Chapter 7

The Final Conflict

Age - Old Aspiration

Consistently throughout the Bible there is shown in contradistinction to God’s Church, the operation of a principle of opposition and counterfeit to all that God does. This principle, the “mystery of iniquity” stands at the foundation of that master counterfeit system, Babylon, through which Satan will continue to work until an end is put to it at the second coming of Christ.

This principle of the “mystery of iniquity” originated with Satan and represents the ultimate objective of all his devices - exalting himself above God and being worshipped. It was for the very same reason that he had to he thrown out of heaven (Rev. 12:7-9). Consider his presumptuous ambitions and his fall:

“How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” -  Isa. 14:l2-14.

Having been thrown out of heaven, Satan has made successive attempts to establish an empire on earth based on absolute submission to him. He has tried and failed in his efforts at the tower of Babel; his master kingdom of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar was likewise overthrown (Isa. 13:19-22; Dan. 5:30,31); and finally we see “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT” built on the principles of centralization and hierarchism for the very same purpose of bringing the entire world in submission to Satan.

Each individual needs to flush out of his mind the idea of considering other human beings as his spiritual superiors whom he is under divine obligation to obey in matters of faith. This is wholly an idea which springs from the “mystery of iniquity.” Any religious group that is established in a manner that fosters human agencies or individual human beings exercising authority over the believers in matters of faith usurps the role of Christ and follows the same principle as the Papacy which is the mother Babylon.

It is pleasing to the Devil when one by one, pure groups of believers adopt the principle of “the mystery of iniquity,” establish a structure after the pattern of Babylon, foster the submission of individuals’ conscience to human authority and degrade themselves to become one of Babylon’s daughters. The grand aim of the Devil is to gather all such systems (the mother Babylon and all the daughters) together into one Babylonish confederation.

Tripartite Union

The apostle John, in vision, saw the final attempt by Satan to bring the entire world under his dominion and to eradicate once and for all the people of God who steadfastly resist his control. In this final conflict the Devil brings together all the powers on earth that he can garner into his camp under the leadership of a tripartite union. This mighty confederation was seen by John standing in array against Christ and His people. He describes it as follows:

“And 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.”  Rev. 16:13,14.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.”  - Rev. 19:11,13,18,19.

As we have already learned, the dragon is Satan (Rev. 12:9). Satan works through many different agencies, many of which are subtle and channeled through natural human experiences at the physical level. However, Satan also interacts directly with human beings at a level that is clearly supernatural and involves open, direct and unconcealed interaction between humans and evil spirits. This direct and unconcealed interaction between Satan and human beings is what is brought to view in the scenario presented, that is, the occult and spiritualism. Satan duplicates the appearance and mannerisms of deceased individuals perfectly (at least, to human perception), in a manner similar to the way in which he duplicated the appearance of Samuel when he appeared to king Saul (1 Sam. 28:7-20). This artful device of Satan’s, and his attempts at telling the future forms the basis of spiritualism and the occult.

The other two agencies identified in this tripartite union are the beast, which has already been identified as the Roman Papacy (see Chapter 3), and the false prophet.

The False Prophet

In describing the false prophet, the apostle John says:

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.” Rev.  19:20.

The false prophet is described as the one that “wrought miracles” and who deceived those who received the mark of the beast and worshipped his image.

In order to see more clearly who is the false prophet we need to look back at the point where he was first introduced. He was first introduced in Revelation chapter 13. Remember that scenario that was cited earlier with the dragon who tried to devour the man child as soon as he was born, but failing to do so the dragon persecuted the woman who brought forth the man child (see Chapter 3). Remember also that the dragon later invested this leopard-like beast with “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Rev. 13:2. The leopard-like beast received a deadly wound but “his deadly wound as healed: and all the world wondered after the beast”. Rev. 1:3. Then is introduced the false prophet under the symbol of a beast with lamb-like horns:

“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell them to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Rev. 13:11-17.

That this beast with lamb-like horns is the same false prophet that is mentioned is evident from the fact that he is said to be the one who uses miracles to deceive the world, and sets up an image of the beast, which he causes the world to worship, and also to receive the mark of the beast.

