.

First, during the five years I spent at the Gregoriana, no professor or administrator ever approached me to se if I would consider serving as a Jesuit agent in the Adventist church. The mission of the Jesuits today is to promote scholarship, not to infiltrate in other churches.

Second, the Jesuits have the hands full in coping with theological and practical problems facing their own Catholic Church. In Western Countries, less than 10% of Catholic go to church. This tragic situation led Benedict XVI to exclaim two years ago at the Youth Congress in Koln, Germany: “The Catholic Church is dead. You are the new apostles called to plant the seeds of the Gospel.” When one’s house is on fire, there is no time set fire to another house.

Third, contrary to what some Adventists may think, comparatively speaking the Adventist church poses no significant threat to the Catholic Church. Our Adventist church grows at the rate of about a million members a year. By contrast, Pentecostal churches grow at the rather of 20 million new members a year, that is, 20 times faster than our church. Within 10 years three quarters of a billion people will swell its ranks of Pentecostal/Charismatic churches. This represents the most far-reaching renewal movement in the history of the Christian Church, second only in numbers to the Catholic Church. The Vatican is far more concerned about the Pentecostal inroad into Catholic countries, than about Adventists.

Our Adventist membership in Western Europe is stagnant, and in most instances declining. In my homeland, Italy, for example, we had about 5000 Italian members 30 years ago when I left and almost the same number today. The only growth has been generated by the immigration to Italy of Filipinos. Romanian, Hispanic, an Ghanian. It is evident that Italian Adventist pose no significant threat to the Catholic Church, because our presence in the country is hardly noticeable. I estimate that 99% of the Italians do not even know that we exist. Thus, Jesuits have no reasons to invest their time and energy to infiltrate the Adventist church that poses no significant threat to the Catholic Church..

Did I Receive the Gold Medal for Promoting Sunday as the Biblical Sabbath?

On numerous occasions I found myself in Adventist churches where conspiracy minded Adventists have attempted to undermine my weekend seminars by distributing leaflets accusing me of promoting Sunday as the biblical Sabbath. This allegation can only be fabricated by people who refuse to read what I wrote. Any one who takes time to read my dissertation From Sabbath to Sunday, as well as The Sabbath Under Crossfire, Divine Rest for Human Restlessness, and The Sabbath in the New Testament, can see my painstaking efforts to show that biblically and historically Sunday is not the Sabbath. The two days differ in their origin, meaning, authority and experience.

Chapter 6 “Rome and the Origin of Sunday” From Sabbath to Sunday, presents compelling documentation that shows the theological, social, and liturgical measures used by the Papacy to lead Christians away from Sabbathkeeping to Sundaykeeping.

The first chapter of The Sabbath Under Crossfire, is entitled “The Pope and the Sabbath.” This lengthy chapter of 35 pages challenges Pope John Paul II’s attempt to make Sunday the biblical Sabbath. These facts show that the allegation that I am promoting Sunday as the Biblical Sabbath is totally false. It is a pure fabrication of “concerned brethren” afflicted by a conspiracy mentality. They want to prove that I am a Jesuit spy in order to give credence to their “infiltration” theories. They refuse to read anything that could change their mind.

How Could I Receive a Gold Medal of Pope Paul VI for Defending the Validity of the Sabbath?

Often I have been asked: How could you receive a sizeable gold medal donated by Pope Paul VI for earning a summa cum laude for a research that proves the biblical and historical validity of the Sabbath? This sounds too nice to be true. I must admit that I feel the same way. Sometimes I have hard time to believe that it really happened to me. All what I can say: Thank God for Your providential leading!

Unable to reconcile these facts in their mind, my detractors conclude that the gold medal was awarded to me for defending Sunday as the biblical Sabbath, and not the seventh-ay Sabbath.

Obviously this is totally untrue. Even a cursory reading of From Sabbath to Sunday clearly shows that biblically and historically Sunday is not the biblical Sabbath. It was gradually introduced by the authority of the Bishop of Rome, who, as mentioned earlier, used theological, social, and liturgical methods to lead Christians away from Sabbathkeeping into Sundaykeeping. What some Adventists ignore is that this conclusion appeals to traditional Catholics, because for them it proves the authority of the Papacy.

Note that from a traditional Catholic perspective, my dissertation proves that the Catholic Church is absolutely correct in claiming the authority of the Papacy to change the Sabbath to Sunday, Passover to Easter-Sunday, and to introduce a host of annual holy days. The fact that the Pope is responsible for these changes, proves his authority to introduce new teachings and practices.

For the sake of accuracy it must be pointed out that both Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI, depart from the traditional explanation by claiming that Sunday observance is, not an ecclesiastical but a biblical institution, established by Christ and the apostles. In a message dated Nov. 27 and released Dec. 1, 2006, for the study of the theme “Sunday Mass for the sanctification of Christian people,” Benedict XVI said: “Sunday was not chosen by the Christian community, rather by the Apostles, indeed by Christ himself.” http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=22196

From an Adventist perspective, however, my dissertation proves that our prophetic interpretation of the role of the papacy in changing the Sabbath to Sunday, is also absolutely correct. Our understanding of the Little Horn who “shall think to change times and laws” (Dan 7:25), is supported by the papal decretals and other documents cited in From Sabbath to Sunday that show how the papacy accomplished this objective.

The point of this discussion is that the significance of the gold medal can be seen from two different perspectives. For traditional Catholics it represents the award given to a research that shows the accuracy of the Catholic claim regarding the power of the Papacy to make doctrinal and liturgical changes. From an Adventist prophetic perspective the gold medal represents the award given to a research that supports our prophetic understanding of the role of the papacy in changing the Sabbath to Sunday.

What all of this means is that the allegation that my gold medal proves that I am promoting Sunday as the biblical Sabbath, is totally false. It is an allegation fabricated by people who never took time to ask me what it represents.

SECOND ALLEGATION: THE NUMBER 666 OF THE BEAST

Bacchiocchi is no longer a loyal Adventist because he has rejected the official Adventist interpretation of the Number 666 of the Beast as representing the Pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei, which is inscribed in the papal tiara. This is an official Adventist teaching that no scholar or church leaders has the right to change. His symbolic interpretation runs contrary to the traditional Adventist numeric interpretation of 666 and is designed to clear the papacy of any connection with the Beast of Revelation 13. Consequently, he no longer upholds a fundamental prophetic interpretation of the Adventist Church.

BACCHIOCCHI RESPONDS:

This allegation was made by several Adventists who read my newsletter no. 139 (http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/et_139.htm) and viewed my video on The Mark and Number of the Beast. The research was commissioned by Prof. Jon Paulien, Chairman at that time of the NT Department at Andrews University Theological Seminary, and Prof. Ranko Stefanovich, Professor of NT and author of the widely acclaimed Commentary on Revelation.

