Contents Revelation 13 Part 3 Next Study
No.21.
In this study we will continue to look at the United States and how the American government and clandestine organisations are working to bring about a time of persecution that will rival that of the Dark Ages.
President Obama is working hand in hand with Jesuit-Catholicism, Jewish Zionism, Illuminised Freemasonry, Communism, Facism, Socialism, occult spiritism in all its forms, including Pantheism or Mother Earth, and possibly Islam.
These are all part of a secret government, of which President Woodrow Wilson said, “Some of the biggest men in the U.S. in the field of commerce and manufacturing know that there is a power so organised, so subtle, so complete, so persuasive, that they had better not speak above a whisper when they speak in condemnation of it.” America’s Secret Establishment p117.
More and more Americans are becoming concerned with the way the country is moving. Law suits have been issued against President Obama, Donald Rumsfeld, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Defence (DOD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United Nations (UN), and others. However, their power is too great, and it is more than likely the brave ones will disappear and be found dead. It has happened over and over again. (Under the Clinton administration over twenty of Clinton’s body guards were found dead under suspicious circumstances, often called suicide)
“And he (second beast – the USA) 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.” Revelation 13:12.
We ask -- How will the United States gain power equal to Catholicism during its 1260-year reign?
“And he (the second beast) doeth great wonders so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 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 the sword, and did live.” Revelation 13:13.14.
How can a secular power do great miracles?
They cannot, unless they are in contact with a supernatural power, either God or Satan.
Whose power will it be that “deceiveth them that dwell on the earth”?
You know the answer.
We know the first beast is empowered by Satan, for he gave him “his power, and his seat, and great authority”. Revelation 13:2.
Does the Papacy boast miracles?
Of course.
Millions make pilgrimages to Catholic ‘holy’ sites where apparitions of ‘Mary’ have been seen – Lourdes France, Sienne Italy, Guadalupe Mexico, Fatima Portugal, Medjugorje Bosnia, Knock Ireland and many others, including fifteen American States.
Catholic statues ‘bleed’, others ‘cry’ supposed real tears or oil. Relics are everywhere -- wood from the cross of Christ, the crown of thorns, even Mary’s preserved milk is a relic for the devout to venerate. Catholic men and women receive supernaturally the stigmata on their hands. These appear to be wounds from a crucifixion, believed to be a blessing of crucifixion with Jesus.
Yes, the first beast boasts miracles.
According to the Bible, the second beast will also perform miracles, and they will deceive “them that dwell on the earth”. Revelation 13:14.
This means that not only the inhabitants of the United States will be deceived, but you and I. Jesus gave one exception, but with an important warning, “insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24.
The Saviour is speaking of false Christs and false prophets, who can perform miracles, perhaps as given in the chapter under discussion.
The miracles will be so powerful and deceptive that even faithful Christians could be deceived.
Do not put this aside casually by saying, ‘Well they could, but they won’t’. It is not as simple as that. These miracles are the devil’s final attempt to win the world to his side. He will make them so convincing that Christians will be in danger of accepting them.
Perhaps they will involve people we love, even visits from deceased loved ones. As the dead are not living, they cannot visit their families, so this would be another deception of the devil. (Many are deceived on this subject. Those who appear to be loved ones and friends are actually masquerading evil spirits)
It is also possible the devil himself will appear, claiming to be Christ. If we were to see this mighty angel as “an angel of light”, radiant before our eyes, we would naturally be drawn to him. His voice would be soft and gentle, full of music. As he speaks the words of Scripture, we could not help feeling elated. If he healed the sick and raised the dead, would we not be captivated?
(Satan cannot heal the sick or raise the dead, but he can put a curse on a person and lift it from them. He can make a person appear to be dead and raise them from that apparent state. Such ‘miracles’ happen over and over in certain churches, some absolute frauds, but others that appear to be true healings. Many are believed to be healings in the excitement of the service, but seen to be nothing when returning to normal living. Thousands are disappointed and lose their faith)
Yes, Jesus was warning that it is possible the elect could be deceived, and if we rely on our eyes, our ears, our feelings, our emotions, our longings to be with Jesus, we will be.
Our only safeguard is the Word of God.
It is absolutely vital we understand the final events from the Bible. We must be grounded in the Word, through study, prayer and obedience.
The Bible says men and woman will work “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders…” 2 Thessalonians 2:9.
Please note the next verses. “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.
You see, if we do not love the truth, we will believe the lie.
