There is a long-standing notion held by many Seventh-day Adventists that the “apostate protestantism” that will usher in the Sunday Law will primarily come from the Republican party, namely the protestants from the conservative Right. Consequently the liberal/progressive protestants or the political Left are largely ignored from the Sunday Law discussion. But I would question, where in the Bible or in the Inspired Testimonies do we find such reasoning that the “apostate protestantism” primarily points to a particular party, namely the Sunday keeping evangelicals who are typically regarded as the conservative religious Right or the Republican party?
There’s no doubt that according to prophecy, the “apostate protestants,” will certainly exert its influence in joining its forces with the secular powers along with papacy, in ushering in the Sunday Law. We read from the Pen of Inspiration:
When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of “heresy.” In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends. {GC 443.2}
And on its face, the religious/conservative Right (evangelical Christians) appears to be the party that seems most likely to seek the alliance of the state to promote its religious agenda and thus bring about the inevitable Sunday Law. But it would be a mistake to think that the Left is benign. The “threefold union that will come together consists of the protestantism, the Roman Power and the Spiritualism and I would contend that this unity will encompass both the Left and the Right.
However, there seems to be a bit of a political bias within Adventism wherein some continue to frame their prophetic arguments painting the Republican party/conservative Right (though no evidence can be found in both Scripture or Spirit) as the primary threat and in turn designate them as the party that embodies the “apostate protestantism” while the political Left gets a free pass.
Whether it’s the apostate protestants from the Left or the conservative protestants from the right who will act as the catalyst toward enforcing the Sunday Law, we should recognize that It is the Papacy that will undoubtedly utilize both parties in order to achieve its end goal and It would be a remiss to think that one particular political party will be more of a culprit over the other. One thing is certain, the religious power, namely the apostate protestantism from either party, will indeed unite its forces with both the secular and Roman power to achieve its end:
“With rapid steps we are approaching this period. When Protestant churches shall unite with the secular power to sustain a false religion, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will the papal sabbath be enforced by the combined authority of church and state. There will be a national apostasy, which will end only in national ruin.”—Manuscript 51, 1899. {Ev 235.1}
“By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When PROTESTANTISM shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the ROMAN POWER, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with SPIRITUALISM, when, under the influence of this THREEFOLD UNION, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.” {5T 451.1}
“As the approach of the Roman armies was a SIGN to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a SIGN to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob’s trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs’ graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?’” {5T 451.2}
Again, it’s evident that the “apostate protestantism” will certainly exert its influence in joining its forces with the powers of the state along with papacy, but let’s take a look and see how the Left may play a role in flexing its own influence.
“In the movements NOW IN PROGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES to secure for the institutions and usages of the church the support of the State, Protestants are following in the steps of papists. [See Appendix, Note 11.] Nay, more, they are opening the door for popery to regain in Protestant America the supremacy which she has lost in the Old World. And that which gives greater significance to this movement is the fact that the principal object contemplated is the enforcement of Sunday observance,—a custom which originated with Rome, and which she claims as the sign of her authority. It is the SPIRIT OF THE PAPACY,—THE SPIRIT OF CONFORMITY TO WORLDLY CUSTOMS, the veneration for human traditions above the commandments of God,—that is permeating the Protestant churches, and leading them on to do the same work of Sunday exaltation which the papacy has done before them. {GC88 573.1}
Please take note of the phrase, “SPIRIT OF THE PAPACY,—THE SPIRIT OF CONFORMITY TO WORLDLY CUSTOMS” in the statement above with the phrase “SUPERFICIAL, CONSERVATIVE CLASS” in the following statement:
“The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity, she will have to do in a terrible crisis, under most discouraging, forbidding, circumstances. The warnings that WORLDLY CONFORMITY has silenced or withheld, must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the SUPERFICIAL, CONSERVATIVE CLASS, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, WIL RENOUNCE THE FAITH, and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. These apostates will then manifest the MOST BITTER ENMITY, doing all in their power TO OPPRESS AND MALIGN THEIR FORMER BRETHREN, and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:463. {ChS 158.1}
Regarding the phrase, “superficial, conservative class” Ellen White is not here distinguishing theological conservatives from their liberal counterparts; she is describing those who, regardless of their political affiliation, are holding to form of godliness but put “worldly conformity” first and put God’s cause second. I would contend that the “superficial, conservative class” closely characterizes the world-loving protestants which are comprised of not only the religious “liberals” from the Left but also the so called “conservative” Christians from the Right. It will be the religious class that will compromise its values and make necessary concessions for political expediency.