Both professors asked me to investigate the use of the papal title Vicarius Filii Dei - Vicar of the Son of God, both in official documents and on papal tiaras. The aim was to establish if the numerical value of the letters of this title, represent a legitimate identification of the number 666. The findings were presented in three seminary classes and later recorded by a TV crew for the community at the Andrews University Tower.

Simply stated, the conclusion of my investigation is that, contrary to the denial of some Catholic authors, Vicarius Filii Dei is indeed an official papal title that appears for the first time in the fraudulent document called “The Donation of Constantine.” This document was fabricated in the eighth century by unscrupulous Catholic clergymen, eager to promote both the ecclesiastical and temporal authority of the papacy. The title has been used ever since in numerous official documents.

But, for the sake of accuracy it must be stated that the title Vicarius Filii Dei has never been found inscribed on a papal tiara. The only tiara with this inscription on it, is the one fabricated by an Adventist artist who took the liberty to airbrush the title Vicarius Filii Dei in the picture of an official tiara. Our Adventist church leaders did apologized for this fraudulent tiara, and ordered its removal from Uriah Smith’s Daniel and the Revelation.

A documentation and discussion of these questions is found in the DVD ALBUM entitled The Mark and the Number of the Beast. This album, which represents for me 6 months of dedicated research, offers both a slide version and a two hours video live recording of the issues related to the Mark and Number of the Beast. With the help of 195 slides, you will be able to see documents, popes, tiaras, Reformers, Adventist pioneers, authors, and significant books related to this study. Pastors, Bible teachers, evangelists, and Adventists who give Bible studies, will welcome this valuable resource. To receive your DVD album on The Mark and Number of the Beast, simply click at this link:

http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/BeastAD/ or call us at (269) 471-2915.

Two Major Problems with the Allegation

There are two major problems with the allegation that I no longer uphold an official and fundamental prophetic interpretation of the Adventist Church. First, the allegation mistakenly assumes that the application of 666 to Vicarius Filii Dei, has been and still is the official teaching of the Adventist church. This is totally untrue. The fact is that this interpretation has never been an official Adventist teachings.

Second, the allegation ignores the repeated warnings issued by church leaders against this interpretation. The truth is that this interpretation has survived in spite of repeated warnings against its use. Let us take a closer look at these two problems.

A Popular but Not an Official Teaching

The Adventist church has never officially taught that the number of the Beast (666) is to be found in the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei, inscribed in the papal tiara. Unfortunately, this teaching has become popular in spite of several warning issued against it by the General Conference, Ministry, the Symposium on Revelation published by the GC Biblical Research Institute, and more recently by the Sabbath School Lesson of June 1-7, 2002 on “The Mark and Number of the Beast.”

For example, in the Symposium on Revelation, sponsored by the Biblical Research Institute of the GC, William G. Johnsson, former Editor of Adventist Review, cautiously warns: “It is possible that the inscription Vicarius Filii Dei of the papal tiara is the name indicated by the prophecy, as many Seventh-day Adventist expositors have taught. But in my view the text suggests that 666 is the code for the name of the sea monster, which is blasphemy. It points to a parody of perfection: imperfection upon imperfection, despite the beast’s monstrous claims” (vol. 2, p. 31).

In the same Symposium on Revelation, Prof. Kenneth Strand presents a similar symbolic interpretation of 666. He writes: “There is obviously an intentional play on the number 6, heightened by the triple repetition of it. It is a ‘human number.’ The phrase arithmos anthropou can properly be translated, ‘a human number,’ and thus represents incompleteness and inadequacy. This contrasts with the number 7 that is used frequently throughout the book of Revelation and elsewhere in Scripture to designate totality, fullness, and complete adequacy. The number 7 may thus be considered as a ‘divine number,’ and the number 6 a ‘human number’” (vol 2, pp.202-203).

The Sabbath School Lesson of June 1-7 on “The Mark and Number of the Beast”

The Seventh-day Adventist Church at large was informed about the new symbolic interpretation of the Number 666 of the Beast, in the Sabbath School Lesson of June 1-7, 2002. The title of the Sabbath School Quarterly is The Cosmic Conflict Between Christ and Satan. It is a study of the book of Revelation. The lesson for June 6, 2002, dealt specifically with “The Mark and Number of the Beast” (Rev 13:16-18; 14:1). The comments on this topic consist of only a few paragraphs, but they offer a concise and compelling presentation of the new understanding of this subject.

The principal author of the Sabbath School Quarterly is Angel Rodriguez, Ph. D., who has been serving for several years as the Director of the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference. Dr. Rodriguez is well-acquainted with the recent Adventist studies on Revelation, having directed for several years the special study committee on Daniel and Revelation. The studies have been published in a series of seven volumes.

Regarding the Number of the Beast, the Sabbath School Lesson proposes a symbolic interpretation of the number 666. Dr. Rodriguez writes: “The mark, the name, and the number of the beast are closely related (Rev. 13:17). Many suggestions have been made to explain the meaning of 666. Here we must be very careful. The Bible does not say that the number is the added numerical value of the letters of a name.”

“Some see in the meaning of 666 a symbol of humanity separated from God. Humans were created on the sixth day, and the number can stand as a symbol for humanity without divine rest (the seventh day). . . . Humans have claimed ultimate independence from God (the cause of their fall), and even now they do not want to find rest in Christ.”

“Over the years, numerous Bible students have come up with various explanations for the 666. Some found significance in the fact that if you added up the number of letters in the name of a former president of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, it came to 666; others saw meaning in that, years ago, all the buses in Jerusalem had 666 on their license plates. This is futile speculation that adds nothing toward understanding truth. The important point is that God’s Word has given us enough information to know what the key issues are and who the players will be in the last days, even if we do not know all the details for now, such as the precise meaning of 666” (Thursday, June 6, 2002).

Dr. Rodriguez concludes, saying: “At the present time, the symbolism of intensified rebellion, six used three times, and total independence from God seem to be the best option. Time will reveal the full meaning of the symbol” (Thursday, June 6, 2002).

Three Reasons for the Rejection of the Traditional Vicarius Filii Dei’s Interpretation

Dr. Rodriguez gives three reasons for rejecting the traditional Vicarius Filii Dei interpretation. He writes: “Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of the Son of God). Since the Reformation, this papal title has been used to calculate the number 666. But there are several questions that should make us cautious. First, it is not clear that this title is an official one.”

This is a valid observation. My investigation shows that title Vicarius Filii Dei has been used since the eighth century in important documents to boost the temporal power of the papacy, but it has not been not the most common title. The most common official papal title has been Vicarius Christi—Vicar of Christ.

The second reason given Dr. Rodriguez is that the phrase “it is a human number” (v. 18), suggests that the number represents “humans separated from God” He writes: “Second, there is no clear indication in Revelation 13 that the number is based on the numerical value of the letters of a name. The phrase ‘it is the number of a man’ (vs. 18, NIV) could be translated ‘it is the number of [humanity]’; that is, of humans separated from God.” In other words, the meaning of the cryptic number must be found, not in the numerical value of a name, but in the human significance of 666, that is, the human refusal to proceed to seven, to give glory to God and find rest in Him. This is a valid point that will be expanded shortly.

