September 14, 2017:

U.S. House of Representatives Quietly Passes Change Johnson Amendment.

On September 14, by a margin of 211 to 198, the U.S. House of Representatives quietly voted to change the Johnson amendment in relation to churches. The Johnson Amendment prevents churches and other non-profits from endorsing political candidates or supporting political campaigns with their money. The change only applies to churches and their related entities. The change was embedded in the 2018 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, a massive spending bill. On page 21 it says:

“SEC. 116. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the Internal Revenue Service to make a determination that a church, an integrated auxiliary of a church, or a convention or association of churches is not exempt from taxation for participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office unless.

(1) the Commissioner of Internal Revenue consents to such determination;

(2) not later than 30 days after such determination, the Commissioner notifies the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate of such determination; and

(3) such determination is effective with respect to the church, integrated auxiliary of a church, or convention or association of churches not earlier than 90 days after the date of the notification under paragraph (2).

In essence, if the IRS decides to withdraw tax-exempt status of churches because of its involvement in a political campaign, it must inform Congress and give Congress an opportunity to respond. Why it was done this way is unclear, but if passed by the Senate, it would essentially make the Johnson Amendment redundant, at least as it applies to churches.

Political campaign donations are not currently tax-deductible, but, presumably, gifts to churches that engage in political campaigns would be tax-deductible, or at least protected from scrutiny by IRS.

This bill will jeopardize the separation of church and state in America. We are now on the precipice of major changes to the religious climate of the United States.

Many pastors and other religious leaders claim that the Johnson Amendment is a burden on their religious freedom and their freedom of speech, and they often insist that it must be repealed or at least curtailed for them to be able to get involved directly in politics as part of their pastoral office (as opposed to personal involvement). However, churches, pastors, priests and other religious leaders have been very adept at getting around the amendment. It is important to note that while the Johnson Amendment is being changed in the name of religious liberty, it is actually setting the state for the rise of political power of the churches, which will lead to worship laws.

“Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel’s message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been—the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect, which it could not have had before.” Great Controversy, pages 605 and 606.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=798062693707783&set=a.377170759130314.1073741827.100005121781638&type=3https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=798062693707783&set=a.377170759130314.1073741827.100005121781638&type=3

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/04/presidential-executive-order-promoting-free-speech-and-religious-liberty

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3700257-Executive-order-Promoting-free-speech-and.html#document/p1

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3700257-Executive-order-Promoting-free-speech-and.html#document/p1

The DEATH of PROTESTANTISM brochure, download PDF here.

Enforcement of the International Sunday Law started Nov 4, 2016 via and incorporated into the United Nations "Paris Agreement"; download PDF here.

The United States Will Pass a Sunday Law

When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery.--5T 712 (1889).

Protestants will throw their whole influence and strength on the side of the papacy. By a national act enforcing the false sabbath they will give life and vigour to the corrupt faith of Rome, reviving her tyranny and oppression of conscience.--Mar 179 (1893).

Sooner or later Sunday laws will be passed.--RH Feb. 16, 1905.

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Soon the Sunday laws will be enforced, and men in positions of trust will be embittered against the little handful of God's commandment-keeping people.--4MR 278 (1909).

The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns shall cause "the earth and them which dwell therein" to worship the papacy--there symbolised by the beast "like unto a leopard." . . . This prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgement of her supremacy. . . .

Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth, and even in free America rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favour, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance.--GC 578, 579, 592 (1911).

For more information about this read two amazing books written by Stephen Nelson Haskell called the Seer of Patmos and The Story of Daniel:

• Seer of Patmos: PDF version here and you can buy it on Amazon here.

• The Story of Daniel: PDF version here and you can buy it on Amazon here.

Protestantism and Catholicism Act in Concert

Protestantism shall give the hand of fellowship to the Roman power. Then there will be a law against the Sabbath of God's creation, and then it is that God will do His "strange work" in the earth.--7BC 910 (1886).

How the Roman church can clear herself from the charge of idolatry we cannot see. . . . And this is the religion which Protestants are beginning to look upon with so much favour, and which will eventually be united with Protestantism. This union will not, however, be effected by a change in Catholicism, for Rome never changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will change. The adoption of liberal ideas on its part will bring it where it can clasp the hand of Catholicism.--RH June 1, 1886.

