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The Traverse City Seventh-day Adventist Church 2055 Four Mile Road North Traverse City, MI 49686 (Corner of Hammond & Four Mile Roads) |
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January 19, 2008 - Worship Service
Religious Liberty – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Sermon at TC Chuch – Jan 19, 2008
Scripture Reading - Rev 13:11 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. Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, Rev 13:14 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. Rev 13:15 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. Rev 13:16 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: Rev 13:17 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 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
I. Intro Let’s open with prayer for Holy Spirit’s Guidance. I’m going to ask the ushers to pass out some study guides to help you follow along and take notes as we study together today.
The Sermon today is entitled, Religious Liberty – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. We are told that We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history. {LS 196.2}
So let’s take a look at how God has led in the past. Rev 13:11 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.
This is the second beast of Rev. 13. and appears about the time that the first beast, papal Rome, is mortally wounded. Beasts in Revelation represent world powers. What world power was just coming on the stage at the end of the 1700’s? ---- Why the U.S. The two horns like a lamb represent the republican government in which church and state were separate. God had his hand in the rise to world prominence that the United States of America subsequently experienced, and religious liberty was an issue very early on.
Roger Williams was respected and beloved as a faithful minister. He was a man of rare gifts, of unbending integrity and true benevolence It was his steadfast denial of the right of civil magistrates to authority over the church, and his demand for religious liberty, that could not be tolerated. He was sentenced to banishment from the colonies, and, finally, to avoid arrest, he was forced to flee, amid the cold and storms of winter, into the unbroken forest. {GC 294.2} This was about 1635. "For fourteen weeks," he was sorely tossed in a bitter season - But "the ravens fed him in the wilderness," and a hollow tree often served him for a shelter.--Martyn, vol. 5, pp. 349, 350. Finally he found refuge with an Indian tribe whose confidence and affection he had won while endeavoring to teach them the truths of the gospel. {GC 294.3} Making his way at last, after months of change and wandering, to the shores of Narragansett Bay, he there laid the foundation of the first state of modern times that in the fullest sense recognized the right of religious freedom. The fundamental principle of Roger Williams's colony was "that every man should have liberty to worship God according to the light of his own conscience."--Ibid., vol. 5, p. 354.
His little state, Rhode Island, became the asylum of the oppressed, and it increased and prospered until its foundation principles--civil and religious liberty--became the cornerstones of the American Republic. {GC 295.1} This cornerstone was reflected in the Bill of Rights in which we find 10 Amendments to the Constitution First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
As Patrick Henry said – “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”
This unique arrangement, unique among world powers in any case, has provided the safe place that God needed to grow his remnant church, the Seventh-day Adventist church. In this country we have enjoyed such religious freedom that it has enabled us to have a strong base from which to carry this gospel of the kingdom to every corner of the globe over the last 100 years.
Going back to Revelation 13, let’s start with verse 12. READ Here we see a startling development – instead of a historical separation of church and state, the state is now in the position of causing – this means legislating – worship. A huge change happens between verses 11 and 12. Is our government today legislating how we should worship? Not really. So historically speaking that put’s us right between these two verses, can you agree? Rev. 1:1 – Tells us that God have us this book of the Bible “to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; You see, we don’t know the future, but God does. And God wants us to know about the things which must shortly come to pass. He doesn’t want us to be caught unprepared.
Did you know that as a country, we were actually moving right into verse Rev. 13:12 back in the late 1800’s? There was a strong movement in favor of legislating Sunday observance and some states actually did go that far.
LAWS CALLING FOR SUNDAY OBSERVANCE IN CERTAIN OF THE SOUTHERN STATES WERE ENFORCED, AND ADVENTISTS WERE ARRESTED, IMPRISONED, AND FORCED TO LABOR IN CHAIN GANGS FOR NOT OBSERVING THESE LAWS. . .