Furthermore, some within Adventism are anticipating a wave of hyper conservative religious Right coupled with nationalism that will impose their religious dogmas to bring about the Sunday Law but based on the Testimonies, the more plausible scenario will be that the “superficial, conservative class” of either side of the political aisle who will “renounce the faith” and “manifest the most bitter enmity… to oppress and malign their former brethren”. In other words, whether they are progressive Left or the conservative Right, it will be the compromised, apostate protestants from both sides-those who will conform to worldly customs, undermine the founding principles of our Republican nation (Constitution), that will push the Sunday Law forward.
Question: How can the Left, which embody secularism/atheism, come to accept Papacy?
“A day of GREAT INTELLECTUAL DARKNESS has been shown to be FAVORABLE TO THE SUCCESS OF POPERY. It will yet be demonstrated that a day of GREAT INTELLECTUAL LIGHT IS EQUALLY FAVORABLE FOR ITS SUCCESS. …In this generation there are many whose eyes become dazzled by the glare of HUMAN SPECULATIONS, “SCIENCE FALSELY SO-CALLED;” they discern not the net, and walk into it as readily as if blindfolded…Thus THE FALSE SCIENCE of the nineteenth century, WHICH UNDERMINES FAITH IN THE BIBLE, WILL PROVE AS SUCCESSFUL IN PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PAPACY, with its PLEASING FORMS, AS DID THE WITHHOLDING OF KNOWLEDGE IN OPENING THE WAY FOR ITS AGGRANDIZEMENT IN THE DARK AGES.” – {GC88 572.3}
“In these words, Christ describes the authors of those books that have been introduced into our schools. Such men as VOLTAIRE, HUME, ROUSSEAU, AND BYRON, were under the training of Satan, and those who open their doors to admit as their study books the works of these men who have sown the seeds of infidelity broadcast over our land, who were under the training of the great enemy of God and man, the acknowledged leader of the principalities, the powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, ACCEPT THEIR AUTHORITY AS A POWER IN THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUTH. The Word of God, the Manna from heaven, is regarded as unessential.” {13LtMs, Ms 12, 1898, par. 10}
It’s worth noting from the statements above how Ellen White speaks about both the “GREAT INTELLECTUAL LIGHT ” and the “THE FALSE SCIENCE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY,” which would undermine the faith in the Bible and in turn will prove as successful in “PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PAPACY.” Perhaps the aforementioned statement is alluding to the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement of the 18th century, characterized by belief in the power of human reason (VOLTAIRE, HUME, ROUSSEAU, AND BYRON), and also the rise of atheism (“science falsely so-called” ) and secularism coming into prominence in the mid to the late 1800s.
We know that the current political Left’s ethos is deeply rooted in atheism and humanism/secularism and we also can observe that these anti-religious ideologies are being rigorously employed in most public discourse and are taught in the classrooms of all the secular schools. Thus I see the Left’s push for their dominance, both politically and within the academia, identified as the mentioned influence that will greatly contribute to “PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PAPACY.”
Moreover, it not too difficult to see how the Left’s Green Movement is embraced by the Papacy and how that will also play a significant role in the prophecy below. We are told that Satan will cause all manner of calamities:
“In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. –>These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous.<– Destruction will be upon both man and beast. “The earth mourneth and fadeth away,” “the haughty people … do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” Isaiah 24:4, 5. {GC 589.3}
“And then the great deceiver will persuade men –>that those who serve God are causing these evils.<– The class that have provoked the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God’s commandments is a perpetual reproof to transgressors.–> It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced;<– and that those who present the claims of the fourth commandment, thus destroying reverence for Sunday, are troublers of the people, preventing their restoration to divine favor and temporal prosperity. Thus the accusation urged of old against the servant of God will be repeated and upon grounds equally well established: “And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” 1 Kings 18:17, 18. As the wrath of the people shall be excited by false charges, they will pursue a course toward God’s ambassadors very similar to that which apostate Israel pursued toward Elijah.” {GC 590.1}
Please note that the push towards the Sunday Law has a direct connection with the persistent “calamities” viewed as existential threat and the consequent resolution, which will in no doubt call attention to the Green Movement that has close ties to both the Left and the Papacy.