The professed Protestant world will form a confederacy with the man of sin, and the church and the world will be in corrupt harmony.--7BC 975 (1891).

Romanism in the Old World, and apostate Protestantism in the New, will pursue a similar course toward those who honour all the divine precepts.--GC 616 (1911).

Sunday Laws Honour Rome

When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. . . .

The enforcement of Sundaykeeping on the part of Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of the papacy. . . .

In the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular power, the churches would themselves form an image to the beast; hence the enforcement of Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and his image.--GC 445, 448, 449 (1911).

When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvellous working of Satan and that the end is near.--5T 451 (1885).

"So in the prophecies the future is opened before us as plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ. The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression that would make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready." {GC88 594.1}

"My brother, my sister, if these precious moments of mercy are not improved, you will be left without excuse. If you make no special effort to arouse, if you will not manifest zeal in repenting, these golden moments will soon pass, and you will be weighed in the balance and found wanting. Then your agonizing cries will be of no avail." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 263.1

Arguments Used by Sunday-Law Advocates

Satan puts his interpretation upon events, and they think, as he would have them, that the calamities which fill the land are a result of Sundaybreaking. Thinking to appease the wrath of God these influential men make laws enforcing Sunday observance.--10MR 239 (1899).

This very class put forth the claim that the fast-spreading corruption is largely attributable to the desecration of the so-called "Christian sabbath" and that the enforcement of Sunday observance would

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greatly improve the morals of society. This claim is especially urged in America, where the doctrine of the true Sabbath has been most widely preached.--GC 587 (1911).

Mar 29, 2015: Arizona Senator Sylvia Allen is already calling for a SUNDAY LAW - who probably does not realize the ramifications of what she is doing:

Arizona Senator Wants Mandatory Church Attendance

Mar 29, 2015 - Arizonans should put on their Sunday best and head to a 501c3 non-profit tax-exempt church -- at least if Arizona Sen. Sylvia Allen has her way. Church attendance should be mandatory, the senator said during a debate about permitting concealed guns in public buildings.

Sen. Sylvia Allen: "I believe what's happening to our country is that there's a moral erosion of the soul of America," she said. "It's the soul that is corrupt. How we get back to a moral rebirth I don't know. Since we are slowly eroding religion at every opportunity we have. Probably we should be debating a bill requiring every American to attend a church of their choice ON SUNDAY to see if we can get back to having a moral rebirth."

See more about sunday laws here: http://www.markofbeast.net/page3.htm

and learn how the Seventh-day Adventist church has been promoting Sunday worship for decades here.

Sept 25, 2015 Pope Francis visits NYC and world leaders sign "Post-2015 Development agenda"

Sept 26, 2015 Pope Francis visits PHILLY to address World Meeting of Families 2015 www.worldmeeting2015.org

https://twitter.com/ACLU/status/860172386154532864/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Fnews%2Fus-news%2Ftrump-signs-religious-liberty-executive-order-allowing-broad-exemptions-n754786

Sunday-Law Advocates Do Not Realise What They Are Doing

The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. . . .They are working in blindness. They do not see that if a Protestant government sacrifices the principles that have made them a free, independent nation, and through legislation brings into the Constitution principles that will propagate papal falsehood and papal delusion, they are plunging into the Roman horrors of the Dark Ages.--RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888.

Watch Pences video on MORAL MAJORITY: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/7/13546186/johnson-amendment-mike-pence-donald-trump-evangelicals-religious-right-moral-majority

We Ought to Obey God Rather Than Men

The adherents of truth are now called upon to choose between disregarding a plain requirement of God's Word or forfeiting their liberty. If we yield the Word of God and accept human customs and traditions, we may still be permitted to live among men, to buy and sell, and have our rights respected. But if we maintain our loyalty to God it must be at the sacrifice of our rights among men, for the enemies of God's law have leagued together to crush out independent judgement in matters of religious faith and control the consciences of men. . .

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The people of God will recognise human government as an ordinance of divine appointment and will by precept and example teach obedience to it as a sacred duty so long as its authority is exercised within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God we must choose to obey God rather than men. The Word of God must be recognised and obeyed as an authority above that of all human legislation. "Thus saith the Lord" is not to be set aside for a "Thus saith the church or the state." The crown of Christ is to be uplifted above all the diadems of earthly potentates.--HM Nov. 1, 1893.

