By Pastor Hal Mayer
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Keep the Faith Ministry once again. “We have a Pope,” was heard from the balcony at Saint Peters in Rome recently as Pope Leo XIV was elected to be the successor of Pope Francis. As we study today, I hope you will see the connection between the leaders of the United States and the papacy and Bible prophecy. But first, let us pray.
Our Father in heaven, we pray that you will speak to us today of the times in which we live and prepare us for the coming time of trouble that is going to be supported by the world powers. We’ll have to stand on our own in that time, at least as far as human companionship is concerned. Please prepare us for that time. Please support us with your Holy Spirit and your pure white garments of righteousness. And we’ll give you all the praise and all the glory in eternity forever. In Jesus name, amen.
Let us refresh our minds on what the verses say in Revelation 13 regarding the first and second beast. The first beast is the sea beast. It is coming out of the sea. Let us read what it says from verses 1-4.
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And 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. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”
The first beast comes out of the sea because it is coming from large populations of people. It is described as a very popular beast for all the world wonders after him. This sea-beast is also very powerful, for the scriptures say, “who is able to make war with him?” Furthermore, this sea-beast commands all to pay her homage or worship. This also makes it a religious power, for worship indicates religion. This is none other than the papacy.
The papacy has a history of being a political power that controls kings, princes and rulers. But the papacy is also a religious power that is combined with the political. Any earthly monarch, including presidents, kings, prime ministers and bureaucrats, have had to reckon with this religio-political power whether they want to or not. In medieval Europe, some kings tried to rule independently of Rome, but found that it was impossible. The reason was that Rome could manipulate other kings and rulers against them with such force that it made ruling in peace very difficult for that ruler.
The papacy had a tradition of picking popes from Europe, particularly from Italy. But in more recent times there has been some diversity. Benedict XVI was chosen from Germany. Francis was the first American Pope being chosen from Latin America although his ancestors were from the fertile plains of the Po River Valley, which is where the Waldenses lived before they had to retreat into the mountains of northwestern Italy. Now we have the second Pope from the Americas and the first from the United States, Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV was chosen for this time. It is claimed that he was a surprise choice. Remember that the enemy of all liberty has manipulated the papacy and may well have had in mind this man to become Pope at a time of great turmoil and upset in the United States. For the American power establishment is being overturned. Donald Trump may be working to do things that are good for America in some, or even many ways. But we need to understand his role in light of prophecy.
Donald Trump doesn’t know it, but the MAGA movement, or the “Make America Great Again” movement actually is predicted in prophecy in a unique way. Let’s read Revelation 13:11-15.
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”
The earth beast, or as it is sometimes called the land beast, is predicted in the Bible to become very great and powerful, even though it arises out of a sparsely populated land. When I hear the MAGA message over and over again, I am constantly reminded of these verses in Revelation 13. I think Donald Trump is working to get America ready to fulfill its prophetic role, which he certainly doesn’t understand. Now let’s read verses 14 and 15.
“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; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
Donald Trump is wishy washy on the separation of church and state. Listen to his recent public comment to evangelicals in the White House.
“They say separation between church and state… I said, ‘All right, let’s forget about that for one time.’”
“They said, really there’s separation. I don’t know. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I’m not sure, but whether there’s separation or not, you guys are in the White House where you should be, and you’re representing our country, and we’re bringing religion back to our country, and it’s a big deal.”
It is a big deal, although probably not as Mr. Trump claims. Satan has been trying to do that for a very long time. This statement also made it very clear to the Catholic Church that Mr. Trump can be manipulated or co-opted on religious liberty to serve their ends. No doubt they can see that he can be used to create something very much to the liking of Rome. Scripture calls it an image to the beast. Listen to this statement from Great Controversy, page 448.
“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.”
At a time when America is rapidly moving toward the unity of church and state; at a time when America is becoming a Christian nation with a Christian nationalist flair, an American Pope is elected who speaks fluent English and who is very much about building bridges between peoples and religions. He may be the one to fuse the US and the papacy together in spite of Donald Trump’s belief about immigration that is opposed the papacy. This fusion is talked about in Revelation, for America will unite with Rome politically to fulfill this prophecy. America will become great enough to enforce or pressure nations around the world to enact Sunday laws to support the worship of Rome.
