World War I had disastrous spiritual effects for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. What happened in World War II?
Right from the beginning of the Third Reich, under Adolf Hitler, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Germany supported the Führer and declared themselves as combatants. They were willing to fight and risk their lives for the fatherland.
A photograph appeared in the January 1, 1937 issue of the official organ of the German Seventh-day Adventist Church, Der Adventbote (The Advent Messenger). A picture was taken in Friedensau, Germany, and shows Seventh-day Adventist ministerial students in Nazi uniforms in front of the Seminary while being inspected by government officials. The writer, W. Eberhardt, declared that “Friedensau belongs to those communities which have voted 100% for the Führer.”
In 1936, when Elder C. H. Watson (formerly President of the General Conference) was questioned by a leader in Europe concerning Hitler’s regime, he gave the following answer: “We can praise God that we have the present government. Hitler received his power from God.”75
The Reform Movement stood faithful in the crisis and thus was again persecuted by the government. The church organization was declared an enemy of the state and publicly outlawed on April 29, 1936, and all its property was confiscated. Here is the translated letter written to Otto Welp, a leader of the Reform in Germany.
The Political Police Commander Berlin SW11
of the Countries April 29, 1936
Prussian Secret State Police
B.-NR II IBI-S.213/36
To Mr. Otto Welp
Bad Godesberg
Rheinslee 56II
In accordance with Section 1 of the People’s Ordinance of the Reich’s President for the protection of the people and the state of February 28, 1933 (Reich’s Law Publication 1, p. 83), the sect “Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement” is herewith dissolved and prohibited in the whole of the German Reich. Their property is confiscated. Actions contrary to this ordinance will be punished in accordance with Section 4 of the People’s Ordinance of February 28, 1933.
Reasons: The Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement pursues goals under the cover of religious activities that are contrary to the world vision of National Socialism. The members of this sect refuse to perform military service and give the German salute. They openly declare that they know no Fatherland but are internationally oriented and regard all men as their brethren.
Because the stand of this sect is liable to create confusion among the population, its dissolution was necessary for the protection of people and state.
Representative,
(signed)
Heydrich