The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 27

The European Union in Prophecy
do all who cherish evil under a profession of godliness hate those who disturb their
peace by condemning their course of sin. When a favorable opportunity is presented,
they will, like Judas, betray those who for their good have sought to reprove them.
The apostles encountered those in the church who professed godliness while they
were secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and Sapphira acted the part of deceivers,
pretending to make an entire sacrifice for God, when they were covetously
withholding a portion for themselves. The Spirit of truth revealed to the apostles the
real character of these pretenders, and the judgments of God rid the church of this
foul blot upon its purity. This signal evidence of the discerning Spirit of Christ in the
church was a terror to hypocrites and evildoers. They could not long remain in
connection with those who were, in habit and disposition, constant representatives of
Christ; and as trials and persecution came upon His followers, those only who were
willing to forsake all for the truth's sake desired to become His disciples. Thus, as long
as persecution continued, the church remained comparatively pure. But as it ceased,
converts were added who were less sincere and devoted, and the way was open for
Satan to obtain a foothold.
But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and
there can be no union between their followers. When Christians consented to unite
with those who were but half converted from paganism, they entered upon a path
which led further and further from the truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in
deceiving so large a number of the followers of Christ. He then brought his power to
bear more fully upon these, and inspired them to persecute those who remained true
to God. None understood so well how to oppose the true Christian faith as did those
who had once been its defenders; and these apostate Christians, uniting with their
half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the most essential features of
the doctrines of Christ.
It required a desperate struggle for those who would be faithful to stand firm
against the deceptions and abominations which were disguised in sacerdotal
garments and introduced into the church. The Bible was not accepted as the standard
of faith. The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were
hated and proscribed. After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to
dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free herself from
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