The third reason given by Dr. Rodriguez for rejecting the Vicarius Filii Dei interpretation is that the text does not specify in which language is the numerical value of letters to be counted. He writes: “Third, those who insist in counting the numerical value of letters confront the problem of deciding which language will be used. Because the text does not identify any language, the selection of a particular one will be somewhat arbitrary. At the present time, the symbolism of intensified rebellion, six used three times, and total independence from God seem to be the best option. Time will reveal the full meaning of the symbol” (Friday, June 7, 2002).

Rodriguez rightly points out that “the text does not identify any language.” This is a decisive observation. It is absurd to assume that the original recipients of Revelation could identify the number 666 with the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei. Why? For two reasons. First, this title was unknown in John’s day as it was coined eight centuries later in the false Donation of Constantine.

Second, the Latin language also was largely unknown to John and his Greek-speaking readers. His call for wisdom to understand the number 666 would have been senseless, if the information needed to understand the number was still eight centuries in the future.

Our Adventist church has shown courage in rejecting the traditional numeric interpretation of the number 666, proposing instead a symbolic interpretation based on several possible meanings of the number 6. In many ways my study expands the current Adventist interpretation, by tracing the origin of 666 in ancient Babylon and its prophetic application in John’s time and in the endtime. You will find an extensive analysis of these questions in the two hours DVD ALBUM on The Mark and Number of the Beast. There you can see and read about the contribution of recent Adventist studies to the understanding of the mark and the number of the beast.

Early Adventist Interpretation of the Number of the Beast (666)

Adventist Pioneers identified the Mark of the Beast with the enforcement of Sunday observance, but they were uncertain regarding the meaning of the Number of the Beast (666). Initially believed that the number 666 represented the total number of Protestant sects influenced by the Roman Catholic Church.

Ellen White may have shared this view, because she wrote in 1847: “I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up” (A Word to the Little Flock, April 7, 1847). Supposedly the number 666 was made up in the sense that an adequate number of Protestant sects had already come under the spell of the Catholic Church. This was the prevailing view among our pioneers for several years.

Even as late as 1860, John N. Andrews identified the number of the Beast with the Protestant churches of his day. He wrote: “The image it appears is made up by legalizing the various classes that will acknowledge the blasphemous claims of the beast, by taking his mark. Every class that will therefore acknowledge the authority of the beast may be legalized and form a part of this image; but when this is accomplished, woe to all dissenters. It is thus that we understand the number of the beast as six hundred three-score and six. The mark will determine to which class each individual belongs” (J. N. Andrews, The Three Messages of Revelation 14:6-12, 1860 ed., p. 103).

Uriah Smith Was the First to Identify 666 with Vicarius Filii Dei

It was only considerably later in 1884 that Uriah Smith first identified the number 666 with the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei. His identification was based on reports from people who claimed to have seen the phrase inscribed on the papal tiara, while in Rome watching the pope participating in religious ceremonies. The credibility of these reports is negated by the fact that popes have worn the tiara only during the coronation ceremony, not for other religious ceremonies. Read my analysis of Uriah Smith’s sources in Endtime Issus Newsletter No. 196 http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/et_196.htm

Uriah Smith wrote: “The number over which the saints are also to get the victory, is the number of the papal beast, called also the number of his name, and the number of a man, and said to be six hundred three scores and six. The pope wears upon his pontifical crown in jeweled letters, this title, Vicarius Filii Dei, vicegerent of the Son of God. The most plausible supposition we have seen on this point is that here we find the number in question. It is the number of the beast, the papacy; it is the number of a man, for he adopts it as his distinctive title; it is the number of a man, for he who bears it is the ‘man of sin’” (Uriah Smith, The United States in the Light of Prophecy, 4th edition, 1884, p. 224).

In spite the lack of documentary evidences, Uriah Smith’s interpretation soon gained wide acceptance in the Adventist church, partly because it was defended by the leading Adventist scholar, John N. Andrews. He firmly believed that the number 666 is found in the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei, which is inscribed on the pope’s miter.

In his book The Three Messages of Revelation 14:6-12, Andrews wrote: “This number [666], which is said to be that of a man, is seen, without doubt, in the title of ‘Vicar of the Son of God’ which the pope has caused to be inscribed upon his miter. It is written in Latin, and the numeral letters employed make the sum of 666. The design of this test is to cause men to acknowledge the authority of the papacy” (pp. 108-109).

Has the Inscription Vicarius Filii Dei Ever Been Found on a Papal Tiara?

In spite of the painstaking efforts by private and official Adventist investigators commissioned by the GC, no tiara has ever been found with the inscription Vicarius Filii Dei. Of the 13 existing papal tiara, only two of them have inscriptions, but these inscriptions are considerably different from Vicarius Filii Dei. You can see the stunning pictures of the inscribed tiaras in the DVD ALBUM on The Mark and Number of the Beast. To receive a copy of this album, click at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/BeastAD/ or call us at (269) 471-2915.

When I shared this information in the newsletter no. 139, an Adventist sister wrote to me saying that she could not believe that what she has taught for many years in Revelation Seminars about the number of the Beast found in the papal title Vicarius Filii Dei inscribed in the papal tiara, may not be true after all. She wrote: “This came as a shock to me!” It is reassuring to know that God can use even our mistaken interpretations, to lead people to salvation.

An Adventist Picture of An Inscribed Tiara

The story of how an Adventist artist produced an inscribed tiara, is both intriguing and distressing. You can see pictures of these Adventist papal tiaras with Vicarius Filii Dei in the DVD ALBUM on The Mark and Number of the Beast.

The story begins in 1905 when General Conference leaders, especially Prof. William Prescott, a leading Adventist educator, requested Elder Chas T. Everson, an American missionary serving in Italy, to conduct a thorough investigation of papal tiaras. The search providentially led him into the very dressing room of the pope, where some tiaras were kept. His fascinating report was published in the July 27, 1905, issue of the Advent Review, under the title “The Inscription on the Pope’s Tiara.”

In his informative report Everson does not divulge the secret of how he managed to enter into the very dressing room of the pope—a permission that was denied him by Vatican officials. Coming from Rome, Italy, where money talks, I have reasons to believe that Everson offered a generous gift to the pope’s housekeepers to sneak him into the pope’s dressing room to take stunning pictures of some tiaras.

In spite of his unique opportunity to view several tiaras at close range in St. Peter’s Treasury, to watch Pope Leo XIII coronation, and to examine the tiaras in the very dressing room of the pope, Everson was disappointed in not finding the notorious inscribed tiara. He wrote: “But while we were pleased to see this brilliant crown [1836 Tiara used for coronation], yet we were disappointed in not finding the object of our search; for the inscription Vicarius Filii Dei was nowhere to be found inscribed upon the tiara, as the accompanying photographs show very plainly.” (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 27, 1905, p. 10).

