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1. The U.S. in Bible Prophecy
By Pastor Mark Finley
Our topic tonight, is the United States in Bible prophecy. Every nation looks back to its origin as
one that has been brought up with a certain sense of pride. When democracies rise, those
democratic states or nations, those democratic countries look back over the years to the rise of
those democracies. We all have a certain history about us. All of a certain sense of destiny about
us. And freedom is something that is cherished in the breast of every man and woman that lives
in a democratic society. And it is no difference with the United States. Looking back to the late
1700s in the congress on July 2, 1776. The vote was deadlocked. Should this band of colonies
declare their independence from mother England. Should they declare their freedom. The vote
was deadlocked. They debated all day July 2. The Delaware delegation had three votes. There
were two delegates present and one voted for independence. The other voted against it. The third
delegate was at home on his farm. And he was marooned there due to a very heavy rainstorm.
Due to the thunder. But rumor had it, that the congress was deadlocked. And his vote might
decide the future. And so, on horse back, he rode all night through the mud and through the rain.
And as he did, he came to that continental congress to cast the deciding vote. Now, as legend has
it, there was a little boy that was looking through the crack in the door watching those delegates.
His grandpa had assigned him to do that. Because grandpa was the bell ringer. And Grandpa was
standing with a great rope at the bell tower ready to ring the bell if the declaration was signed. If
that continental congress passed, the declaration for freedom that would later, two days later July
fourth 176, become the declaration of independence. And as the lad looked through the door, he
saw quill pens signing that declaration. He heard the shuffling of feet. And his grandpa was quite
pessimistic. He kept walking back and forth, saying they will never sign it. They will never sign
it. They will never sign it. But finally the boy saw that they were signing it. And he ran and he
said "ring grandpa, ring for liberty".
Indeed, there is something that beats within the human breast, that desires freedom, that desires
liberty. Whether it's the slave longing to be free from the lash of his oppressive totalitarian
master. Or whether it is people in eastern Europe under a totalitarian regime. The echo of human
hearts is let freedom ring! Whether it's the Israelites in captivity and bondage to the Egyptians.
And Moses goes to pharaoh, and he said, God said, let my people go. All through history, men
and women have longed for freedom. They have longed to worship God in harmony. With the
dictates of their own conscience.
And when that pilgrim band left the old world, and when they knelt on the shore of the new
world, they, too, thanked God for a world that was emerging that would carry on the principles
of freedom, the principles of democracy the principles of a democratic form of government. And
deep within every human heart, their is a pilgrimage for freedom. We long for freedom. We long
to be done with tyranny and oppression. The greatest movement for freedom in modern years,
occurred in eastern Europe. When tens of thousands of people marched in those great cities of
eastern Europe when in red square, tens of thousands have marched, and they cried out for
freedom. I remember, the night that the Hungarian government made the transition from a
socialistic more communist style of government to democracy and freedom -- I was holding a
series of Bible lectures like this downtown in Budapest, that marvelous city of Budapest. Buda

2. on one side of the Danube River and Pesta on the other side. And I was impressed with the
thousands that thronged the streets and came to the Hungarian parliament crying out for freedom.
They cut the barbed wire fences from the -- across the Austrian border. Thousands streamed
across. Freedom movements.
When you light the spark of freedom and it's fanned on the flames of democracy. It creates a
freedom bonfire that cannot be put out. Deep within every human heart. There is that desire for
freedom. Within every human heart there is that pilgrim inside of us. There is that sense inside of
us for freedom. When you look at the history of Europe, for example, in the history of the
medieval church when church and state united. And when men and women during those great
dark ages were oppressed. And when they fled to the mountains of northern Italy and southern
France. And you look back at that era in church history of church, state dominance. Even then,
during the dark ages, as in every age of oppression, even then men and women longed for the
chains that shackled them to drop off their wrists. They longed to be free. They longed again to
worship God with the dictates of their own conscience.
The United States of America, as every democratic society, was built on the principles of
freedom. In fact, in the American constitution, and this constitution, of course, has its
counterparts in most countries in the world that provide freedom. Amendment one in the United
States constitution says, "congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof." When it comes to worship, the constitution of America as
it does in democratic, free society, allows every human being to worship God in harmony with
the dictates of their own conscience. The declaration of independence says, "we hold these truths
to be self-event. That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with
certain unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Freedom is guaranteed in the declaration of independence. Political freedom. Religious freedom.
