|
|
|
| When
Jesus revealed to his disciples the fate of Jerusalem and |
| the
scenes of the second advent, he foretold also the experience of |
| his
people from the time when he should be taken from them, to |
| his
return in power and glory for their deliverance. From Olivet the |
| Saviour
beheld the storms about to fall upon the apostolic church, |
| and,
penetrating deeper into the future, his eye discerned the fierce, |
| wasting
tempests that were to beat upon his followers in the coming |
| ages
of darkness and persecution. In a few brief utterances, of awful |
| significance,
he foretold the portion which the rulers of this world |
| would
mete out to the church of God. [Matthew 24:9, 21, 22.] The |
| followers
of Christ must tread the same path of humiliation, reproach, |
| and
suffering which their Master trod. The enmity that burst forth |
| against
the world’s Redeemer, would be manifested against all who |
| should
believe on his name. |
|
|
| The
history of the early church testified to the fulfillment of the |
| Saviour’s
words. The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves |
| against
Christ in the person of his followers. Paganism foresaw that |
| should
the gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept |
| away;
therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. |
| The
fires of persecution were kindled. Christians were stripped |
| of
their possessions, and driven from their homes. They “endured |
| a great
fight of afflictions.” [Hebrews 10:32.] They “had trial of |
| cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and im- [P- 40] |
| prisonment.”
[Hebrews 11:36, 37, 38.] Great numbers sealed their |
| testimony
with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor, learned |
| and
ignorant, were alike slain without mercy. |
|
| These
persecutions, beginning under Nero about the time of the |
| martyrdom
of Paul, continued with greater or less fury for centuries. |
| Christians
were falsely accused of the most dreadful crimes, and |
| declared
to be the cause of great calamities—famine, pestilence, |
| and
earthquake. As they became the objects of popular hatred and |
| suspicion,
informers stood ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the |
|
| innocent.
They were condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes |
| of
religion, and pests to society. Great numbers were thrown to wild |
| beasts
or burned alive in the amphitheaters. Some were crucified; |
| others
were covered with the skins of wild animals, and thrust into |
| the
arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment was often made the |
| chief
entertainment at public fetes. Vast multitudes assembled to |
| enjoy
the sight, and greeted their dying agonies with laughter and |
| applause. |
|
| Wherever
they sought refuge, the followers of Christ were hunted |
| like
beasts of prey. They were forced to seek concealment in desolate |
| and
solitary places. “Destitute, afflicted, tormented; of whom the |
| world
was not worthy; they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, |
| and in
dens and caves of the earth.” [Hebrews 11:36, 37, 38.] The |
| catacombs
afforded shelter for thousands. Beneath the hills outside |
| the
city of Rome, long galleries had been tunneled through earth |
| and
rock; the dark and intricate network of passages extended for |
| miles
beyond the city walls. In these underground retreats, the |
| followers
of Christ buried their dead; and here also, when suspected |
| and
proscribed, they found a home. When the Lifegiver shall awaken |
| those
who have fought the good fight, many a martyr for Christ’s |
| sake
will come forth from those gloomy caverns. |
|
| Under
the fiercest persecution, these witnesses for Jesus kept
[41] |
| their
faith unsullied. Though deprived of every comfort, shut away |
| from
the light of the sun, making their home in the dark but friendly |
| bosom
of the earth, they uttered no complaint. With words of faith, |
| patience,
and hope, they encouraged one another to endure privation |
| and
distress. The loss of every earthly blessing could not force them |
| to
renounce their belief in Christ. Trials and persecution were but |
| steps
bringing them nearer their rest and their reward. |
|
| Like
God’s servants of old, many were “tortured, not accepting |
| deliverance,
that they might obtain a better resurrection.” [Hebrews |
| 11:35.]
These called to mind the words of their Master, that when |
| persecuted
for Christ’s sake they were to be exceeding glad; for |
| great
would be their reward in Heaven; for so the prophets had been |
| persecuted
before them. They rejoiced that they were accounted |
| worthy
to suffer for the truth, and songs of triumph ascended from |
| the
midst of crackling flames. Looking upward by faith, they saw |
| Christ
and angels leaning over the battlements of Heaven, gazing |
|
| upon
them with the deepest interest, and regarding their steadfastness |
| with
approval. A voice came down to them from the throne of God, |
| “Be
thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” |
| [Revelation
2:10.] |
|
| In vain
were Satan’s efforts to destroy the church of Christ by |
| violence.
The great controversy in which the disciples of Jesus |
| yielded
up their lives, did not cease when these faithful standardbearers |
| fell at
their post. By defeat they conquered. God’s workmen |
| were
slain, but his work went steadily forward. The gospel continued |
| to
spread, and the number of its adherents to increase. It penetrated |
| into
regions that were inaccessible, even to the eagles of Rome. Said |
| a
Christian, expostulating with the heathen rulers who were urging |
| forward
the persecution: “You may torment, afflict, and vex us. Your |
| wickedness
puts our weakness to the test, but your cruelty is of no [42] |
| avail.
It is but a stronger invitation to bring others to our persuasion. |
| The
more we are mowed down, the more we spring up again. The |
| blood
of the Christians is seed.” |
|
| Thousands
were imprisoned and slain; but others sprung up |
| to fill
their places. And those who were martyred for their faith |
| were
secured to Christ, and accounted of him as conquerors. They |
| had
fought the good fight, and they were to receive the crown of |
| glory
when Christ should come. The sufferings which they endured |
| brought
Christians nearer to one another and to their Redeemer. |
| Their
living example and dying testimony were a constant witness |
| for the
truth; and, where least expected, the subjects of Satan were |
| leaving
his service, and enlisting under the banner of Christ. |
| Satan
therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against |
| the
government of God, by planting his banner in the Christian |
| church.
