Counsel #8 — Pitfalls Of Coercion

Picture: Counsels #8 — Pitfalls Of CoercionCCW 116.1

Faith is a matter of personal conviction, not government coercion. When religious and political power become one, it will lead to oppression, persecution, and the misuse of Scripture for political gain. Revelation 13 warns of a future political power demanding worship of a church system allied with civil power. Revelation 17 describes what happens to freedom of conscience when a corrupt church is propped up by the government. This union of church and state becomes a persecuting force, symbolized by the woman drunk on the blood of the saints.CCW 116.2

Aligning faith with a particular political agenda elevates one group over another, contradicting the universality of God's love. A nation, a collection of land and people, can become an object of worship, demanding absolute loyalty and sacrificing individual freedoms on its altar. This fervor can breed intolerance toward those deemed "outsiders," often leading to the persecution of religious minorities. The rise of ethnonationalist movements throughout history serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of prioritizing nationhood over individual conscience.^{[174]https://youtu.be/NLDUCNX2_Qo?si=3To8OMuFK_WrZtYh}CCW 116.3

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV (emphasis supplied)CCW 116.4

“Stupidity in this watching time is sealing the senses of God’s people as to the signs of the times.” Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 255CCW 116.5

Reflect: How does the concept of free will connect to the religion of Jesus?CCW 116.6