Satan offers to men the kingdoms of the world if they will yield to him the supremacy. Many do this and sacrifice heaven. It is better to die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to lie.--4T 495 (1880).

Beauty of Truth Made Apparent by Opposition

The zeal of those who obey the Lord will be increased as the world and the church unite in making

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void the law. Every objection raised against the commandments of God will make way for the advancement of truth and enable its advocates to present its value before men. There is a beauty and force in the truth that nothing can make so apparent as opposition and persecution.--13MR 71, 72 (1896).

This time, when there is such an effort made to enforce the observance of Sunday, is the very opportunity to present to the world the true Sabbath in contrast to the false. The Lord in His providence is far ahead of us. He has permitted this Sunday question to be pressed to the front that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment may be presented before the legislative assemblies. Thus the leading men of the nation may have their attention called to the testimony of God's Word in favour of the true Sabbath.--2MR 197 (1890).

Engage in Spiritual Activities on Sunday

I will try to answer your question as to what you should do in the case of Sunday laws being enforced. The light given me by the Lord at a time when we were expecting just such a crisis as you seem to be

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approaching, was that when people were moved by a power from beneath to enforce Sunday observance, Seventh-day Adventists were to show their wisdom by refraining from their ordinary work on that day, devoting it to missionary effort.

To defy the Sunday laws will but strengthen in their persecution the religious zealots who are seeking to enforce them. Give them no occasion to call you lawbreakers. . . . One does not receive the mark of the beast because he shows that he realises the wisdom of keeping the peace by refraining from work that gives offence. . . .

Sunday can be used for carrying forward various lines of work that will accomplish much for the Lord. On this day open-air meetings and cottage meetings can be held. House-to-house work can be done. Those who write can devote this day to writing their articles. Whenever it is possible, let religious services be held on Sunday. Make these meetings intensely interesting. Sing genuine revival hymns, and speak with power and assurance of the Saviour's love.--9T 232, 233 (1909).

Take the students out to hold meetings in different places, and to do medical missionary work. They will find the people at home and will have a splendid opportunity to present the truth. This way of spending Sunday is always acceptable to the Lord.--9T 238 (1909).

The Whole World Will Support Sunday Legislation

The wicked . . . declared that they had the truth, that miracles were among them, that angels from heaven talked with them and walked with them, that great power and signs and wonders were performed among them, and that this was the temporal millennium that they had been expecting so long. The whole world was converted and in harmony with the Sunday law.--3SM 427, 428 (1884).

The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against Seventh-day Adventists because they will not yield homage to the papacy by honouring Sunday, the institution of this antichristian power.--TM 37 (1893).

Those who trample upon God's law make human laws which they will force the people to accept. Men will devise and counsel and plan what they will do. The whole world keeps Sunday, they say, and why should not this people, who are so few in number, do according to the laws of the land?--Ms 163, 1897.

Oppose Sunday Laws by Pen and Vote

We cannot labour to please men who will use their influence to repress religious liberty and to set in

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operation oppressive measures to lead or compel their fellow men to keep Sunday as the Sabbath. The first day of the week is not a day to be reverenced. It is a spurious sabbath, and the members of the Lord's family cannot participate with the men who exalt this day and violate the law of God by trampling upon His Sabbath. The people of God are not to vote to place such men in office, for when they do this they are partakers with them of the sins which they commit while in office.--FE 475 (1899).

I do hope that the trumpet will give a certain sound in regard to this Sunday-law movement. I think that it would be best if in our papers the subject of the perpetuity of the law of God were made a specialty. . . . We should now be doing our very best to defeat this Sunday law.--CW 97, 98 (1906).

Trumps religious freedom bill not as it appears:

Video: https://youtu.be/i78PvCkeAmk

"Christ is the example for all Christians. When they are tempted, or their rights are disputed, they should bear it patiently. They should not feel that they have a right to call upon the Lord to display His power that they may obtain a victory over their enemies, unless God can be directly honored and glorified thereby. If Jesus had cast Himself from the pinnacle of the temple, it would not have glorified His Father; for none would have witnessed the act but Satan and the angels of God. And it would have been tempting the Lord to display His power to His bitterest foe." Early Writings, p. 156.2.

Not to Sit in Quietude, Doing Nothing

It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. . . . A vast responsibility is devolving upon men and women of prayer throughout the land to petition that God may sweep back this cloud of evil, and give a few more years of grace to work for the Master.--RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888.