The fervor and enthusiasm for what seems to be a Christian system, the papacy will be invited to join evangelicals in bringing about a country that promotes the Christian religion and enacts laws to enforce its worship. Listen to this interesting statement from Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, page 425.
“As the controversy extends into new fields, and the minds of the people are called to God’s down-trodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message only maddens those who oppose it. The clergy put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light, lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work, papists are solicited to come to the help of Protestants. The movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided. The law is invoked against commandment-keepers.”
Did you get that? It gives us the interesting detail that Roman Catholics are invited to join with Evangelicals to accomplish their mission to enact a Sunday law. In other words, Evangelicals will think that they need help in this massive effort. But they will have resistance probably. After all they will be fighting against heaven in this matter, and they have to overcome considerable resistance both from Sabbath keepers and from secular people as well.
So, it works like this. The Catholic bishops will be able to use the Protestants to get a Sunday law movement going. Then Protestants, or Evangelicals invite the papacy to help them enforce Sunday worship. Here is the same statement from the book Great Controversy, page 607 though it is slightly modified.
“As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God’s downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite.”
That’s the important phrase; “papists and Protestants unite.” As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes bolder and more decided, papists and Protestants collude together to persecute commandment keepers. The statement in the Spirit of Prophecy, Vol 4 makes a more detailed point about the invitation of the Evangelicals to Roman Catholics to help them with the Sunday law.
But this statement, by only a few words, explains why the bishops have let the Evangelicals take the lead. They are still involved. Make no mistake about it. But they are keeping a low profile for the time being while Evangelicals have been consolidating their power in legislative halls of Congress, in the oval office and in the churches. They need the Evangelicals to work out their Christian nationalism. They need Evangelicals to help strengthen the cause of Sunday observance in the United States and in other places. So, they let them take the lead for the time being. And when the Evangelicals get so far along that they need the help of the Catholic Church, they will be ready to lend a hand as soon as they are invited.
Now, listen to this statement about what is happening behind the scenes. There is much that we should understand about the hidden agenda and what we are to do about it. Did you know that we are to do something about the Sunday law movement? Here it is from Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 452.
“While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending.”
So, we don’t know which leaders are concealing the true issue. But certainly, the Catholic bishops would have the Sunday law in mind. They’ve had it as part of their agenda for many, many years. And they have been working on it openly, particularly in Europe, but also in America and other countries as well. But in America it is generally hidden in the shadows. It is shrouded in darkness. All of this is making it difficult for Evangelicals to understand the real purpose in cooperating with political powers and, for that matter, with Rome. They just don’t see the danger.
And this is the crux of what the enemy is trying to do. He has blinded the Evangelicals to the true nature of the movement to use the government to establish Christian Nationalism. Evangelicals at the top of the power echelons are very passionate about this and will work with anyone who will help them to accomplish their purpose.
Many see the good things that they are doing to bring America back to strength, especially to the religious underpinnings on which it was founded, Only, they want them more bold and prominent. They rejoice that finally the leftward, liberal bent of American law and jurisprudence is being corrected. They are so thankful that religious liberty is being restored and they can have their voices heard in the marketplace. We can appreciate this too, at least some of it. The left has pushed so hard with their secularism, their gender identity, their same-sex marriage, and their insistence that homosexuality be endorsed and celebrated even by Christian businesses by forcing them to comply with laws designed to promote these things; to many Christian people, it is like a breath of fresh air to see at least some of them being reversed.
Now, I will continue reading from this important statement from Testimonies to the Church, Vol 5.
“Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon.”
Did you get that? It looks very good. It is outwardly Christian in its profession. And all Christians should be able to join in and make the nation righteous again, so they say. But is this the right thing to do? That is Christian Nationalism. They want to reconstruct America, not only as a Christian nation, but to make America ruled by Christians and biblical law, as defined by those who rule. It also uses the majority in a democracy to isolate the minority and any objectors.
