It’s a heavy topic. But surely, we are living in “heavy” times… Times that are heavy with lies, deception, immorality, and violence. We don’t like to think about a time when persecution will break out – but the scriptures warn us that it is coming. Shockingly, according to the Bible – it will come, not from “irreligious” people… but from “religious” people! Lies, deception, immorality, and violence are in the world to be sure. Nevertheless, we are witnessing a barrage of lies, deception, arrogance, and lawlessness within the ranks of professed Christians. The confusion will lead to the church putting pressure on the state to persecute those who are the true followers of Christ. Listen to this Bible prediction:
“They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.” John 16:2,3
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Tim 3:12
To understand how people can kill in the name of God, let’s take a quick bird’s eye view of history – which is brimming with important lessons!
The Papacy, especially during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, played a significant role in persecuting individuals and groups that deviated from its teachings. The infamous Inquisition is one of the most well-known horrors through which the Church of Rome sought to enforce religious conformity. Established in the 12th century, the Inquisition aimed to root out heresy and punish those who held beliefs contrary to the Church’s doctrines. Methods of persecution included trials, excommunication, imprisonment, torture, and execution. Figures such as John Wycliffe and Jan Hus, who criticized the Church’s practices and called for reforms, faced severe repercussions. Hus, for instance, was burned at the stake in 1415 for his heretical views.
Despite the harsh persecution, the Protestant Reformation emerged and spread rapidly across Europe in the 16th century. Initiated by Martin Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517, the movement criticized the Papacy’s practices, such as the sale of indulgences, and called for a return to biblical 
teachings. The printing press played a crucial role in disseminating Reformation ideas quickly and widely. Reformers like John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli further developed Protestant theology, attracting numerous followers. Despite facing intense persecution, including excommunication and execution, the movement persisted. Political support from various princes and leaders, who saw an opportunity to gain greater autonomy from the Papacy, also facilitated the spread of Protestantism.
However, the cycle of persecution did not end with the rise of Protestantism. In countries where Protestantism became the dominant faith, such as England, Scotland, and parts of Germany and Switzerland, new forms of religious intolerance emerged. Protestants, now in positions of power, often persecuted those who did not conform to their beliefs. In England, for example, the Anglican Church, established by King Henry VIII, and which had adopted much of the formalism of the Church of Rome, persecuted both Catholics and any Protestant that deviated from church teachings. The Pilgrims, a 
group of Separatists who sought to practice their faith free from persecution, fled England for the Netherlands and eventually sailed to America in 1620. They sought to establish a community where they could worship freely according to their conscience, without the threat of imprisonment, torture, or death. It was this burning desire that led them to the New World.
Having gone through so much trauma in the Old World, you would imagine that the Puritans would never oppress others who did not happen to share their beliefs, correct? Wrong! The newly established American colonists, who had fled religious persecution in Europe, began to impose their own forms of religious intolerance. In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Puritans established a theocratic society where
church and state were closely intertwined. Dissent from the established Puritan orthodoxy was not tolerated, and those who held differing religious views faced severe consequences. Quakers, Baptists, and other non-conformists were often punished through fines, banishment, and even execution. The infamous trials and executions of Quakers, such as Mary Dyer, highlighted the extent to which religious persecution could reach even in the New World.
Amidst this climate of religious intolerance, Roger Williams emerged as a staunch advocate for religious liberty and freedom of conscience. Williams, a Puritan minister himself, quickly became disillusioned with the oppressive religious practices of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He argued that the state should not have authority over an individual’s religious beliefs and that true faith could only be genuine if it was freely chosen without coercion. His “radical” ideas led to his banishment from the colony in 1636.