The freedom to worship God in harmony with the dictates of the conscience.
Now, God respects human freedom. And as we move into the crisis at the close, as we move into
the last days of earth's history. One of the great issues is over the issue of freedom. God respects
human freedom. In fact, when you look at the Bible, God respected human freedom so much,
that rather than force Lucifer to worship him, God gave Lucifer the power of choice. You know,
often people ask me, Pastor, why didn't God program Lucifer? Why didn't God cause Lucifer to
be forced to worship him? Because God values freedom. The essence of what it means to be
human, the essence of what it means to be created in the image of God, is to have the capacity to
choose to freely worship. God values freedom so much, that he was willing to give Lucifer the
capacity to make the wrong choice. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, were not forced to
serve God. They were not coerced to serve God. Because force and coercion is contrary to the
government of God. God values freedom. God values choice. In the book of Joshua 24:15 it says.
Read with it me, please. "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve."
Let freedom ring. Where there is oppression, let freedom ring. God says, choose for yourselves.
There is some woman listening to this presentation tonight, and you have been going through a
terrible struggle in your home. Your husband has said, if you go to those meetings, I'm going to
divorce you. I'm going to leave you. Your husband has said, if you go there, you go under threat.

3. God says, choose you this day who you will serve. Let the conscience be free. Let the mind be
free. Freedom is an essential essence of the kingdom of God.
There are people coming here from orthodox villages in Romania. And as they have come, they
have experienced insult. They have experienced persecution. They have experienced physical
torments and threats. But let freedom ring. Let men and women's consciences be free. There are
places tonight where the church dominates the state in those countries. And where you have a
state church. And where people's jobs are on the line if they step out for truth. But God says,
choose you this day who you will search. Let freedom ring.
In the hearts of men and women everywhere, there is the longing to worship God in harmony.
With the dictates of our conscience. And when we come to the book of Revelation, Revelation
climaxes. John looks up into heaven. And he hears the lamb of God. He hears Jesus Christ
making his appeal. Read it with me please. Revelation 22:17. And the spirit and the bride say,
"come" and let him who hears say, come. And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let
him take the water of life freely. Jesus says, I will never coerce. The lamb offers freedom of
choice. The dragon forces and coerces. Jesus' only weapon is the cross. Jesus charms us by love.
Jesus wins us by love. Jesus gives us freedom of choice. And He says, come and behold the nails
through my hands. Come behold the blood running down my wrists. Come and behold the crown
of thorns upon my head. Come and behold my arms out-stretched inviting you to be free from
guilty to choose forgiveness. To be free from the shackles of sin and choose my power. To be
three from the tyranny of the old world and be caught up in the sky when I come. Revelation
says, whosoever desires; whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely.
But the dragon. The beast. In Revelation chapter 13, coerces worship. The dragon, the beast, in
Revelation chapter 13. Coerces worship. Notice, Revelation's final issues revolve around
worship and freedom of conscience. When you look at the climax at the close, when you look at
what is happening in the book of Revelation, the issues have to do with worship. The issues have
to do with freedom. The issues have to do with the final days of earth's history let's go back to
the book of Revelation. Revelation chapter 13. And let's review our subject of the mark of the
beast. And then let's notice how the United States and all western democracies fit in. The central
issues in the final conflict have to do with worship with the freedom of conscience. They have to
do with this ability to choose. The dragon coerces worship. The lamb gives us freedom of choice.
Let's review what we studied last evening. The first beast that arises in Revelation 13. Revelation
13 is divided in two parts. You have the first beast in Revelation 13:1-10, and the second beast in
Revelation 13, after verse 10, 11 and onwards. Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a
beast rising up out of the sea. Having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns, ten crowns.
And on his heads, a blasemphous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his
feet were like the feet of a bear. And his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his
power, his throne and his great authority. Now, remember what the Bible says. Here, the Bible
says, the beast was like a lion, Babylon. Like a bear, Medo-Persian. Like a leopard, Greecia. A
leopard with four heads and wings on its back. And then the Bible says, the dragon gave him his
power, his seat and great authority. In Revelation chapter 13, the first beast follows Babylon,
follows Medo-Persian, follows Greece and follows pagan Rome. We studied about this beast of

4. Revelation chapter 13 last evening. And we noted that there were seven identifying marks of the
beast's power in Revelation chapter 13.
