The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 580
furthermore, it is to command all, “both small and great, rich and poor,
free and bond,” to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 13:11-16.
It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the
beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when
the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims
as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to
the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome
in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from
being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. “I
saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound
was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” Verse 3. The
infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in
1798. After this, says the prophet, “his deadly wound was healed: and
all the world wondered after the beast.” Paul states plainly that the “man
of sin” will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To
the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And
the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: “All that dwell upon
the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of
life.” Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy
will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests
solely upon the authority of the Roman Church.
Since the middle of the nineteenth century, students of prophecy in
the United States have presented this testimony to the world. In the
events now taking place is seen a rapid advance toward the fulfillment of
the prediction. With Protestant teachers there is the same claim of divine
authority for Sundaykeeping, and the same lack of Scriptural evidence,
as with the papal leaders who fabricated miracles to supply the place of
a command from God. The assertion that God’s judgments are visited
upon men for their violation of the
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