Three Angels Messages - Religious Liberty

Prophecy Says Liberty Will Not Last

The United States is unique in human history. It is the freeest country God ever gave Man. At a time when people were seeking religious liberty, the United States became a haven for millions. The government that was formed was absolutely unique because the legal framework was unique. Any high school student learns that this country was founded by those who wanted religious liberty. When the United States was born, the oppression of kings had for centuries been the rule.

This site does attempt to prove who the antichrist actually is. Links to Bible studies are included on this page. With a historicist view of prophecy, many scholars came to the conclusion hundreds of years ago, as well as in the 1800s in the United States, that the papacy fills all the characteristics of the antichrist. This is not to condemn the millions of sincere, well-meaning people who comprise the church. But, there are those in the Catholic Church who will be held accountable by God for perpetuating the belief that the pope actually takes the place of God on earth. The main purpose of this site is to show that there can be, and will be, religious persecution in the United States, which will fulfill Bible prophecy, particularly in Revelation 13. In other words, this site is meant to answer critics who say that widespread religious persecution can't happen in the United States.

On January 1, 1892 Ellis Island opened as an immigration center. A 15-year-old-girl from Ireland named Annie Moore became the first of over 62 million immigrants who came to America through that center until it closed in 1954. Given that statistic, the United States has the distinction of taking in more people seeking a new life than any country in history. Detractors will always have something to say about the United States. In taking a tour of Ellis Island you will discover that those who came to this country on a ship traveling first class were not required to see a doctor at all. Others were. Money allowed easy entry into the United States.1

In discussing love of country, William Bennett also wrote:
"We should love our country because of its achievements. The United States has brought more freedom to more people than any other nation in history. It has welcomed millions to its shores. It offers its citizens one of the highest standards of living in the world. If the United States isn't worth loving, no country is."2

Knowing this, the Founders tried their best to avoid giving too much power to any one man or group of men. For instance, the Office of President of the United States was an absolutely new creation among world governments. And, other forms of government, past and present, have relied on the state as the grantor of human rights. America's founders, however, believed that a government made up of imperfect people exercising power over other people should possess limited powers. Through the Constitution, they wished to "secure the blessings of liberty" for themselves and for posterity by limiting the powers of government. They delegated to government only specific rights, and retained much of the power for the people of the country. They even provided the means for controlling those powers they had granted to government by writing the Constitution. This was the unique American idea.

The Constitution specifically outlined the powers delegated to government. They were determined that tyranny would never be repeated. James Madison, the father of the Constitution, devoted five Federalist Papers (47-51) to an explanation of how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches were to be wholly independent of each other, yet interrelated by a system of checks and balances. Madison believed that keeping the three branches separated was fundamental to the preservation of liberty. He wrote:

"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many... may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."3.

 

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.4

 

Preamble to the ConstitutionThe framers of the Constitution recognized that governments are made up of imperfect people who tend to abuse power. Thomas Jefferson said: "In questions of power ... let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." For the first time in history, a people had put a stop to rulers' tyranny and provided a base for a genuinely free people. Part of the Miracle of America lies in this concept - a government of laws, not of rulers.5

The U.S. Constitution is also unique with its system of checks and balances and amendments to guarantee that a person shall be free to fulfill his/her desires. The fact that there have been racial problems, domination of men over women, and outright injustice of one race against another, lies in the hearts of men/women and not with the documents themselves. The Bible describes the problem as sin - falling short of the glory of God. In the book of Daniel, the Bible talks about a beast power that will think to change times and laws (Daniel 7:25).

The irony in all of this is, despite the brilliant writing of the Founders, the country has fallen short over time in the area of religious liberty (and other freedoms) presented in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

The Bible talks about a great controversy between Christ and Satan (Revelation 12:9) that ends up with persecution in the United States. Despite the laws and safeguards, the final events will be rapid ones and there will be those who will be killed for their faith (Revelation 13:15). For those who think that persecution cannot happen in this country, the challenge is to read these pages and evaluate for yourselves. A few texts don't prove anything, so investigate for yourself. The past is prologue. You will read about things that are normally not taught in school, ie a Supreme Court decision that resulted in what is know as the Trail of Tears, the incarceration of a race of people because of their ethnicity during WWII, among other things. Your eternal salvation may be at stake! Being on the right side in the final conflict is of utmost importance. Again, the goal of this site is to show the failure of man to live up to standards set out in the country's founding documents, and how allegiance to a religious leader called the antichrist will cause the curtailing of religious freedom and eventual persecution based on religion.