The beast power would receive the seat of its government from pagan Rome. Papal Rome did
when Constantine gave to Papal Rome his authority. Secondly, the beast of Revelation 13, and
the word beast represents a king or a kingdom. Daniel 7:17 says, that the beast is a king or a
kingdom. This beast of Revelation 13, this power, would be a worldwide system of worship. All
the world would worship the beast, a religious system. It would speak blasphemy. The Bible
describes blasphemy as when any man declares himself to have the rights, the privileges of God.
Or when a human being claims that he has the authority to forgive sin. So, the Roman Church
got its seat of government from pagan Rome. It was a worldwide system of worship. It claimed
the authority of God on earth, the rights and privileges of God. During the middle ages, it fit into
point 4, it indeed was a persecuting power. It would reign for 1260 years. We studied last
evening, that Justinian the pagan Roman emperor and his general Belisarius gave to Vigilius II
the two the pope of Rome, civil and religious authority in 538 AD. We notice too that 1260 years
later from 538 AD, in1798, the papal power was taken captive by Berthier, the French General.
This is by way of review. We studied this last evening. The beast in 1798 would have a deadly
wound. It was, when the Pope was taken captive, brought to France, died in captivity. But then,
the deadly wound would be healed. And the beast power, the medieval church, would grow to
prominence again. The number of this beast would be 666. The number of a man. It would be a
religious system based on human authority with a substitute law and the Sabbath would be
substituted for Sunday in this human system. We discovered last evening, that this power in
Revelation chapter 13 is clearly identified as the papacy. And once its deadly wound would be
healed, in Revelation 13:3, and we saw that that happened, in 1929, when the papal power
received civil authority again in Rome. Once again, all the world would wonder after the beast.
Once again, the institution would achieve worldwide prominence.
Now, does the book of Revelation, in this context, does it describe the rise of the new world.
Does the book of Revelation in the light of this first beast, in the light of the medieval church, in
the light of dominance of a religio-political system at the time of the end, what role does the
United States play in all this? Who role do western democracies play? And how does the Bible
describe this rise of the new world. What does prophecy reveal? Does the book of Revelation
describe the United States in Bible prophecy? And how does this the U.S. fit into this endtime
scenario? Wouldn't it be rather strange that the Bible would not describe the United States in
prophecy? And western democracies? Indeed, if the Bible described Babylon and Medo-Persia
and Greece and Rome, indeed if the Bible described the break up of the Roman empire, and if
the Bible describes these nations because of their influence on God's people, wouldn't it be rather
strange that the Bible would not describe the United States and other western democracies? How
will the United States and these democracies fit in to this endtime scenario of the mark of the
beast? Does John give us any clues in the book of Revelation about the rise of the United States?
Does John describe for us another power that would rise?
Revelation 13:11, after describing the first power, the papacy and union of church and state in
medieval Europe, the Bible says, "and I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth." Notice,
it's another beast, separate and distinct from the first one. It comes up out of the earth. He had
two horns like a lamb. And space as a dragon. I wonder, what does this symbolism represent?

5. Who is this second beast? What are these identifying marks of the second beast? Now, there's
one thing for certain, the Bible obviously gives us very clear clues on an issue so important.
When did the United States rise? When was the United States in its developmental stages for
democracy. Well here are some clues in understanding this beast. One thing is for certain. The
second beast would rise on time. The first beast goes into captivity. And it says in Revelation
13:10, He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity. And he who kills with the sword must
be killed with the sword. At the same time the first beast is going into captivity, the papacy, in
1798, Revelation 13:10, the second beast is rapidly rising, Revelation 13:11. So, whoever that
second beast is, and the word beast means 'a power', whoever that second power is, it is rising to
prominence, rising to worldwide authority and worldwide recognition some time around 1798.
Because that's when the first power went into captivity. That is when the first power, the pope of
Rome was taken captive by the French. And that's when he died in captivity. The Bible is
abundantly plain. It says in Revelation 13:3, and I saw one of his heads as it had been mortally
wounded. The 1260 years began in 538. They ended in 1798. So, if the first beast is rising when
the second beast goes into captivity, it means that that second power has to be rising some time
around 1798.
