I think of the progress and successful evangelist campaigns of all the Seventh Day Adventist evangelists in years past.  They would move into a new town and set up a tent.  Then they would bring out the pictures of the metal man (Dan. 2),  next the pictures of the "four beasts" of Daniel 7, and finally the leopard-like beast of Rev. 13. In six weeks they would pack up and leave for new territory.  Churches were popping up everywhere like popcorn, not only in America, but throughout the world, from just a handful of people, into a mighty movement.  Their explanation of Revelation thirteen was so plain the people eagerly accepted these Bible truths.  I believe everyone of these successful evangelists had read the following about this 13th chapter of Revelation.  I believe there is no better exposition given anywhere.

    "In (Revelation) chapter 13 (verses 1-10) is described another beast, 'like unto a leopard' to which the dragon gave 'his power, and his seat, and great authority.  This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once held by the ancient Roman Empire.  Of the leopard-like beast it is declared: There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies... And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His Name, and His Tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy." Great Controversy 439.

    "Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And, says the prophet, 'I saw one of his heads as it was wounded to death. 'And again,. . . he that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.'  The forty and two months are the same as the 'time and times and the dividing of time,' three years and a half, or 1260 days of Daniel 7-- the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began with the supremacy of the papacy, AD 538, and terminated in 1798.  At that time, the pope was made captive by the French army, the papal power received it's deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, 'He that leadeth  into captivity shall go into captivity'." Great Controversy 439.

    With such books as "The Great Controversy" to guide these evangelists, as they compared
Scripture with Scripture, much success followed, but did any of the "ancient men" betray their trust?  Yes, on a grand scale with them becoming bolder with each passing day.

    The United States of America is the "beast" with "two horns like a lamb, and he (it) spake as a dragon."      "It was apostasy that led the early church to seek the aid of the civil governments, 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.' So apostasy in the church will prepare the way for the image to the beast." Great Controversy 444.

    Dear reader, whoever you are, if you know anything of the Protestants churches, you know in each and everyone, apostasy is running rampant.  The SDA apostasy is more grievous in Heaven's sight than all others, because of additional light we are privilege with.  We are now so close for the next words to become a reality, and it will probably take some major catastrophe to trigger it. So today we must be ready with clean hands,  pure lives, and every sin confessed.

    "When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees (Hello Pat Robinson, Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, Ralph Reed, and many SDA's) and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image to the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result."  Great Controversy 445.

    The faithful will be dissenters then, they will not be law abiding according to the masses, not according to judges, governors, senators and congressmen.  But even in that elite group there will be some of God's children.  When they hear the reason of our faith, given fearlessly, then they will have an opportunity to step forward and embrace all of heavens instruction.

    At a recent meeting of the "Christian" Coalition where all of the Republican candidates for President of  the United States gathered to speak before that elite group, who said these words?  "The time is not far distant when we're going to have to gird ourselves and take that long march up to Armageddon to do battle for the Lord."  How true are those predicted words of his, except and never forget, that this well organized groups plan to do battle for the Lord, they will eventually find out that they are doing battle for a lord, not the LORD.  Their battle is against the LORD!  "Yet under one head-- the papal power--the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses.  This union is cemented by the great apostate." 7 Testimonies 182.

    During this gathering of ecumenical minds and their reign of power, many "were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God."  Revelation 20:4.  All we can say about their actions is, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  Luke 23:34.

    "But so long as Jesus remains man's intercessor in the sanctuary above, the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit is felt by rulers and people. It still controls to some extent the laws of the land. Were it not for these laws, the condition of the world would be much worse than it now is. While many of our rulers are active agents of Satan, God also has His agents among the leading men of the nation. The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures that would greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose such propositions with unanswerable arguments. Thus a few men will hold in check a powerful current of evil. The opposition of the enemies of truth will be restrained that the third angel's message may do its work. When the final warning shall be given, it will arrest the attention of these leading men through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will accept it, and will stand with the people of God through the time of trouble."  Great Controversy 610-611.

    Now let me quote one statement concerning those who will not be able to buy or sell.     "But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever transgresses the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God... 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.'" Great Controversy 449.

    It would not be fair to you if I didn't remind you, and myself, of the miracles that Apostate Protestantism will be able to perform in order to deceive God's people.  I am not talking about trickery or slight of hand.  No, real miracles, even "... so that he (the image to the beast) maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast (papacy); saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had a wound by a sword, and did live." Rev. 13:13,14.  Some of these miracles will include one of your loved ones that you yourself saw go into the grave.  In order to persuade you against the truth, evil angels will appear in the likeness of your loved ones.  Their manner of walk and talk will be convincing proof to those who don't study their Bibles, and know the truth about the state of the dead, especially when these loved ones tell of coming from heaven with instruction for you, saying, God changed the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day of the week.

    Those evil angels never rest, they will never give up to divert your course downward.  Remember, hell fire was only prepared for the devil and his angels.  It was not prepared for you and I. If we are not overcomers however, we also shall burn in the lake of fire alongside Satan.  A Bible verse says "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7  This verse is still effective when used, but the 1998 plain English version of that text says "At the sound of fervent prayer, the Devil and his whole host tremble." 1 Testimonies 346.  Satan knows he doesn't have a leg to stand on when faithful souls petitions Heaven.  These faithful souls have knowledge that there are a few conditions to answered prayer, one being "If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me." Ps. 66:18 "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." Proverbs 28:9.

    Let us now go back to apostate Protestantism when they begin to parade their miracle-performing ability.  Their prayers during these supernatural events are not being answered by Heaven, they are being answered by Satan and his evil angels.  Yes, they have unity, they will have power, they will have worldwide support, even from the non-Christian nations.  They are all agreeing against a small group of people clinging to God's word.  Of course this large group is claiming their power comes directly from God.  The miracles that are happening is their proof that God is on their side.  Hollywood has set the stage, with their movies and videos of supernatural deception.  But God's true people will not waiver one iota.  Even when well known world leaders appear, like John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, the Virgin Mary, and the Apostle Peter, God’s true people know what His word says.  (The dead know not anything. Eccl. 9:6.)

    Some of the above names are precious in heavens eyes and they will come to life on Gods schedule alone.  Not at Satan’s bidding, when he begins to empower his puppet “Evangelists.”

    “Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends and declaring the most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions. We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils."

    "Just before us is 'the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.' Revelation 3:10. All whose faith is not firmly established upon the word of God will be deceived and overcome. Satan 'works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness' to gain control of the children of men, and his deceptions will continually increase. But he can gain his object only as men voluntarily yield to his temptations. Those who are earnestly seeking a knowledge of the truth and are striving to purify their souls through obedience, thus doing what they can to prepare for the conflict, will find, in the God of truth, a sure defense. 'Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee,' (verse 10), is the Saviour's promise. 'He would sooner send every angel out of heaven to protect His people than leave one soul that trusts in Him to be overcome by Satan.'” Great Controversy 560.