One of the stunning pictures of the papal tiara sent by Everson to the General Conference, was modified by an Adventist artist who added each of the three words Vicarius Filii Dei to one of the three crowns of the tiara. The Southern Publishing Association used this “doctored” picture of the tiara in the revised edition of Uriah Smith’s Daniel and the Revelation. When Prof. Prescott received the book and noted the plate with the fraudulent tiara, he immediately presented to the General Conference the incriminating evidence. The GC Committee took immediate action to stop the printing of the book until the manipulated picture was removed.

William W. Prescott’s Intervention

Prof. Prescott, our leading Adventist educator, had a passion for truth that did not dim to the end of his career. Twice he presented to the GC committee the facts about the application of 666 to the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei. The first time was shortly after 1910 and the second time on April 16, 1936, after the editor of the Catholic Magazine Our Sunday Visitor challenged Francis D. Nichol to prove what he published in Present Truth regarding the application of 666 to the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei. We shall return to this episode shortly.

Prescott labelled as completely false the claim that Vicarius Filii Dei was inscribed in the papal tiara. He argued that the Adventist claim was just as much fraud and forgery as anything the Catholic church had done. He added: “When we are driven to such a conduct as this to prove some of our theology, we had better stop” (A full transcript of Prescott’s presentation was made. See “Meeting with Elder W. W. Prescott,” April 16, 1936, RG p. 14. Correspondence Prescott Fld 1936 II, GCar).

Most leaders of the General Conference acknowledge the weight of the evidence, but they decided to shelve the matter for further study. In the meantime, they recommended that “the interpretation should not be repeated.” Apparently the recommendation was largely ignored because until his retirement Prescott had to deal with persistent claims that 666 applied to the title in the pope’s tiara. (See, Gilbert Valentine’s dissertation, “William Warren Prescott: Seventh-day Adventist Educator,” Andrews University, 1982, vol 2, p. 602)

Prof. Prescott, our leading Adventist educator who served as president of four colleges, including Battle Creek, had a passion for truth that did not diminish to the end of his career. His unwillingness to compromise truth, sometimes resulted in criticism and loss of support from some church leaders. He serves as a worthy example for all of us to follow. I look upon Prof. Prescott as my Adventist hero.

LeRoy Froom’s Investigation

The second man sent to Rome by the GC to investigate the use of the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei on tiaras, was LeRoy Froom, who served for several years as Editor of Ministry. What precipitated Froom’s investigative trip to Rome, was an article published in 1935 by Francis Nichols, editor of Present Truth. Nichols was a leading Adventist apologist, author of several books including Ellen G. White and Her Critics. He served also as the Editor of the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary.

In his article published in Present Truth, Nichols repeats the popular Adventist application of 666 to the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei inscribed in the tiara. No sooner the article appeared, that the Editor of the popular Catholic magazine, Our Sunday Visitor, challenged Nichols to produce the evidence for his claim or to stop using biased and dishonest anti-Catholic sources.

The challenge took Nichol by surprise, because he believed that Uriah Smith’s interpretation was based on reliable sources. To respond to the challenge, he appealed for help to Adventist scholars around the world, asking them to provide him any information they could find to substantiate the Adventist claim. But no information was ever provided. Prof. Prescott informed Nichols that he had conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence that Vicarius Filii Dei was ever inscribed on papal tiaras.

Eventually a special study group was set up by the General Conference chaired by Elder Howell, hoping to find reliable information on the use of the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei. LeRoy Edwin Froom, a respected church historian and Editor of Ministry, was sent on a special research assignment to the Vatican to seek information on the use of the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei, especially on tiaras, but he found nothing.

The investigation led LeRoy Froom to issue a strong warning in Ministry against the use of fraudulently inscribed tiaras in evangelistic meetings. He wrote: “In the name of truth and honesty this journal protests any such use by any member of the Ministerial Association of Seventh-day Adventist denomination (our worker body), of which The Ministry is the official organ. Truth does not need fabrication to aid or suppress it. Its very nature precludes any manipulation or duplicity. We cannot afford to be party to any fraud.” (The Ministry, November 1948, p. 35).

The warnings given over the years by the General Conference, Ministry, and more recent by the Sabbath School Lesson (June 1-7, 2002), have not stopped the application of the number 666 to Vicarius Filii Dei, claimed to be inscribed in the pope’s tiara. The reason it has been hard to abandon this interpretation is because it fits too neatly to Revelation 13:18.

CONCLUSION

The repeated warning mentioned above, should dispel the false allegation that I no longer upholds the official and fundamental Adventist prophetic interpretation of the Number 666 of the Beast. The fact is that Adventist sources show beyond the shadow of doubt that the application of 666 to the pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei on papal tiaras, has NEVER been the official Adventist teaching. On the contrary, during this past century, several times our Church leaders have disapproved this interpretation. Even the recent Sabbath School Lesson of June 1-7, 2002 explains why our Adventist Church has moved from the numeric to the symbolic interpretation. Unfortunately, the success has been limited, partly because legends that capture popular imagination do not easily die.

Our Adventist church has shown courage in recent years by rejecting the traditional numeric interpretation of the number 666, proposing instead a symbolic interpretation based on several possible meanings of the number 6, such as “humans separated from God,” and the human refusal to proceed to seven, to give glory to God and find rest in Him. If the symbol for truth is seven, six stands for the false worship promoted by the Beast.

At this point the challenge is to build upon our newly accepted symbolic interpretation by taking a fresh look at the unity that exists among the MARK, the NAME, and the NUMBER of the Beast. Revelation 13:17 clearly indicates that the three are essentially the same, sharing the same meaning: “. . . the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name” (v. 17; NIV).

The issue today is no longer: Which day do Christian observe? But, Do they observe any day at all? By their lifestyle most Christians show that they are not interested in a HOLY DAY, whether it be Saturday or Sunday, but in HOLIDAYS. This can help us understand why the Sabbath is going to be such a controversial, testing truth in the final showdown, simply because it summons people to give priority to God by consecrating their time to Him on the seventh-day. And people are very touchy about their time. They want to spend their time seeking for pleasure and profit, not for the presence and peace of God in their lives.

The endtime showdown is not about names or numbers per se, that is, Sunday versus Sabbath, First Day versus Seventh-day, but about what these two days represent: Self-centered worship versus God-centered worship. It is within this context that The Mark and Number of the Beast must be understood.

The DVD ALBUM on The Mark and Number of the Beast examines the sharp contrast between the seal of God and the mark of the beast. Their basic function is to symbolize two different kinds of religious commitment: one to Christ and the other to the antichrist. Both the seal and the mark embody the inherent motifs of ownership and protection (Ezek 9:4; Rev 7:2-3; 9:4; 13: 16, 17). Both are religious signs of loyalty. This is signified by their placement “on the foreheads”—the place of mental assent— and “on the hand”— the place of external conformity.