It was at this time that the prophet of the Lord wrote strongly about the condition of God’s people and that the Lord was wanting to see His people prepared for the final crisis – she also wrote that if much prayer was offered it might be that the winds would be held back a little while longer that the work of God might forth to the world and His people be prepared. We can see that indeed, the Lord held back the winds of strife and did not come then, as He might of, had His people been ready.
God loves us and does not want us to be ignorant of what is coming. 1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
In contrast:
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
So let’s take a look at where we are today and where we can expect to go in the future in the area of religious liberty.
Over the last decade or so, we have seen a gradual erosion of many of the protections to religious liberty that we have enjoyed in the past. This trend has accelerated since 9-11 and increasingly we are seeing issues related to religious liberty in current events.
It’s not the impingement of our rights to worship that we are seeing yet in this country, but rather a loss of the protections to that freedom that are paving the way for greater changes in the future.
Just last week I heard the head of our Religious Liberty Dept., Mr. Steed, speaking of the impact of the Patriot Act in the removal of many protections we took for granted before. One worrisome aspect he saw was the lack of any clear definition of the term “terrorist”. It appears that the government can assign that label to anyone they perceive as creating a threat. Anyone with that label, will find their Constitutional rights as U.S. citizens are stripped away.
The highest court of appeal in the land, the Supreme Court, now has 5 of the 9 members, a clear majority, that are members of the Catholic church. The Catholic church has made it very clear that it expects it’s members in legislative positions to place allegiance to the church above any other civil obligations. Although not all legislators have followed that mandate, it has been observed that these 5 justices do tend to vote as a bloc.
Because of the growth of labor unions, there are many union jobs in which there is no legal recourse for those who wish to have Sabbath accommodations.
Today, Jan. 19, there is actually playing out a religious liberty issue in Nevada, where 5,000 SDAs have been disenfranchised from participating in the state caucuses, because they were scheduled on Sabbath and no accommodation has been made for those who could not, for religious reasons, participate in such today. The Dept. of Religious Liberty has lodged a formal complaint about this situation.
Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: In other words, these are signposts that help us know where we are in seasons of history.
Let’s look at the kinds of signposts that have been revealed to us through inspiration. It’s important to notice that these events are not just single points on some kind of timeline, but rather a process in which we see a variety of factors increasing in intensity simultaneously which will be reflected by an increase in the intensity and level of legislation related to worship. These will converge and ultimately result in global legislation relative to worship.
What’s exciting is to see how God will be working on behalf of His people during this very same time. When we look at His plans and His promises we can see how to face this crisis with peace and joy instead of fear or panic.
Some of the factors that will be increasing in number and intensity are the following:
It is also part of his strategy to bring about the union of those global political and religious powers which he plans to use to bring the whole world to it’s knees to worship him through His representatives. These factors build on one another-
But even in these terrible things we are to see the hand of God of work –
As these factors increase in intensity, - It will be stated that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday Sabbath, and those who refuse this reasoning are accused of preventing the restoration of divine favor and temporal prosperity.
When the
nation for which God has worked in such a marvelous manner, . . . abandons
Protestant principles, and through its legislature gives countenance and support
to Romanism in limiting religious liberty, then God will work in His own power
for His people who are true. The tyranny of
Rome
will be exercised, but Christ is our refuge.--Letter 61, 1895, pp. 11, 12. (To
O. A. Olsen, February 2, 1895.) Notice how the penalties for 7th day Sabbath-keepers will increase in seriousness:
But they will stand firm with a “Thus saith the Lord”.
Parallel to these Satan-inspired movements God is working for His children. As this issue is agitated, God’s people will preach the 3rd angel’s message with a strength it has never had. Thousands will hear the truth and ask their ministers, “Is this true”? The ministers will attempt to soothe them but many will not be satisfied with the authority of mere men and will demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord”. The popular ministry will be filled with anger as their authority is questioned, and will denounce the message as of Satan.
Rulers and legislators will yield to popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance.
Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be 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 will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. {Mar 187.5}
The clergy will put forth superhuman effort to suppress discussion of the Sabbath issue and will eventually appeal to the strong arm of civil power and here the papists and Protestants will unite. This union will not, however, be effected by a change in Catholicism; for Rome never changes. . . . It is Protestantism that will change. . . . Now many Protestants find it difficult to prove their doctrines from the Bible, and yet they have not the moral courage to accept the truth which involves a cross; therefore they are fast coming to the ground of Catholics, and, using the best arguments they have to evade the truth, cite the testimony of the Fathers, and the customs and precepts of men. . . . {RH, June 1, 1886 par. 13}
These movements will result in a separation between those who choose obedience to God and those who do not. But look at the result of this separation – The two armies will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of the truth will come on the side of God's commandment-keeping people.
When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth. . . . . {3SM 397.4}
Our own land is to become a battlefield on which is to be carried on the struggle for religious liberty--to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience. Manuscript 30, 1889. {3SM 387.2} Some defenders of truth will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. If you think it’s impossible for that to happen here, Google “US concentration camps” The persecutions of Protestants by Romanism, by which the religion of Jesus Christ was almost annihilated, will be more than rivaled, when Protestantism and popery are combined. . . . {3SM 387.1} 2Ti 3:12 will be fulfilled - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. –
As things heat up, a large class that have professed belief in the 3rd angels’ message will abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. All who will not bow to the decree of the national councils, and obey the national laws to exalt the Sabbath instituted by the man of sin to the disregard of God's holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the image of the beast. . . . The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain. . . . {3SM 385.2,3}
Here we see that in this sequence of events that Satan would like to see result in the destruction of God’s true children, they will instead result in being the instrument through which God will purify His church and continue to prepare His children to give the loud cry under the power of the latter rain. At the same time, as this message is being preached with great force, . . .There are many souls to come out of the ranks of the world, out of the churches--even the Catholic church--whose zeal will far exceed that of those who have stood in rank and file to proclaim the truth heretofore. They will come to the front, gird themselves with the whole armor of God, and exalt His law, adhere to the faith of Jesus, and maintain the cause of religious liberty . . .{16MR 238.2}
During this time the latter rain will be poured out in fullnes. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, signs and wonders will follow the believers.
The more nearly we approach the closing scenes of this earth's history, the more pronounced will be the work of Satan. Every species of deception will take the lead to divert the mind from God through Satan's devices.--Letter 23c, 1894. {3SM 387.4}
Dignataries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. Babylon will make all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Every nation will be involved. {3SM 392.1}
The final movements will be rapid ones -
IV. How to prepare Knowing Satan’s strategy for deceiving the whole world and how he will work makes it much easier to see and understand how it is that we can be prepared for the soon-coming crisis and face it with assurance, peace, and the knowledge that our precious Lord will see us through. There are many who are at ease, who are, as it were, asleep. They say, "If prophecy has foretold the enforcement of Sunday observance, the law will surely be enacted;" and having come to this conclusion, they sit down in calm expectation of the event, comforting themselves with the thought that God will protect his people in the day of trouble. But God will not save us if we make no effort to do the work he has committed to our charge. We must be found faithfully guarding the outposts, watching as vigilant soldiers, lest Satan shall gain an advantage which it is our duty to prevent. {RH, December 24, 1889 par. 3}
We have specific instruction on how to to prevent Satan from gaining the advantage. We also have counsel on how to make the hard times easier in some ways.
We need to make at least 4 kinds of preparation:
Spiritual Preparation is first priority and is essential. Without this preparation, the educational, physical and financial will not mean a thing. We urge you to consider this danger: That which we have most to fear is nominal Christianity. We have many who profess the truth who will be overcome because they are not acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ. They cannot distinguish His voice from that of a stranger. There is to be no dread of anyone being borne down even in a widespread apostasy, who has a living experience{3SM 399.3
As I was studying this subject, I found that there was quite of list of things we should consider in preparing spiritually and developing this living experience. I will summarize them here and any of you want the many quotes and verses that go with them, please see me and I will be glad to get those to you.
GC 593 In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.
