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Released by:   Ray Dabrowski
Phone:    30-955-324 (June 29-July 8, 1995) or 301-680-6300
               
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 1995


ADVENTIST STATEMENT REJECTS DATE SETTING FOR SECOND COMING OF
JESUS

Utrecht-The Netherlands... In a statement released at the 56th world
Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Church is warning
against setting dates for the return of Jesus.  The statement was
released by the Office of the President, Robert S. Folkenberg, after
being adopted by the Administrative Committee of the General
Conference.

The statement, entitled,  The Second Coming of Jesus and the Year
2,000, reads as follows:

Seventh-day Adventists look forward to Christ's second coming in keen
anticipation, persuaded by study of the biblical prophecies that this
event alone offers final hope for humanity, and that it is near. This
conviction exercises strong influence upon ultimate Adventist values
and the way life is lived.

While anticipating Christ's return, Adventists reject any attempt to
set specific dates for the event. The approaching end of the second
millenium of the Christian era undoubtedly is leading some misguided
persons to propose date- setting schematics and events tied to the year
2,000, the end of the world, and the return of Jesus. Adventists have
no confidence in such speculative efforts, for they violate Christ's
explicit statements that although humans may indeed recognize when His
return is near, they cannot know the exact time.

In harmony with His command, the church awaits Christ's return in
active witness and service, doing all that is possible toward meeting
crying human needs while sharing the good news of His self-sacrificing
love and His soon return. Seventh-day Adventists are committed to these
goals as appropriate ways of expressing their confidence in His soon
return.

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