Now, where would that second beast rise, that second power, that second kingdom. Now,
remember, Daniel 7:17 says, the beasts which you saw are kings or kingdom. So, this second
beast in Revelation 13, where would it rise? We've learned when it would rise. 1798. Where
would it rise? Revelation 13:11 read with it me. "And I beheld another beast coming up out of
the earth. And he had two horns like a lamb. And space as a dragon." Now where did the first
beast of Revelation 13 come up out of? The first beast. "I saw another beast coming up out of the
sea. I stood upon the sand of the sea." So the first beast comes up out of the Ð what everybody?
Sea. And the second beast comes up out of, what? The earth. What does the sea represent in
prophecy? Revelation 17:15. Read it, please. The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits,
are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. The waters are what, everybody? You know that
because I told you, right? No! You know it why? Because you read it where? In the Bible! So, if
the sea represents water. If the waters represent people. If the sea represents a populated area.
What do you think the earth would represent? A what? That's right, I heard it. An unpopulated
area. So, if the seas represent peoples, nations and tongues, the earth must represent a desolate or
an unpopulated area.
So then, we've learned two things. That the second beast in Revelation 13 is rising about 1798. It
is rising in an unpopulated area of the world. Thirdly, this power is depicted as a new nation.
Notice what the Bible says. It's not merely a European power, Revelation 13:11 says, I beheld
another beast. That is another. One that is separate. And distinct. It is not a cosmopolitan beast.
It's not a part of division of Rome. You remember when we read about the image of Daniel the
second chapter with the head of gold. The breast and arms of silver, the thighs of brass, the legs
of iron. As part of the iron legs it had ten toes. Ten divisions of Europe. Do you remember when
we read about Daniel 7? We read about the lion, the bear, the leopard, the dragon. And the
dragon has ten horns. The ten divisions of Europe are part of the head of the
Dragon. Ten divisions of Europe. But this is something separate. It's not part of the previous
system. "I beheld another beast." Now, let's read what we understand so far. Let me paraphrase.

6. And I beheld another beast or a kingdom. Coming up. The word "coming up" in the original
language of the Bible means springing up rapidly. So, I beheld another kingdom or empire
rapidly springing up out of the earth, an unpopulated area, about 1798. Now what nation in the
world was coming up rapidly in an unpopulated area about 1798, that would achieve worldwide
prominence, what nation was that? The United States of America. Now, it says it has two horns
like a lamb. What does that mean, it had two horns like a lamb? What significance does that
have; these two horns like a lamb? Horns are a symbol of authority. Horns are a symbol of
power. Now, clue number four, is that this prophecy is talking about a democracy. Why? A
democracy -- horns are a symbol of power. On these horns, there are no crowns. Now, do you
remember the first beast? There were crowns on the horns. Crowns on the horns indicate kingly
power in prophecy. But here is no kingly authority. This is in contrast to the first beast in
Revelation chapter 13. Notice, Revelation 13:1: "Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a
beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns. And on his horns ten crowns."
What is on the horns of the first beast? On the horns of the first beast everybody is what?
Crowns. Crowns indicate kingly authority. But on the second beast, that's rising up around 1798,
in an unpopulated area of the world, that's quickly achieving worldwide prominence, that's
separate from the old world of Europe, there is another beast coming up but there are no crowns
on the horns. The first beast has crowns on its horns. Indicating kingly authority. The second
beast, has no crowns on its horns. But it has two horns as symbols of power. A republican,
democratic form of government that allows two planks that make it strong, freedom of worship
and freedom to choose elected leaders. It is obvious when you study Revelation chapter 13, that
the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation describes as a representative of democracy the
United States of America. That here the United States is described in Bible prophecy, a land
where church and state would be forever different. A new land that emerges in 1798 without a
king, no state legislation. A government for the people and by the people and of the people. And
a government that is not controlled by the medieval church. It's another beast. Another power.
Separate and distinct.
