The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 467

The European Union in Prophecy
restraints which God has imposed is to accept the rule of the cruelest of tyrants. When
the standard of righteousness is set aside, the way is open for the prince of evil to
establish his power in the earth.
Wherever the divine precepts are rejected, sin ceases to appear sinful or
righteousness desirable. Those who refuse to submit to the government of God are
wholly unfitted to govern themselves. Through their pernicious teachings the spirit of
insubordination is implanted in the hearts of children and youth, who are naturally
impatient of control; and a lawless, licentious state of society results. While scoffing
at the credulity of those who obey the requirements of God, the multitudes eagerly
accept the delusions of Satan. They give the rein to lust and practice the sins which
have called down judgments upon the heathen.
Those who teach the people to regard lightly the commandments of God sow
disobedience to reap disobedience. Let the restraint imposed by the divine law be
wholly cast aside, and human laws would soon be disregarded. Because God forbids
dishonest practices, coveting, lying, and defrauding, men are ready to trample upon
His statutes as a hindrance to their worldly prosperity; but the results of banishing
these precepts would be such as they do not anticipate. If the law were not binding,
why should any fear to transgress? Property would no longer be safe. Men would
obtain their neighbor's possessions by violence, and the strongest would become
richest. Life itself would not be respected. The marriage vow would no longer stand
as a sacred bulwark to protect the family. He who had the power, would, if he desired,
take his neighbor's wife by violence. The fifth commandment would be set aside with
the fourth. Children would not shrink from taking the life of their parents if by so
doing they could obtain the desire of their corrupt hearts. The civilized world would
become a horde of robbers and assassins; and peace, rest, and happiness would be
banished from the earth.
Already the doctrine that men are released from obedience to God's
requirements has weakened the force of moral obligation and opened the floodgates
of iniquity upon the world. Lawlessness, dissipation, and corruption are sweeping in
upon us like an overwhelming tide. In the family, Satan is at work. His banner waves,
even in professedly Christian households. There is envy, evil surmising, hypocrisy,
estrangement, emulation, strife, betrayal of sacred trusts, indulgence of lust.
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