Undeterred, Williams founded the settlement of Providence in present-day Rhode Island, where he put his principles into practice. Providence became a haven for those seeking religious freedom, welcoming people of all faiths, including Jews, Quakers, and Baptists. Williams established a government based on the separation of church and state, ensuring that religious belief was a matter of personal conscience and not subject to government control. His efforts laid the groundwork for the American ideal of religious liberty, influencing future generations and the eventual framing of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion. Through his unwavering commitment to the principles of religious freedom and liberty of conscience, Roger Williams championed the true meaning of these concepts, ensuring that America would become a refuge for those seeking to live peacefully according to the dictates of their conscience.
What 2 points have we learned from this short review of history?
- There was a cycle of religious persecution and intolerance:
- Despite the immense suffering caused by the Roman Church upon protestants, once Protestantism gained power, it also engaged in persecution of dissenters.
- The Puritans, fleeing religious persecution in Europe, established colonies in America where they imposed their own religious intolerance. Even those who have suffered religious persecution can become persecutors when they gain power.
- Religious Intolerance often flourishes when there is a close intertwining of religious and state power. This combination can lead to the use of state laws to enforce religious conformity.
History must serve as a warning to us! As Americans, we cherish the principles contained in the 1st amendment to the US Constitution. which guarantees freedom of religion. We understand the importance of the separation of church and state, and the protection of individual conscience against coercion.
Yet, we are seeing an eroding of America’s commitment to the separation of church and state and we are also hearing politicians championing the cause of “Christian Nationalism, speak negatively about keeping church and state separate, and vowing to bring power “back” to the churches.
We have stated many times before that yes, indeed, America, our beloved USA, will become an oppressive power and will become a persecuting power! It’s in the bible! Let’s look at the evidence:
Revelation 13:11 (NKJV), it states: “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.”
Another Beast” – This beast arises after the first beast wreaks havoc (Rev 13:1-9) and then is placed on the sidelines when it receives a deadly wound (Rev 13:10) We will not go into detail here, but this 1st beast represents the Papacy which receives a deadly wound in 1798. The 2nd beast arises to power around the same time that the 1st beast receives the blow. Did America arise to power around this time? Yes!
“Coming up out of the earth” The “earth” represents a sparsely populated area, unlike the “sea” from which the previous beast arises, symbolizing multitudes of people (Rev 17:15) The United States fits this description as it emerged in a sparsely populated continent, particularly in contrast to the historical nations of Europe.
“Two Horns Like a Lamb” Horns represent power (See Rev 5:6 where the 7 horns on the lamb represent perfect power) The two horns symbolize the separation of civil and religious powers. The United States was founded upon the principles of religious liberty and idea of separation of church and state, which are seen as Christlike (lamb-like) qualities. Jesus said: “…whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely,” Revelation 22:17,
Speaks Like a Dragon: Despite its lamblike appearance, the beast speaks “like a dragon.” In prophetic language, the dragon represents Satan and is associated with persecution and coercion. This imagery perfectly represents a hypocritical power – outwardly professing one thing, inception, America – but doing another. Even since the beginning, America championed freedom while at the same time enslaving its black people, showing its hypocritical side. In the latter days, America will show its hypocritical side again. We read on in Revelation 13:15-17
“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast” – The beast giving breath to the image signifies the revival of the same persecuting power that characterized the historical Papacy – a power where church and state are united.
“…that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” – A nation speaks through its laws and decrees and “causes” by enforcing the law. The US will enact a religious law that will give homage to the first beast, namely a Sunday Law, since Sunday is the Mark of Authority of the Papal Church. This law is in direct defiance of God’s Holy 10 Commandment law.
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Again, we see the word “cause,” meaning “force” Unbelievably the US will force its citizens to receive a mark if they are willing to go along with the false
worship law, but if they are not willing, they will be singled out, hunted down, captured, and receive punishment or death.
Summary:
We are not to be stressed about this prediction. We should be glad that God, in His great love for us, has warned us, so that we can prepare. How can we prepare for something like this? We will delve deeper into this topic next time. For now, remember – we will never be allowed to go through more than God will give us the power to overcome. Also, God has promised that we will receive the strength we need, when the time comes. Meanwhile cling to this promise:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 10:12