This power, clue five, would achieve worldwide influence. The book of Revelation chapter 13
describes that worldwide influence. It puts it this way in Revelation 13:12. He exercised all the
power of the first beast before him. And causes the earth and them that dwell therein, to worship
the first beast who is deadly wound was healed. Now, wait. Let's spend a moment trying to
decipher that text. "And he exercises all the power of the first beast." The first beast represented
the medieval church of the papacy. And causes the earth, that is his territory and the territory of
earth and them that dwell there in to worship the first beast. Could it be that the United States
and western democracies will actually have their religious freedom eroded? Could it be that the
United States and western democracies will reach their hands together in a religious
confederation and religious legislation would follow?
Notice that clue six is, that there would be a change in character from the lamb. And in the Bible
who does the lamb represent? Who does that represent? Jesus. 28 times in the book of Revelation
Jesus is described as the lamb. Why is Jesus the lamb? Because when the river of blood flowed
from his side, it represented salvation freely flowing from the side of Christ. Jesus freely offered
himself on the cross. He is the lamb of God. He appeals to your highest sense of reason. He
appeals to your highest sense of dignity. He appeals to your highest sense of humanity. Come
freely. With the mind that he's given you. Fall at his feet. In worship and praise and adoration

7. and worship him. So, the lamb symbol that represented Jesus, represents an aspect of Christ, of
freedom. So, in describing the rise of democracy, the Bible says, it is lamb-like in the sense that
it opens its arms like Jesus opened his arms to give human beings freedom. But the Bible says,
that there would be a change in character from the lamb-like qualities of freedom to the
oppression of the dragon. To the totalitarianism of the dragon. Revelation 13:11 says, that the
United States and democratic powers in league together, would one day speak as a dragon. One
day, the church and state would unite like it did in medieval Europe. One day, there would be a
confederation.
Now, what does it mean, speak as a dragon? How does any nation speak? In what way does a
nation speak? A nation speaks through its laws or legislative body. The elected officials of any
nation as they pass laws speak for that nation. So Revelation 13 describes the change from
speaking as a lamb, that is to say, laws that allow freedom to speaking as a dragon, that is to say,
laws that are legislative in coercive. Notice what the Bible says, Revelation 13:12. He exercised
all the power, the first beast before him. And causes all the earth and them which dwell therein to
worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed.
We go on. Revelation 13:15. Where will this church state union lead? Where will this union of
democratic nations under the auspices of the United States, with church powers lead? What will
occur? Revelation 13:15, 16. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast. That
the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of
the beast to be killed. Ultimately, as church and state united in medieval Europe, according to the
prophecies of the book of Revelation, that would occur again in democratic free society.
The Bible is plain on what's coming in our world. The Bible predicts an erosion of our freedoms
when Church and state unite again. The Bible is plain. And you might ask, how will this occur?
What will actually occur? What are the events that lead up to this union of church and state? And
when church and state unite, to enforce the mark of the beast, the sign or symbol of false
worship, how will that take place? What events could possibly occur? There are a number of
books that are coming off the press describing the background of just how this may occur.
Pointing out that our religious freedoms today are being challenged. Are you aware that in the
United States of America, right now, there is a movement to redefine religious liberty? Look at
what Chief Justice William Renquist wrote recently in a judgment in the supreme court. He said,
the wall of separation between church and state is a metaphor based on bad history. This is a
United States supreme court judge. A metaphor which has proved useless as a guide to judging.
It should be frankly and explicitly abandoned. Even today there are those who are reevaluating
the entire issue of the wall of separation between church and state. The St. Louis Dispatch,
October 29, 1991, made this interesting observation. "As the second century of the bill of rights
draws to a close, the supreme court is redefining what religious liberty will mean in the third
century. Broadly, the court's new approach helps conventional religions while hurting
unconventional ones." Now, notice what this judgment is saying. It is saying that the court is
moving in this direction, of redefining what a bona fide religion is. And if you happen to fall into
that bona fide religion you can have the stamp of approval. Some years ago, a few years ago I
was giving a series of prophecy lectures in the Olympic Stadium in Moscow. And during that
time the Russian parliament voted to restrict the religious liberty of Russian citizens. That is to
say, they voted to restrict evangelists from overseas coming in with Bibles and their literature.

8. And it was debated in parliament under the large influences of the orthodox church. I was invited
to represent Christianity. I was interviewed in the "New York Times", CNN. It had an invitation
to have a debate. Now, I am not a debater, and didn't care to do that. But was invited on national
television to have a debate with the sponsor of the law. His name happened to be parliamentarian
Villa Paloson. And so we went together to debate religious liberty before the Russian public.
