PROPHECY FULFILLING by Chas. P. Whitford

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1890

PROPHECY FULFILLING.

By Chas. P. Whitford

PASSING events are viewed by the student of prophecy with an anxious eye, for he sees in them the fulfillment of God's ancient predictions. The recent call to arms in behalf of religious legislation, and a better observance of Sunday, is evidence that public sentiment is fast shaping in favor of the fulfillment of Rev. 13:11-17. Here the last persecutions of the church are described as they are brought into conflict with earthly powers. Nearly a half century ago, Seventh-day Adventists took the position that the two-horned beast of verse 11 symbolized the United States. Notwithstanding that the principles of this government were at the first "lamb-like," yet the spirit of the dragon was here, and it only needed the authority, when it would "exercise all the power of the beast before him." How much power did the Papacy exercise? Let from fifty to one hundred millions of martyrs answer. But what gave the Papacy such unlimited power to exterminate God's people? But one answer can be given, viz., the church and her doctrines were upheld by the civil power of the world. And will the civil power become subordinate to the ecclesiastical in this country?—It surely will, for so the prophecy declares. In verse 14 this power is represented as saying to them that dwell upon the earth, that "they should make an image to the beast." It is well understood that an image is a likeness to the thing after which it is made. Under the 1,260 years of papal supremacy, the church was clothed with civil power, so that heretics and dissenters were punished by fire and by sword. The Church and State were united. And will the church in free America be clothed with similar power? The prophecy says so, and both time and events will shortly demonstrate that the prophecy has told the truth.

If the United States makes an "image" to the Papacy, will the church in this country be clothed with civil power? But one answer can be given, and that would be, Certainly. Well, this is just what Seventh-day Adventists have been telling the world for more than forty years. The greater part of this time they have been counted as fools, hobby-riders, and all such things; but times have changed, and there is no disguising the fact that the churches of the land are to-day clamoring for the support of the civil arm to protect their darling institution of Sunday—and that, too, with a zeal and a sedation that would indeed be commenced without forth for the securing of

How shall our American church be preserved? is the hour. All other questions are rapidly sinking into insignificance, and must take a back seat as compared with this.

It is well known that an immense pressure was brought to bear upon Congress one year ago, to secure what they were pleased to call "righteous sabbath laws." It was claimed that fourteen million citizens of the United States asked Congress to pass the Blair Sunday-Rest bill. Does not this accord with what the prophecy says the two-horned beast (the United States) would do, "Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast"? Rev 13:14. Is not the saying already abroad in the land? Last winter the bill was defeated, but it was again introduced on December 9, 1889. But why this appeal to Congress in behalf of Sunday rest? The reason is plainly stated: "We are likely to lose our sabbaths unless Congress interferes."

What a strange, evanescent affair "our sabbaths" are, that they should be lost, just because others do not regard them. The civil power out of which came the tyranny of the Papacy in the fourth century, was subordinated to the religious in precisely the same way as is now proposed by a certain class of religionists, who are asking the government to bolster up religious institutions by law, and thus make this nation a sponsor for their own religious bigotry.

It was executing the supposed will of God that put to death the early Christians. They argued, just as professed Christians do nowadays, that God's will ought to be made law.

Could the voices of untold millions who have lost their lives because they would not yield to laws that conflicted with conscience and their understanding of God's requirements be heard to-day, they would cry aloud, and spare not, against this wicked scheme,—the destruction of civil and religious liberty.

Dear brethren, as I survey the agencies by which the church in this country is to gain control of the civil power, the rapidity of their rise and growth, and how they are blending and forming into one solid mass to throw around Sunday observance the protection of civil law, I am almost startled at the rapid fulfillment of what God has foretold from the beginning. Surely we have not followed cunningly-devised fables in this matter. God in his providence has committed to us as a people a message of warning against this very work. Rev 14:9-12.

Not only as friends and lovers of religious liberty does it become us to raise the note of alarm, but it is God's will that we warn the people, and pray that the political elements of war and strife may be held in check until the sealing message has gathered out all the jewels of earth to keep the commandments of God.

In view of the light God has given us, great responsibilities are resting upon us. To whom much is given, much will be required. I cannot believe the people of the United States are yet ready to calmly and deliberately surrender their precious, blood-bought liberties. They do not understand the nature of the government they are so earnestly petitioned. It is our duty to do all the work of the children them. The terrific and untruthful are predicted by the process of the world, and ever our very heads.

What use are we making of the light which God in his love and tender mercy has committed to us? Opportunities are now granted us to work as never before. The saying is now being heralded through the land, Come, let us make an "image to the beast." Corrupt, fallen Christianity is about to gain control of the civil power. Where will then be the religious liberty which American citizens have so long enjoyed? When the Constitution shall be so amended as to permit Congress to make laws for the establishment of religion, religious liberty will be at an end. Then will we experience something of that which characterized the religious despotisms of the Dark Ages.

Brethren everywhere, we are coming into straight places, and that, too, very soon. Shall we be able to give an intelligent reason why we cannot yield to the requirements of the beast? If we cannot, we shall be put to shame, and the truth we profess be disgraced. Satan is marshaling his hosts, and the battle is before us. It must and will be fought. He who would be loyal to God should gird on the armor of truth for the conflict. With firmness and humble trust in our great Commander, let us arouse to action as never before, and victory will surely turn on Zion's side.

Dear brethren, be of good courage. In due time we shall reap if we faint not. When the battle is fought, and the victory won, then we shall meet and greet each other in that kingdom where Christ will then reign through his own mighty power and unmeasurable love.

CHAS. P. WHITFORD.

Moultrie, St. John's Co., Fla.