In our last newsletter, Pastor Kim shared with us the work being done at the United States Capitol. God has His people on the grounds to meet the error which has been presented to United States legislators. As Pastor Kim reported, Catholic priests have lobbied them in an effort to get their support for climate change legislation. As we have reported, there is a move to shut down all business, factory, and transportation activity one day a week in order to cut down the production of carbon dioxide. There is support from both the liberal "left" and the conservative "right". In fact, when we think about it, who will oppose such a thing?
The devastating Fort McMurray fires in Alberta Canada have caused the climate change professors to raise a hue and cry that the sky is about to fall. "Something must be done to halt the change in climate." "This fire and many other natural disasters have their cause from man burning fossil fuels that emit carbon dioxide." It is a crisis when 80,000 people are evacuated from their homes, many of which have burned to the ground. Yes, many will be willing to give up one day a week from work to put an end to "climate change". Thus, we are given the "green sabbath." Of course none of the "greens" care which day we do not work. But, it would be confusing and unworkable if we did not cease work on the same day. The question then comes, which day? The pope has a suggestion. "The Lord's day!" And, many will agree. Many already do not work on the sun day. Who will disagree? What better day?
In the Congress of the United States "ten Republican representatives have reportedly signed on to a call for action on climate change, a move that’s a dramatic departure from their caucus." Like 31 percent of Congress and 22 percent of the U.S. population, sponsor of the resolution Chris Gibson (R-NY) is Roman Catholic. More than half of the resolution’s confirmed co-sponsors are also Catholic. [1]
In the 1800s there was a move to legislate a national Sunday law in the United States. But, it was defeated. How did that happen? We had people on the ground in DC to oppose the legislation. Great light was brought forth to meet the error. "When the crisis regarding Sunday legislation came, our workers were right on the ground, prepared to act in a way that made them channels of light to others. If they had not been on the ground, the bill regarding Sunday legislation would have been pressed through, leaving our work in darkness and discouragement." Review and Herald, May 25, 1905.
Pastor Kim with other Seventh-day Adventists have been on grounds doing the same work, presenting the truth, both religious and on health reform. They are meeting with success. Many are listening to the truth they have never heard before. In our next newsletter, Pastor Kim will share with us what has been happening on Capitol Hill. I also spoke with Ron 
Meinhardt, a trained medical missionary who is also on the grounds doing health education. We have been instructed to follow in the path of Jesus who spent more time healing than preaching. Ministering to people's physical needs, opens hearts to receive the gospel message. Ron's team canvassed over 530 congressional offices while sharing tracts and meeting with much success. They plan on holding a local health expo and health meetings in the Capitol Building. We are praying that others will continue the work that has begun on Capitol Hill.
While the effort made by Rome to reach the legislators in the United States may seem frightening, think about the opportunity that is opened to share the truth about God's Sabbath and what it means to be a Protestant standing on Protestant principles. Many today have no idea America was founded on Protestant principles. When priests and bishops trod through the halls of Congress, it opened a door permitting God's people to present the truth, including the Sabbath truth.
"This time, when there is such an effort made to enforce the observance of Sunday, is the very opportunity to present to the world the true Sabbath in contrast to the false. The Lord in His providence is far ahead of us. He has permitted this Sunday question to be pressed to the front that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment may be presented before the legislative assemblies. Thus the leading men of the nation may have their attention called to the testimony of God's Word in favor of the true Sabbath." 2MR 197 (1890).
For our friends outside of America, know what happens in the United States, sets the stage for what will soon follow in your country. It is the influence of America that will lead the rest of the world to follow in worshiping the image of the beast. America has been greatly blessed. As such, much is expected. When she shall abjure the principles of Protestantism and enact a national Sunday law, she will have separated herself fully from God. National apostasy will be followed by national ruin. It would seem it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, than for those who have been so greatly blessed with a Protestant heritage, Bibles, prosperity, and a country motto "in God we trust", who then persecute those who are faithful to keep the commandments of God.
"The people of the United States have been a favored people, but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and "national apostasy" will be registered in the books of heaven." Review and Herald, May 2, 1893.
The "green sabbath" is only a guise to develop interest in making the sun day a day of rest. The real success in getting the religious law passed through Congress will be when the apostate Protestants point to the little company of Sabbath keepers who refuse to pay homage to the mark of the beast, the false Sabbath. "Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government." Great Controversy, pg 592.
Today is the day when we are able to develop a character which will stand in the day of great trial. It is only through the power of Christ that we can obtain such a character. It is a gift that our Savior has wrought for us when He trod the winepress alone. The righteousness of Christ is the "wedding garment" all must possess if they want to enter heaven. It is a free gift, but we must first hand over our sin stained hearts that they may be cleansed. Even that is impossible without the grace of God.
Repentance comes from the Lord. He is drawing us all to Himself. If we will learn of Him, if we will spend time with Him, then by beholding Him we shall be recreated in His image. It is a spiritual and an intellectual truth that by beholding we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to that which it is accustomed to behold. This truth is revealed in a most precious promise found in 2 Corinthians 3:18. "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
[1] Climate Progress; September 16, 2015 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/16/3702014/republicans-thaw-on-climate-change/