You see, the enemy has constructed a whole set of circumstances that will make it very difficult for God’s Sabbathkeeping people to oppose the movement to establish a legal kingdom of Christ on this earth. This has been Rome’s agenda for a long time. They call it Christendom. Now that Rome has gotten the Evangelicals on side, and now that they are doing the heavy lifting, Rome stands on the sidelines and waits for an invitation to join the Evangelicals to enact and enforce their Christian Nationalism through Sunday laws.
Donald Trump is surrounding himself with Evangelicals and Catholics. He chose JD Vance, who is a Catholic, as his running mate and is now his vice-president. President Trump is influenced heavily by the Heritage Foundation, a Catholic organization, that advises him on judicial and other nominations. Though not all judges that they recommend are Roman Catholics, they are certainly friendly to Rome.
Though Donald Trump is not a regular churchgoer, he has increasingly leaned into his Christian credentials, establishing a White House faith office in the West Wing in spite of the separation of church and state, inviting pastors to pray in the Oval Office and during Cabinet meetings, and taking executive actions to root out “anti-Christian bias” in the government. Mr. Trump also visited the Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral. Some of these are good on their face, but the danger is that they will take them too far, and start to build momentum for a law that regulates man’s relation to God.
Mr. Trump has chosen Catholics for about 1/3 of his cabinet positions. So Roman Catholics already play an out-sized role in influencing Donald Trump on policies. His cabinet is comparable to his predecessor Joe Biden’s cabinet which was characterized as the most Catholic cabinet in American history. Let’s remember that the Roman church works with both sides of the aisle to accomplish its purposes. When one political party is in power Rome accomplishes what she can with their views and perspectives. When the other party is in power it simply changes feet and works with them to accomplish the things that they mutually believe in.
Mr. Trump has established a commission on religious liberty at the White House chaired by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Ben Carson, Trump’s term-one Housing and Urban Development secretary and a Seventh-day Adventist, will serve as vice-chair. Patrick told the president, “There’s never been a president whose invoked the name of Jesus more than you.”
Paul White, the head of the faith office, and Trump’s senior advisor in the White House said, “Prayer is not a religious act, it’s a national necessity.”
Russell Vought, one of Donald Trump’s cabinet members authored a chapter in the 2025 document, which promotes Sunday observance. He is a self-proclaimed Christian Nationalist who wants America to be ruled by the Bible and by dedicated Christians.
The unification of church and state is happening in the US very rapidly. The election of Robert Francis Provost who is now called Leo XIV, in the context of the current American administration, is quite dramatic and tells us that last day events are even at the door.
Pope Leo is an Augustinian monk. Apparently, he was head of their order for a period of time. The core beliefs of Augustinian monks reflect communal life, you could say the “common good.” The common good is actually a very dangerous Catholic concept that simply means that individuality and personal freedom and rights are sacrificed for the common good of all. And when huge natural disasters rip up our world, suddenly laws will be enacted for the common good. You’ll have to worship the way everybody else is worshipping. You won’t be able to carry out a distinctive worship on the seventh-day Sabbath of the law of God. So, expect to hear a lot more about the common good in the future.
Pope Leo is known for being a bridge builder between peoples and churches and groups. He is very ecumenical. When American society is split between left and right, between liberals and conservatives, Pope Leo will find a synthesis to bring both sides together, especially in an existential crisis. America will very quickly abandon its petty arguments, it’s usual distinctions, it’s over the top extremes, as well as it’s weightier matters like the constitutional separation of church and state. Remember, the Spirit of Prophecy tells us that America will repudiate every principle of its constitution.
Augustine was responsible for many of the errors that came into the Catholic Church in the early days of the fourth century. Luther, also an Augustinian monk, rejected the post Augustinian errors, but retained the errors that were introduced by Augustine.
The previous Pope Leo XIII declared the infallibility of the church. Leo XIII had a stated goal of restoring the Catholic Church to its former glory. This was during the time of Grover Cleveland’s presidency, who was President for a term, and then skipped a term, and then was re-elected to the office for another term, similar to President Trump, though he was a Democrat. That would have, of course, meant that he would like to restore it to the place where it will have the ability to control the worship of the world. It would mean re-establishing the forceful inquisition. Listen to this statement from Great Controversy, page 581.