Back to the text. “And he (the USA) doeth great wonders so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men…” Revelation 13:13.
In the Old Testament, Elijah prayed that God would send fire down from heaven to consume his sacrifice. When the fire came, it revealed to Ahab, Jezebel and her Baal priests, that Elijah’s God was the true God.
At the end, Satan will call fire down from heaven.
We have no idea what the circumstances will be, so beware.
Millions will believe the power comes from God.
Right now there are atheists and agnostics who have never seen anything supernatural, who will be overwhelmed when they see the miracles. They will believe them to be of God. (I was speaking to a librarian some years ago who said she did not believe, but then added, ‘But if I saw miracles, I would believe in God’. So will many others)
But there is an alternative to real fire.
It is a false spirit poured out upon men and women to give them the ability to speak in another tongue. Not another language, but a tongue that is totally false and cannot be understood by the speaker or the hearer. This ‘glossalia’ is a tongue already spoken by Protestants, Catholics and pagans alike. It is believed to be the language of heaven.
(In a special issue of ‘Time’ magazine, an article entitled ‘How Faith Can Heal’ presented the results of Dr Andrew Newberg’s “various types of brain scans on more than 100 people, all of them in different kinds of worshipful states”. He said that when people speak in ‘glossalia’, the frontal lobes “go quiet”. This is the reasoning and decision area, where God speaks through the conscience. There is a true gift of tongues which is the ability to speak other languages without having learned them, for the purpose of sharing the gospel of Christ with those who do not know it. See Acts 2:6-12)
In the future, the devil could pour out this false Pentecostal power as tongues of fire on those who have no Bible-base at all. It is happening in churches today, but this could be en masse, world-wide, like a huge ‘Toronto Blessing’. (Toronto, Canada was where this spirit was first poured out, and from there it spread to many churches)
If Satan is masquerading as Christ and he pours out his spirit, the ‘fire’ kindled would also deceive millions of Christians around the world.
“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.” Revelation 13:14.
Did you see what the miracles will bring about?
Yes, an “image to the beast”.
What is an image?
Of course you know it is a copy of someone or something. If an artist paints your picture, it becomes an image of you. When a child grows up to look and act like his father we say, ‘He is the image of his Dad.’
An image can be a copy of another organisation. A business can begin in one country, with satellite groups around the world, all an image of the original business. A program can be an image of an already existing one.
And so forth.
An image can also be a supposed replica of a deity (or saint), which when worshipped, becomes a graven image. This is mentioned in the Ten Commandments.
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6. (Second commandment. It is not wrong to make a likeness, only to kneel and worship it)
This is quite a long command, and very serious.
If anyone makes an image of anything in heaven or on earth, and bows before it, they commit sin.
You will no doubt be aware of the many statues in Catholic churches, and may have seen communicants bowing before them. According to the church, it is not sin, for there is no command in the catechism. It has been removed from the Ten Commandments. But the second commandment (not to bow to images) is still in the Bible, even Catholic Bibles.
(In the Catholic Church, the tenth commandment has been divided into two, so there are still ten. I did see a list of the commandments by the Catholic Church that joined portion of the second to the third. This was for a joint ecumenical service with Protestants, but in the catechism it has been omitted. Ask for a copy of the Catholic Ten Commandments)
When Israel was captive in Babylon, three young Hebrew men were put to the test.
You will remember that Nebuchadnezzar accepted the interpretation of his dream by Daniel that another kingdom would conquer Babylon.
Then he became rebellious and built “an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.” Daniel 3:1.
This statue would represent himself and his kingdom, and he commanded “the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the province” to meet on the plain of Dura. Daniel 3:2.
A herald cried out for the people -- leaders of nations and languages -- to fall down on their knees when they heard the music of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and worship the golden image.
“And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3:6.
This experience is a miniature picture of the end.
The result was that the faithful Hebrew boys refused to bow down. They were cast into the furnace, but instead of being burnt to death, the Son of God came down from heaven and walked with them in the fire. His Presence kept them alive in the flames, and they were delivered. (Read the whole chapter)
Often this is told as a children’s story, but it is actually a prophecy, as there will be an image with a death penalty in the future.
However, the endtime scenario is not a golden statue. The prophecy is couched in words that are seen by many to be a statue, but it is not so.
“And he (the USA) 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 should be killed.” Revelation 13:15.
It is possible to see a stone or metalic statue come to life from these words, but this interpretation is a lack of understanding brought about by not allowing Daniel to lay a foundation for the book of Revelation.