Those who are now keeping the commandments of God need to bestir themselves that they may obtain the special help which God alone can give them. They

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should work more earnestly to delay as long as possible the threatened calamity.--RH Dec. 18, 1888.

Let not the commandment-keeping people of God be silent at this time as though we gracefully accepted the situation.--7BC 975 (1889).

We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience. Fervent, effectual prayer should be ascending to heaven that this calamity may be deferred until we can accomplish the work which has so long been neglected. Let there be most earnest prayer and then let us work in harmony with our prayers.--5T 714 (1889).

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 a 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. . . .

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.--RH Extra, Dec. 24, 1889.

Sunday-Law Advocates Do Not Realise What They Are Doing

The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. . . .

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They are working in blindness. They do not see that if a Protestant government sacrifices the principles that have made them a free, independent nation, and through legislation brings into the Constitution principles that will propagate papal falsehood and papal delusion, they are plunging into the Roman horrors of the Dark Ages.--RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888.

There are many, even of those engaged in this movement for Sunday enforcement, who are blinded to the results which will follow this action. They do not see that they are striking directly against religious liberty. There are many who have never understood the claims of the Bible Sabbath and the false foundation upon which the Sunday institution rests. . . .

Those who are making an effort to change the Constitution and secure a law enforcing Sunday observance little realise what will be the result. A crisis is just upon us.--5T 711, 753 (1889).

“It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal.”—{GC 621, 622 (1911)}.

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Daniel 7:25

'He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

Daniel 8:25

"And through his shrewdness He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; And he will magnify himself in his heart, And he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, But he will be broken without human agency.

Daniel 11:36

"Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done.

John 17:12

While I was with them, I protected them and guarded them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

Ephesians 5:6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and abolish by the majesty of His arrival.

1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

1 John 4:3

and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is already in the world at this time.

Revelation 13:5

The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for forty-two months. (repeating the Dark Ages starting March 19, 2013, the day Cesar the eighth King of the Vatican was coronated - all kings of the earth visit and bow down to him)

From city to city, from country to country, they are to carry the publications containing the promise of the Saviour’s soon coming. These publications are to be translated into every language, for to all the world the gospel is to be preached. To every worker Christ promises the divine efficiency that will make his labors a success.—Testimonies for the Church 9:34. {CEv 98.2}

“As long as probation continues, there will be opportunity for the canvasser to work. When the (501c3=non-profit/tax-exempt) religious denominations unite with the papacy to oppress God’s people, places where there is religious freedom will be opened by evangelistic canvassing.”—6 Testimonies, 478:2.

"The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains."—Testimonies for the Church 5:464, 465.

Prayer and faith are closely allied, and they need to be studied together. In the prayer of faith there is a divine science; it is a science that everyone who would make his lifework a success must understand. Christ says, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. He makes it plain that our asking must be according to God’s will; we must ask for the things that He has promised, and whatever we receive must be used in doing His will. The conditions met, the promise is unequivocal. {Pr 57.1}

"The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains."—Testimonies for the Church 5:464, 465.

“As long as probation continues, there will be opportunity for the canvasser to work. When the (501c3=non-profit/tax-exempt) religious denominations unite with the papacy to oppress God’s people, places where there is religious freedom will be opened by evangelistic canvassing.”—6 Testimonies, 478:2.

"The less we make direct charges against authorities and powers, the greater work we shall be able to accomplish, both in America and in foreign countries. Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world" Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 395.1 (Ellen G. White).

"Brethren and sisters, would that I might say something to awaken you to the importance of this time, the significance of the events that are now taking place. I point you to the aggressive movements now being made for the restriction of religious liberty. God's sanctified memorial has been torn down, and in its place a false sabbath, bearing no sanctity, stands before the world. And while the powers of darkness are stirring up the elements from beneath, the Lord God of heaven is sending power from above to meet the emergency by arousing His living agencies to exalt the law of heaven. Now, just now, is our time to work in foreign countries. As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example. Our people are not half awake to do all in their power, with the facilities within their reach, to extend the message of warning" Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 18.2 (Ellen G. White).

"God keeps a record with the nations: the figures are swelling against them in the books of heaven; and WHEN it shall have become a law that the transgression of the first day of the week shall be met with punishment, THENtheir cup will be full" The Review and Herald March 9, 1886 paragraph 22 (Ellen G. White).