How the Image to the Beast Evolves

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. Revelation 13:12.
In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends. . . .
The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. . . .
When Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshiping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome–“the mark of the beast.” And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive “the mark of the beast.”. . .
In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided into two great classes–those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond” (Revelation 13:16), to receive “the mark of the beast,” yet the people of God will not receive it. The prophet of Patmos beholds “them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God” and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2, 3.
Maranatha p. 169
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Prayer Requests
—–Please keep D in prayer. His thyroid tumor has tripled in size and his liver is greatly enlarged. He is having discomfort and doing fasting, and juicing with some raw. Pray the doctors will step in and do something, If it is God’s will. C
—–Please pray for the following evangelism events that are taking place in the near future: Diane
• Green Valley, AZv(Jan 31 – Feb 7) is having Revival meetings. Pastor Monte and group are conducting the meetings.
• Phoenix, AZ (January-February, 2015) It Is Written
—–I just want to thank all for all your prayers. Came through the surgery and only one night in the hospital. Still hurts a bit, but it’s healing fast! Thanks again everyone, again, and continue your prayers for Sandi G. and her liver transplant, and for Linda for healing in her eyes. Donna
—–Please pray that B gets the job he’s been recommended for. HL
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in Washington state, there was a public television program we enjoyed watching. People could write in any scientific (or not-so-scientific question) and they would try to answer it. On one such program, the question was about wolverines. This immediately caught my interest as the wolverine was my grandfather’s favorite animal. It is strong and tough and very vicious.
After giving facts about wolverines, Ira, the moderator of the program, introduced a man who had a pet wolverine. I was amazed! Here before our eyes was a friendly, and well-groomed wolverine. Its fur was clean and beautiful. The stripe on its shoulders and sides was a creamy white. It was very curious and excited and wanted to play. It wanted to explore its new surroundings. Its owner had a hard time keeping it under control because of its natural strength. This brought to my mind the text in James, “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” James 3:7-13
How much like a wolverine is our tongue. Even if we manage to “tame” it, it is still as unpredictable as was that wolverine on the TV show. How many times we say unwise words that get ourselves in trouble. How often our words are like sharp arrows that pierce the heart of those around us. Our Dear Saviour tells us, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matt 12:34-37 Fearful thought!
David asks, “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long” “My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee.” “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps. 15:1-3;37:30,31;71:23,24;141:3;119:171-175; 120:2;19:14
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” 1 Peter 3:8-12
Rose
How the Image to the Beast Evolves
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. Revelation 13:12.
In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends. . . .
The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. . . .
When Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshiping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome–“the mark of the beast.” And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive “the mark of the beast.”. . .
In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided into two great classes–those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond” (Revelation 13:16), to receive “the mark of the beast,” yet the people of God will not receive it. The prophet of Patmos beholds “them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God” and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2, 3.
Maranatha p. 169
““““““““““““““““““`
Prayer Requests
—–Please keep D in prayer. His thyroid tumor has tripled in size and his liver is greatly enlarged. He is having discomfort and doing fasting, and juicing with some raw. Pray the doctors will step in and do something, If it is God’s will. C
—–Please pray for the following evangelism events that are taking place in the near future: Diane
• Green Valley, AZv(Jan 31 – Feb 7) is having Revival meetings. Pastor Monte and group are conducting the meetings.
• Phoenix, AZ (January-February, 2015) It Is Written
—–I just want to thank all for all your prayers. Came through the surgery and only one night in the hospital. Still hurts a bit, but it’s healing fast! Thanks again everyone, again, and continue your prayers for Sandi G. and her liver transplant, and for Linda for healing in her eyes. Donna
—–Please pray that B gets the job he’s been recommended for. HL
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Dear Friends,
When we lived in Washington state, there was a public television program we enjoyed watching. People could write in any scientific (or not-so-scientific question) and they would try to answer it. On one such program, the question was about wolverines. This immediately caught my interest as the wolverine was my grandfather’s favorite animal. It is strong and tough and very vicious.
After giving facts about wolverines, Ira, the moderator of the program, introduced a man who had a pet wolverine. I was amazed! Here before our eyes was a friendly, and well-groomed wolverine. Its fur was clean and beautiful. The stripe on its shoulders and sides was a creamy white. It was very curious and excited and wanted to play. It wanted to explore its new surroundings. Its owner had a hard time keeping it under control because of its natural strength. This brought to my mind the text in James, “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” James 3:7-13
How much like a wolverine is our tongue. Even if we manage to “tame” it, it is still as unpredictable as was that wolverine on the TV show. How many times we say unwise words that get ourselves in trouble. How often our words are like sharp arrows that pierce the heart of those around us. Our Dear Saviour tells us, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matt 12:34-37 Fearful thought!
David asks, “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long” “My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee.” “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps. 15:1-3;37:30,31;71:23,24;141:3;119:171-175; 120:2;19:14
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” 1 Peter 3:8-12
Rose