Formation of the Beast's Image: Church-State Union

The image of the beast will be formed through a union of apostate Protestantism with the American state, where the religious power controls the civil government to enforce its own ends, specifically for the punishment of "heresy"HF 274.3+6.

Here's a gentle explanation of how this significant event is understood to unfold:

🌟 The Historical Precedent

To understand the formation of the image of the beast, it's helpful to look at how the papacy, which is identified as the "beast" in Revelation 13 was formed. The early church, when it departed from the simplicity of the gospel and embraced pagan practices, lost its spiritual power. To control consciences, it sought the support of secular power, leading to the papacy—a church that wielded state authority to achieve its goals, particularly to punish what it deemed "heresy"LDE 228.2+2. This union of church and state is a crucial characteristic of the beast power.

🇺🇸 The Role of the United States

The prophecy points to the United States as the power that will form this "image to the beast"ARSH May 21, 1857, page 21.14+9. This is symbolized by another beast rising "out of the earth" with "two horns like a lamb," signifying a peaceful origin unlike other powers that rose from the "sea" (representing multitudes of people and nations) Revelation 13:11TAR 86.3+1. However, this lamb-like beast eventually "spoke as a dragon," indicating a shift to a persecuting power Revelation 13:11EVRR459+1.

🤝 Union of Church and State

The core of the image's formation is a union between an apostate Protestant church and the American governmentEVRR456+4. When Protestantism abandons its foundational principles and unites with the state to enforce religious dictates, it creates a likeness to the papacyECE 867.3+1. This means that the authority of the state will be used by the church to achieve its objectives, including the punishment of dissentersHF 274.3+5.

📜 Enforcing Religious Laws

A key indicator of this formation is the movement to enact laws that exalt a false sabbath, such as Sunday laws3SM 385.2+2. This is seen as an attempt to put human authority above God's law, specifically the fourth commandment, which defines the true God as the Creator Exodus 31:18+1SITI September 4, 1884, page 530.4+2. When this occurs, it will bring Protestants and Catholics onto a common platform, mimicking the past actions of the papacyADRE September 1850, page 13.6.

🗣️ Speaking and Enforcing Decrees

Once this unholy union is consummated, the "image of the beast" will be empowered to "speak" and "cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed" Revelation 13:15EVRR459+4. This signifies the passing and enforcement of decrees, including those that restrict buying and selling for those who do not comply Revelation 13:16-17ARSH March 13, 1900, page 168.7+1. This is a severe test for God's people, demanding allegiance to God aloneSITI January 14, 1886, page 25.1+2.

🌍 Global Impact

While the image originates in the United States, its influence is expected to extend globallyEVRR631+1. This nation, by turning towards principles of the papacy, will lead other nations in a similar directionGCDB February 2, 1893, page 110.15.

The formation of the image of the beast marks a critical time just before the outpouring of the seven last plagues and the coming of the LordGP 89.5+5. It signifies the final great conflict, where every person will be faced with a choice to worship the Creator or the beast and its image Revelation 14:9-12SITI December 15, 1887, page 760.8+1.