Putting It All Together

Picturing the false prophet in real terms, it has the following characteristics:

1. It is a religious power that claims to represent God. It is represented as a prophet, but a false one who even works miracles. Rev. 19:20; 13: 13,14.

2. It presents a picture of innocence, sincerity and genuineness (it is represented as having lamb-like horns. Rev. 13:11). Though seeming as innocent as a lamb” yet it bears dragon-like or devilish characteristics.

3. It will create an image of the Papacy and will lead the world back into submission to the Papacy. Rev. 13:12,14,15.

4. It will impose upon the world the mark of the Papacy. Rev. 13:16,17.

The religious grouping that is here pictured is apostate Protestantism, the daughters of Babylon. These are the various religious entities which have adopted the principles of the Papacy and have joined the ecumenical movement to forge closer links with Roman Catholicism. It should not be difficult to appreciate how modern Protestantism fulfills the first two (2) characteristics. Though claiming to be founded entirely on the Bible, one by one, the popular churches have sacrificed truth, courted the favour of the world and assimilated the example of Babylon.

Image And Mark

The last two (2) characteristics reveal future activity of modern Protestantism. We can be sure that these actions will be carried out because God, who knows the end from the beginning, knows from before, that they will occur and has revealed it. We can be sure also, by the fact that the popular churches have already started to perform these activities. We will look more closely at both activities (the establishment of an image of the Papacy and the imposition of the mark of the Papacy) so that we can be sure exactly what is involved and see how modern Protestantism has already started to perform these activities.

First, we consider an image of the Papacy. What is the Papacy? It is a religious group that claims the right to function as a theocracy; a group that claims a divine right to enforce morality and godliness in the world, with the power of the state subordinate to it and subject. To be used by it for enforcing its decrees (refer to Papal bull UNAM SANCTAM - “One Holy,” Pope Boniface VIII, November 1302). An image of the Papacy is another religious body that bears similar influence over the state, just like the woman (church) BABYLON who is pictured sitting On a beast (kingdom - see Daniel 7:17,23).

Secondly, we consider the mark of the Papacy. By their own admission, the mark of Papal authority is Sunday sacredness. As already quoted, Roman Catholic Priest Thomas Enright boasts that the only church ‘on the face of the earth” that has the “power to make laws binding upon the conscience”, and the only church that “the whole civilized world” Obeys is the Catholic church. And what is the token that supports this claim? He declares it to be “the day we celebrate - Sunday” (see page 48). This idea is stated even more explicitly by Cardinal Gibbons. In reply to a letter inquiring whether it was the Catholic church that changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday Cardinal Gibbons responded as follows, in his official organ, the CATHOLIC MIRROR:

“Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act. It could not have been otherwise, as none in those days would have dreamed of doing anything in matters spiritual and religious without her, and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters. - Cardinal Gibbons, Catholic Mirror.

Cardinal Gibbons identified the change of the Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to Sunday as the doing of the Catholic church and identifies the change as “a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters”.

The same position is officially stated in their DOCTRINAL CATECHISM as follows:

“Question - Have you any other way of proving that the church has power to institute festivals of precept? Answer - Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her, - she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority.” - Doctrinal Catechism p. 174. New York: Edward Dunigan and Brothers, 1851.

Protestantism In Future

Now, having looked at what are the image and mark of the Papacy we can now better appreciate the way in which modern Protestantism has already started to fulfil the role of the “false prophet” highlighted in the prophecy, and the activities that they will yet carry out in the future.

According to the apostle John, the “false prophet,” also represented as the beast with lamb-like horns will cause “the earth and them which dwell therein to worship” the Papacy, “the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” He will also create a church/state union which is a replica (image) of the Papacy. This church/state union will demand reverence from the world such that it will “cause that as many as would not worship” this image of the Papacy “should be killed”. Also, it “causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive the mark of the Papacy (that is, reverence for Sunday) and “that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” All this activity will be accompanied by “miracles” and “great wonders” by which the world will be deceived and coerced into submission. Rev. 13:11-17.