Within the context of the great controversy dramatically portrayed in Revelation 12-14, a final showdown is coming between those who are true to “the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Rev 12:17; 14;12), and those who choose to “worship the beast” (Rev 13:8) by obeying a counterfeit moral law.

While the true followers of Christ are willing to lay down their lives to be true to His teaching, the followers of the antichrist enforce a socio-economic boycot of Bible believers who refuse to accept the mark and number of the beast, that is, the false worship promoted by his self-exalting character. It is only as we renew our daily commitment to our Lord that we will be able to withstand the final deception and intolerance of the antichrist, characterized by his mark and number.

You will find a full discussion of these endtime issues in the DVD ALBUM on The Mark and Number of the Beast. To receive your copy of this informative DVD album simply call us at (269) 471-2915 or click at this link:

http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/BeastAD/

A Lengthy Response to Two False Allegations

This lengthy response to two false allegations circulating about me, has been prepared with the earnest desire to help open-minded fellow Adventists to reject lies and accept the truth. Ultimately, what is at stake is not my reputation, but the credibility of our Adventist beliefs. The attempt of concerned brethren to define “True Adventism” as commitment to traditional interpretations no longer held by our Adventist Church, ultimately exposes our beliefs to justifiable criticism and undermines the credibility and relevance of our message.

In the next newsletter I will respond to the remaining false allegations. May these responses motivate us to be children of light, “called out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9).

ANNOUNCEMENT OF SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

UPCOMING SEMINARS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY AND JUNE

As a service to our subscribers, I am listing the seminars scheduled for the month of May and June 2008. We wish to extend a warm welcome to those of you who live close to the location of our seminars. Our new seminars with Words and Songs will touch your heart and expand your mind.

MAY 23-24: LOS ANGELES - WHITE MEMORIAL SD CHURCH

Location: 401 N. Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033

For directions and information call Pastor Benjamin del Pozo at (323) 264-2170 or (323) 440-1200

MAY 3-31: NORTH DAKOTA - HARVEY SDA CHURCH

Location: 737 Judy Boulevard, Harvey, ND 58341

For directions and information call Pastor Wayne Easely at (701) 324-2344.

JUNE 6-7: CHICAGO: BOLINGBROOK SDA CHURCH

Location: 301 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440.

For directions and information call Elder Karl Watson at (630) 771-0394.

JUNE 13-14: HONOLULU CENTRAL SDA CHURCH

Location: 2313 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817

For directions and information call Pastor Walter Nelson at (808) 524-1352

JUNE 18: HAWAII: KAILUA SDA CHURCH

Location: 160 Mookua Street, Kailua, Hawaii 96734

For directions and information call Pastor Robert Lloyd at (808) 261-5442

JUNE 20-21: HONOLULU - JAPANESE SDA CHURCH

Location: 2655 Manoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822

For directions and information call Pastor Koji Nishikawa at (808) 988-4343

CRISTINA PICCARDI’S NEW DVD RECORDINGS

A new recording of Cristina Piccardi’s SACRED CONCERT and of our SABBATH SEMINAR with WORDS AND SONGS was made in Loma Linda few weeks ago. The recording was done with state-of-the-art high definition cameras that provide an exceptional clear and crispy video images.

We felt the need to make a high quality recording to share our new ministry with fellow believers in different parts of the world. We are happy that at this time we can offer a professional recording both of Cristina’s SACRED CONCERT and of our SABBATH SEMINAR with WORDS AND SONGS.

The SACRED CONCERT consists of 16 sacred familiar songs that cover the major themes of God’s creative and redemptive love. Her marvellous singing will touch your heart and inspire you to devote your life more fully to the Savior. You can see the picture of this new album by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/pic.htm

The SABBATH SEMINAR with WORDS AND SONGS consists of 3 DVD disks containing a total of 6 hours of recording, that is, the Cristina singing and my preaching done on Friday evening, Sabbath morning, and Sabbath afternoon. Cristina sings a few songs before and after each of my lectures. You can enjoy this informative and inspiring 6 hours seminar in the privacy of your home or church, without having to travel long distances or investing money to fly us in. You can see the picture of this new album by clicking at this link:http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/sabbathandsong/index.htm

Who is Cristina Piccardi?

In my view Cristina is by far the best Adventist soprano I have heard in my life. Surprisingly she is a slim, only 118 pounds, 5.6 feet high - not the typical heavy-set soprano. When my wife asked her: “How can you project such a powerful voice when you are so slim?” She replied: “It is God’s gift.”

Cristina was born in Brazil 26 years ago and came to Andrews University two years ago to accompany her husband who is studying at the seminary. She has earned degrees in voice performance both in Brazil and at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she received full scholarship during the two years of her studies, graduating in December of 2005.

She has performed in a leading role with symphonic orchestras in the USA and overseas. In the year 2005 she won the first price at an International Competition for Opera Singers.

You can enjoy a preview of Cristina’s outstanding singing by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cristina/ She sings the first stanza of THE HOLY CITY.

Special Package Offer of Cristina’s Recordings.

At this time we wish to offer the complete package of Cristina’s three albums, together with the newly recorded SABBATH SEMINAR with WORDS AND SONGS for only $50.00, instead of the regular price of $230.00. The package included the following four albums:

1) THE CD ALBUM REJOICE IN THE LORD which consists of 11 sacred songs recorded with Marcelo Caceres, Professor of piano at Andrews University. The regular price of the album is $30.00.

2) THE DVD ALBUM SING UNTO THE LORD which consists of 10 sacred songs recorded at the Andrews University Pioneer Memorial SDA Church. The regular price of the DVD album is $50.00.

3) THE DVD ALBUM BY HIS GRACE which consists of 16 sacred songs recorded in Loma Linda with four high-definition cameras. The regular price of the DVD is $50.00.

4) THE DVD ALBUM OF THE SABBATH WITH WORDS AND SONGS which consists of three DVD disks with 6 hours of recordings of Cristina singing and my preaching done on Friday evening, Sabbath morning, and Sabbath afternoon. The regular price is $100.00.

The special offer on the above package of 4 albums is only $50.00, mailing expenses included even overseas, instead of the regular price of $230.00. This special offer is extended until May 31, 2008.

How to Order Cristina’s Package of Four Albums

You can order the package of the four albums containing Cristina’s Sacred Concerts and the SABBATH SEMINAR in WORDS AND SONGS in four different ways:

(1) ONLINE: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=122

(2) PHONE: By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.

(3) EMAIL: By emailing your order to <[email protected]>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date.

(4) REGULAR MAIL: By mailing a check to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.

INTRODUCTORY OFFER ON WILLIAM RICHARDSON’S BOOK SPEAKING IN TONGUES: IS IT STILL A GIFT OF THE SPIRIT?

