Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
This passage of scripture teaches us that the one and only reason why God has not permitted the full results of our national actions to come our way as yet, is because the sealing process is still winding down, by which those who have accepted Christ and the teachings of God's word and His law, are to be brought to full spiritual maturity, just prior to the second coming of the Lord. But we should be aware that the winds of strife have already begun to blow, for they are representative of the ongoing conflicts, disturbances, wars, and irresolvable issues between the nations of earth, which seem to be popping up daily, even before other perplexities have been dealt with.
And we are not to believe for one instant that the act of bowing down to the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed, will have no dire consequences, for as stated before, over and over again in the word of God, a deliberate departure from the paths of righteousness always carry severe penalties, for no nation or individual was ever blessed by God, in exchange for wrong-doing. The word "Bow" as used in this context, refers to anyone who acknowledges the man of sin as "his holiness" or "the holy father", terms which belong to Christ and the heavenly Father alone, and which are strictly forbidden in the scriptures. Let's read:
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
The winds of strife have long been held in check by the restraining power of the Holy Spirit for many years, while the loving and tender entreaties of Jesus Christ are renewed each and every morning, calling the sinner from his waywardness, and beseeching us to be reconciled to God. But as the laws and institutions of God are thrown out and trampled in the dust, and as the legislature enacts statutes that are in direct rebellion against what we know to be right, then the Omnipotent power of God which has held the destructive forces of evil in check for so long, is gradually released, until the winds of strife bring us to our very knees. Let's read:
Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.
When Balaam tried to curse the children of Israel, he could not, for the restraining power of God prevented him from carrying out his malicious designs, and in the episode which followed, God employed the use of force, in directly controlling what he could or could not say. But after several unsuccessful attempts, the wicked prophet came up with a diabolical plan to seduce the Hebrews into bowing down to strange gods, and when they succumbed to his hellish plots, their defense departed from them, and they fell a speedy prey to the snares of their enemies. Thus Balaam demonstrated that he understood "Dark sentences", meaning that the spiritual laws of cause and effect were very well understood by him.
The current Jesuit pope has also, in like manner, demonstrated that he understands "Dark sentences" for on the one hand he has seemed to embrace the L.G.B.T community with words of mercy and so called tolerance, and then on the other hand he has met privately with Kim Davis who has so far denied marriage licenses to gay couples. The question then is, why would the pontiff be straddling both sides of the fence, as if deliberately pitting two opposing forces against each other? The reason is that the devil also plays hardball on both sides, moving upon our legislators to institute laws that are in direct opposition to God's law, and then when the restraining power of God has been removed, then he comes in for the kill, as we will soon find out. Let's read:
[Great Controversy pp. 589>590] Through Spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the race, professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; but at the same time he works as a destroyer. It is his object to incite the nations to war against one another; for he can thus divert the minds of the people from the work of preparation to stand in the day of God. But the Christian world have shown contempt for the law of Jehovah; and the Lord will do just what he has declared that he would, he will withdraw his blessings from the earth, and remove his protecting care from those who are rebelling against his law, and teaching and forcing others to do the same.
Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hail-storms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. “The earth mourneth and fadeth away,” “the haughty people ... do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.”
Thus, it is of critical importance that the true soldiers of the cross be clothed with the whole armor of God, from the crown of our heads to the soles of our feet, for when the winds of strife are fully let loose, only those who are clad with the armor of God will be shielded in those dreadful days, and who will, with the shield of faith, be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one, in the most spiritual and literal sense. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this sacred truth, and it is the will of God that His people everywhere now live in readiness, for the time is at hand. Let's read:
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!