How the Three Angels Messages of Revelation 14 Relate to the End Times Reformers Thoughts About the Papacy

Disregarding the maxims and the spirit of the Gospel, the papal Church, arming herself with the power of the sword, vexed the Church of God and wasted it for several centuries, a period most appropriately termed in history, the "dark ages". http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/fox104.htm/p>

Francis Bribard, secretary to cardinal de Pellay, for speaking in favor of the reformed, had his tongue cut out, and was then burnt, A.D. 1545. http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/fox104.htm.

James Cobard, a schoolmaster in the city of St. Michael, was burnt, A.D. 1545, for saying 'That Mass was useless and absurd'; and about the same time, fourteen men were burnt at Malda, their wives being compelled to stand by and behold the execution. http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/fox104.htm

At a public debate in Leipzig in 1519, when Luther declared that a simple layman armed with the Scriptures was superior to both pope and councils without them, he was threatened with excommunication. http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/theologians/martin-luther.html

John Knox, 1513-1572, is considered founder of Presbyterian Church of Scotland and he declared that tyranny which the pope himself has for so many ages exercised over the church,the very antichrist and son of perdition of whom Paul speaks. The Zurich Letter P. 199

John Knox was imprisoned and enslaved for his faith. http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/give-me-scotland-or-i-die/

Wherever and whenever there is honest Catholicity; there will be a clear distinction drawn between truth and error, and Catholicity and all forms of error. When she thinks it good to use physical force, she will use it. The Western Watchman (Roman Catholic), of St. Louis, Dec. 24, 1908. http://www.preparingforeternity.com/br1914/brhc51.htmThe Western Watchman (Roman Catholic), of St. Louis, Dec. 24, 1908

John Wesley (1703 to 1791) wrote a book entitled, Antichrist and His Ten Kingdoms, where he said of the pope, “He is in an emphatical sense, the Man of Sin…” John Wesley, Antichrist and His Ten Kingdoms (Public Domain), 110. http://www.whitehorsemedia.com/articles/?d=44.)

Martin Luther declared ... "We are of the conviction that the Papacy is the seat of the real antichrist." (quoted in LeRoy Froom, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol.2, p. 256)

John Calvin declared ... "I deny him to be the vicar of Christ ...He is antichrist - I deny him to be head of the church." (John Calvin Tracts, Vol. 1, pp. 219,220)

John Wesley declared ... "Roman Papacy he [the antichrist] is, in an emphatical sense, the man of sin." (John Wesley, Antichrist and His Ten Kingdoms, p.110)

Summary

This is just a sample of statements from sincere men in the 16th century (mostly) who were convinced that the pope was the antichrist. This provides background for an understanding of Daniel and Revelation. When combined with other texts in Daniel and Revelation, the three angels messages present a holistic approach to understanding prophecy in these last days. Come and join us at the Living Word Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel County, Maryland and learn more.

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