William Richardson’s book Speaking in Tongues: Is It Still the Gift of the Spirit? has just been reprinted. You can view the cover of the book and read a brief description by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/tongues.htm

The book was originally printed in 1994 by the Review and Herald but it has been out of print for several years. Before proceeding with the reprint, I decided to find out how many of our readers would be interested to purchase a copy of this timely book. The response surpassed my fondest expectations. I received pledges for orders from different parts of the world, including from some Division offices. In the light of the overwhelming interest, I hastily delivered the book to my printer who reprinted the book in a record time of two weeks.

As a rule I do not publish or reprint books of other authors, because my hands are full with promoting and distributing the 18 books that I have authored. The only other book of another author that I have published, is More than a Prophet: How We Lost and Found Again the Real Ellen White, by Prof. Graeme S. Bradford.

I published More than a Prophet because I believe that this book has been long overdue and will do a lot to restore confidence in the validity of the gift of prophecy, manifested in the writings, preaching, and teachings of Ellen White. The response has been most gratifying. About 20 conferences in the USA and a few oversea, have donated the book to their workers. If you did not have a chance before to order this timely book before, we still have a small supply left of the second printing. We will be glad to mail you copies immediately. To place an order call us at (269) 471-2915 or click at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_28

William Richardson, Ph. D., the author of Speaking in Tongues, has served with distinction our Adventist church for over 35 years as Professor of NT, Chairman of the Religion Department (my chairman for many years), and finally as the Dean of the School of Art and Sciences. He has written numerous articles and books.

Let me explain why I decided to reprint Richardson’s Speaking in Tongues. After reading a dozen of books and scores of articles in preparation for chapter 8 “Speaking in Tongues” of my book Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical?, I came to appreciate Richardson’s Speaking In Tongues for his clarity and objectivity.

Most Adventist authors and literature have tried to prove that the gift of speaking in tongues described in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14, are identical, namely, the ability of speaking foreign languages. This position has been used to refute all charismatic tongues-speakers as impostors, because they do not speak foreign languages, but unintelligible, ecstatic utterances.

Through a painstaking analysis of Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14, presented in his doctoral dissertation at Andrews University, Richardson shows that there is a difference between the speaking in tongues in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14. For one thing, the tongues in Acts 2 are known as languages (dialektos) clearly understood by the Jews from different countries present in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. By contrast, the tongues in 1 Corinthians 12-14 are characterized as “sound-phonon” (1 Cor 14:10) that needed to be interpreted. No interpretation was needed for tongue-speakers in Acts 2.

Ultimately Richardson shows that a careful study of the restrictions Paul places on tongues-speaking during the worship service, disqualifies much of the Pentecostal speaking in tongues today as an unbiblical, illicit activity. The confusion caused by several people speaking in tongues at the same time without any translation, is an illicit activity clearly condemned by Scripture.

But Richardson’s concern, however, is to let Scripture speak for itself, rather than twisting Scripture to make the gift of tongues something we want it to be. His research shows that there can be instances when a believer is impressed by the Spirit to pray or praise God with sounds too deep for words. Spiritual realities are experienced in different ways by different people

I believe that Richardson’s book Speaking in Tongues is a most timely, witnessing book, at a time when the Pentecostal/charismatic movements are growing 10 times faster than our Adventist church, that is, at the rate of over 20 millions a year, and thus becoming the second largest religious body in the world after the Catholic Church. Their membership today is already over 550 million and within 10 years it is expected to reach 750 million.

Your encouraging responses gave me the incentive that I needed to proceed immediately with the reprint of Richardson’s book Speaking in Tongues: Is It Still the Gift of the Spirit? My Adventist printer, Greg Patterson, who has served me with speed and efficiency for many years, delivered the book to us a month ago. We are now processing all your orders.

INTRODUCTORY OFFER UNTIL MAY 31 ON DR. RICHARDSON’S BOOK SPEAKING IN TONGUES: IS IT STILL A GIFT OF THE SPIRIT?

1 copy of Speaking in Tongues at $25.00 per copy. Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $10.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

10 copies of Speaking in Tongues at $7.00 per copy, postage paid, instead of the regular price of $25.00. ($70.00 for 10 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $40.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

30 copies (one case) of Speaking in Tongues at $5.00 per copy, postage paid. ($150.00 for 30 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $80.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

100 copies of Speaking in Tongues at $4.00 per copy, postage paid. ($400.00 for 100 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $160.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

HOW TO ORDER SPEAKING IN TONGUES:

You can order William Richardson’s book Speaking in Tongues until May 31, 2008, in four different ways:

(1) Online: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_36

(2) Phone: By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.

(3) Email: By emailing your order to <[email protected]>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date.

(4) Regular Mail: By mailing a check to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.

PROF. JON PAULIEN’S VIDEO SEMINAR ON SIMPLY REVELATION

The 2008 Daily Devotional Book The Gospel from Patmos, is authored by Prof. Jon Paulien. He has done a masterful job in expanding each verse of the Revelation into a daily devotional thought.

To help you appreciate more fully Paulien’s Daily Devotional, we offer you his DVD album on Simply Revelation that was released few months ago. We have been airmailing the DVD album to church leaders, pastors, and lay Adventists in different part of the world. Several pastors have already shown the lectures to their congregations. They wrote to me saying that viewing the lectures were truly an enlightening experience for their members.

My wife and I viewed Simply Revelation on our TV on a Sabbath afternoon. Though I had already watched Prof. Paulien’s lectures during the taping session which I paid for, I was spellbound to hear him again offering so many refreshing insights into the most difficult book of the Bible. For me it is a thrilling experience listening to a scholar like Prof. Paulien, who knows what he is talking about.

Prof. Paulien is rightly regarded as a leading Adventist authority on the book of Revelation which he has taught at the Seminary for the past 25 years. His doctoral dissertation as well as several of his books deal specifically with the Book of Revelation.

The constant demand for Prof. Paulien’s CD album with his publications and articles, led me to discuss with him the possibility of producing a live video recording of a mini Revelation Seminar, which he chose to call Simply Revelation. As suggested by its title, Simply Revelation aims to present simply the message of Revelation-not to read into Revelation sensational, but senseless views.

The preparation of this video recording took several months. The Simply Revelation Seminar consists of four one-hour live video lectures, which have just been recorded in the studio of Andrews University. An impressive virtual studio provides the background of the lectures. Each lecture is delivered with about 50 powerpoint slides. This mini Revelation seminar will offer you and your congregation fresh insights into the Book of Revelation. Be sure to inform your pastor about the newly released Simply Revelation, if he is not aware of it.

The file with the powerpoint slides is placed on Prof. Paulien’s CD album containing all his publications and articles. The reason is that there was no memory left on the DVD disks. In spite of my pleas, Prof. Paulien was so full of the subject that he used the full 60 minutes of each lecture, leaving no space for the slides’ file.

