the beast itself--the papacy . When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen rites and customs , she lost the Spirit and power of God ; and in order to control the consciences of the people , she sought the support of the secular power . The result was the papacy , a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends , especially for the punishment of " heresy ." In order for the United States to form an image of the beast , the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends .
Whenever the church has obtained secular power , she has employed it to punish dissent from her doctrines . Protestant churches that have followed in the steps of Rome by forming alliance with worldly powers have manifested a similar desire to restrict liberty of conscience . An example of this is given in the long-continued persecution of dissenters by the Church of England . During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries , thousands of nonconformist ministers were forced to flee from their churches , and many , both of pastors and people , were subjected to fine , imprisonment , torture , and martyrdom .
It was apostasy that led the early church to seek the aid of the civil government , and this prepared the way for the development of the papacy--the beast . Said Paul : " There " shall " come a falling away , . . . and that man of sin be revealed ." 2 Thessalonians 2:3 . So apostasy in the church will prepare the way for the image to the beast . The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord there will exist a state of religious declension similar to that in the first centuries .
" In the last days perilous times shall come . For men shall be lovers of their own selves , covetous , boasters , proud , blasphemers , disobedient to parents , unthankful , unholy , without natural affection , trucebreakers , false accusers , incontinent , fierce , despisers of those that are good , traitors , heady , high-minded , lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God ; having a form of godliness , but denying the power thereof ." 2 Timothy 3:1-5 . " Now the Spirit speaketh expressly , that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith , giving heed to seducing spirits , and doctrines of devils ." 1 Timothy 4:1 . Satan will work " with all power and signs and lying wonders , and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness ." And all that " received not the love of the truth , that they might be saved ," will be left to accept " strong delusion , that they should believe a lie ." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 . When this state of ungodliness shall be reached , the same results will follow as in the first centuries .
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