Introduction
As Seventh-day Adventists, our understanding of biblical prophecy, particularly through the writings of Ellen G. White, provides us with insight into how end-time events will unfold. Recent discussions have raised concerns about the global climate change movement and whether it might lead to the enforcement of Sunday laws. However, a careful analysis reveals that the current environmental advocacy, including the Vatican's efforts, does not align with the prophetic scenario described in Adventist eschatology.
The Prophetic Statement at Issue
Ellen G. White provides a detailed prophecy regarding the enforcement of Sunday laws. In Signs of the Times she writes:
"Men in responsible positions will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but from the sacred desk, will urge upon the people the observance of the first day of the week, pleading tradition and custom in behalf of this man-made institution. They will point to calamities on land and sea—to the storms of wind, the floods, the earthquakes, the destruction by fire—as judgments indicating God's displeasure because Sunday is not sacredly observed. These calamities will increase more and more, one disaster will follow close upon the heels of another; and those who make void the law of God will point to the few who are keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the ones who are bringing wrath upon the world. This falsehood is Satan's device that he may ensnare the unwary." (1)
According to this prophecy, the push for Sunday laws will stem from religious leaders interpreting natural disasters as divine judgment for not observing Sunday as a sacred day. These leaders will use such calamities to justify the enforcement of Sunday observance, claiming it is necessary to appease God's wrath.
The Vatican's Environmental Advocacy
The Vatican, under Pope Francis, has taken a strong stance on environmental issues. The encyclicals Laudato Si' (2015) and Laudate Deum (2023) emphasize the imperative of addressing climate change and environmental degradation (2). Pope Francis calls for a collective effort to protect our common home, highlighting the human roots of the ecological crisis and urging global solidarity to combat environmental destruction (3).
However, it is essential to note that the Vatican's approach is rooted in scientific understanding and material responsibility rather than divine retribution. Pope Francis clearly states that climate change is not the judgments of God, but largely due to human activities, such as industrialization and deforestation, and calls for sustainable practices to mitigate these impacts (4). Until Rome is able to unite Apostate Protestantism in solidarity with her, along with a corresponding blending of church and state, a National Sunday Law will remain largely out of the picture.
Differentiating Between Environmental Responsibility and Divine Judgment
The current climate change movement, including the Vatican's advocacy, focuses on human responsibility and scientific evidence. It does not frame environmental disasters as divine punishment for violating God’s “Laws”, but rather as the result of human neglect and exploitation of natural resources. This perspective differs significantly from the prophetic scenario described by Ellen G. White, where religious leaders interpret natural disasters as signs of God's “displeasure” due to the violation of Church traditions, including Sunday observance.
The prophetic context provided by Ellen G. White aligns more closely with a religious, not a secular, impetus for Sunday law enforcement. Revelation 13:11-17 describes a second beast that enforces worship through coercion, leading to the establishment of the mark of the beast. This passage suggests a religious power that compels worship in a manner contrary to God's commandments.
Revelation 13:13 says, “And [the Beast] doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men”. There would be no doubt as to the supernatural origin of such wonders, and by this time, there would be no more secular movements in the face of signs which can no longer be explained by science.
Future Implications and Religious Cooperation
While the Vatican's current focus on environmental stewardship is being opposed by corporate lobbyists and religious leaders who believe humans are unable to influence climate in a significant negative sense, it is still possible that in the future, religious leaders worldwide could use increasing natural disasters to argue for the necessity of Sunday observance. But it will only gain traction with all sectors of the Christian political spectrum, left, right and everyone in between, if these leaders begin to believe that such disasters are due to divine judgments instead of mere human negligence and exploitation. Then it would align more closely with the prophetic scenario described by Ellen G. White.
The Vatican's current environmental stance lacks a potent enforcer, and current secular advocates of climate change awareness couldn’t care less about God’s judgments. A more potent enforcer would be large corporations and powerful industrial magnates, the very ones protesting against the notion that humans are able to significantly alter nature. In order to gather this powerful force under Rome’s banner and form a coalition to enforce Sunday observance, the narrative would have to change and posit that the growing calamities are no longer driven by the hand of man, but by the hand of God Himself, and are a part of His judgments against a disobedient human race.
In such a case, the Vatican and other religious institutions, along with their corporate backers could work together to promote Sunday laws, arguing that these laws are needed to appease God's wrath and restore divine favor. Again, however, this shift would require a fundamental change in the narrative from one of human-caused environmental degradation to one of divine retribution for moral failings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the current global climate change movement and the Vatican's environmental advocacy are significant, they do not, as of yet, align with the prophetic scenario leading to the enforcement of Sunday laws as described by Ellen G. White. The focus on human responsibility and scientific evidence differentiates the current environmental advocacy from the future religious push for Sunday laws based on divine judgment. As Adventists, we must remain vigilant and discerning, understanding that the true prophetic fulfillment involves a religious interpretation of natural disasters as divine punishment, which is not the current stance of the climate change movement.
Given this understanding, it is evident that the current climate change movement is not the likely catalyst for the enforcement of Sunday laws as described in prophecy. Instead, those who oppose the climate agenda on the grounds that only God can influence the weather and not human exploitation, fit better with Sister White’s prophetic statement.
References
Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, January 17, 1884.
Vatican News, Laudato Si' and Laudate Deum.
UNFCCC, "Pope Francis Joins Climate Fight".
Catholic Answers Magazine, "Pope Francis’s Environmental Encyclical: 13 Things to Know and Share".
Lemuel Valendez Sapian was born and raised in Denton, Texas and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of North Texas. Married with four fast-growing children, his passion is for world, religious, American and military historical studies. A lifelong Christian, he is an aspiring minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a business owner and avid traveler.