All Japanese Get Out of SacramentoIf the Japanese living on the West Coast could be put in relocation camps during WWII because of their ethnicity, why couldn't a people today be persecuted for their religious convictions? If a people can be guilty just because of their race a generation ago, why couldn't that denial of basic rights be applied to a people today based on religion?

When reading about the past, you will find out little known facts about race relations and Sunday laws in this country. When reading about the present, you will see a news feed featuring current religious liberty issues. Only the Bible can accurately foretell the future, so Bible interpretation will be explained, foretelling persecution and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

Flag Raising on Mt. SuribachiIn a letter to his parents, three days after raising the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima in February, 1945, John Bradley said something very interesting. Mt Suribachi was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific. The raising of the flag, depicted by the Marine Corps Memorial near Ft. Myer, in Arlington, Virginia, was one of the best known battles of World War II. The picture that was taken then is the most reproduced picture in history (until 9/11). Of the six men, three died in combat later, two died of drunkenness, and one, Mr. Bradley, died at age 70. At the age of 21, three days after the battle, he wrote: "I have a 6-day beard. I haven't had any soap and water since I hit the beach. I never knew I could go without food, water, or sleep for three days but I know it now. I was with the company that reached the top of Mt. Seribachi first. I had a little to do with raising the American flag and it was the happiest day of my life."  Source Needed. What makes a 21-year-old think like that?

You will see that this web site is a mixture of patriotism and fulfillment of Bible prophecy. God has always had His hand in the affairs of men. He has always been in charge and will one day soon bring about a glorious end to all earthly things! Nothing on this web site should be construed as hating America or its people. Satan has control of some elements of earth. Ideas are being pursued today that are satanic. Well-meaning, but unknowing people are being misguided. Let God do the judging. But, we, each of us, must certainly judge ideas for ourselves and act accordingly! All you need to do is look at Matthew 24:12-14 to see that we are living in the last days!


  


Past

  


Present

  


Future

 

Summary

Living Word Seventh-day Adventist Church at Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USAWhen combined with other texts in Daniel and Revelation the three angels messages present a holistic approach to understanding prophecy in these last days. Included in this understanding is the curtailing of religious liberty in the United States and elsewhere. Come and join us at the Living Word Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel County, Maryland and learn more.


FOOTNOTES
1. William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb, The American Patriot's Almanac, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 6.
2 Ibid, p. xv.
3 http://www.famousquotes.com
4 James Madison, Federalist Papers, Nr 51
5 Our Ageless Constitution, W. David Stedman & La Vaughn G. Lewis, Editors (Asheboro, NC, W. David Stedman Associates, 1987) Part III: ISBN 0-937047-01-5

Food for Thought

Covid 19

The current pandemic has forced the government to enact restrictions unheard of in American history. Freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, and freedom of worship have all been curtailed. Seventh-day Adventists have willingly (temporarily) given up their right to assemble to help with "social distancing". What will happen when restrictions are lifted? What will the new normal look like? What will happen when/if certain restrictions are lifted and others are not? What if a state opens an abortion clinic but does not allow churches to reopen because too many people attend the church service? Is there a point at which Seventh-day Adventist actively protest in some form of civil disobedience? Our background in this area strictly relates to forced Sunday worship and working on sabbath. Is our cooperation with the State absolute until we get to Sabbath/Sunday issues? No answers given here. As the column says, this is food for thought.

Reason for Worship

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.” 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.
Great Controversy, Ellen White, P. 437.

Important Statements

Living Word Seventh-day Adventist Church, 508 Aquahart Road, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061Please contact any Seventh-day Adventist church for more information. There are over 100,000 Seventh-day Adventist churches in the world with over 17 million members. We invite you to visit our church at 508 Aquahart Road in Glen Burnie, Maryland and let us explain.