Also interesting to relate is this recent article where it talks about how the Pope might make destroying the earth a sin:
https://grist.org/article/the-pope-might-make-destroying-the-earth-a-sin-will-catholics-listen/
Pope Francis calls for civil union laws for same-sex couples:
Below are some more articles that ties the Left’s ethos with the Papacy:
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/07/23/catholic-case-communism
https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/tags/green-new-deal
https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/encyclical
https://catholicclimatemovement.global/climate-change-facts/
https://grist.org/article/the-pope-might-make-destroying-the-earth-a-sin-will-catholics-listen/
https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/catholic/the-progressive-pope.aspx
Citing Scripture, Joe Biden tells voters it’s time to become one nation under God again
https://www.christianpost.com/news/joe-biden-tells-voters-its-time-to-be-one-nation-under-god.html
What becomes evident is that the social justice movement (equal rights, equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, etc) and the socialist/communist ideologies, including the climate issue that the political Left is promulgating are all intimately linked with the current Pope and the Papacy’s globalist agenda.
The Two-horned Beast includes both the Left and the Right
According to Revelation 13 it is the two-horned, lamb-like beast that will set up the image to the beast and will cause the people to worship the image.
Revelation 13: 11-17 “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
Who or what is this two-horned beast?
“But the beast with lamblike horns was seen “coming up out of the earth.” Instead of overthrowing other powers to establish itself, the –>nation<– thus represented must arise in territory previously unoccupied and grow up gradually and peacefully. It could not, then, arise among the crowded and struggling nationalities of the Old World—that turbulent sea of “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” It must be sought in the Western Continent. {GC 440.1}
“What –>nation<– of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world? The application of the symbol admits of no question. –>One nation<–, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the –>United States of America.”<–{GC 440.2}
“The “two horns like a lamb” well represent the character of the –>United States Government<–as expressed in its TWO fundamental principles, Republicanism and Protestantism. These principles are the secret of our power and prosperity as a nation.” —Signs of the Times, November 1, 1899. {FH 327.5}
According to the above statements, Ellen White identifies the “two-horned” beast as the “United States of America” but does not distinguish the beast being unduly lead by any one particular political party (especially as it relates to setting up an image to the beast). The two horns represent the character of its government-the “Republicanism and Protestantism”. The “Republicanism” speaks to a type of government wherein the people choose its political leaders. Thus we can see how this affirms the branches of the U. S. government borne out of the republicanism, including the two major parties (Democrats and the Republicans) it represents.
Some within Adventism sees the Left as embodying the (secular/atheistic) ideologies of the KoS-King of the South that will eventually be overcome by the (Romanism/apostate protestantism) of the KoN-King of the North (Daniel 11) and thus do not see the Left as a great threat. Thus, however formidable the Left’s current push for dominance notwithstanding, many see this power as a mere fulfillment of the King of the South pushing up against the King of the North mentioned in Daniel 11. Accordingly, they further reason that the “king of the North” (KoN-referring to the papacy/Romanism) will eventually crush the “king of the South” (the secular progressives of the Left being identified as the KoS-king of the South-Dan 11), before KoN assumes its hegemony, etc.
What they fail to understand is that the two-horned, lamb-like beast includes both the Left and the Right and they will both surrender to the KoN-Papacy. In other words, the Left will not necessarily be won over by the hyper religious Right but that both will be won over by the KoN-the Papacy, which embodies the system of “religion” that will accommodate both the Right and the Left. But in the mean time, both the Left and the Right are actively “PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PAPACY”.
I think it is a mistake to mis-identify the Left as the continuation of the “beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit” (French Revolution of Rev 11) or relegate the Left as merely the KoS without properly connecting its present influence as part of the same two-horned beast of Revelation 13. That being the case, the progressive Left deserves equal amount of scrutiny as the religious Right. I think the question we ought to ask is, “how does the Left’s “secular” agenda fit with the lamb-like beast?”
I would contend that the Left as well as the right will play a major role in establishing the “image to the beast” (and in turn usher in the Sunday Law). The fact is, we are seeing what has been prophesied rapidly developing. The so-called Left is being prepped to accept a day to set aside for the sake of “fixing” the Climate Change. While the so-called Right is being prepped to push for Sunday laws due to their religious morality, as prophesied.
“The people of the United States have been a favored people; but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and “national apostasy” will be registered in the books of heaven. The result of this apostasy will be national ruin. {RH May 2, 1893, par. 11}
But currently, we don’t yet see any alarming evidence coming from the so called Religious Right asking for the Sunday law (though they are seeking political power to embolden their Christian values, such as abortion, etc.). On the contrary, we are seeing unprecedented levels of assaults on the freedom of speech and Protestant values (religious liberty) leveled against the conservatives coming from the political Left and the mainstream media and the corporate America are all in locksteps with them.
