The Impending Crisis: Warnings Against Church and State Unity

It is certainly vital to deepen our understanding of these prophetic warnings so that we may be prepared for the momentous struggle aheadST November 28, 1900, par. 1. The following seven points emphasize the dangers inherent in the union of religious and civil power:

...rdquo; But will they acknowledge it? Will they accept the situation, and know that the end is near? Protestantism is reaching out its hands to clasp hands with popery, and every indication makes manifest that the prophecies are about to be fulfilled. And now men are...— RH February 21, 1893, par. 12 (1851)

...l enforce the decrees and sustain the institutions of the church, then will Protestant America have formed an image of the Papacy. Then the true church will be assailed by persecution as were God's people in ancient times. A...— ST November 8, 1899, par. 5 (1874)

The National Reform movement, exercising the power of religious legislation, will, when fully developed, manifest the same intolerance and oppression that have prevailed in past ages. Human councils then assumed the prerogatives of Deity, crushing u...— 2TT 319.1 (1949)

... false and ruinous principles bearing on their face the appearance of genuine goodness. He works to restrict religious liberty, and to bring into the religious world a species of slavery. Organizations, institutions, unless kept by the power of God, will work under Satan's dictati...— 1888 1433.1 (1987)

...t a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery; it will be nothing else than giving life to the tyranny which has long been eagerly watching its opportunity to spring again into active despotism— T33 239.4 (1889)

...pare some of the fundamental principles of our government with those of the Catholic Church. “The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX, in his Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error—a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.’ The same pope, in his Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious worship,’ also ‘all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.&rsquo— GC 564.4 (1911)

...:10-13, and chapters 17 and 13. John sees the company who have been deceived. He says, “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, ...— 17MR 18.2 (1990)

1. When the State enforces the decrees and sustains the institutions of the church, Protestant America will have formed an image of the PapacyST November 8, 1899, par. 5. Then, the true church will be assailed by persecution, just as God's people were in ancient timesST November 8, 1899, par. 5.

2. Protestantism is currently reaching out its hands to clasp hands with popery, an indication that the prophecies are about to be fulfilledRH February 21, 1893, par. 12.

3. The moment the principle is established in the United States that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws, forcing the authority of church and State to dominate the conscience, the triumph of Rome in this country is assuredGC88 580.3.

4. The enforcement of Sunday observance is nothing else than an act of concession to the papacy, which has warred against liberty of conscience for ages, and its success will be like giving life to the tyranny that seeks active despotismT33 239.4.

5. Satan works through this system to restrict religious liberty and bring into the religious world a species of slavery1888 1433.1+1.

6. The National Reform movement, which seeks religious legislation, will, when fully developed, manifest the same intolerance and oppression that characterized past ages, meaning the fires of persecution will be rekindled against those who refuse to sacrifice conscience and truth2TT 319.1+1.

7. At the end of time, powerful deceptive spirits are seen issuing forth, like three unclean spirits like frogs, to gather the kings of the earth and the whole world to the battle of that great day of God Almighty Revelation 16:13-1417MR 18.2. This occurs as the forces of darkness work against the human race to compel service and the worshiping of an idol sabbath11LtMs, Lt 141, 1896, par. 10.