12. How will organized religion impact religious freedom just before Jesus’ return?

The Scriptures predict a decline in genuine spirituality before Jesus comes. People in this counterfeit revival will attempt to quench their thirst for truth from broken cisterns, or false teachers (Amos 8:13, 14; Jeremiah 2:13). This pseudo religious awakening culminates in the “lawless one” bringing about an alliance of evil, symbolized by the unholy trio of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, that will deceive the world and legislate against the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Only those who are grounded in Scripture and trust completely in Jesus will be able to resist the overwhelming deception this confederation brings.JTL6 7.5

The antichrist (1 John 2:18; 4:3; 2 John 1:7) will initiate falsehood that brings on religious oppression and loss of religious freedom by the powerful beast with two horns that looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon (Revelation 13:11, 13). God’s remnant will be those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12), standing firm through the last days of conflict and personation of Christ by Satan.JTL6 7.6