It’s been 248 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The founding of the United States of America was a grand experiment in creation of a truly democratic republic. Dividing our nation’s power structure into three branches (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) provided a strong foundation that promised to protect our nation from becoming authoritarian, autocratic, or worse. As Seventh-day Adventist Christians, we have enjoyed unparalleled freedom of religion and free speech under the protection of our nation’s laws, but for how much longer?
Circa 1885, EG White wrote a sobering message pointing forward to our current time: “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.” (Testimonies for the Church, book 5: page 451)
As we now cross into 2024, monumental changes will continue to increase around the world. Jesus pointed forward to our current time: “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24: 6-8)
Seeing all the evil happening worldwide, place that one sentence from Jesus deep into your heart: “See that you are not troubled”. As one with God the Father, Jesus knows the end from the beginning, and He directs us by faith to take His hand and hold onto Him every step: “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you. Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91: 7-12).
Claim Jesus’ words and His promises as your own! In addition to being citizens of the grand experiment in freedom here in the United States, by faith we can also claim citizenship to an eternal future with our creator, savior, and Lord Jesus.