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America in Prophecy by Ellen White [Original Edition]

America’s peculiar origins and hegemonic impact in world affairs stand undisputed. As a superpower birthed from Europe, her eminent history has been celebrated. Foretold since antiquity, a myriad of repressions, revolutions and reforms inspired the first band of pilgrims to settle on a new promised land of liberty. This book enables the reader to understand America’s unique destiny and commanding role while besieged by gross spiritual and political machinations. Clearly, this reading lifts the veil from past events molding America and presaging her cooperation to undermine the very values once cherished.

America’s peculiar origins and hegemonic impact in world affairs stand undisputed. As a superpower birthed from Europe, her eminent history has been celebrated. Foretold since antiquity, a myriad of repressions, revolutions and reforms inspired the first band of pilgrims to settle on a new promised land of liberty. This book enables the reader to understand America’s unique destiny and commanding role while besieged by gross spiritual and political machinations. Clearly, this reading lifts the veil from past events molding America and presaging her cooperation to undermine the very values once cherished.

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to the popular belief, the redeemed <strong>in</strong> heaven are acqua<strong>in</strong>ted<br />

with all that takes place on the earth, and especially with the<br />

lives of the friends whom they have left beh<strong>in</strong>d. But how<br />

could it be a source of happ<strong>in</strong>ess to the dead to know the<br />

troubles of the liv<strong>in</strong>g, to witness the s<strong>in</strong>s committed <strong>by</strong> their<br />

own loved ones, and to see them endur<strong>in</strong>g all the sorrows,<br />

disappo<strong>in</strong>tments, and anguish of life? How much of heaven’s<br />

bliss would be enjoyed <strong>by</strong> those who were hover<strong>in</strong>g over their<br />

friends on earth? And how utterly revolt<strong>in</strong>g is the belief that as<br />

soon as the breath leaves the body, the soul of the impenitent<br />

<br />

must those be plunged who see their friends pass<strong>in</strong>g to the<br />

grave unprepared, to enter upon an eternity of woe and s<strong>in</strong>!<br />

Many have been driven to <strong>in</strong>sanity <strong>by</strong> this harrow<strong>in</strong>g thought.<br />

What say the Scriptures concern<strong>in</strong>g these th<strong>in</strong>gs? David<br />

declares that man is not conscious <strong>in</strong> death. “His breath goeth<br />

forth, he returneth to his earth; <strong>in</strong> that very day his thoughts<br />

perish.” Psalm 146:4. Solomon bears the same testimony:<br />

“The liv<strong>in</strong>g know that they shall die; but the dead know not<br />

anyth<strong>in</strong>g.” “Their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is<br />

now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever<br />

<strong>in</strong> anyth<strong>in</strong>g that is done under the sun.” “There is no work,<br />

nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, <strong>in</strong> the grave, whither<br />

thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10.<br />

When, <strong>in</strong> answer to his prayer, Hezekiah’s life was<br />

<br />

a tribute of praise for His great mercy. In this song he tells<br />

the reason why he thus rejoices: “The grave cannot praise<br />

Thee, death cannot celebrate Thee; they that go down <strong>in</strong>to<br />

the pit cannot hope for Thy truth. The liv<strong>in</strong>g, the liv<strong>in</strong>g, he<br />

shall praise Thee, as I do this day.” Isaiah 38:18, 19. Popular<br />

theology represents the righteous dead as <strong>in</strong> heaven, entered<br />

<strong>in</strong>to bliss, and prais<strong>in</strong>g God with an immortal tongue; but<br />

Hezekiah could see no such glorious prospect <strong>in</strong> death. With<br />

his words agrees the testimony of the psalmist: “In death there<br />

is no remembrance of Thee; <strong>in</strong> the grave who shall give Thee<br />

thanks?” “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go<br />

down <strong>in</strong>to silence.” Psalms 6:5; 115:17.

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