To Vote or NOT to Vote? Harmonizing the Spirit of Prophecy

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Well, the election is about to pass, and some people are bearing their party colors loud and clear on theirObama Romney voting spirit of prophecy ellen white lawns, in their conversations, as well as on their facebook profiles. This article is not meant to condemn anyone, but as always to lift us to a higher standard. There are extremes on these matters which need to be harmonized. Many Adventists are contemplating whether or not to vote in this election.

There is the extreme that we are not even to talk about anything to do with the government, or politics, and that we are to be quiet on all matters dealing with secular law, and never to even mention anything at all about government. Often quotes from Ellen White’s writings are used to say we should never vote. I’d like to look a little closer.

We are Not to Labor for Men Who Use Power to RESTRICT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

One quote often used by some to say we should never vote is the following, but often the context is left out. The context of the quote refers to a particular group who will use their power to restrict religious liberty.

“We cannot labor to please men who will use their influence to repress religious liberty and to set in operation oppressive measures… The people of God are not to vote to place such men in office, for when they do this they are partakers with them of the sins which they commit while in office.”–FE 475 (1899).

What types of men are these? Men who will vote for laws against the bill of rights and constitution. The constitution is a document that was put in place, not to give us rights and freedom, but to protect the rights and freedoms already given to us from God.

The Constitution Grants Freedom of Religious Faith

Regarding the constitution Ellen White wrote:

“The Declaration of Independence sets forth the great truth that “all men are created equal,” and endowed with the inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” And the Constitution guarantees to the people the right of self-government, providing that representatives elected by the popular vote shall enact and administer the laws. Freedom of religious faith was also granted, every man being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. The oppressed and down-trodden throughout Christendom have turned to this land with interest and hope. Millions have sought its shores, and the United States has risen to a place among the most powerful nations of the earth.” {Ellen White Great Controversy 1888 page 441}

Now clearly there are some political ideas Ellen spoke about here, such as “the right of self government”. The Constitutional Republic which is being shredded to bits by the democratic system in place today.

Obama and Romney Both Anti-Constitution, Anti-Liberty, Candidates

The constitution guarantee’s the right to freedom of religion and free speech. Obama recently signed a bill that outlaws free speech in bill HR347 wherever the secret service says so. And Romney the so-called counter candidate is nowhere to be found on the other side of this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKjy0PDlKV4

I would say this is very serious. But the media passes it by like it’s nothing.

The constitution also guarantees the right to speedy trials in the sixth amendment to prevent people from being held who may be innocent.

Well, on December 31st, 2011, Obama signed the NDAA bill into law, a bill which allows indefinite detention without the right to a trial. People can be held forever without ever being heard from again according to this law. Mitt Romney when asked about the NDAA said he would also have signed it into law showing his colors as one who opposes religious liberty, free speech and the first and sixth amendments.

So basically between both of these men, who are both supported by the same big banks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG3DByCXrV8

Both are against religious liberty. Against your God given rights which the constitution protects. If you believe a certain way, it is now apparently law that you can be held without trial because of holding certain beliefs. Who are you to vote for?

Regarding such men as Romney and Obama we “are not to vote to place such men into office.”

Does this Imply that we are NEVER to Vote?

It implies that we are to pray and understand what we are voting for before we vote. We are not to be dictated by the mainstream media, but by the principles of heaven. Here’s what Ellen said regarding voting:

“There is a cause for the moral paralysis upon society. Our laws sustain an evil which is sapping their very foundations. Many deplore the wrongs which they know exist, but consider themselves free from all responsibility in the matter. This cannot be. Every individual exerts an influence in society.

Every Voter Has a Voice.–In our favored land, every voter has some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation. Should not that influence and that vote be cast on the side of temperance and virtue? . . .” {Te 253.3}

So, there is a time for voting. The above statement from Ellen White is mirrored here in the Review and Herald.