The truth is that the United States will replicate the nature and character of the Roman Catholic Church during the Dark Ages, and the miracles will cause the people of the United States to desire it.
Isn’t this rather amazing?
Why would anyone want that?
The text says, “… as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” Revelation 13:15.
Will the United States really become so brutal to its citizens?
Back to Nebuchadnezzar and his image.
The people were asked not only to bow down to the golden image, but also to worship it. The king could command his people to kneel before the image, but he could not command them to worship it.
True worship is in the mind.
However, according to the Law of God, bowing before a graven image constitutes worship.
If the three Hebrew boys said, ‘Let us kneel and think of our God, or we will end up in the furnace’, they would have been guilty of worshipping a graven image, even if they were thinking of the true God.
The story has an important lesson for us as we approach the time of the “image to the beast”. Whether we are in the United States or not, it will eventually affect every person on the planet. Our decision must be made prior to a law to “worship the image” becomes universal.
Let us look at the situation in the United States of America.
President Obama promised ‘change’, but it is now obvious the changes will not return America to its former glory and past greatness. The days of liberty are over, and you can hear the dragon’s roar.
Jesuit Frances Borgia said, “We came in like lambs and will rule like wolves.” Codeword Barbelon. P.D. Stuart p228.
This work has been progressing over the years, each puppet president doing his part. Immorality and crime have eaten away the country’s national heart, and like Rome of old; it is only a matter of time before it collapses.
The United States is the jewel in Rome’s crown. It has been sought after for centuries and now its possession is guaranteed.
Edmund Campion, another Jesuit said, ”Rome is confident of her prey…. It cannot be withstood. First America, then the world.” Ibid.
America is a nation with a Christian heritage and speaking of God comes naturally. Sadly, many are using God’s name in vain, but there are millions who have a strong belief in God and know their roots. Many are genuine Christians who long for the return of the Saviour.
But in the main, there is a loss of spirituality.
This is due to a lack of commitment to Jesus. The secular lifestyle has sapped away the dedication of millions, and a certain class – some of whom may claim to be Christians -- are determined to destroy what is left of the Christian faith.
As a result, abortion continues to take its toll; homosexual rights are gaining strength; prayer and mention of God is banned in public schools; evolution is allowed, but creation must not be mentioned; the Ten Commandments are forbidden in public buildings; Christmas carols and nativity scenes are not allowed in schools and shops.
This loss is beginning to be felt by a large number of men and women, and they see their country descending deeper and deeper into the dark recesses of chaos and destruction.
What should they do?
Most do not know what to do. Perhaps the next president will be the answer, but a lot can happen in four years. Some believe the country will revive; others are certain it will collapse.
What if the financial recession becomes an all-out depression?
What if thousands more, even millions, lose their jobs and their homes? (Many are now living in tents on public property, without jobs)
What if fires continue to destroy homes, properties and towns, even cities? (Fire fighters must let homes burn if a forest is threatened)
What if floods drown many cities like New Orleans?
What if hurricane after hurricane moves across the country, destroying everything in its path? (Hurricanes are now entering areas that have not been a hurricane-threat in the past)
What if the ‘big one’ -- the earthquake on the San Andreas fault -- devastates Los Angeles, San Francisco and everything in between? (Friends have moved out of California to avoid this threat)
What if the volcanic peaks in Yellowstone National Park, erupt all at once? (These stretch from Mt St Helens, to Mt Adam and Mt Rainier in Washington State, and the magma chamber is the biggest ever discovered)
What would Americans do?
They will cry out, ‘We are being punished for our sins, and must return to God. Let us keep Sunday holy and go back to church.’
Now of course, this is a scenario that has not yet happened, and whether it takes place as I have outlined, we do not know, but for the American people to agree to making an image of the Papacy, it must be more subtle than them saying ‘We want America to be like the Catholic Inquisition’.
There will be a move to make Sunday a law, and the people will agree to this legislation. There are men and women advocating this even now.
This is not something new. America has had Sunday laws for over three centuries, even from the time the pilgrims travelled to the new land.
(In fact, almost every country in the world has Sunday laws, but they are not all being enacted. Australia’s Sunday laws were passed on to this country through English Imperial laws and although they have now been repealed, Australian Sunday laws have been enacted)
In the United States, Sunday laws are called ‘blue laws’.