They must be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and be so fortified by the truth, that the delusions of Satan shall not be accepted by them as genuine manifestations of the power of God. {RH, December 24, 1889 par. 9} God will be honored among His people. They must be pure, they must be divested of self, steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. . . . {3SM 385.1}
God's word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A "Thus saith the Lord" is not to be set aside for a "Thus saith the church" or a "Thus saith the state." The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates. {CC 329.5}
Educational Preparation We need to educate ourselves God wants a people that will sound the warning, that none be left in ignorance. Satan is doing everything possible to block light from coming to God’s people – he wants them ignorant of what is coming . . .All should be prepared to hear the signal trumpet of the watchman, and be ready to pass the word along the walls of Zion, that the people may prepare themselves for the conflict. . . . There is a work to be done for this time in fitting a people to stand in the day of trouble, and all must act their part in this work. {RH, December 24, 1889 par. 9}They must be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and be so fortified by the truth, that the delusions of Satan shall not be accepted by them as genuine manifestations of the power of God. {RH, December 24, 1889 par. 9}
I found this warning which gave me careful pause - As faithful watchmen, you should see the sword coming, and give the warning, that men and women may not pursue a course through ignorance that they would avoid if they knew the truth. The Lord has enlightened us in regard to what is coming upon the earth, that we may enlighten others, and we shall not be held guiltless if we are content to sit at ease, with folded hands, and quibble over matters of minor importance. The minds of many have been engrossed with contentions, and they have rejected the light given through the Testimonies, because it did not agree with their own opinions. {RH, December 24, 1889 par. 6}
We must educate thought leaders and legislators in our country- I can speak in the fear of God, it is right we should use every power we can to avert pressure that is being brought to bear upon our people. . . . {3SM 384.1} The message must go broadcast, that those who have been imperceptibly tampering with popery, not knowing what they were doing, may hear. They are fraternizing with popery by compromises and by concessions which surprise the adherents of the papacy. . . . {3SM 386.1} Our work is not to make a raid on the Government but to prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. The fewer attacks we make on authorities and powers, the more work will we do for God. . . . {Ev 173.1}
This is where the Liberty campaign comes in. It is time for God's people to work as never before, because of the increase of wickedness. The God-fearing, commandment-keeping people should be diligent, not only in prayer, but in action;. . . If they do nothing to disabuse the minds of the people, and through ignorance of the truth our legislatures should abjure the principles of Protestantism, and give countenance and support to the Roman fallacy, the spurious sabbath, God will hold his people who have had great light, responsible for their lack of diligence and faithfulness. . . . But God's people should work with persevering energy to let their light shine upon the people in regard to the law, and thus to withstand the enemies of God and his truth. {RH, December 24, 1889 par. 4,5} It is a solemn time for God's people, but if they stand close by the bleeding side of Jesus, He will be their defense. He will open ways that the message of light may come to the great men, to authors and lawmakers. They will have opportunities of which you do not now dream, and some of them will boldly advocate the claims of God's downtrodden law. . . . {3SM 389.2} Last November – Steve Wohlberg by invitation, spoke at a prayer breakfast at the Pentagon, to 100 of the top Pentagon officials. He describes it this way - “Then for the next 45 minutes I built my case, point by point, that the highly symbolic “beast” from the earth described in Revelation 13:11-17 indeed represents the United States. Near the end I spoke about the separation of government and religion, freedom of conscience, September 11, earth’s last crisis, and the final enforcement of the mark of the beast (see Revelation 13:16-17). I concluded with a strong appeal to follow the Lamb and reject the dragon’s voice.” He was interviewed for Maggie Pascual talk show (radio and TV) He was also privileged to speak at a Senate staff Bible study – personal testimony, 2nd coming, and spoke about the soon return of Jesus Christ, and then told the amazing story of a whole Muslim village who recently accepted Jesus Christ after everyone in the village received matching dreams about the 2nd coming.