Thus, in reality, the Protestant churches which have imbibed the errors of Roman Catholicism and are justly classified as daughters of Babylon will influence state authority to enforce by law Sunday observance which is the mark of the Papacy. This act, in itself creates a union of church and state which constitutes an image of the Papacy. This activity will be carried out worldwide and will be rigorously enforced by means of economic sanctions and eventually by death penalty.

Right On Target

The Protestant churches which are now protestant in name only, are fulfilling the details of the prophecy with amazing exactness. A number of recent news articles have demonstrated this most vividly. Consider a few of the statements made in recent times by leading Protestant personalities, as reported in news papers and periodicals:

“Anglican leader Robert Runcie appealed to the world’s Christians... to accept the pope as a leader “presiding in love” over different churches...

“For the universal church I renew the plea... could not all Christians come to reconsider the kind of primacy the bishop of Rome (pope) exercised within the early church, a ‘presiding in love’ for the sake of the unity of the churches in the diversity of their mission?” asked Runcie. - The Sunday Gleaner, October 1, 1989.’

Robert Runcie who was archbishop of Canterbury when he made the above call was spiritual leader of the Church of England and leader of the world’s seventy (70) million Anglicans. Similar sentiments have also been echoed by Dr. Robert Schuller, one of America’s leading Protestant televangelists. His words were as follows:

“It’s time for Protestants to go to the shepherd (the pope) and say ‘what do we have to do to come home?’” - Dr. Robert Schuller, Los Angeles Herald Examiner, September 19, 1987.

Such statements as are quoted above are not isolated cases, but reflect a general tendency that is being followed by most Protestant churches, to desire closer links with the Papacy on terms that concede primacy to the Papacy.

Legislated Observance Of Sunday

As to the matter of seeking legislative enactment of Sunday observance, consider the words of one Evangelical spokesman:

“....This issue is being brought to your attention this third time, not for the sake of controversy, but because, as a nation, we are suffering in every way economically and otherwise, for failure to establish and enforce observance by all people, including the strangers in our midst, of a Sabbath Day, holy unto the Lord. It is not the duty of any particular group of people, it is not the duty of any church, it is the duty of the government of His people to thus proclaim a day as the Sabbath to be uniformly observed through the length and ‘breadth of our land. Our forefathers did this by government enactment and God blessed and prospered their undertakings.

They were not troubled by opposition to the day, for all were aware that Sunday, the Lord’s day, was number seven, following six days of labour...

... We hold that the Sabbatarians are definitely responsible for contributing to the increased desecration of this national appointed Sabbath Day.” - SPECIAL ALERT - number 29, May 1982, Destiny Editorial Letter Service, Howard B. Rand, L.L.B.~, Editor.

“... While the penalty of death for Sabbath violation was written in the instruction given to Moses, there is also, and I believe for the Christian era, another type of punishment to be imposed for the desecration of the Lord’s Day. In the first place, the Lord emphasized the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy by making its observance a part of the everlasting covenant throughout all generations. Following the pronouncement of the sentence of death, it also stated that the soul that desecrates the Sabbath “shall be cut off from among the people” (Ex. 31:14). Ferrar Fenton renders this “shall be excommunicated from the community of his people.” To be excommunicated is to be deprived of all rights, with exclusion from fellowship with a special group of whom one might have been a member. - SPECIAL ALERT . - number 33, September 1982, Destiny Editorial Letter Service, Howard B. Rand, L.L.B., Editor.

According to the above release, it is the duty of the state to enforce Sunday observance. Failure to do so has resulted in the nation suffering economically and otherwise, and this continued desecration of Sunday is to be blamed on the Sabbatarians (those who observe the seventh day Sabbath). The penalty for desecrating Sunday should be excommunication which involves deprivation of all rights.

Enforced Religion

Can you imagine, dear reader, that it is actually proposed that the state should begin to legislate religion? That which wholly and solely involves personal conviction by way of reverence for God should become a matter of simply outward exhibition and external conformity regardless of whether or not one even believes in God? The state should now leave its legitimate sphere ‘of governing civil conduct to govern conscience with respect to God. As absurd as it sounds, it has occurred in the past, the Bible predicts that it will yet happen in the future and it is even being proposed by leading religious personalities for implementation at present.