This has been a very expensive project, both in time and money. I sponsored it financially because I believe that many will be blessed by Paulien’s fresh insights into Revelation. The regular price of the DVD album is $100.00, but you can order it until May 31, 2008, at the SPECIAL PRICE for only $50.00. The price includes the airmailing expenses to any overseas destination.

If you have not ordered before the CD Album with Prof. Paulien’s publications, we will be glad to add it to your DVD order for only $20.00, instead of the regular price of $60.00. This means that you can order both the DVD album with Prof. Paulien’s four live video lectures on Simply Revelation and his CD album with all his publications and the powerpoint slides of Simply Revelation, for only $50.00, instead of the regular price of $160.00.

As an additional incentive, I am offering you together with Prof. Paulien’s DVD/CD albums, also my own popular DVD album on The Mark and Number of the Beast, for an additional $10.00, instead of the regular price of $100.00. This means that you can order the DVD and CD albums by Prof, Paulien, together with my DVD album on The Mark and Number of the Beast, for only $70.00, instead of the regular price of $260.00.

This research on The Mark and Number of the Beast, was commissioned by Prof. Paulien himself. He asked me to trace historically the origin and use of the Pope’s title Vicarius Filii Dei and of the number 666. I spent five months conducting this investigation which was professionally taped at the Andrews University Towers Auditorium. I use 195 powerpoint slides to deliver this informative two hours lecture which has been warmly received by Adventist church leaders and pastors in many parts of the world. For a detailed description of this DVD album click: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/Beast/BeastPromo

Special Offer on Prof. Paulien and Prof. Bacchiocchi’s Albums:

* ONE DVD Album of Prof. Paulien’s four video lectures on Simply Revelation at the introductory price of $50.00, instead of $100.00. The price includes the airmailing expenses to any overseas destination.

* ONE DVD Album of Simply Revelation and ONE CD Album with Prof. Paulien’s publications for only $70.00, instead of the regular price of $160.00. The price includes the airmailing expenses to any overseas destination.

* ONE DVD Album of Simply Revelation, ONE CD Album with Prof. Paulien’s publications, and ONE DVD Album with Bacchiocchi’s two hours video lecture on The Mark and Number of the Beast for only $80.00, instead of the regular price of $260.00. The price includes the airmailing expenses to any overseas destination.

Four Ways to Order Prof. Paulien and Prof. Bacchiocchi’s Albums:

(1) ONLINE: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/revelation/

(2) PHONE: By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.

(3) EMAIL: By emailing your order to <[email protected]>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date.

(4) REGULAR MAIL: By mailing a check to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.

SPECIAL OFFER ON 12 DVD/CD ALBUMS FOR ONLY $150.00,

INSTEAD OF THE REGULAR PRICE OF $1150.00

This offer may sound too good to be true. At this time we are offering together as a package all the 12 DVD/CD albums we have recorded, for only $150.00, instead of $1150.00. Until now these recordings were sold separately, costing considerably more. To make it possible for many to benefit from all these timely messages, I have decided to offer them together as a package for only $150.00, instead of the regular price of $1150.00.

The Package Includes the Following 12 Albums:

1) DVD Album with Sabbath Seminar with Words and Songs recorded at the Avon Park SDA Church on November 16-17, 2007. The album contains three DVD disks with 6 hours of recordings.

2) DVD and CD Album containing Cristina Piccardi’s sacred songs. The CD Album “Rejoice in the Lord” contains 11 songs. The DVD Album “Sing Unto the Lord” contains 10 songs.

3) Prof. Jon Paulien’s newly released DVD ALBUM video seminar on Simply Revelation.

4) Prof. Jon Paulien’s CD ALBUM with a dozen of his books, and all his articles.

5) Prof. Graeme Bradford’s DVD ALBUM with a two hours video lecture on Ellen White. He shares the highlights of his book More than a Prophet. The album contains also Prof. Bradford’s the publications and articles.

6) Prof. Bacchiocchi’s newly recorded DVD ALBUM called ABUNDANT LIFE SEMINAR. The album contains 2 video powerpoint lectures: The Christian and Alcoholic Beverages and How to Build a Happy and Lasting Marriage. These two lectures summarize the highlights of Bacchiocchi’s two books Wine in the Bible and The Marriage Covenant. Two separate files with 225 powerpoint slides are included.

7) Prof. Bacchiocchi’s DVD ALBUM containing 10 video powerpoint lectures on the Sabbath and Second Advent. Some of the lectures show the documents Prof. Bacchiocchi found in Vatican libraries on the role of the papacy in changing the Sabbath to Sunday. This album contains the popular powerpoint SABBATH/ADVENT seminars Prof. Bacchiocchi presents in many countries.

8) Prof. Bacchiocchi’s DVD ALBUM on Cracking the Da Vinci Code. The album contains a two hours video lecture, professionally taped with a virtual studio as a background. A separate file with 200 powerpoint slides is included.

9) Prof. Bacchiocchi’s DVD ALBUM on The Mark and the Number of the Beast. The album contains the two hours video lecture and a separate powerpoint file with the 200 slides used for the lecture.

10) Prof. Bacchiocchi’s CD ALBUM with all his books and powerpoint lectures. The album consists of two disks. The first disk has all his 18 books and over 200 articles. The second disk has the slides and script of 25 of Prof. Bacchiocchi’s popular PowerPoint presentations.

11) Prof. Bacchiocchi’s DVD ALBUM on The Passion of Christ. The album contains the 2 hours live interview conducted by 3ABN on Prof. Bacchiocchi’s book The Passion of Christ in Scripture and History.

12) Prof. Bacchiocchi’s MP3 AUDIO ALBUM which contains 2 disks with 22 AUDIO lectures on vital biblical beliefs and practices. Ideal for listening in your car while driving.

You can see the picture of all the 12 ALBUMS and read a detailed description of them, just by clicking at this link:http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/albumoffer.htm

How to Order the Package of the 12 Albums:

You can order the complete package of 12 DVD/CD Albums for only $150.00, instead of the regular price of $1150.00, in four different ways:

(1) ONLINE: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/albumoffer.htm

(2) PHONE: By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.

(3) EMAIL: By emailing your order to <[email protected]>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date. For security reasons, you can email your credit card number in two separate messages. In the first message you email me the first 8 digits and in the second message the last 8 digits, plus the expiration date. Be sure to include your postal address.

(4) REGULAR MAIL: By mailing a check for $150.00 to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 4990, USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.

HOW TO CONTACT THE CENTER FOR CANCER CARE

IN GOSHEN, INDIANA THAT TREATED MY CANCER

Two days following my 69th birthday, I learned that I had advanced-stage colon cancer requiring immediate surgery. Later I was told that the cancer had spread to the liver, infesting 90% of the organ and making its prognosis bleak. Several oncologists that I consulted, confirmed that I had Stage 4 terminal liver cancer, with only a few months to live. All what they could do was to prolong my life with chemotherapy for a few months or a year at best. No Cancer Center, including Loma Linda Cancer Center, had a clinical trial program for liver cancer. The impression I received is that nothing could be done to heal my cancer: I was doomed to die in a few months, at most a year.