Physical Preparation The time of economic boycott, when no one can buy or sell is not just a few days. How will you eat? From the EGW counsel we can conclude that it will be long enough for it to be important to have a place with enough land to grow your own food and to be doing that.
What about health care? We need to know how to stay healthy so you need medical care and how to treat illness simply and effectively. This is not only for our own benefit but for the benefit of our friends and neighbors. During this time the door will be open for us to reach the hearts of our neighbors through the use of medical missionary work.
Financial Preparation Economic Embargo – no buying or selling Important to get out of debt for the "The borrower is servant to the lender." {AH 391.10} Debt is one of Satan’s nets which he sets for souls We should endeavor to be in a position where can help our brethren with fewer resources. If it can be avoided, do not put yourselves into the power of men who are worked by the spirit of Antichrist. If the payment of a fine will deliver our brethren from the hands of these oppressors, let it be paid, rather than to be pressed and made to work on the Sabbath. Everything that we can do should be done that those who are willing to suffer for the truth's sake may be saved from oppression and cruelty. . . . {3SM 400.2}
One of the best ways to avoid losing savings and investments is to put our money into advancing the Lord’s work NOW, while we can – Kenya, India, Bolivia – Gates and $ transfers
RH, December 24, 1889 tells us - We have a choice to make. God does not force any man into his service. Every soul must decide for himself whether or not he will fall on the Rock and be broken. Heaven has been amazed to see the spiritual stupidity that has prevailed. . . .The transforming power of God must be upon you, that your minds may be renewed by the Holy Spirit, that you may have the mind that was in Christ.
It is right for us to ask ourselves, what must I do to stand true to God in the times before us? When we know in our hearts that we are withholding nothing from Christ, that we have surrendered our will and our selves to His expressed will, then we can claim the rich and powerful promises that will sustain, encourage, and empower us to face anything that Satan will throw at us in this coming crisis. We will know that Christ loves us, will not forsake us, and comes closest to us in the midst of trials.
Let Look at some of these precious promises 1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. The trial will not exceed the strength which shall be given us to bear it. {3SM 383.2} - You will not be tempted above what you are able to bear. Jesus bore all this and far more. . . . {3SM 397.4}
If Jesus be formed within, the hope of glory, the illiterate as well as the educated can bear the testimony of our faith, saying, "I know in whom I have believed." . . . these are not overborne by the apostasy, because they have the evidence in their own heart that they have the truth, and the most subtle reasoning and assaults of Satan cannot move them from their knowledge of the truth, . . .{3SM 399.3} Heb 13:5 . . . for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Our present peace must not be disturbed by anticipated trials, for God will never leave nor forsake one soul who trusts in Him. God is better unto us than our fears. . . . {3SM 383.3}
Those who love God and are willing to be partakers with Christ in His sufferings, God will honor. . .All who persevere in obedience, all who will not sell their souls for money or for the favor of men, God will register in the book of life.-- Manuscript 9, 1900. {3SM 402.1}
When the law of God has been made void, and apostasy becomes a national sin, the Lord will work in behalf of His people. Their extremity will be His opportunity{3SM 388.5}
I’d like to close with this thought from an address the prophet of the Lord gave on the subject of religious liberty: Brethren and sisters, the Lord wants to impart to us increased light. . . . "Be strong, yea, be strong." God help us to work unitedly and as we never have worked before, is my prayer. There is need now of faithful Calebs, whose voices will be heard in clear, ringing notes, saying of the immortal inheritance, "Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able." We need now the courage of God's faithful servant of old; not one wavering, uncertain note should come from the watchers' trumpets. They must be true to the sacred, solemn work that has been intrusted to them, and lead the flock of God in right pathways. Mrs. E. G. White. {RH, December 24, 1889 par. 13}
Our closing hymn speaks to us of the choices we must make that will decide our destiny. Hymn #606 Once to Every Man and Nation
1. Once to Every Man and Nation comes the moment to decide In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side
4. Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet ‘tis truth alone is strong; Though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong; Yet that scaffold sways the future, And behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, Keeping watch above His own.
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