Hi gordonb1,

Your comments offer some food for thought. You know when I wrote that, I was thinking that I had heard something about the Papal flag was flown at a recent GC session. Which is difficult a thing to "digest".

From my reading I seem to remember it being stated that the U. S . Catholic churches do not display the American flag in there sanctuary.

This thought just occurred to me the other day so, I am still mulling it over.


Perhaps there is more to this flag thing then the initial research? I am unable to put any thought on this into words yet. To use an old 60's phrase. It's a bit, "mind blowing".

I am to tired to answer this one tonight.

I personally see a bit of a difference here. We have just ONE flag...they had 12, one for each nation. Perhaps God wanted to avoid having contention over which tribe's flag should be first in line, or something like that....

Gordon, if this was the case, don't you think EGW would have some counsel somewhere that we should not fly the USA flag anywhere, let alone in the church?

I'm not saying that I think that there should be a USA Flag in the church...why not fly it outside of the church, by the church sign or something? To take the stand you are is really anti-American.

Ellen White saw the flag as an "honor" -

Surely, she didn't see our flag as you are portraying it.

First, I don't think the U.S. is the image to the beast. I believe it is apostate Protestantism that is the image to the beast.


But that's for another thread.

What if the U.S. remained as lamb-like as it originally was?


If the U.S. was a "good" nation, then would it be OK to fly its flag in the sanctuary? What about Israel in the days of David or Solomon? IOW, is your opposition to the flag in the sanctuary because the U.S. speaks like a dragon?

God established who was first in line. It was Judah.



I'm thinking that God wanted to avoid nationalistic concerns when it came to worship.

Hello asygo,

It appears that "United States" is used interchangeably with "Protestant America":

"...then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy...the beast with two horns causeth all...to receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads..." GC 445.

"In order for the United States to form an image of the beast..." GC 443.

"The formation of this image is the work of that beast whose peaceful rise and mild professions render it so striking a symbol of the United States. Here is to be found an image of the Papacy." Spirit of Prophecy Vol. 4, 278.

Is there any "good nation"? Every nation is good in its own eyes, but Revelation 14:8 says Babylon "made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

My own opinion matters little. I repeat what I read in the Bible and SOP regarding the third angel's message. Who dare conceal it? While the USA will be first to enforce the Sunday law, all other nations (flags) will soon follow with a death decree.

Those deemed unpatriotic or "anti-American" for refusing to bow as did the three Hebrew boys, will be reported by their "brethren" for heresy.

What you have termed 'opposition to a flag in the sanctuary', I will describe as the principle: Separation of Church & State.

The only safe flag is the blood-stained banner of Immanuel.

Regards,

Gordon

That's what I'm looking for. I have not seen any plain statement in the Bible/SOP either for or against putting a flag in the sanctuary. But there are positive statements about flags in a religious meeting.



It seems we arrive at the same conclusion via different routes. Your opposition seems to be based on U.S. apostasy, while my opposition is based on its humanity.

The plan of salvation, which is the basis of the Gospel we are to teach in our sanctuaries, is not to have any thread of human devising. Therefore, I oppose the placing of any national flag in the sanctuary, since nations - even God-ordained nations - are human institutions.

When God set up the sanctuary to teach us the plan of salvation, the only "flags" in there were the veils which represent Christ's flesh. Truly, they were blood-stained - by the work of the priests in the tabernacle and on Golgotha.

These quotes from GC seem to indicate the U. S A., as well." The dignitaries of church and State will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet's words: "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." [REV. 12:17.] {GC88 592.3}

"Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel's message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and State would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been, the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before."
606
{GC88 605.3}

The U.S. is the 2nd beast of Rev 13. It makes the image to the first beast. I don't see how we can equate the 2nd beast to the image of the beast.

But again, this is

Is a nation's moral standing a factor to you whether or not it should plant its flag in the sanctuary?

Interesting question and more food for thought.

Sorry I don't have any time right now, getting ready for a trip.