(“Blue laws of the late nineteenth century were religious in origin, development, and contemporary operation. But since the rest feature brought ‘benefit’ to the community, the Sunday law could be viewed by some stretch of the imagination as a civil, rather than a religious regulation. The state could, by enforcing such a law, claim the promotion of community welfare. Sunday laws themselves had not changed. Justice Brewer was willing even to cite them as evidence that the United States is a ‘Christian nation’… Rarely did any Sunday law face Federal court review in the nineteenth century. It was individual state governments that were burdened with numerous Sunday laws.” Dateline Sunday USA. Warren L. Jones p96. This is a book of 250 pages on American Sunday laws)
You might think Sunday laws are not religious. Actually, suggestions have been made over the years that they are needed to allow families time to spend together, and to be ‘energy-saving’, when all traffic stops. It has also been said they are for the health of the people, because everyone needs to rest one day a week.
Yes, all these reasons are given, but they are still religious.
Why?
It is the Roman Catholic Church that is pushing to have the day legislated.
If a citizen of the United States suggested Wednesday be made a day when all shops are closed, it would not be religious. But it is a church that is doing it, and that is the problem.
This makes it a union of church and state.
Another reason is because the ‘Holy See’ knows that Sunday is in opposition to God’s seventh-day Sabbath. (You might wonder why Jewish Zionism would work with Rome to make a Sunday law, but Israel has already conducted a poll for a Sunday law in Jerusalem, resulting in 56% voting ‘YES’ in the public sector, and 64% in the religious sector. Of course the ultra orthodox voted a mere 6%)
Remember also, the empowering evil angel has his agenda to oppose the truth of God.
In a previous booklet, we spoke about the “seal of God” being the character of God in the Christian life. This is true, but it is displayed especially in the keeping of the Sabbath according to the fourth commandment.
This is a command that does not appear to be moral.
Millions of good-living Christians do not keep the Sabbath, and yet we do not regard them as great sinners. We would not call them immoral because they keep Sunday. In our eyes there is a big difference between not keeping the seventh-day Sabbath and committing murder, adultery, lying, or stealing.
Our minds do not equate the fourth commandment in the same light, but God does. No one can read the Bible through and not see how God regards the Sabbath day.
God’s people were to be different from the world around them. The heathen kept the day of the sun in honour of the sun god; Israel kept the Sabbath in honour of the Creator-God of the universe.
Christians are God’s people in this world, and they are to be different from the world around them. They are to obey God alone, and when all the world bows before the image, they will be standing, as did the three Hebrews.
God told Israel that the Sabbath “is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.” Exodus 31:13.
Do not be confused with the fact that this is spoken to Israel, because “if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed”, and the lessons for Israel are for us as His people. Galatians 3:29. There is only one group – the Christian church -- although it is broken up into many denominations. At the end we will be one, and called by God “the remnant”.
God is telling us that the seventh-day Sabbath is the sign between us and our God that He is the One who sanctifies us, or changes our character to be like Christ’s. This does not mean other Christians are not being changed in character, as every Christian is being moulded to be like Jesus.
But at the very end, when the Sabbath becomes the deciding issue between those who stand for Jesus and those who worship the beast and his image, the final perfection will be wrought in our characters. True, faithful and obedient Christians will be fully sanctified, and this will be the finishing touch for immortality.
Please understand dear Reader, Satan will make a final attempt to persuade you (and me) to obey him. It will not be an easy time.
Imagine yourself on the plain of Dura hearing the music of the ancient orchestra, and knowing that if you do not bow down you will be thrown into a fiery furnace that is already burning furiously at the front of the assembly.
Would you kneel?
Or would you remain standing?
At the end of this earth’s history, the United States will pass legislation to make a national Sunday law. This will quickly spread around the world. You and I will have to decide as to whether we will obey it.
What will be your decision? And mine?
Do you think the three Hebrew boys had a discussion among themselves as to whether they would kneel or not?
No, they knew God’s Law, and their minds were already made up – they would not bow down. The Ten Commandments had been a part of their lives since babyhood. They loved God and they awaited the coming of the Messiah. Their hopes were in Him and their final home was in heaven.
You and I must be as firmly grounded – now.
Daniel also had his near-death-experience when thrown into a den of lions. This story is for our benefit.
The enemies of the prophet could find nothing against his character, except in his religion. Through deception they arranged with the king to enact a decree that would make Daniel a lawbreaker.
As a result, Daniel was put in with the lions. In the morning he was able to say, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me…” Daniel 6:22. Daniel had been sealed by God.