Driven by my faith in God and optimistic attitude, I sought another opinion at the Center for Cancer Care in Goshen, Indiana, which is located only one hour away from Andrews University, where I live. Following a two-hour consultation with Dr. Seza Gulec (see the picture at my website by clicking http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/goshen), a pioneer in the field of nuclear oncology, I learned that my cancer was terminal but treatable with a combined strategy of chemotherapy and microsphere embolization - a treatment unavailable at most cancer centers. Within one month, the innovative treatment reduced the presence of liver cancer by almost 80% and decreased total tumor volume from 2435cc to 680cc. Within two months, two more treatments reduced my cancer by 95%.

Today I feel like a new man with a new lease on life. I feel like an old car with a decent looking body and a brand new motor. I have more energy than I have had earlier in my life. I can only thank God for His providential leading to the right place and for using the latest research to restore my health.

Click here to see the pictures of the various stages of my cancer: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/goshen

The Goshen Center for Cancer Care is one of the few treatment facilities in the world to offer this breakthrough technology primarily due to the commitment of Dr. Gulec. A world-renowned physician, Dr. Gulec has dedicated years to research and develop the combination therapy, which greatly increases survival rates in those with advanced types of cancer. He has also authored landmark publications in lymphatic mapping, sentinel node biopsy, radioguided surgery and radionuclide therapy. Dr. Gulec currently leads the endocrine surgery, hepatic oncology, molecular imaging and positron emission tomography programs at the Goshen Center for Cancer Care. To learn more about Dr. Seza Gulec click: http://www.cancermidwest.com/main.asp?id=217

Truly I can say that I believe that the Lord providentially placed me in contact with Dr. Gulec, who has done for me what appeared to be impossible. The Lord has used Dr. Gulec to give me a new lease on life. He is so proud of my recovery that he uses me as a show case at international nuclear oncological conferences. Now I feel like a new man energized to serve the Lord in a greater way in the sunset years of my life. Somehow I feel that I have more energy now than I had at 25 years of age.

You can contact the CENTER FOR CANCER CARE in Goshen, Indiana in the following ways:

1) PHONE: (888) 491-4673

2) EMAIL: [email protected]

3) WEBSITES: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/goshen or http://www.cancermidwest.com/

INCREDIBLE NEW OFFERS ON HITACHI PROJECTORS

HITACHI has released the new CP-X400 3000 lumens projector, which has an impressive high resolution, low fan noise, and a wealth of connectivity options. The most impressive feature of this projector is the incredible price of only $1395.00 to help especially our churches and schools in developing countries. The price includes a three years replacement warranty.

This is the special offer on the following two models:

CP-X400 HIGH RESOLUTION 3000 LUMENS - Only $1395.00

This is the lowest price for an HITACHI 3000 lumens projector.

CP-X1250 HIGH RESOLUTION 4500 LUMENS Only $3795.00

Previous SDA price for the 4500 lumens was $4900.00

WARRANTY: The above prices include a 3 years 24/7 replacement warranty worth about $285.00.

You can order the HITACHI projectors online by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=24 If you have a problem ordering online, call us at (269) 471-2915. We will take your order by phone and process it immediately.

THE SMALLEST AND MOST POWERFUL REMOTE PRESENTER

If you are looking for an outstanding REMOTE for your PowerPoint presentations, you will be pleased to know HONEYWELL has come out with the smallest and most powerful remote in the market.

The size of the transmitter is smaller than a credit card. You can stick it inside the palm of your hand and nobody can see it. I tested the remote in an open environment, and the radio signal can go up to 400 feet of distance. IT IS INCREDIBLE! The transmitter has three button: forward, backward, and laser.

You can order online the new POWERPOINT PRESENTER simply by clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=67

If you have a problem ordering online, simply call us at (269) 471-2915. We will take your order by phone. You can also email us your order at <[email protected]>, giving us your address, credit card number, and expiration date.

DOES YOUR CHURCH OR SCHOOL NEED A SCREEN?

If your church/school is looking for a screen, the DA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY, the largest manufacture of screens in the world, has agreed to offer their line of screens to our Adventist churches and schools at about 30% discount.

The procedure is very simple. Visit the DA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY website at http://www.da-lite.com. You will see hundreds of models of screens with their respective prices. Once you find the screen that best suits your church, give us the model number by phone (269) 471-2915 or email your request <[email protected]> We will forward your order immediately to DA-LITE that will ship the screen directly to your address. You will receive the screen at about 30% discount.

NEW VIDEO RECORDING ON THE SANCTUARY BY PROF. ROY GANE

Few days ago Roy Gane, Ph. D., Prof. of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages at Andrews University Theological Seminary, made a video recording of four of his popular lectures on the sanctuary. You can see a preview of the recording on line by clicking at this link: http://www.preludefilms.com/preview.html

The DVD is distributed through a personal website that Roy Gane has set up. I was unable to sponsor the recording and distribution of this informative and timely DVD, simply because I do not have the time to take on additional responsibilities. But I promised that I would do my best to promote this timely recording. The title of the DVD album is Altar Call: Sacrifice, Sanctuary, and Salvation.

Altar Call: Sacrifice, Sanctuary, and Salvation

Altar Call is about God’s plan to rescue us, as revealed in the services of His sanctuary. These fascinating services demonstrate His character of love, which includes both justice and mercy. They give us hope by revealing that God wants to dwell with us. They teach us how to interact with Him in order to receive the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice. They show us how to get in touch with Jesus where He is working for us right now during the final phase of His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.

To many Christians, Christ’s prolonged absence since He ascended to heaven is a mystery. But the Bible reveals that He is continuing to save us, and it invites us to get in touch with Him where He is now - in His sanctuary in heaven. By becoming acquainted with what He is doing in the control center of the universe, we can enjoy closer interaction with Him, more fully experience His transforming grace, and have confidence that we are at peace with God.

The DVD contains four 1 hour lectures by Roy E. Gane, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Director of the Ph.D./Th.D. and M.Th. programs at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. Born in Sydney, Australia, he graduated from Pacific Union College in 1977 with a B.A. in theology and a B.Mus. in piano performance. He completed his M.A. (1983) and Ph.D. (1992) in Hebrew language and literature at the University of California and taught in the Religion Department of Pacific Union College from 1992-94 before moving to Andrews University.

How to Order Altar Call: Sacrifice, Sanctuary, and Salvation

Simply click: http://preludefilms.com

At a time when the sanctuary doctrine is being challenged within and without the Adventist Church, it is refreshing to see an outstanding Adventist scholar showing the biblical validity and relevance of this doctrine. I strongly encourage you to order this DVD album, simply by clicking at this link: http://www.preludefilms.com/store.html