“[Rome] is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the word of God will thereby incur reproach and persecution.”
Leo XIII was elected at 67 years of age and was the 4th longest reigning Pope in Catholic history. Leo XIV is 69 years of age. Leo XIII established the American University in Washington DC near Capitol Hill and tried to introduce Catholicism into the mainstream of American culture. Many US presidents visited Catholic University at a time when America was strongly anti-Catholic. He published an encyclical called Rerum Novarum. It emphasized workers rights, labor unions, and most importantly Sunday rest laws. All these are included in Pope Leo XIV agenda.
Leo XIV will also work toward the externalization of the hierarchy. What does that mean? Externalization of the hierarchy means the hierarchy is manifested outside of the church such as in society, in law and in the government. The Catholic Church and its current influence on these things is more than enough for any true Protestant to live with. But the Catholic Church wants more. She wants to be invited into the mechanisms that directly control the agenda and the laws.
Leo XIV will, no doubt, influence Mr. Trump greatly. You know, with President Trump a little flattery goes a long way. It makes him very vulnerable to manipulation. The Jesuits and the Catholic hierarchy know how to do this very, very well. Mr. Trump, speaking of the new Pope, said,
I can’t wait to meet him.”
J.D. Vance was appointed to hand deliver a letter of invitation to Pope Leo at his inauguration. At a time when the government is strongly advocating religious freedom, religious freedom is actually very vulnerable. In recent years it’s been chipped away at mightily. Pope Leo XIV might be tasked to overthrow religious freedom and turn the lamb-like beast into a dragon. He wants to bring the United States under Catholic control. Remember the enemy hates religious freedom with the passion. And his agent in Rome does too. So, we are at a very critical juncture in world history right now. Rome aims to remove the independence of America and bring her under the aegis and control of Rome. Remember what the book Great Controversy told us about this Rome’s attitude toward religious liberty? Let’s read it from page 564.
“The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX, in his Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: `The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error—a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.’ The same pope, in his Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized ‘those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious worship,’ also ‘all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.”
When I hear of pastors who say to God’s people that the concept of the great controversy was a 19th century idea and is no longer relevant, or that the prophecies of the end times as we have preached them are no longer applicable, or that there is no sanctuary in heaven, or that you don’t have to overcome sin to be in heaven, I am reminded of a statement in Testimonies to Ministers, page 409.
Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. If doubts and unbelief are cherished, the faithful ministers will be removed from the people who think they know so much. “If thou hadst known,” said Christ, “even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.”
Did you hear that? Many will stand in OUR pulpits. That’s the pulpits of God’s remnant church that the author is talking about. Do you think we have that today? Of course, we do. You hardly ever hear leaders or pastors talking about these prophecies or exposing the activities of Rome. Even self-supporting leaders are silent in the name of being supportive of the organization. Do you think that leaders are somehow involved in this conspiracy? Those who are dumb dogs and will not bark are guilty of a great crime before God.
If Satan gets his hellish torch in Seventh-day Adventist pulpits he has gained a great victory. Those that stand in the pulpits with the hellish torch of false prophecy are able to lead many of the flock to hell. And the reason is that most people don’t study prophecy, and they have false views of prophecy just as the Jews did in Jesus day. As a faithful minister of the Lord I have to raise my voice. We don’t have an emphasis on end time prophecies in most of God’s church today. The focus is on love, unity, and an emaciated gospel that doesn’t offer real salvation. People are going to be overwhelmed when the onslaught is launched on God’s people, which I believe is going to be soon.
At Francis’s funeral there were 4 presidents, the current president and three previous presidents, and a virtual who’s who of world political leaders were in attendance to pay tribute to Francis. It reminded me of Revelation 13:4 that says, “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”
The whole world is going to align with the man of sin in Rome. They will support him and do what he says, including persecution of the saints of God.
