Counsels on Future Life

Counsel #7 — “Favored Nation” Status

Picture: Counsel #7 — “Favored Nation” Status CFL 57.1

For many years, the United States has provided a haven for individuals to worship according to their conscience. When the United States rejects religious liberty as a God-given right, it will no longer be a favored nation in the eyes of God.^[54] CFL 57.2

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed…. Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Revelation 13:11, 12; Revelation 14:9, 10; See The Great Controversy, pp. 578, 579 CFL 57.3

“The people of the United States have been a favored people; but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and ‘national apostasy’ will be registered in the books of heaven. The result of this apostasy will be national ruin.” Ellen White in RH May 2, 1893, par. 11 CFL 57.4

Reflect: Do you believe God has committed to the church the right to inflict civil penalties for opposing its doctrines? Why or why not? CFL 57.5