By and large it is the protestant/evangelical conservatives who are decrying against secularism but defending religious liberty and defending the constitution while the Left is the party that is conspicuously exhibiting more and more intolerance in their “political correctness”, enforcing much severe infringement on the 1st (freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom to peaceably assemble) and 2nd Amendments (pushing for restricting gun rights, etc) to the constitution and even pushing for repealing the electoral college (Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Constitution); thus undermining the principles of our nations constitution. I see this as ominous precursor to our country, eventually repudiating “every principle of its constitution”, reaching its climax with the formation of the three-fold union of protestantism, Roman power, and spiritualism, setting up the image to the beast.
“When the nation for which God has worked in such a marvelous manner, and over which He has spread the shield of Omnipotence, abandons Protestant principles, and through its legislature gives countenance and support to Romanism in limiting religious liberty, then God will work in His own power for His people that are true. The tyranny of Rome will be exercised, but Christ is our refuge.” {Lt61-1895.26}
“By the decree of enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, OUR COUNTRY SHALL REPUDIATE EVERY PRINCIPLE OF ITS CONSTITUTION as a PROTESTANT AND REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT, and shall make PROVISION for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.” {5T 451.1}
If the lamb-like beast represents the US and its government, and US being governed by the 2 prominent political parties-the political Right as well as the Left, then the Left is just as much part of the 2nd beast in propagating the same Dragon agenda.
Labels such as “Marxists” or “socialists” typically hurled at the Left is a distraction in so far that some think that these ideologies are antithetical to embracing the Sunday Law because, on the surface, the Sunday Law appears to be a Christian religious homage. But that is a mistake. The Sunday Law at its core is a hallmark of heathenism as it is for the apostate protestants.
“The Creator of the heavens and the earth commanded, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work.” This command was enforced by the example of its Author, proclaimed with his own voice, and placed in the very bosom of the decalogue. But the papal power has removed this divine ordinance, and substituted a day which God has not sanctified, and upon which he did not rest, the festival so long adored by heathens as the ‘venerable day of the sun.’” {ST September 14, 1882, par. 3}
“The retention of the old pagan name of Dies Solis, for Sunday is, in a great measure, owing to the union of pagan and Christian sentiment with which the first day of the week was recommended by Constantine to his subjects – pagan and Christian alike – as the ‘venerable’ day of the sun.” Arthur P. Stanley, History of the Eastern Church, p. 184
We forget that an image is a reflection of the very thing that it represents. If the image is a reflection of the “beast” (first beast of the Revelation 13) and the beast being the papacy, then appropriately the image to the beast should reflect the system that embraces both the corrupt version of Christianity/protestantism combined with paganism/heathenism, subjugated by the oppressive governance coming from the state. Furthermore, we can know from history that the very day (Sunday) that will stand as the hallmark of the “image,” which will be promulgated by force, has its origin in paganism. Click HERE to learn more about how the 7th-day Sabbath of the Bible was changed to Sunday.
Just because the Left is parading around in the “secular” or ‘“atheistic” garb, pandering to the ungodly and they appear to champion the secular social justice movements (most notably the LGBT and the Black Lives Matter movement), and their denunciation of anything religious, etc. does not make them any less “oppressive” or less of a threat to the liberty of conscience or the religious freedom. In fact, I would think that they are just as pernicious as the conservative Rights who panders to the religious. The Left’s militant intolerance towards anything they deem as “hate speech” or as bigotry toward their agenda, leads me to conclude that they will embrace any compulsory measures to silence take punitive actions against any perceived threat to their agenda.
Secularism vs. Atheism
In a recent article by Huffington, it talks about how there’s a need to distinguish secularism from Atheism.
“Secularism needs to be disarticulated from atheism for a variety reasons. First and foremost, these two isms are simply not synonyms. One concerns itself with primarily with politics, the other with (anti-) metaphysics. They have different concerns, intellectual moorings and histories (though, interestingly, it may be that both emanated from Christian theological inquiry).”
Likewise, the godless, atheistic (KoS) aspect of the Left should be distinguished from the politics of the Left. In other words, the Left’s progressive/socialist/marxist/totalitarian ideologies employed in their politics will survive even if the Left renounces atheism and embraces the “religious” dogma of the papacy. One thing to keep in mind is that the Papacy is not merely a religious entity but is also riddled in paganism which allows for secularism. Consequently, it will not be too difficult for the godless Left to adopt the pleasing traditions and the seductive spiritualism offered by the Papacy.