And as I pressed him very carefully, in saying, Dr. Paloson, even God granted freedom to
Lucifer when he made wrong choices. Even God granted freedom to Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Eden. He made this observation that is insightful. And I hear echoes of that in this
statement in the St. Louis Dispatch. This was Dr. Paloson's main argument when we argued for
religious liberty in Russia. He said, Mr. Finley, the role of a democracy is to protect the rights of
the majority not the rights of the minority. And he said, if the majority is of any one particular
faith or creed, any kind of change or evangelism destabilizes the social order. So, here you have
an argument that democracies are to protect the rights of the majority. Rather than protecting the
rights of all their citizens. But notice the subtlety of this statement. "Broadly, the courts new
approach helps conventional religions while hurting unconventional ones." Isn't it just like the
devil to raise up radical elements under the name of religion that commit heinous terrorist acts to
give legislative bodies the authority to condemn those who are on the fringes of society. Let me
make it very plain. I have no sympathy with those on the fringes of society who have an ax to
grind against the government and use terrorism to do that. The Bible is very plain when it says,
obey the powers above you. In fact the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 13 says, let every soul or
person be subject to the higher powers. In matters where the commandments of God are not at
stake. In matters where our obedience to guide God is not at stake. God invites us to be loyal
citizens of that society. Can you say amen to that. So, I have no sympathy for radical elements.
But ladies and gentlemen, if to control the radical elements, laws are passed that legislate against
minorities, this will lead to the totalitarianism of the past. Do you agree with that? Indeed. Now,
what is going to lead up to this union of church and state? Jesus himself gives us a clue.
The book of Revelation says, and he doeth great wonders -- this is Satan -- so that he makes fire
come down from heaven on earth in the sight of men. And deceives those that dwell on the earth
by means of those miracles that he had power to do in the sight of the beast. What agency will
Satan use to achieve his ends? He'll use what agency? Miracles. At a time of secularism. At a
time of waning moral values. At a time of rampant crime and violence. The devil will allow a
false revival of false miracles to occur to gather momentum among all churches. For a one world
church, one world government kind of arrangement. Where churches will unite on the points
they have in common, under the auspices of the single religious leader that bring them together.
Now notice what the devil does. Revelation 16:14. Read with it me. For they are the spirits of
devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the world to, gather
them to the battle of the great day of God almighty. How does the devil pull off this church-state
union? What does he do? He works miracles at a time of waning moral responsibility. At a time
of crime and violence. The devil begins to work miracles apparent miracles of healing. That
begins to bring churches together. That gets the attention, the Bible says, of the kings of the earth
at a time of great chaos. Revelation 19:20. Why will many take the mark of the beast? They
accept a false revival. They go for the sensational. They go for the miracles. When they see
people being supposedly healed, they go for that rather than God's word. Rather than falling his
law. Rather than keeping his commandments. "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

9. mark of the beast." Why were those who received the mark of the beast deceived? What was the
basis of their deception? What was it, everybody? Miracles. He says, that the miracles are the
agency.
How does this scenario shape up? Jesus predicted a period of extreme uncertainty and a period of
extreme uncertainty and a period of extreme insecurity before he returns. And Jesus made this
amazing prediction. He said, that there will be natural disasters. Floods and earthquakes. There
will be economic disasters and conflicts. Jesus made an absolutely amazing prediction. Could it
be that a return to God coerced by religious legislation will be seen as the answer to waning
moral values, economic collapse and natural disasters? Listen to the words of Jesus Christ
himself. "Nation will rise against nation. Kingdom against kingdom." That's uncertainty,
insecurity. There will be great earthquakes, insecurity. The earth underneath you is not supposed
to shake. It does in various places. There will be famines. There will be pestilences. But before
these things as these are happening, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you.
Delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons and you will be brought before kings and rulers
for my name's sake. Luke 21:10-12. Let me make it plain. In the last days of earth's history,
earthquake, famine, fire, flood. The economy is in serious trouble. Last days of earth's history in
the midst of all this conflict, Satan stirs up a false religious revival. Apparent miracles. Men and
women who have left the truths of God's word for the teachings of men. Men and women who
have turned their back on the teachings of scripture are caught up in this false religious revival.
