Adventistische Schriften über: "Image prompt for The Great Controversy Chapters 35–36: Protestantism, Catholicism, State power, Sunday law, religious freedom, image of the beast, common goals despite doctrinal differences"

The apostasy in Protestantism leads to doctrinal differences being set aside in order to reach an agreement on common points and to seek the support of secular state power. When Protestant churches, together with Catholicism, secure state laws to enforce Sunday observance, they erect the “image of the beast” modeled after the Roman hierarchy. This destroys constitutional religious and conscience freedom, and dissenters are threatened with civil penalties.

Agreement despite doctrinal differences paves the way for coercive force

»For years there has been a strong and growing sentiment within the churches of the Protestant faith in favor of a union based on common doctrinal points. To secure such a union, the discussion of topics on which there is disagreement – no matter how important they may be from a biblical standpoint – necessarily had to be set aside. ... When this is achieved, then in the effort to enforce complete uniformity it will be only a step away from resorting to violence.«

1 - Ellen Gould White, The Great Controversy (1888 ed.) (GC88 444.1)

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Alliance with the state and the emergence of the image of the beast

»If the leading churches of the United States agree on such doctrinal points that they share, and influence the state to enforce their decrees and support their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the imposition of civil penalties against dissenters will be the inevitable consequence. ... The “image of the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism that will develop when Protestant churches seek the aid of civil power to enforce their doctrines.«

2 - Ellen Gould White, The Great Controversy (1888 ed.) (GC88 445.2)

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Enforcement of Sunday as homage to Rome and the image of the beast

»The enforcement of Sunday sanctification by Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of the papacy – the beast. ... But by the mere act of imposing a religious duty through secular power, the churches themselves would shape an image of the beast; therefore the enforcement of Sunday sanctification in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and its image.«

3 - Ellen Gould White, The Great Controversy (1888 ed.) (GC88 448.4)

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Union of church and state destroys conscience freedom

»The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or force all classes to honor Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be compensated by oppressive decrees. ... Even in free America, rulers and legislators, to secure the favor of the people, will yield to the general demand for a law to enforce Sunday sanctification. The conscience freedom, which has cost such a great sacrifice, will no longer be honored.«

4 - Ellen Gould White, The Great Controversy (1888 ed.) (GC88 592.3)

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Threat to religious freedom by the Sunday movement

»America's precious freedom of religious belief and practice is in danger of being destroyed by those who wish to force the conscience of the minority to conform to the wishes of the majority. In the movements now underway in the United States to secure state support for the institutions and customs of the church, Protestants are following the steps of the Papists. Moreover, they are opening the door to the papacy to regain in Protestant America the dominance it lost in the Old World.«

5 - Ellen Gould White, Darkness Before Dawn (26.167)

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