“Secular paganism or humanistic paganism is an outlook which upholds virtues and principles [women’s rights, anti-racism, equal rights-LGBT agenda] associated with paganism while maintaining a secular worldview. Approaches to secular paganism vary, but can include the respect for living creatures and the Earth itself, [Green movement] while rejecting belief in deities. Secular pagans may recognize goddesses/gods as useful metaphors for different cycles of life, or reframe magic as a purely psychological practice.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_paganism) (Brackets supplied by me)
Papacy-an amalgamation of pagan and compromised Christianity
Rome is more pagan than Christian. Paganism didn’t disappear but rather reigned over Christianity. Thus we can expect that the apostate protestantism will embrace “pagan” practices, and its influence will in no doubt be entered into the churches. They will unite because they are pagans masquerading as Christians, as well as the Christians embracing the pagan customs.
“Paganism, WHILE APPEARING TO BE VANQUISHED, BECAME THE CONQUEROR. HER SPIRIT CONTROLLED THE CHURCH. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ. {GC 49.2} This COMPROMISE BETWEEN PAGANISM AND CHRISTIANITY resulted in the development of “the man of sin” foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan’s power—a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.” – {GC 50.1}
“The Roman Catholic Church, UNITING THE FORM OF PAGANISM AND CHRISTIANITY, and, like paganism, misrepresenting the character of God, has resorted to practices no less cruel and revolting.” -{GC 569.2} “The term “Babylon” is derived from “Babel,” and signifies confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate the VARIOUS FORMS of false or APOSTATE RELIGION.” – {GC 381.1}
If the “Image” of the Beast will be similar to the start of the first beast, then it will be a threefold union similar to the twofold union that happened prior to Protestantism.
“When the EARLY CHURCH BECAME CORRUPTED BY DEPARTING from the simplicity of the gospel and ACCEPTING HEATHEN RITES AND CUSTOMS , she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of “heresy.” IN ORDER FOR THE UNITED STATES TO FORM AN IMAGE OF THE BEAST, THE RELIGIOUS POWER MUST SO CONTROL THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her OWN ENDS.” {GC 443.2}
“The BIBLE DECLARES that before the coming of the Lord there will exist a state of RELIGIOUS DECLENSION SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE FIRST CENTURIES. “[quotes]” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. “[quotes]” 1 Timothy 4:1. [partially quotes] 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. When this STATE OF UNGODLINESS SHALL BE REACHED, THE SAME RESULTS WILL FOLLOW AS IN THE FIRST CENTURIES.” – {GC 444.1}
This is happening now. The so-called Right has the same sins as the so called Left.
In Revelation 14, the first angel is followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [Revelation 14:8.] The term Babylon is derived from Babel, and SIGNIFIES CONFUSION. It is employed in Scripture to designate the VARIOUS FORMS OF FALSE OR APOSTATE RELIGION. In Revelation 17, Babylon is represented as a woman, a figure which is used in the Bible as the symbol of a church, a virtuous woman representing a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. {GC88 380.3}
“This COMPROMISE between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of “the man of sin” foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan’s power—a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will. {GC 50.1}
Note: There will be a binary effort coming from the Left and the Right in the forming the “apostate protestantism” that will set up the image to the beast and the spiritualism will be the gluing agent. While the compromise will come from the Christians to the worldly customs, the godless will also embrace the paganism of the papal system.
It isn’t necessarily that the “godless” Left will renounce their atheistic or secular ideologies but that the godless or secular ideologies will be absorbed into a system of “religion” that will accommodate the godless to uphold common virtues and principles associated with paganism while allowing them to maintain a secular worldview.
Please note that the “term Babylon [Papacy-the spiritual Babylon] is derived from Babel, and SIGNIFIES CONFUSION. It is employed in Scripture to designate the —>VARIOUS FORMS OF FALSE OR APOSTATE RELIGION.”<— {GC88 380.3} Consequently the “image of the beast” may resemble a cocktail of “various forms of false or apostate religion” that will characterize the apostate protestantism. Furthermore there will be “RELIGIOUS DECLENSION SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE FIRST CENTURIES” wherein the line of distinction between professed Christians and the ungodly will be hardly distinguishable.{GC 588.3}
What is an image to the beast?