Pope Leo XIV is said to be a bridge builder. This is simply making alliances. But it is not alliances with God. It is alliances between organizations and institutions which are evil and satanic all in the name of religion. It will lead to more friendliness with Rome, even subjection to Rome. Alliances with the UN, alliances with the WHO, and the NGO’s that are connected with them, subject those who are supposed to be opposed to Rome and pressure them to mute their voices. This is because Rome influences them all behind the scenes. It’s even worse for a church to form such alliances. Have you ever wondered why there isn’t much objection to ecumenism in your church? It is because of these alliances. The church gets money and prestige by having an NGOs. Churches, especially God’s Remnant church, have no business aligning themselves as NGOs with these organizations, no matter how attractive they might seem to be, or what benefits they supposedly bring with them. Because these organizations will promote unity in falsehood through the alliances. This will lead straight into the lap of Rome. Let me read a statement from Great Controversy, page 563.
“Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years. In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. The time was when Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly purchased. They taught their children to abhor popery and held that to seek harmony with Rome would be disloyalty to God. But how widely different are the sentiments now expressed!”
We must now be especially vigilant and alert to Rome’s encroaching power. No doubt this pontificate will be a significant shift in US/Papal relations.
Building bridges has another aspect. Building a bridge can only work ultimately, if the emphasis is on the common good. The common good is the idea that you have to yield your individual liberty of either a person or an organization for the good of all. While this sounds good, it is actually getting everybody used to the idea that there is a higher good than freedom and individuality. This again leads to control of society by Rome. Rome is the great promoter of the common good. In fact, it is her main thrust, especially in these days. And it will play out in a way that places Sunday worship above freedom and obedience to the law of God. “Sunday rest,” it is said, “is good for all.” Therefore, we must all keep Sunday together for the benefit of families and social interaction.” This is a very deceptive concept. It may sound good, and Christian, and in some things, it is a valuable concept. But the law of God is a higher authority and must be obeyed even if it is not in the interests of all.
For example, stealing another person’s possessions or property is forbidden by law because it is for the common good and wellbeing of society. That’s an example of the good use of the common good. But never should an individual’s convictions concerning the law of God or his relationship to God be trampled by coercion or force. But that is the aim of Rome in promoting the common good. Listen to this statement from Great Controversy, page 615. Listen to how the author presents the common good argument.
“As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. The same argument many centuries ago was brought against Christ by the “rulers of the people.” “It is expedient for us,” said the wily Caiaphas, “that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:50. This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism in the Old World and apostate Protestantism in the New will pursue a similar course toward those who honor all the divine precepts.”
Do you hear the argument about the common good? It is better for these few people to die so that everyone will be in harmony and unity. We cannot tolerate dissent, for the times of individual liberty are over. The masses will be deceived because they have been conditioned to it by many years of listening to this kind of reasoning. But it is deceptive, nevertheless. Error doesn’t become truth because it’s often repeated. But as it is more and more repeated, more and more people believe it. This renders it even more dangerous.
Even some of God’s professed people hold this view of the common good. Here is how you know it. They say, “If you don’t take the vaccine, you will kill your grandmother or other elderly people.” That is the common good argument. And the talking points were promoted by the Roman Catholic Church, who even struck a coin to commemorate the vaccine. That tells you something about who is behind it. It was also promoted by the WHO, the UN, NGOs, social organizations, many businesses including big pharma, of course, and three letter government organizations like the NIH, the CDC and the FDA. Also, many Protestant or Evangelical churches, including the Adventist Church promoted the vaccine and worked against religious liberty. Because it was promoted by many of these organizations that people blindly trust, many were deceived into putting pressure on the few who would not yield to the mandates to get the jab.
Quite a few people with convictions that they should not get the jab lost their jobs and even their homes. Many people were injured as a result of the vaccines. And it’s still going on. Rome has successfully corralled most nations and most businesses and organizations to keep promoting the idea that the jab was safe and effective when it wasn’t and isn’t. But many people still bury their heads in the sand and blind their eyes and turn from the truth willingly. Do you think that will carry over into religious matters when it comes to the Sunday law crisis? Of course, it will. A health crisis will be a major way of getting people corralled to do what the papacy wants them to do through their own governments. In some ways, I suspect that the pandemic and the vaccine was a great and grand experiment of the Roman Catholic Church to see what she could do to get all nations under her aegis.
