“What then is the change of the Sabbath, but the sign, or mark, of the authority of the Roman [not Christian] Church—‘the mark of the beast.’
“The Roman Church has not relinquished her claim to supremacy; and when the world and the Protestant churches accept a sabbath of her creating, while they reject the Bible Sabbath, they virtually admit this assumption. They may claim the authority of tradition and the Fathers for the change; but in so doing they ignore the very principle which separates them from Rome—that ‘the Bible, and the Bible only, is the religion of the Protestants.’ The papist can see that they are deceiving themselves, willingly closing their eyes to the facts of the case.
As the movement for Sunday observance gains favor, he [the papist] rejoices, feeling assured that it will eventually will bring the whole Protestant world under the banner of Rome.
“Romanists declare that ‘the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] Church.’ — Mgr. Segur, Plain Talk of About the Protestants of Today, page 213. The enforcement of Sunday-keeping on the part of Protestant churches is and 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 Sunday-keeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and his image.
“But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing that in so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath; and there are now true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion, who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment. God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him. But when the Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whosover shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshipping the beast and his image.
“As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome—‘the mark of the beast.’ 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 (1911 ed), pp.
John was shown the church in deadly combat with Image of beast
“While John was shown the last great struggles of the church with earthly powers, he was permitted to behold the final delivery and deliverance of the faithful. He saw the [remnant] church brought into deadly conflict with the beast and his image, and the worship of the beast enforced on pain of death. But looking beyond the smoke and din of the battle, he beheld a company on Mount Zion with the Lamb, having, instead of the mark of the beast, the ‘Father’s name written in the foreheads.’ And again he saw ‘them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God’ and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb
“These lessons are for our benefit. We need to stay our faith upon God, for there is just before us a time that will try men’s souls. Christ, upon the Mount of Olives, rehearsed the fearful judgments that were to precede His second coming: [Matt. 24: 7 quoted]. While these prophecies received a partial fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem, they have a more direct application to the last days.” – Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 752, 753.
Formation of, erroneous views regarding when image is formed 2 SM 81
Earmarks of Erroneous Teaching. “I repeat the same with decided force to you. You say that Anna’s visions place the forming of the image of the beast after probation closes. This is not so. You claim to believe the testimonies; let them set you right on this point. The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God by which their eternal destiny will be determined.” – Letter 11, 1890 (to Mr. Garmire, a deceived person); Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 81. See also 7 BC 976.
Formed by: Protestant churches, Great Controversy, pp. 443-50 (see foregoing)
Decree will require all to worship, See Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 525
Formed by two-horned beast of Rev. 13: 11-17. GC 443, 445
Union of church and state, GC 443
U.S.A, GC 443, 445
God’s people will be brought into close combat with, Early Writings, p. 254
How U.S.A. will form, See GC 443, 445
Is the Image of the Papacy, See GC 443, 445; Story of Redemption, pp. 381, 382
Of Roman hierarchy, Protestant America will form, GC 445
Penalty for bowing to, See Testimonies, Vol 1, p. 223
People who will not bow to, See E. G. White Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 976
Religious body clothed with civil power is represented by, See Story of Redemption, p. 381
Victory of God’s people over, See Early Writings, pp. 34, 286.
James White and E. G. White at first had no defined position re, See Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 79.
Worship of: decree enforcing, SeeTestimonies , Vol. 4, p. 251
Enforcement of Sunday observance in U.S. A. would be, GC 449
Fearful judgments denounced against, GC 594
Roman Church like Jewish Church. “It was by departure from the Lord, and alliance with the heathen, that the Jewish church became a harlot; and Rome, corrupting herself in like manner by seeking the support of worldly powers, receives a like condemnation. Babylon is said to be ‘the mother of harlots.’ By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and approval of God, in order to form and unlawful alliance with the world. The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. . . .”Without doubt,” it refers to “the various churches professing the Protestant faith.” – Great Controversy, pp. 383, 383.