“The (apostate) Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience” (The Great Controversy, 588).
Protestant American Churches will form an Image of the Beast
“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 [apostate] Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result” (The Great Controversy, 445).
American Rulers and Legislators will Yield to the “Popular Demand” for a Sunday Law.
“The dignitaries of church and State will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance” (The Great Controversy, 445).
Comment: The spark for the Sunday Law doesn’t come primarily from a certain American president or Congress, but from the “public.” Rulers and legislators will “yield to the popular demand” for Sunday legislation."
Steve Wohlberg/F7
Ripped from the Headlines:"In many places where the church possesses significant political power, it will often use its influence to advocate for laws that protect what they call the sanctity of Sunday as a day of rest and worship. Such efforts seek to encourage people to focus on religious activities and family time rather than secular pursuits and sports. Historically, these laws were based on religious traditions and reflected the social and moral values of the past. While such laws have gradually relaxed over the years, there is a movement underway that is seeking to
On June 5, 2024, the Belfast News Letter Today published an article titled “Free Presbyterian Church Accuses Northern Ireland Football League of Anti-Christian ‘Discrimination’ for Staging Matches on Sunday” that called for an end to the desecration of Sunday.
In other words, playing football on Sunday violates both the Sabbath and discriminates against Christians, neither of which is true.
The Belfast News Letter Today published the following:
• “The Free Presbyterian Church has written to the NI Football League (NIFL) to complain that it is discriminating against practicing Christians by staging matches on the Sabbath.”
• “The letter says … ‘We, in keeping with the historic position of Protestant Churches hold Sunday to be the Christian Sabbath’.”
• “We hold it to be a special day and a day that is marked by the worship of God and rest and it has been kept this way by thousands of evangelical Christians for hundreds of years.”
• “Now, however, with Premiership football matches to be held on Sunday NIFL are robbing Christian fans of the opportunity of supporting their team from week to week and they are closing the door for Christian footballers to be able to play in the top league in Northern Ireland.”
• “In a day when we are being told that there should be equal opportunities for all, this does not seem to include evangelical Christians.”
• “We are calling on NIFL to reverse course on the matter of Sunday football.”
Basically, the argument that the Free Presbyterian Church in Ireland is making is that playing football on Sunday is both immoral and illegal.
These are the types of pressure tactics that the church will use on its citizens in order to revive Sunday laws. As societies grapple with issues like the loss of spirituality, overwork, burnout, and the erosion of family time, there will be renewed interest in preserving Sundays as a day for worship, reflection, and community engagement. The revival of Sunday rest will be driven by a desire to promote a sense of well-being and solidarity in an increasingly fast-paced and spiritually devoid world."
The Belfast News Letter Today published the following:
• “The Free Presbyterian Church has written to the NI Football League (NIFL) to complain that it is discriminating against practicing Christians by staging matches on the Sabbath.”
• “The letter says … ‘We, in keeping with the historic position of Protestant Churches hold Sunday to be the Christian Sabbath’.”
• “We hold it to be a special day and a day that is marked by the worship of God and rest and it has been kept this way by thousands of evangelical Christians for hundreds of years.”
• “Now, however, with Premiership football matches to be held on Sunday NIFL are robbing Christian fans of the opportunity of supporting their team from week to week and they are closing the door for Christian footballers to be able to play in the top league in Northern Ireland.”
• “In a day when we are being told that there should be equal opportunities for all, this does not seem to include evangelical Christians.”
• “We are calling on NIFL to reverse course on the matter of Sunday football.”
Basically, the argument that the Free Presbyterian Church in Ireland is making is that playing football on Sunday is both immoral and illegal.
These are the types of pressure tactics that the church will use on its citizens in order to revive Sunday laws. As societies grapple with issues like the loss of spirituality, overwork, burnout, and the erosion of family time, there will be renewed interest in preserving Sundays as a day for worship, reflection, and community engagement. The revival of Sunday rest will be driven by a desire to promote a sense of well-being and solidarity in an increasingly fast-paced and spiritually devoid world."
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