The case cited above is not an isolated situation. Similar calls have been echoed from other quarters by other religious dignitaries. Consider even the following appeal from Mr. Cleve Grant, a leading clergyman of the Church Of God in Jamaica, as reported in The Daily Gleaner:

“The increasing inroads into the observance of Sunday - The Lord’s Day - has received strong condemnation from the Revd. Mr. Cleve Grant of the Church of God.

Sunday’s desecration, he said, was just another sign of the moral and spiritual devaluation which was accompanying the financial devaluation.

... He called on the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce to stop and think again about the new business-as-usual on Sundays.

... He said the churches in England had been alert and had urged and got the British Parliament to vote to keep Sunday “special” which was the theme of their campaign.

“We do need to keep a ‘Sunday Special’ campaign in Jamaica the Revd. Mr. Grant said.” - The Daily Gleaner, Thursday, February 8, 1990

The fact is that a well orchestrated move is afoot, masterminded by the Devil, and calculated to bring the entire world under his dominion. This plan as indicated by the apostle John, will see the enforcement of Sunday observance by law and the dictates of a religious alliance being enforced by state authority. The Roman Papacy will once again bear sway as it did in medieval times.

Major Obstacle

However, there will be one major obstacle to the smooth implementation of this New World Order. It is, that God’s commandment keeping people will not honour the Papacy by desecrating the seventh day Sabbath, nor will they allow any human instrumentality, be it legislative enactment or otherwise to prevent them from offering to God the kind of service and honor that they are conscientiously convicted is required by God, in accordance with the Holy Scriptures. This fact is alluded to by the apostle John in the following words:

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8.

All the world will wonder after the beast (the Papacy) when it has recovered and has been brought back to its former power. It will be worshipped by  those “whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Of course, this power tolerates no resistance. It will not co-exist with anything that acts indifferently to its authority. Likewise, that church/state union, the image of the Papacy that will be established by the backslidden Protestant churches will bear the same characteristics as the Papacy. It will lead the world to honor the Papacy and receive the mark of the Papacy, Sunday observance, and neither will it tolerate any resistance. Hence, the apostle John says:

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Rev. 13: 15-17.

But equally resolute are the people of God, in obedience to the command of God. They will obey God comes what may. In the Scriptures, the sternest warning ever issued by God is against conformity and complicity with this worldwide rebellion and apostasy. God’s warning which will be fully heeded by His people is as follows:

“If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” Rev. 14:9,10.

Leave The Cities

For God’s people to survive in this time of trouble (during the Mark of the Beast crisis), not being able to buy or sell, they must be able to lead a life that is to a large extent independent of the systems of this world. This will require a predominantly agrarian lifestyle similar to that of the ancient Biblical patriarchs.

The people of God will need to leave the cities and relocate to the rural areas where they will be able to produce their own food and where they will not be bound by the externally imposed constraints of time and circumstances.

For many individuals, life in the city has imposed on them constraints that encourage an attitude of self-seeking, materialism, self-indulgence and callousness (as in the days of Sodom). Country living on the other hand brings one closer to the Edenic type of life which God in His Divine wisdom had originally given to mankind while yet untainted by sin. Country living is more conducive to the development of Christ-like graces and offers better opportunities for healthy living.

Even though ones survival in the time of crisis will rest wholly on the mercies of God, there is a need for God’s people to make adequate preparation within the bounds of Divine mercy. Indeed, many of the temptations to which God’s people are subjected and many of the sins which they routinely commit (albeit unwittingly in many cases) are directly related to the framework and circumstances in which they choose to lead their lives. The television, the hustle and bustle and money-making activities that account for so much of ones time each day has created a false impression of what constitutes a successful and fulfilled life. Like Moses, many of God’s people will need to leave Egypt and go into the land of Midian where they will unlearn and be taught by God a new philosophy of life.