Another concept that goes hand in hand with the common good is the idea of democracy. Political leaders today often talk about “our democracy,” or about defending “our democracy,” or spreading “our democracy” around the world. This is not what America was founded upon. And this is the reason why history is so important to understand. America was founded upon a republic. The difference between a democracy and a republic is that democracy is the rule of the majority, but it eventually becomes the dictatorship of the majority. A republic, on the other hand, is designed to protect the minority viewpoint. This is the only basis of true freedom.
There is a famous story about Benjamin Franklin. It was the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Benjamin Franklin famously answered a question from Elizabeth Willing Powel, who was his delegated substitute reader at the convention. Franklin was not able to give his speech himself because he was afflicted with gout and a kidney stone. The two had a conversation in which Elizabeth asked him “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin responded with the comment; “A republic, if you can keep it.”
This was especially insightful. In his speech he said, “I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government, but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered; and believe further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government.”
Then he said, “It therefore astonishes me, sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does….
The constitution became the foundation document of the American Republic. Roman Catholicism is promoting a despotic government. And the political leaders of United States government who promote the idea that America is a democracy, as well as many other western political leaders around the world have also been promoting despotism for many years.
Rome has far-reaching plans and she can see the changes that are taking place in America. She knows that her time is near. President Trump will be easily placed in a position where he will yield to pressure from the legislature to enact a Sunday law. I’m not saying he will. But I’m saying that he is vulnerable. If God wills it, the time will come when he will be pushed into making such a decision, or decree by way of executive order. Listen to this statement from Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 451.
“By the decree of enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.”
Pope Leo, during his inaugural mass quoted His predecessor Pope Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum.
“41. From this follows the obligation of the cessation from work and labor on Sundays and certain holy days. The rest from labor is not to be understood as mere giving way to idleness; much less must it be an occasion for the spending of money or for vicious indulgence, as many would have it to be; but it should be rest from labor, hallowed by religion. Rest (combined with religious observances) disposes man to forget for a while the business of his everyday life, to turn his thoughts to things heavenly, and to worship which he so strictly owes to the eternal Godhead. It is this, above all, which is the reason and motive of Sunday rest, a ‘rest’ sanctioned by God’s great law of the ancient covenant – ‘Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.” (31) and taught to the world by his own mysterious ‘rest’ after the creation of man: ‘He rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done.’ (32)”
Pope Leo, like previous popes, will push Sunday rest laws and eventually Sunday worship laws. We are told in Daniel 7:21, speaking of the little horn that speaks great things against God, that he will persecute the saints in these last days. So, Rome will make war with the saints, compel worship and prevail over them. Let’s read it.
“I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them…”
Leo XIV is working to enact the enemy’s plan for the last days. Donald Trump is vulnerable to being manipulated or coerced into doing his bidding.
We need to watch out because Rome is like a chameleon that changes the color of its skin to match the environment. This renders her much more deceptive. That just read in Great Controversy, page 571.
“The papacy is just what prophecy declared that she would be, the apostasy of the latter times. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4. It is a part of her policy to assume the character which will best accomplish her purpose; but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent. “Faith ought not to be kept with heretics, nor persons suspected of heresy” (Lenfant, volume 1, page 516), she declares. Shall this power, whose record for a thousand years is written in the blood of the saints, be now acknowledged as a part of the church of Christ?”
The process has been a slow one. It has taken a long time. God’s people lose their orientation slowly, deceptively. Rome is patient. But now many think that Rome has changed. But Rome has not changed. Persecution will spring to life when the time is right. Be ready, be faithful, be vigilant. Let us pray.
Our Father in heaven, we are convinced that the end is near, and that persecution is soon to come. We want to be ready for that and we ask your Holy Spirit to be present with us at all times. Please give us solid and clear understandings of the word of God and of the signs of the times. Thank you for your love and great sacrifice for us. We don’t want to miss out on heaven. So, please help us in our character development to be ready for the second coming of Christ, but also for the crisis that lies ahead. In Jesus name, amen.