The “seal of God” is not seen outwardly. It is not an outward mark visible to others. It is an inward experience that is revealed by the keeping of God’s commandments, especially the seventh-day Sabbath. In this way, the Sabbath becomes God’s sign that the believer is sanctified. His life reveals that he is one who is accepted and sealed for heaven.
Unfortunately, the rest of the world will not recognise God’s seal, and will regard the believer as the enemy.
“And he (the USA, as the image of Rome) causeth 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.
This is the beginning of a world boycott.
Said one American, “When our nation, in its legislative councils, shall enact laws to bind the consciences of men in regard to their religious privileges, enforcing Sunday observance, and bringing oppressive power to bear against those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath, the law of God will, to all intents and purposes, be made void in our land; and national apostasy will be followed by national ruin.” Maranatha p193.
The prophecy says the “mark” is “in their right hand, or in their foreheads”. This does not necessarily mean there will be a literal mark on the body at either of these two points. (It is still possible though. See further on)
In ancient times, Israel was to put the truths of Scripture in their foreheads, representing the mind, and have them always at their right hand. This means they must believe and obey God’s words, and be able to teach them to their children. Deuteronomy 6:5-8.
Conversely, the true “mark of the beast” will not be a visible mark or tattoo on the person. It is similar to the “seal of God”, beliefs of the mind and a life lived accordingly.
To have the “mark of the beast” in the forehead means the person believes the legislation is good and will obey it. To have it in the right hand is to not believe, but willing to go along with it anyway.
However, there will need to be something visible for the authorities to make a distinction between those who are to live and those who will be killed. So we must see the subject on two levels.
a) The final scenes relate to the mind and the life, either moulded by God or by Satan. It will either be obedience or disobedience.
God’s remnant will keep the seventh-day Sabbath according to the Ten Commandments; they will be ‘sealed’ in the mind.
Satan’s multitude will obey man’s law and keep Sunday, the first day of the week; they will be ‘marked’ in the mind.
(Every day our thoughts and habits form neurological pathways in our brains that cannot be erased. Day by day we are being marked so to speak with the lifestyle we have chosen. Only God can give us the power to conquer bad thoughts, habits, lifestyle, and if we surrender to Jesus, He will give the strength to build new pathways in righteousness. Thus, in the mind, we are what we have become. This is our character, for good or for ill. The final scenes are the separating of the sheep from the goats, according to the parable. Mathew 25:31-46)
b) In the final scenes, the authorities need a system by which they can control earth’s population.
Perhaps cash will be phased out and everyone will receive a credit card with a barcode. It may be an outward mark or sign on the person, such as a tattoo. It might be invisible, such as laser, or a biochip under the skin, which can be detected by an electronic responder.
(There are many who have been predicting a cashless society for years, and electronic transfers are being used more and more, so this is possible. Chips are even now being implanted in the bodies of men, women and children for various reasons. Bar codes are being placed in products as well as on labels outside)
This latter ‘mark’ will need to be voluntary, or at least with the option to refuse. If not, you will be only as good as your strength against a mob.
Everyone needs to know the issues and to make a conscious decision for or against the truth of God. By the time of the Sunday law every person living on the planet will understand the controversy, but only those who have taken the time to study it out will be prepared to make the right decision.
Your decision to read these booklets may save your life eternally. Of course it depends on what you do with the information you are learning. My prayer is that you will take it into your heart and mind, and be saved in God’s kingdom. After all, this is why I am writing them. I am praying for you.
Now, let us come back to the boycott.
If you decide to obey the government’s religious Sunday law, you will be able to “buy and sell”. Revelation 13:17. This does not mean everything will be at peace and you will live happily ever after, but at least for the time you can eat.
If you decide to disobey the government’s religious Sunday law and are not killed, you will not be able to “buy and sell”. Revelation 13:17. Life will be very difficult, and you will be hungry. Your children will be hungry. Your family may die. You may die.
Perhaps the plain of Dura might seem an easier choice! (The den of lions? No, not that)
No, the Bible pictures this time as far worse than every persecution of past ages.
It is not just a matter of saying, ‘No thank you’, and continue on with your peaceful life. There will be pressures never felt before. There will be ridicule, mocking, slander, accusations. Hate unimaginable.
Perhaps prison and dare I say it, torture.
I have heard Christians say, ‘I wont mind a Sunday law; it will make Sundays better.’ Yes, as a Sunday-keeper it may be desirable, but the choice is very clear – those who obey the government law will receive the “mark of the beast”, and the wrath of God. (See next chapter)
Now there are some things to understand about keeping Sunday.