“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, THEN Protestant America WILL HAVE FORMED AN IMAGE of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” {GC 445.1}
“The beast with two horns “causeth [commands] all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16, 17. The third angel’s warning is: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” “The beast” mentioned in this message, whose worship is enforced by the two-horned beast, is the first, or leopardlike beast of Revelation 13—the papacy. The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. The “mark of the beast” still remains to be defined. {GC 445.2}
“IN ORDER FOR THE UNITED STATES TO FORM AN IMAGE OF THE BEAST, THE RELIGIOUS POWER MUST SO CONTROL THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her OWN ENDS.” {GC 443.2}
Again, it is important to underscore that an image is a reflection of the very thing that it represents. If the image is a reflection of the “beast” (first beast of the Revelation 13) and the beast being the papacy, then appropriately that image should reflect the system that embraces both the corrupt version of Christianity as well as the secularism/paganism combined with the oppressive governance coming from the state.
In other words, the “image” to the beast is NOT merely be a “christian” or religious image but a combination of compromised or apostatized christianity that is corrupted by paganism. And not unlike how the golden image of Daniel 2 represented the arrogance of hyper nationalism of Nebuchadnezzar (Nebuchadnezzar made the entire image made of gold as a defiance to the prophecy wherein the other kingdoms represented by different metals will arise to overthrow the Babylonian/golden empire), I suspect that the “image to the beast” may also embody similar attributes and the current sentiment toward protectionism by the Right certainly is shaping our policy makers towards that direction.
Adoption of “Liberal ideas” bring about the protestant and Catholic unification
“And this is the religion [the Roman Church] which Protestants are beginning to look upon with so much favor, and which will eventually be united with Protestantism. This union will not, however, be effected by a change in Catholicism; for Rome never changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will change. The adoption of liberal ideas on its part will bring it where it can clasp the hand of Catholicism.” – {Ellen White, RH June 1, 1886, par. 13; pg. 338}
Note: How should we understand the term, “liberal ideas” mentioned in this statement? Examining other statements that Ellen White makes about apostate Protestantantism, it behooves us to look more closely into the ideology that creates the Threefold Union. She uses the term “liberal” in two ways: to express positive attributes (“Those churches who are the most systematic and liberal in sustaining the cause of God are the most prosperous spiritually. True liberality in the follower of Christ identifies his interest with that of his Master.”-CCh 279.2; “Christ rebukes selfishness and encourages liberality and benevolence. -CCh 281.6) and also the negative.
However, in the quote under consideration, the term liberal was clearly used in a negative sense. Below are some additional quotes that speaks to the negative principles of liberalism.
“Sinners are continually crying, ‘You are narrow, so narrow.’ ‘Liberalism,’ cry the lawless; “Bring not your claims of law upon us.’ ‘The religion of Christ,’ says another, ‘is too hard. I cannot be a Christian; it involves too much’…. ” – {4MR 235.1}
“The progress of reform depends upon a clear recognition of fundamental truth. While, on the one hand, danger lurks in a narrow philosophy and a hard, cold orthodoxy, on the other hand there is great danger in a careless liberalism. The foundation of all enduring reform is the law of God. We are to present in clear, distinct lines the need of obeying this law. Its principles must be kept before the people. They are as everlasting and inexorable as God Himself. {MH 129.4}
“To many the Bible is as a lamp without oil, BECAUSE they have turned their minds into channels of speculative belief that bring misunderstanding and confusion. The work of higher criticism, in dissecting, conjecturing, reconstructing, is DESTROYING FAITH IN THE BIBLE AS THE DIVINE REVELATION. It is robbing God’s word of power to control,
uplift, and inspire human lives. By spiritualism, multitudes are taught to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself.” – {AA 474.1}
Of course there are many other references to what makes Apostate Protestantism lessen its distance to the Papacy, but I believe these should be sufficient to back up the idea that it is not liberality in a positive sense that will cause Protestantism to apostatize and return to Rome but the liberality to sin or conformity to worldliness. While the ethos of the political Left and the Right may have the appearance of liberalism in a positive sense, we should be on guard lest we become careless in our liberality, resulting in unrestrained concessions with the world and become unequally yoked with the Papal social justice agenda.
“If charity work is to be done, the church is its own almoner. We do not need to unite with societies of a worldly character in order to visit the sick, clothe the naked, or help the needy. This work we can do through God’s own appointed agencies, and in the name of Jesus Christ. God does not design that we shall be placed in any subservience to the world in this regard, or that any communication shall be made by us to them that will give them an advantage over us.” {Lt28-1888.23}
What will unite the Left and the Right?
