Day 11: Six Events Since 1990 Before Sunday Law (Part 3 of 6)
Event 3 of 6: Movements to Join Protestant Churches (Revelation 13:15)
· It was apostasy that led the early church to seek the aid of the civil government, and this prepared the way for the development of the papacy,--the beast (Rev 13:1 -10).
· Said Paul, There shall "come a falling away, . . . and that man of sin be revealed." [2 THESS. 2:3] So apostasy in the church will prepare the way for the image to the beast. And 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.
· "In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." [2 TIM. 3:1-5] "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." [1 TIM. 4:1.] Satan will work "with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." And all that "received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved," will be left to accept "strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." [2 THESS. 2:9-11.] When this state of ungodliness shall be reached, the same results will follow as in the first centuries. {GC 443.4}
· The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed--however important they might be from a Bible standpoint--must necessarily be waived. {GC 444.1}
· 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 "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 {GC 445.2} and (Revelation 13:15)
The great storm is coming. Oh if we knew the time! – Luke 19:41 – 44
Now is the time, let’s repent, believe the gospel and be ready.