Romanists declare that " the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay , in spite of themselves , to the authority of the [ Catholic ] Church ." --Mgr. Segur , Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today , page 213 . The enforcement of Sundaykeeping on the part of Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of the papacy--of the beast . Those who , understanding the claims of the fourth commandment , choose to observe the false instead of the true Sabbath are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded . But in the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular power , the churches would themselves form an image to the beast ; hence the enforcement of Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and his image .
But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday , supposing that in so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath ; and there are now true Christians in every church , not excepting the Roman Catholic communion , who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment . God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him . But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law , and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath , then whoever shall transgress the command of God , to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome , will thereby honor popery above God . He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome . He is worshipping the beast and his image . As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority , and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy , they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome-- " the mark of the beast ." And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people , and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men , that those who continue in transgression will receive " the mark of the beast ."
The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel ' s message . That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy . Men are not to be left in darkness concerning this important matter ; the warning against this sin is to be given to the world before the visitation of God ' s judgments , that all may know why they are to be inflicted , and have opportunity to escape them . Prophecy declares that the first angel would make his announcement to " every nation , and kindred , and tongue , and people ." The warning of the third angel , which forms a part of the same threefold message , is to be no less widespread . It is represented in the prophecy as being proclaimed with a loud voice , by an angel flying in the midst of heaven ; and it will command the attention of the world .
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