The Sabbath In Honor Of The Creator

In this “Mark of the Beast” crisis the issue will be the matter of worship, which will divide the human family into two (2) groups:

Those that worship the beast and his image by honoring Sunday, the mark of Papal authority, and those that worship God, the Creator, by keeping the seventh-day Sabbath Holy. In order to appreciate the significance of this conflict which, externally, seem to revolve around two days, one needs to consider what the seventh day Sabbath represents: and on the contrary, what Sunday represents. The issues are very aptly set forth in the following words of Ellen G. White:

“The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the Creator and that to Him all other beings owe their existence. And wherever in the Bible, His claim to reverence and worship, above the gods of the heathen, is presented, there is cited the evidence of His creative power. “All the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heaven’s.” Psalm 96:5. “To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things.” “Thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it: I am the Lord; and there is none else.” Isaiah 40:25,26; 45:18 ... And the holy beings who worship God in heaven state, as the reason why their homage is due to Him: “Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things.” Rev. 4:11

“The importance of the Sabbath as the memorial of creation is that it keeps ever present the true reason why worship is due to God” - because He is the Creator, and we are His creatures. “The Sabbath therefore lies at the very foundation of divine worship, for it teaches this great truth in the most impressive manner, and no other institution does this. The true ground of divine worship, not of that on the seventh day merely, but of all worship, is found in the distinction between the Creator and His creatures. This great fact can never become obsolete, and must never be forgotten.” - J.N. Andrews, History of the Sabbath chapter 27. It was to keep this truth ever before the minds of men, that God instituted the Sabbath in Eden; and so long as the fact that He is our Creator continues to be a reason why we should worship Him, so long the Sabbath will continue as its sign and memorial. Had the Sabbath been universally kept, man’s thoughts and affections would have been led to the Creator as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, and atheist, or an infidel. The keeping of the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to the true God. “Him that made heaven, and earth and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” - Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 436-438.

Consider the words of the Sabbath commandment which is the fourth of the decalogue, noting the reason given for the Sabbath:

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shall not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” - Ex. 20:8-11.

Test Of Loyalty

The Sabbath was given as a perpetual reminder to the human family that the earth, the heavens and all that is in them, ourselves humans included, were all created by God. As a result, our entire existence has its beginning and end in God and we therefore owe Him our allegiance. Sabbath observance is about spending quality time with God for our own benefit, and hence, the Sabbath is also directly related to God’s people being made holy, or sanctified. Hence, the following words of Scripture:

“Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.” Eze. 20:12.

“And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.” Eze. 20:20.

Because of what the Sabbath represents and was intended for, the act of the Papacy in diverting the attention of human beings from the seventh day Sabbath to Sunday, which it claims represents its authority to change divine laws is tantamount to exalting itself above God. As a result, anyone who disregards the seventh day Sabbath and honours Sunday, the mark of the Papacy, is actually conceding to the Papacy superiority above God, the Creator. Hence, the issue is not simply a matter of days, but rather, a matter of worship and allegiance; whether one will worship the true God who created the heavens and the earth, or he/she will worship another god. This idea is also quite aptly expressed in the following words of Ellen G. White:

“The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false Sabbath in compliance with the law of .the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God’s law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class; by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other, choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God.” - Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 605.

Battle Of Armageddon

As outlined, the papacy, spiritualism and apostate Protestantism will join hands to influence the kings of the earth and the whole world to establish an order of world government that stands in direct rebellion against God, and will try to force the people of God to submit to it. This conflict will constitute “the battle of that great day of God Almighty”, also known as the battle of Armageddon. The Scriptures describe it thus:

“And 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. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Rev. 16:13,14.16.

“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse) and against his army.” Rev. 19:19.

“Him that sat on the horse” is identified as riding out of heaven and “hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (see Rev. 19:11,13,14,16), clearly a representation of Christ.

Ecumenism And New World Order

Already, through the ecumenical movement the churches are joining hands, emphasizing such points of doctrine as are held by them in common. If the prophecies of Revelation are to believed, of which, we have abundant evidence that they have been accurate thus far, the next step will be to influence the various governments to legislate Sunday observance.

This new scheme which is soon to be implemented is the essence of the New World Order which has been so frequently mentioned by leading world officials in recent times. Consider, for example, the following statement by George Bush who was then President of the United States of America) proposing the establishment of a New World Order:

“It is a big idea: a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn; together in common cause... only the United States has both the moral standing and the means to back it up.” - President George Bush, in his State of the Union address, Los Angeles Times, February 181991.