The Bible says, "to the law and to the testimony. If they speak not according to this word, there
is no light in them." And in the last days of earth's history, in the light of this economic and
political and natural disasters, and in the light of these miracles state powers look to the
Churches. They see the churches uniting under these false miracles. And to save society, church
and state unite. And is it not logical that they would unite hopefully on a common day of rest and
worship? That is a counterfeit sign for the true Sabbath. If the central issue in the conflict
between good and evil is worship, wouldn't it be logical that there would be religious legislation
at a time of crisis over the issue of worship to bring that into the focal point of the whole world
before the endtime?
Liberty magazine quoted one of the evangelical leaders of our day who said, "If Christians unite,
we can do anything. We can pass any law or any amendment and that's exactly what we intend to
do." There is a movement afoot in the United States called the Christian Coalition that is
attempting to do everything it can to influence governmental forces for morality. There is an
amazing book that's just come out called "The New World Order" by Pat Robertson. And in it,
he discusses the Sabbath. This evangelical leader -- and this is what he says, he's speaking about
Sunday here. He says, the next obligation that a citizen of God's world order owes is to himself.
'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy' is a command for the personal benefit of each
citizen. Higher civilizations rise when people can rest and draw inspiration from God. Laws in
America that mandated a day of rest (now you remember the United States used to have Sunday
laws) and he says, laws in America that mandated a day of rest (that's the Sunday laws) have
been nullified as a violation of the separation of church and state, as an outright insult to God and
his plan. Only those policies that can be shown to have a clearly secular purpose are recognized,
Pat Robertson, "The New World Order." Do you see his reasoning? He is saying we have
outlawed the Sunday laws. But if we're going to bring this whole nation back to God, we have to

10. worship God together. Therefore, it is logical in a time of moral values waning, in a time of crisis
to unite on that point we have in common, which is Sunday among all the Christian churches.
Do you see why God sends three angels flying in the middle of heaven that say, And I saw
another angel fly in the middle of heaven. Having the ever lasting gospel to preach to them that
dwell on the earth. It's to go to every nation and kindred, tongue and people. God has a message
for humanity in this hour. A message of freedom of conscience. A message of liberty. A message
of choice and he says, saying with a loud voice. Fear God, give glory to him. For the hour of his
judgment is come. We're living in the judgment hour. And it says, worship him that made heaven
and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters. Worship the creator. Worship the true God.
Don't accept a substitute. In the last days the issues resolve around worshipping the creator or
worshipping the beast. In the last days, the issues resolve around the authority of God's word.
They revolve around loyalty to Christ. They revolve around obedience to the very
commandments of God. Revelation 14:12 says, when the counterfeit Sabbath is substituted for
God's law, when church and state unite, when men and women who stand loyal to God's word
are oppressed and persecuted. God says, he will still have a people. He had them. In the first
century, when they were burned at the stake faithful to God. He had them in the third, fourth,
fifth century when they were thrown to lions. Faithful to God. He had them all through the dark
ages when they were shackled, tormented, persecuted. They were faithful to God. And in the last
days when church and state unite, they, too, will be faithful to God. Here is the patience of the
saints. Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Revelation
14:12. Will you stand with them, my brother, my sister? Will you stand with them in the last
days of earth's history or will you accept the union of church and state. Will you accept the false
miracles or will you sand for Jesus? Stand for his law. Stand for his truth.
In the days of Daniel, a counterfeit image was established. In Daniel chapter 2 God gave to
Nebuchadnezzar a dream about the history of the world. Babylon the head of gold. Medo-Persia,
the breast and arms of silver. Greecia the thighs of brass. And Rome, the legs of iron. A Rock
smites the image. That was the true revelation of history. Nebuchadnezzar didn't like to think that
Babylon would be followed by Medo-Persia. So, Nebuchadnezzar created an image all of gold.