“The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head—the papal power—the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses. This union is cemented by the great apostate. While he seeks to unite his agents in warring against the truth he will work to divide and scatter its advocates.” {7T 182.2}
“Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring THE PEOPLE under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of SPIRITUALISM, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with ROME. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the HAND OF SPIRITUALISM; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the ROMAN POWER; and under the influence of this THREEFOLD UNION, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.” – {GC 588.1}
“Church members love what the world loves and are READY TO JOIN WITH THEM, and Satan determines to UNITE THEM IN ONE BODY and thus strengthen his cause by SWEEPING ALL INTO THE RANKS OF SPIRITUALISM. Papists, who boast of miracles as a certain sign of the true church, will be readily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protestants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be deluded. PAPISTS, PROTESTANTS, AND WORLDLINGS WILL ALIKE accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in THIS UNION a grand movement for the CONVERSION OF THE WORLD and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium.” – {GC 588.3}
“THESE HAVE ONE MIND.” There will be a UNIVERSAL BOND OF UNION, ONE GREAT HARMONY, a confederacy of Satan’s forces. “And shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanists. – {3SM 392.4}
In the warfare to be waged in the last days THERE WILL BE UNITED, in opposition to God’s people, —>ALL<— THE CORRUPT POWERS THAT HAVE APOSTATIZED FROM ALLEGIANCE TO THE LAW OF JEHOVAH. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue, for in the Sabbath commandment the great Lawgiver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth…. {3SM 392.5}
“The line of distinction between PROFESSED CHRISTIANS and the UNGODLY IS NOW HARDLY DISTINGUISHABLE. Church members LOVE WHAT THE WORLD LOVES AND ARE READY TO JOIN WITH THEM, and Satan determines to UNITE THEM IN ONE BODY and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping ALL INTO THE RANKS OF SPIRITUALISM. Papists, who boast of MIRACLES as a certain sign of the true church, will be readily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protestants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be deluded. PAPISTS, PROTESTANTS, AND WORLDLINGS will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in THIS UNION A GRAND MOVEMENT for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium.” – {GC 588.3}
“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. BY UNITING WITH THE WORLD AND PARTAKING OF ITS SPIRIT, they have come to VIEW MATTERS IN NEARLY THE SAME LIGHT; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. MEN OF TALENT and pleasing address, WHO ONCE REJOICED IN THE TRUTH, EMPLOY THEIR POWERS TO DECEIVE AND MISLEAD SOULS…” – {GC 608.2}
“…Those who have YIELDED STEP BY STEP TO WORLDLY DEMANDS and CONFORMED TO WORLDLY CUSTOMS will then yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. At that time the gold will be separated from the dross. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness. Those who have assumed the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ’s righteousness, will then appear in the shame of their own nakedness.” – PK 188.1
LITTLE BY LITTLE he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs; … they are the spirits of devils, WORKING MIRACLES, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:13, 14. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God. {GC 561.2}
Note: We shouldn’t be pointing the finger at the so-called Left or the so-called Right as the ones who will bring the Image of the Beast, but rather at the two things they will all unite upon and how to avoid it. The Adventist church is being divided, people are taking sides and conforming to the sides they believe will prevent the end, yet unaware of the multitude of counsel that BOTH SIDES will be in harmony together, opposed to the law of God. The thing that will unite the so called “Christians” and the ungodly will be the “SPIRITS OF DEVILS, WORKING
MIRACLES.” (Rev. 16:13, 14) and “BY UNITING WITH THE WORLD AND PARTAKING OF ITS SPIRIT. {GC 608.2}
And what is that uniting “spirit”?