In the above statement by President Bush is proposed a coming-together of the nations in a manner that directly fits the prophetic description of the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together.” Rev. 19:19.

Concepts of this New World Order are also being contemplated at the highest level of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, as indicated by the words of former Jesuit, eminent theologian and professor at the Vatican’s Pontifical Gregorian Institute, Malachi Martin. In his book, The Keys Of This Blood, Martin indicates that there are three powers that are contending for rulership of the New World Order. These are, Mikhail Gorbachev, the Capitalist West and Pope John Paul II, of which Pope John Paul II plans to win. The nature of the New World Order, as envisaged by the Vatican, is described by Martin as follows:

“Willing or not, ready or not, we are all involved

The competition is about who will establish the first one-world system of government that has ever existed in the society of nations. It is about who will hold and wield the dual power of authority and control over each of us as individuals and over all of us together as a community....

“Our way of life as individuals and as citizens of the nations; our families and our jobs; our trade and commerce and money; our educational systems and our religions and our cultures; even the badges of our national identity, which most of us have always taken for granted - all will have been powerfully and radically altered forever. No one can be exempted from its effects. No sector of our lives will remain untouched.” -  Malachi Martin, The Keys Of This Blood, page 15; copyright 1990.

It is interesting that the concept of this New World Order is espoused by representatives of the very powers (the false prophet and the beast) that the Bible indicates will join hands with the dragon (Satan) in leading the world to fight against Christ and His people.

The concept of a New World Order is not new to the United States of America because, even on one side of the American one dollar note where there is pictured a pyramid with a glowing eye at the apex, there is written the words “Novus Ordo Seclorum” which is translated “New World Order.”

When the Roman Catholic hierarchy (the beast) consolidates its alliance with apostate Protestantism (the false prophet), then, according to the Holy Scriptures, Satan himself (the dragon) will also be a part of that alliance and they will influence the political powers (the kings) of the world to gather together. Quite differently from the popular view that is held, they will not be gathering to fight against each other. Instead, they will be gathering to fight against Christ and His people.

The result of this gathering-together will be the imposition of the Mark of The Beast, which is a worldwide decree that Sunday sacredness be upheld and the Sabbath of the Lord be trampled upon under pain of economic sanctions and eventually death. This will lead to the climactic battle of that great day of God Almighty”, commonly called the battle of Armageddon.

The amazing development of ecumenical unity that is now bringing the various religious groups together has been commented on by religion commentator Eron Henry as follows:

“The Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches has been instrumental in bringing churches into closer dialogue with each other, not only to overcome divisions and differences, but to create opportunities where the different churches can learn from each other and draw on each other’s experiences.

A remarkable thing has happened where old enemies like the Roman Catholic Church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church have participated in joint conferences and fora, such as that held by the Jamaica Council of Churches on May 21, 1991 in Kingston. - Eron Henry, The Sunday Gleaner, May 24, 1992, article “Church Government.”

Sabbath - Bulwark Against Deception

One of the few Protestant denominations that have not completely joined the ranks of the Babylonish confederation, even though it has imbibed some of the Babylonish philosophy of hierarchism, centralization and ecumenical unity is the Seventh-Day Adventist. The only thing that is restraining it from complete absorption into the confederation is the seventh day Sabbath which it still holds on to.

The Sabbath is a bulwark against deception and is the single most significant factor that inhibits unity and assimilation with Roman Catholicism. The seventh day Sabbath represents the very opposite of what the Papacy stands for, while Sunday observance represents the very essence of all that the Papacy claims for itself.

In keeping with the principle of God bringing back to light truth which had been trodden under foot, it must be asserted that there is Scriptural validity in the experience which started with William Miller in America in the mid 19th century. This experience which began with renewed interest in the second coming of Christ, gave rise to a more widespread understanding of the Sabbath truth and a deeper appreciation of Christ’s high priestly and heavenly ministry.

It should be clearly understood however, that the Seventh-Day Adventist Church organizational system as it exists today, which purports to be the continuation of that experience, does not capture or reflect the spirit that marked that period of awakening. Nevertheless, it does capture some of the main points of truth that came to light during that period, which consequently gave rise to the awakening experience.