“Resolved, That in our judgment, the act of voting when exercised in behalf of justice, humanity and right, is in itself blameless, and may be at some times highly proper; but that the casting of any vote that shall strengthen the cause of such crimes as intemperance, insurrection, and slavery, we regard as highly criminal in the sight of Heaven. But we would deprecate any participation in the spirit of party strife.”(The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, May 23, 1865)

Are you Educated Enough to Vote?

We are not give voice to certain political parties, such as “I’m democrat” or “I’m Republican”. We are not to partake in “party strife”. We are to stand up and give our voice however when someone is using the law to oppress freedom and promote “slavery” which is coming in the form of socialized health care, socialized housing, socialist pay structure, and complete government control and regulation of all small business to the point where they can no longer operate because of such oppression.

When the law is being perverted. We are to speak out against those who would make laws which violate the constitution and our God given rights. And in some cases we are to vote “on behalf of justice, humanity and right” and for “liberty” which is the opposite of “slavery”.

Is there a cause? Has the person you are voting for stood up against such bills as the NDAA, or HR347, or the Patriot Act, or the banker bailouts? Does the candidate promote a balanced budget? Is he temperate in these things, or does he borrow money to run his campaign? Does he think 501©3 laws are unconstitutional and that “congress shall make no law in respect to religion”? Have you educated yourself in these matters?

Ellen White once wrote:

“There are speculations as to woman’s rights and duties in regard to voting. Many are in no way disciplined to understand the bearing of important questions. They have lived lives of present gratification because it was the fashion. Women who might develop good intellects and have true moral worth are now mere slaves to fashion. . . . Such women are not prepared to intelligently take a prominent position in political matters. . . . Let this order of things be changed.” Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 565.

She didn’t believe some women were intelligent enough to “take a prominent position in political matters.” Some will support unconstitutional laws, like anti-gun bills not understanding why the second amendment is in the constitution, some will support abortion violating children’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
This is not only an issue with women, but also men, though clearly more prominent among women in Ellen’s day and maybe even today. Regarding not being “intelligent..in political matters.” Ellen said “Let this order of things be changed”.

What that means is that you are to understand political issues and not be ignorant. You are to let your voice be heard when it comes to “determining what laws shall control the nation.”

Ellen also said that there would be “Statesmen” who would understand politics and stand with the remnant in the time of the end because they saw God’s principles in self government which we as his last people are to be “intelligent” in regards to.

“While many of our rulers are active agents of Satan, God also has his agents among the leading men of the nation. The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures that would greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose such propositions with unanswerable arguments. Thus a few men will hold in check a powerful current of evil. The opposition of the enemies of truth will be restrained that the third angel’s message may do its work. When the final warning shall be given, it will arrest the attention of these leading men through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will accept it, and will stand with the people of God through the time of trouble.” {Great Controversy 1888 610}

There have been men who have shared “unanswerable arguments” with politicians like Romney and Obama. The mainstream media has did everything to suppress their voices. It is your duty however to understand what is happening right now. Banker bailouts which both Obama and Romney have supported have continued to deflate the dollar. Large corporations receive taxpayers money for nothing. Do you think it’s ok for your government to take $40,000 from you and give it to rich bankers? Romney and Obama as well as others like George W. Bush have had no problem with it. And yet many of you continue to vote to put such men into power.

Now your dollar deflates and you wonder why the price of gas and food is exploding. Because your dollar is deflating. It’s crashing. China has recently quit trading the American dollar with several countries, these dollars are floating home, and hyper inflation is coming whether your president is Barack Obama, Mitt Romney or whoever.

As informed voters, our list of grievances against men like Obama and Romney should be longer than the list of grievances in the declaration of independence against King George. In fact I believe the declaration of independence is the only answer to the two-party system running the American government today. And I believe it is God’s answer. Mitt Romney Barack Obama Ron Paul constitutional republic seventh-day adventist

Ron Paul is not running, but this is a good contrast. Another issue would be whether or not the voting is being rigged. There was plenty of rigging taking place in the Republican race between Romney and Paul as the link below illustrates….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e-Ut9yBrhw&playnext=1&list=PL5EC1DF913DF83336&feature=results_main

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