The coming crisis at endtime is similar to the days of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar established a
counterfeit image. The Babylonian king, a powerful world leader, established a counterfeit image
and compelled worship contrary to God's command. What was the issue in Daniel 3? A false
religious leader. What was the issue in Daniel chapter 3? A counterfeit image. What was the
issue in Daniel chapter? False worship. What was the issue in Daniel chapter 3? Disobedience to
the commands of God. What is the issue in Revelation 13? A false leader. Unites church and
state. There is a counterfeit image. There is a false worship that is established. And here,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo came before the king and the king said to them, "Now, if you
are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the harp, the lyre and the psaltery,
in symphony with all kinds of music. And you fall down and worship the image which I made of
gold. When you hear the band play. Fall down and worship the counterfeit image." Shadrach,
Meshack and Abednigo were faithful to God. He said, if you do not worship, you will be cast
immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Daniel 3:15. A burning fiery furnace.
Indeed, Jesus says, in the last days of earth's history, God himself will jump into the flames with
you. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo went into the flames. And as they did, as they came into

11. the flames, they were not consumed. They were not burned. Because Christ jumped into the
flames with them.
When church and state unites. When oppressive laws are passed. When indeed, in the last days
God's people are persecuted. Just like Christ. Stepped into the flames with Shadrach, Meshach
and Abednigo. He will step into the flames with you, friend.
In the trials of your life he is there in the heartache of your life he is there. If today, ma'am, your
husband tries to restrict your freedom and even if you're beaten, Christ is in the flames with you.
If you lose your job because of the Bible Sabbath, Christ is in the flames with you. Every time
we step out alone, every time we're persecuted, every time we experience heartache. Every time
we experience sorrow. Every time we're in the flames and it appears, that the flames are going to
consume us. The flames are going to burn us up. Christ is there in the flames. And soon, the
mighty deliverer will stream down the corridor of the sky. Soon, the mighty deliverer, will come
with his power and his glory to deliver us.
Tonight as we bow our heads to pray, would you like say, oh, Jesus, deep within my soul I want
only one thing. Deep within my soul, I want the living God to surround me in the days of crisis.
Deep within my soul, I don't see how I can stand in the days ahead. I don't see how I can stand in
the crisis at the end of time. I don't see how I can stand in earth's last hour. I'm too weak. I'm too
frail. When the church-state union comes, the powers against me are going to be so strong.
Friend of mine, tonight, you need not fear the coming crisis. The same Jesus that leapt into the
flames with Shadrach and Meshach and Adednego will be there in your flames. Something
stronger than the power that the church-state union. And that's Jesus Christ. And there's
something stronger that all the demons of hell, that's Jesus Christ. And there is something
stronger than any oppressive power that tries to take our freedom. And that's the power of Jesus
Christ. In earth's last hour, Christ reaches out to you and there is a midnight cry that goes out to
the world just now.
Tonight, as we bow our heads to pray, there is somebody tonight that's really struggling. You
know God has led you to these meetings. You know that God is leading you to make a decision.
But you're concerned about your relatives. You are concerned about your husband. You are
concerned about your wife. You are concerned about the church that you're a member of. You
are concerned about what people in your village or your neighborhood are going to think. You
can't see how it's possible for you to step out and follow Christ because of the pressure from
other people around you. Friend of mine, let me speak to you kindly tonight. How will you be
able to stand, when church and state unite and when religious legislation is passed. Tonight, if
you are struggling, as we bow our heads, if this is a decision you know you should make. If it's a
decision you want to make but you're really struggling. And you need extra power from God to
step out. Your husband cannot make this decision for you. Your wife cannot make this decision
for you. Your parents cannot make this decision for you. Your neighbors can't make it for you.
But tonight, if you, yourself, say, Lord, I'm struggling. I need your power. As you lift up your
hand, Jesus won't let you down. As you open your heart tonight you'll receive that power.
Tonight you'll leave here a different man, a different woman. Tonight you'll sense that the
assurance of God is in your heart that you can make this decision. If you are struggling you need
God's strength right now to make it, would you just raise your hand as we pray. You know it's a

12. decision you should make, but you need God's power, you need God's strength just lift up your
hand.
Oh, my father, you see this hands. You know every heart. You know the battles we face. You
know the fiery furnaces we go through. And thank you that when we go through the fire, Jesus is
with us. Thank you, that when we go through the difficulty that you're there. And thank you that
you'll strengthen us today, and give us your power today. So that when the crisis breaks
tomorrow, we will have learned how to trust you today. O, father, open our hearts to you. And
help us to have a sense that you'll never leave us. Father, help us to know that your arms are
around us. And that in the crisis you're there. In Jesus' name. Amen.