Therefore, expediency and prudence is required in the way one relates to Seventh-day Adventism as a principle. One needs to be cognizant of the truth that is contained in the Bible as reflected in many of their teachings, while at the same time not allowing oneself to be caught up in the Sanhedrin-like dogmatism and the Babylonish ecclesiasticism, whereby one’s spiritual experience becomes linked with church membership, the holding of church office and the subjection of ones conscience to the dictates of a human hierarchy.

Any day that the Seventh-Day Adventist and other Sabbath-keeping church groups relinquish their observance of the seventh day Sabbath (which, may God avert), then one can be sure that they would have fully enlisted as daughters of Babylon that make up the Babylonish confederation.

Babylonish Confederation Defeated

Despite the mighty confederation of human beings and evil spirits that will be marshalled against Christ and His people at “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (also called the battle of Armageddon), they will all be overthrown. The Scriptures portray Christ’s victory as follows:

“And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and be cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” Rev. 19:17-21.

This onslaught which takes place at the second coming of Christ is also described by the apostle Paul in his brief warning to the Thessalonian believers about the “mystery of iniquity” which had already started to work in his day. He describes it thus:

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” 2 Thess. 2:7,8.

The apostle Paul also explains that this destruction will include all the ungodly:

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thess. 1:7-10.

Come Out Of Her, My People

All this will not take place however, without a warning. God loves us so much that, not only has He sent His only begotten Son to die in order that He might redeem us from the power of Satan, but He also gives ample warning of this master scheme of deception that will sweep the world, so that none might be deceived.

The apostle John was shown a warning message going out to the entire world before the visitation of God’s unmingled wrath against the entire scheme of rebellion against Him. The message is pictured as being given by an angel. John describes it thus:

“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage, of every unclean and hateful bird.For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have, committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.And I heard ‘another voice from’ heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be’ not partakers of her sins,’ and ‘that ye receive not of her plagues.For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Rev. 18:1-5.

A message that is powerful and unambiguous will be carried throughout the entire world, calling’ God’s people out of this Babylonish confederation which is spearheaded by the Papacy, spiritualism and apostate Protestantism.’ Individuals can share responsibility for the sins” of’ this satanic conglomerate by supporting any of the tributary systems that contribute to the continued existence of the confederation. “This includes all churches that take part in the ecumenical movement and which will, join forces and lend their “weight to the enforcement by civil authorities of Sunday observance, whether they do so actively or passively. Support can be given in many different ways, such as donating money to these systems, inviting others to join the membership or simply being.. oneself a member of one of these church groups.

The message from God is “Come ‘out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye” receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:5. These fallen counterfeit systems which present themselves as God’s church will either be assimilated into the Babylonish confederation or be completely dismantled by the conglomerate, having forfeited Divine protection by their courting the favour of Babylon.

Stand Fast In The Liberty

‘God’s true followers, The True Church which is a spiritual entity and not one that is physically determined will stand in full liberty of conscience in Christ. In their minds they will not be fettered or held in bondage by either perceived or imposed obligation to be guided by tradition, man-made theories or church structure.

The gospel of Christ is a message of’ liberty. The Lord Himself declared:

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

When Jesus stood in the synagogue and declared His mission He said:

“The Spirit of ,the Lord ‘is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Luke 4:18.,

The apostle Paul also echoed the sentiments of mental freedom in the following words to the Galatians:

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” Gal. 5:1.

Dangerous Error

There is hardly another single error that has been propagated among professed Christian people that has been responsible for as many people going to their graves without the hope of salvation as that particular error of each of these man-made structures claiming to be The Church of God. Not only does ,it serve to hide from the world the truth’ of what God’s Church really is, but it also enslaves the conscience of’ human beings and creates a barrier to their responding to truth when it is brought to them.

This error is particularly dangerous because it robs human beings of one of the greatest gifts that God has, given to us, namely the freedom to think and choose. This makes it virtually impossible for God, to reach many, probably most of His people. God so desires that this gift be kept by mankind and used responsibly that He even took the risk of human beings rebelling against’ Him, by giving it from the ‘very beginning, through which man was even able to choose to sin. Had mankind not been given that gift, they could not have sinned and rebelled against God. But God was willing to take the risk, because outside of mankind having that gift, they could not in reality be free moral agents and offer to God the genuine kind of honor and reverence that God deserves and truly enjoys.

