96
Last Day Events
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.—
The Great
Controversy, 588
(1911).
[145]
Church and State Oppose God’s People
All who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and
obey the national laws to exalt the sabbath instituted by the man of
sin, to the disregard of God’s holy day, will feel, not the oppressive
power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the image of the
beast.—
Selected Messages 2:380
(1886).
Those religious bodies who refuse to hear God’s messages of
warning will be under strong deception and will unite with the civil
power to persecute the saints. The Protestant churches will unite with
the papal power in persecuting the commandment-keeping people of
God....
This lamb-like power unites with the dragon in making war upon
those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of
Jesus Christ.—
Manuscript Releases 14:162
(1899).
The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in
this work papists and Protestants unite.—
The Great Controversy,
607
(1911).
Before the Courts
Those who live during the last days of this earth’s history will
know what it means to be persecuted for the truth’s sake. In the courts
injustice will prevail. The judges will refuse to listen to the reasons of
those who are loyal to the commandments of God because they know
the arguments in favor of the fourth commandment are unanswerable.
[146]
They will say, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die.” God’s
law is nothing to them. “Our law” with them is supreme. Those who
respect this human law will be favored, but those who will not bow to
the idol sabbath have no favors shown them.—
The Signs of the Times,
May 26, 1898
.