Matthew 11:28-30 KJV, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
EG White, SOP Vol 4, 1884, Pp. 80-83, “Faith grasps the promise; and the glad response is heard, ‘No more long pilgrimages to make; no more painful journeys to holy shrines. I may come to Jesus just as I am, sinful and unholy, and he will not spurn the penitential prayer. ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee.’ Mine, even mine, may be forgiven.'”
“The Waldensian missionaries were invading the kingdom of Satan, and the powers of darkness aroused to greater vigilance. Every effort to advance the truth was watched by the prince of evil, and he excited the fears of his agents. The papal leaders saw a portent of danger to their cause from the labors of those humble itinerants. If the light of truth were allowed to shine unobstructed, it would sweep away the heavy clouds of error that enveloped the people; it would direct the minds of men to God alone, and would eventually destroy the supremacy of Rome.”
“Their refusal to surrender the Scriptures was also an offense that Rome could not tolerate. She determined to blot them from the earth. Now began the most terrible crusades against God’s people in their mountain homes. Inquisitors were put upon their track, and the scene of innocent Abel falling before the murderous Cain was often repeated.
Again and again were their fertile lands laid waste, their dwellings and chapels swept away , so that where once were flourishing fields and the homes of an innocent, industrious people, there remained only a desert. As the ravenous beast is rendered more furious by the taste of blood, so was the rage of the papists kindled to greater intensity by the sufferings of their victims. Many of these witnesses for a pure faith were pursued across the mountains, and hunted down in the valleys where they were hidden, shut in by mighty forests, and pinnacles of rock.”
“No charge could be brought against the moral character of this proscribed class. Even their enemies declared them to be a peaceable, quiet, pious people. Their grand offense was that they would not worship God according to the will of the pope. For this crime, every humiliation, insult, and torture that men or devils could invent was heaped upon them.”
“When Rome at one time determined to exterminate the hated sect, a bull was issued by the pope condemning them as heretics, and delivering them to slaughter. They were not accused as idlers, or dishonest, or disorderly; but it was declared that they had an appearance of piety and sanctity that seduced ‘the sheep of the true fold.’ Therefore the pope ordered ‘that the malicious and abominable sect of malignants,’ if they refuse to abjure, ‘be crushed like venomous snakes.’ Did this haughty potentate expect to meet those words again? Did he knoW that they were registered in the books of Heaven, to confront him at the Judgment?”
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National Today.com. “This year’s Trinity Sunday falls on June 4, 2023. Trinity Sunday is a Christian festival widely celebrated by Western Churches. It falls on the first Sunday after Pentecost, which is the 50th day after Easter. Trinity Sunday, in its essence, celebrates the mystery of faith and unity on and of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is not mentioned in Scripture, but Christians belonging to Western Churches celebrate it and God’s love for humans because of their faith and utmost appreciation for the Trinity itself. Many Western Churches celebrate the occasion with symbols of fire, wind, and a dove.
The first Trinity Sunday was instituted in the 9th century by Pope Gregory IX. However, it wasn’t until the 14th century that Trinity Sunday was officially established. Pope John XXII was the head of the Catholic Church from 1316 until his death in 1334. He was also the longest-reigning pope from the Babylonian era. Amongst other festivals, Pope John XXII was of the vision that Trinity Sunday should be celebrated by all Western Churches to commemorate the Holy Spirit’s descent as well as Christians’ appreciation of the Holy Trinity. Eastern Churches argue that celebrating the Trinity should be done every Sunday, and while Western Churches are of the same view, the latter has still designated a special day to commemorate this.
Unlike other Christian festivals, Trinity Sunday celebrates a doctrine instead of a figure or an event. The doctrine of the Trinity, which is not present in Scripture, does not have any explanation. Moreover, if the doctrine is discussed by Christians for more than a few minutes, it is believed that they are in danger of committing heresy. Belief in the Trinity and God’s three distinct forms is a matter of complete faith and trust. Therefore, on Trinity Sunday, Christians take part in showing their love for and faith in the Trinity by praising and giving glory to God. Churches and choirs participate by holding special services centered around the Trinity. Choral vespers concerts, evensong services, special award ceremonies, special meals, and social events take place on this day.”
Sincerely in the Blessed Hope.