However, the Devil has been instrumental in causing human beings to set in place, systems and propagate errors that, rob individuals of that gift. An individual who is captivated and held in bondage by these error’s, thinking that this or that or one or another of these systems is The True Church closes his mind against anything that comes to him as truth once it does, not come through the particular system that he has come to believe is The True Church. Whatever he accepts has to be first endorsed, authorized or, sanctioned by that system, otherwise it will not be accepted at all.

This is the very same kind of situation that existed when Jesus came to this world as a babe. Men had set up their own system, and not even Jesus Christ Himself who is the Son of God could be such unless these individuals who had set themselves up as, the authority endorsed His Messiahship.

No Other Gods’ Before Me

So, it would seem that Christ dwelling in the heart of each individual is not competent enough to offer to that individual all the guidance that He has promised him; to lead him into all truth and to direct him, so, men must set up some system to take that place, to do for each individual what Christ should be doing and has offered to do. In short, that thing stands in the place of Christ; that thing is an idol.

When Christ guides an individual in a particular direction, that individual has first to consult with that idol to seek endorsement or authorization. If that endorsement or authorization is not given, then Christ has to wait. He is thus unable, for that individual to finish the work that He has begun in his life, because Christ does not occupy first place in that person’s life, even although the person deeply thinks that Christ is occupying that first place.

Dear reader, the question now faces you: How are you guided in matters of faith? What is your standard? Is it the Word of God, as you understand it, based on your personal study of it, or is it something else? If it is anything else, be it the word of your spouse, parents, church group, Pastor, Priest or whatever, then, be assured that you have an idol standing between you and God.

Accountable To God 0nly

Every individual will give an account to God of his own self. No one can give an account for you. So, do remember this: in matters of faith you are accountable to God and God alone.

For those who insist on regulating’ and directing the faith of others, you are invited to consider these words of the apostle Paul:

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.”’ Rom. 14:4.

True it is, the Holy Spirit might use you to bring to a person’s attention, truth that he had no knowledge of previously. This, the person will consider and weigh for himself, comparing with other Scripture in order to ascertain its validity. But as to you or anyone else being an authority whose judgement that person is under divine obligation to accept in matters of faith, it is wholly a principle that is of the “mystery of iniquity?” and runs contrary to Scripture.

Even though The apostle Paul was specially called by God, a fact which he asserted and defended in his various epistles, the believers were not expected simply to accept what he said on the basis that he was the one who said it. Consider the following Biblical statement about the Bereans:

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11.

The Bereans were commended for searching the Scriptures to ascertain whether the things told to them by the apostle Paul were in harmony with what was already recorded in Scripture. How much more should the same principle apply today.

Learn From Christ

Many individuals defer to another person their God-given right and privilege to study the Scriptures for themselves and learn from Christ. It is often felt that one who has done more extensive academic studies in religion should possess a deeper understanding of Scripture and should be better able to rightly divide the Word of Truth. However, this idea is not in accordance with the principles outlined in Scripture in terms of a knowledge of God and a knowledge of matters pertaining to the kingdom of God, the starting point is not a Ph.D. degree but rather, having Christ in One’s life. Like Nicodemus, “ye must be born again.” John 3:7.

Academic training without the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit in One’s life will lead One to be, like the Greeks of Paul’s day, too “wise” to understand the “foolishness” of the gospel (see 1 Cor. 1:17-25). Such are fitly described as “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim. 3:7.

Once a person loves righteousness, hates sin and has the Holy Spirit in His life he can be taught by Christ. One needs only to sit at the feet of Him “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col.  2:3) and one will obtain a knowledge of the mysteries of God’s kingdom, even if one is unlearned like Peter was when he first came in contact with Jesus.

Many individuals bypass Christ and seek to be taught by the “learned” doctors of the Sanhedrin, but one who starts to build on a faulty foundation can at best obtain an imperfect building. Hence, the student rises no higher than the level of his teacher, who himself is deficient in a knowledge of the truth.