Presented
at Spring Village S.D.A. Church
March 11, 2006.
By Andel Bailey
Age of Light
•A
day of great intellectual darkness has been shown to be favorable to the
success of the
papacy. It will yet be demonstrated that a day of
great intellectual light is equally favorable for its success.
…The false science of the present day, which undermines faith in
the Bible will prove as successful in preparing the way for the acceptance
of the papacy with its pleasing forms as did the withholding of
knowledge..in the dark ages. GC
573
Revelation 13:
11-16
It has been shown that the
United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and
that this prophesy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce
Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgement of her
supremacy….GC 579
The U.S.A. will
not be alone, as “all the world wonders after the beast”.
All
that dwell on the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.
Protestants in Ignorance
nThe
protestants of the United States will be the 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
(USA) will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of
conscience. GC 598
Disasters Predicted
nWhile
appearing as a great physician who can heal, he (satan), will bring disease
and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation.
In accidents and calamities by sea and land in fierce tornadoes and
terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in
every place and in a thousand forms…..
Disasters Predicted
nHe
(satan) imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the
pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and
disastrous. GC 590
Satan’s Policy
Satan’s policy in this
final conflict with God’s people is the same he employed in the opening on
the great controversy in heaven. He
professed to be seeking to promote the stability of the divine government,
while secretly bending every effort to secure its overthrow….
Satan’s Policy
While Satan seeks to destroy
those who honor God’s law he will
cause them to be accused as
lawbreakers, as men who are dishonoring God and bringing judgments upon the
world. GC 591
Worldwide Destruction
When He leaves the
Sanctuary, darkness covers the earth.
The
righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an
intercessor.
Worldwide Destruction
Satan will then plunge the
inhabitants of the earth into one great, final
trouble.
The world will be involved
in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of Old.
Worldwide Destruction
Those who honor the law of
God have been accused of
bringing judgments upon the world, and they will be regarded as the
cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed
among men that are filling the earth with woe.
It will be urged that the
few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the
state ought not to be tolerated.
Blame God’s People
oThis
class put forth the claim that the fast-spreading corruption is largely
attributable to the desecration of the so-called Christian-Sabbath, and
that the enforcement of Sunday observance would greatly improve the
morals of society. The advocates represent themselves as laboring to
promote the highest interest of society; and those who refuse to unite
with them are denounced as the enemies of temperance and reform.
GC 587 (See Alert)
Quotations to Note From Ten
Commandments Day Website:
It is the duty of
Governments to enforce the observance of Sabbath keeping requirements as
our nation did until the birth of the present day apostasy and
Sabbatarian movement. It was the rulers of Israel that handled the issue
of Sabbath violation by the one found guilty of gathering sticks on the
Sabbath day.
We hold that Sabbatarians
are definitely responsible for contribution to the increased desecration
of this national appointed Sabbath day. (Special Alert magazine 1982)
The Ten Commandments Day
o
The Ten Commandments Day might very well lead to the passing of the National Sunday Law so much longed for by many in the U.S.
oWhat
if a National Sunday Law is passed?
World Attention
Movements are at work
to bring us (S.D.A.) to the front.
Evangelism, 69
The National Sunday
Law will:
o1.
Draw the attention of
the world,
o2.
Place Seventh – day
Adventists and their message into the limelight,
o3.
Awaken the interest of
the world into the Sabbath truth, and lead many to study God’s Words,
o4.
Offer everyone a
choice,
o5.
Bring everyone to
the truth about the Sabbath,
o6.
Bring severe
persecution to S.D.A.,
o7.
Vindicate God, and
condemn satan,
o8.
Provide the means
for the Loud Cry,
o9.
Bring the work to a
speedy
close
Difficulties Ahead
Those
who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and
order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, and causing
anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the
earth.
As the protestant
churches reject the clear, Scriptural arguments in defense of God’s
law, they will long to silence those whose faith they
cannot overthrow by the Bible. GC 592
Difficulties Ahead
The
dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel
all classes to honor Sunday…even in free America, rulers and
legislators in order to secure public favor, will yield to the
popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of
conscience will no longer be respected. GC 592
The dragon was wroth
with the woman..Rev.12:17
Intensity of Difficulties
If is often the case
that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not
true for the crises before us.
The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the
ordeal.
While our High Priest
is making atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ.
GC 623
Test of Loyalty
The
Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth
especially controverted. GC 605
Prediction that
religious intolerance would gain control in the USA , that church and
state would unite persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have
been pronounced groundless and absurd, but the event so long doubted is
seen to be approaching, and the third angel message will produce an
effect it could not have had before. GC 606
Work to be done
We are living in the
most solemn period of this world’s history. Our well-being and the
salvation of others depend upon the course which we now pursue.
We need to humble
ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much
upon His word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. GC 601
Preparation Time
All who excuse or
conceal their sins and permit them to remain upon the books of
heaven , un-confessed and unforgiven will be overcome by Satan.
Those who delay a
preparation for the day of God cannot obtain it in the time
of trouble, or at any subsequent time. The case of such is hopeless.
GC 620
WE NEED
The season of
distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure
weariness, delay, and hunger- a faith that will not faint though
severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare
for that time.
We must take time
to pray.
Is The Church Ready?
lNearly
all who profess to believe the present truth are wholly unfitted to
receive the Latter Rain.. 1T466
lToday
a large part of those who compose our congregations are dead in
trespasses and sins. 6T
426
When the law of God
is made void, the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a
larger proportion than we anticipate will give heed to seducing
spirits and doctrines of devils GC Bul257
The
Future
We need have no
worry about the future. Trust in God, and He will guide you into all
truths.
At this time when
the end of all things is at hand, should not the zeal of the church
exceed even that of the
early church?
God is love
lHis
messages to us are in love so that we can be prepared for what will
come upon the world as a surprise.
lLet
us be ready, for soon He that shall come will come and will not
tarry.
lEND