“SPIRIT OF THE PAPACY,—THE SPIRIT OF CONFORMITY TO WORLDLY CUSTOMS”{GC88 573.1}
“The church that holds to the word of God is irreconcilably separate from Rome. Protestants were once thus apart from this great church of apostasy, but they have approached more nearly to her, and are still in the path of reconciliation to the Church of Rome. Rome never changes. Her principles have not altered in the least. She has not lessened the breach between herself and Protestants; they have done all the advancing. But what does this argue for the Protestantism of this day? It is the rejection of Bible truth which makes men approach to infidelity. It is a backsliding church that lessens the distance between itself and the Papacy.” – {ST February 19, 1894, par. 4}
“As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the world, false charity has blinded their eyes. They do not see but that it is right to believe good of all evil, and as the inevitable result they will finally believe evil of all good…” – {GC 571.4}
National Reform movement
“When the National Reformers began to urge measures to restrict religious liberty, our leading men should have been alive to the situation, and should have labored earnestly to counteract these efforts. It is not in the order of God that light has been kept from our people,—the very present truth which they needed for this time. Not all our ministers who are giving the third angel’s message, really understand what constitutes that message. The National Reform movement has been regarded by some as of so little importance that they have not thought it is necessary to give much attention to it, and have even felt that in so doing they would be giving time to questions distinct from the third angel’s message. May the Lord forgive our brethren for thus interpreting the very message for this time.” —Testimonies for the Church 5:715. {ChS 162.4}
“The National Reform movement, exercising the power of religious legislation, will, when fully developed, manifest the same intolerance and oppression that have prevailed in past ages. Human councils then assumed the prerogatives of Deity, crushing under their despotic power liberty of conscience; and imprisonment, exile, and death followed for those who opposed their dictates. If popery or its principles shall again be legislated into power, the fires of persecution will be rekindled against those who will not sacrifice conscience and the truth in deference to popular errors. This evil is on the point of realization.” {5T 712.1}
“The crisis is now upon us. The battle is to be waged between the Christianity of the Bible and the Christianity of human tradition. Is there not a criminal neglect in our present sleepy condition? There must be a decided advance movement among us. We must show to the world that we recognize, in the events that are now taking place in connection with the National Reform movement, the fulfillment of prophecy. That which we have, for the last thirty or forty years, proclaimed would come, is now here; and the trumpet of every watchman upon the walls of Zion should raise the alarm.” {RH January 1, 1889, par. 3}
“The National Reform movement, that the world and the church have linked hands to bring about, will manifest the same oppression, haughtiness, arrogance, and intolerance which have prevailed in past ages. The powers of human councils then assumed the prerogatives of Deity, crushing under their despotic will, liberty of conscience and the right of individual responsibility; and imprisonment, exile, and death followed for all who opposed their dictates.” {RH January 1, 1889, par. 8}
Could a “National Reform Movement” EGW talked about be seen in anti-racist-BLack Lives Matter movement, in a socialist national reforms, and Green Sabbath environmental national reforms, that are CURRENTLY proposing the enforcement of the false Sabbath upon the world? Is it possible that these collective movements, though may present itself as something to be embraced as a common good of all people will “manifest the same oppression, haughtiness, arrogance, and intolerance which have prevailed in past ages.”? Something to seriously consider… see the link below.
In summary, true Christians should not get caught up in the politics of this world but know how this country and the world at large will eventually succumb to the enemy’s bidding in setting up an image to the beast that would seek to enforce loyalty from its citizens not only here in America but throughout the entire globe. Will those efforts primarily come from the conservative Right or will the Left join in on the effort? We should not allow our political biases to render us to be blindsided. We can look through the lens of prophecies to not give heed to the seducing influences of the secular world or to the false religious voices from the apostate protestantism but should rightly have the insights and the spiritual fortitude founded in the Scriptures. Be reminded that this world is not our home but that we desire a better country, a heavenly. This world will quickly pass away in preparation for the coming King. Maranatha!
“As we approach the last crisis, it is of vital moment that harmony and unity exist among the Lord’s instrumentalities. The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head—the papal power—the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses. This union is cemented by the great apostate. While he seeks to unite his agents in warring against the truth he will work to divide and scatter its advocates. Jealousy, evil surmising, evilspeaking, are instigated by him to produce discord and dissension. The members of Christ’s church have the power to thwart the purpose of the adversary of souls. At such a time as this let them not be found at variance with one another or with any of the Lord’s workers. Amidst the general discord let there be one place where harmony and unity exist because the Bible is made the guide of life. Let the people of God feel that a responsibility rests upon them to build up His instrumentalities.” {7T 182.2}
More related articles
“Mr. Biden’s leadership is a repudiation of the claim by many conservative leaders that Democrats are inherently anti-Christian.“
“For Mr. Biden, “it was a subtle and explicit effort to show a different vision of a way in which a Christian could imagine themselves as part of a diverse America, one that is defined by these common objects of love, rather than by hate and fear or exclusion,” he said.”
“Mr. Biden’s priorities reflect values that progressive faith leader
s have pushed for, and that motivated many to speak out for him during the campaign, said Derrick Harkins, who led interfaith outreach for the Democratic National Committee this past cycle. There is a sense of moral synergy on the left, among not only progressive Christians but also humanists, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and the spectrum of faith traditions, he said.”https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/us/biden-catholic-christian.html