There is nothing wrong with working on Sunday. According to the fourth commandment, the first six days of the week are for work, and the seventh day for rest. Exodus 20:8-11.
In our society, Saturday and Sunday are called ‘the weekend’, and both days are officially government holidays, but this does not make them equivalent to a Saturday and Sunday law. When the prophesied Sunday law is legislated as a day of rest, it will be mandatory, with no exceptions.
(Today people can choose as to whether they will work. Sunday laws have been in force for many years in Australia, but challenges have been made, such as in Victoria, Australia, a hardware shop stayed open on Sundays. Eventually he had to withdraw the challenge and close his store.
After this, Sunday trading was challenged by the big stores, such as Coles and Safeway. There were many objections and it became a huge debate. According to the Herald-Sun on May 2 (1991), “more than 2600 people have petitioned the State Government not to extend Sunday trading.” And 24-hour telephone poll by 3AW revealed an overwhelming opposition to any extension of trading hours.
As the battle became stronger, more big shops began to open their doors in defiance of the law, while smaller ones began contributing to a ‘fighting fund’ to campaign against the State’s plan to increase Sunday trading. The churches joined in the battle, saying, “Sunday is part of God’s heritage, and don’t let anyone take it away from you.” A Save Our Sundays Rally was held and 5000 attended.
One side of the argument said that Sunday trading would kill small business, and the other side said Sunday is God’s day and sacred. In the end, the shops were permitted to remain open for December only, then the law was relaxed and the city of Melbourne was allowed to trade on Sundays. Finally, trading extended to the whole State. Some years later, the debate arose again in the town of Bendigo, with much opposition. The petition for a Sunday ban was lost overwhelmingly)
Debates over whether Sunday should be a mandatory day of rest, or whether people should be free to choose to work or not has been discussed, argued, and debated in a number of Western countries. Some have suggested that the Sabbath should be legislated rather than Sunday, but this would be no different. A religious law by a secular body is against the principles of God’s government, no matter which day it is.
Everyone must be free to worship God according to the conscience, or not to worship if they choose.
There will come a time when the law of the land will extend to forbidding worship on the Sabbath. After all, God’s Sabbath is the point of controversy.
The little “remnant” who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus”, will be the prime target and while they continue to worship God on the seventh day, the devil will remain angry. He must eradicate them from the earth. Revelation 14:12.
“Those who honour the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of the law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy, corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the Earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced as obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government.
Ministers who deny the obligation of the divine law will present from the pulpit the duty of yielding obedience to the civil authorities as ordained of God. In legislature halls and courts of justice, commandment-keepers will be censured and misrepresented. A false coloring will be given to their words; the worst possible construction will be put upon their motives.” The Spirit of Prophecy Vol 4. E.G.White p409. Written in 1884, and added to in 1888 and 1911)
So it will not be an easy time. No one likes to be falsely accused or called stubborn, especially when holding on to their faith.
Although unseen angels are surrounding them, and God’s blessing is upon them, the remnant will be in great anguish, not because of the persecution, but fearful that every sin has not been repented. If they could have the assurance of pardon, they would not shrink from torture or death. To lose their lives because of their defects of character would mean the reproach of God’s holy name.
The assaults of Satan will be fierce and determined. But the Lord’s eye is upon His people. The flames of the furnace will seem about to consume them, but the Son of God, as the Refiner, will bring them forth as ‘gold tried in the fire’.
“G-d’s love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed that the image of The Mashiach (Yeshua Messiah) may be perfectly reflected.” Persecution by Sanford R Howard. p150.
(The original book [Spirit of Prophecy Vol 4, written in 1884] was used by the above author as his base for Jewish readers. The reason the word God is written G-d, is because the Jews do not believe in saying the name of God. Therefore it is written in this way as if to be left unsaid, for the sake of saving souls)
Friends, our faith must be in God.
The beauty and grace of Christ must be woven into our characters. Now, while there is time, let us pray, read the Bible, and share with others what God has done for us.
“Talk to souls in peril and get them to behold Jesus upon the cross, dying to make it possible for Him to pardon. Talk to the sinner with your own heart overflowing with the tender, pitying love of Christ.” Maranatha p105.
While we do this, God’s Spirit will change us into the image of our Saviour. And when the character of Christ is perfectly reproduced in us, Christ will come to take us home.
Do You Want to Know the Future?