If the followers of Christ could be deceived, and led to |
| displease
God, then their strength, fortitude, and firmness would fail, |
| and
they would fall an easy prey. |
|
| The
great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he |
| had
failed to secure by force. Persecution ceased, and in its stead |
| were
substituted the dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity |
| and
worldly honor. Idolaters were led to receive a part of the Christian |
| faith,
while they rejected other essential truths. They professed |
| to
accept Jesus as the Son of God, and to believe in his death and |
| resurrection;
but they had no conviction of sin, and felt no need of |
|
| repentance
or of a change of heart. With some concessions on their |
| part,
they proposed that Christians should make concessions, that all |
| might
unite on the platform of belief in Christ. |
| Now the
church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and |
| sword
were blessings in comparison with this. Some of the Christians |
| stood
firm, declaring that they could make no compromise. |
|
| Others
were in favor of yielding or modifying some features of their
P[43] |
| faith,
and uniting with those who had accepted a part of Christianity, |
| urging
that this might be the means of their full conversion. That |
| was a
time of deep anguish to the faithful followers of Christ. Under |
| a cloak
of pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into |
| the
church, to corrupt their faith, and turn their minds from the Word |
| of
truth. |
|
| Most of
the Christians at last consented to lower their standard, |
| and a
union was formed between Christianity and paganism. Although |
| the
worshipers of idols professed to be converted, and united |
| with
the church, they still clung to their idolatry, only changing |
| the
objects of their worship to images of Jesus, and even of Mary |
| and the
saints. The foul leaven of idolatry, thus brought into the |
| church,
continued its baleful work. Unsound doctrines, superstitious |
| rites,
and idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated into her faith, |
| and
worship. As the followers of Christ united with idolaters, the |
| Christian
religion became corrupted, and the church lost her purity |
| and
power. There were some, however, who were not misled by |
| these
delusions. They still maintained their fidelity to the Author of |
| truth,
and worshiped God alone. |
|
| There
have ever been two classes among those who profess to |
| be
followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour’s life, and |
| earnestly
seek to correct their defects and to conform to the Pattern, |
| the
other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their |
| errors.
Even in her best estate, and church was not composed wholly |
| of the
true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who |
| willfully
indulge in sin are not to be received into the church; yet he |
| connected
with himself men who are faulty in character, and granted |
| them
the benefits of his teachings and example, that they might have |
| an
opportunity to see their errors and correct them. Among the |
| twelve
apostles was a traitor. Judas was accepted not because of his |
| defects
of character, but notwithstanding them. He was connected |
|
|
| with
the disciples, that, through the instruction and example of
P[44] |
| Christ,
he might learn what constitutes Christian character, and thus |
| be led
to see his errors, to repent, and, by the aid of divine grace, to |
| purify
his soul “in obeying the truth.” But Judas did not walk in the |
| light
so graciously permitted to shine upon him. By indulgence in |
| sin, he
invited the temptations of Satan. His evil traits of character |
| became
predominant. He yielded his mind to the control of the |
| powers
of darkness, he became angry when his faults were reproved, |
| and
thus he was led to commit the fearful crime of betraying his |
| Master.
So do all who cherish evil under a profession of godliness |
| hate
those who disturb their peace by condemning their course of |
| sin.
When a favorable opportunity is presented, they will, like Judas, |
| betray
those who for their good have sought to reprove them. |
|
| The
apostles encountered those in the church who professed |
| godliness
while they were secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and |
| Sapphira
acted the part of deceivers, pretending to make an entire |
| sacrifice
for God, when they were covetously withholding a portion |
| for
themselves. The Spirit of truth revealed to the apostles the real |
| character
of these pretenders, and the judgments of God rid the |
| church
of this foul blot upon its purity. |
|
| This
signal evidence of the discerning Spirit of Christ in the church was a |
| terror
to hypocrites and evil-doers. They could not long remain in connection |
| with
those who were, in habit and disposition, constant representatives of |
| Christ;
and as trials and persecution came upon his followers, those |
| only
who were willing to forsake all for the truth’s sake desired to |
| become
his disciples. Thus, as long as persecution continued, the |
| church
remained comparatively pure. But as it ceased, converts were |
| added
who were less sincere and devoted, and the way was opened |
| for
Satan to obtain a foot-hold. |
|
|
| But
there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince |
| of
darkness, and there can be no union between their followers. |
| When
Christians consented to unite with those who were but half
P[45] |
| converted
from paganism, they entered upon a path which led farther |
| and
farther from the truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in |
| deceiving
so large a number of the followers of Christ. He then |
| brought
his power to bear more fully upon these, and inspired them |
| to
persecute those who remained true to God. None understood so |
| well
how to oppose the true Christian faith as did those who had |
|
| once
been its defenders; and these apostate Christians, uniting with |
| their
half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the most |
| essential
features of the doctrines of Christ. |
| It
required a desperate struggle for those who would be faithful |
| to
stand firm against the deceptions and abominations which were |
| disguised
in sacerdotal garments and introduced into the church. |
| The
Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith. The doctrine of |
| religious
freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated |
| and
proscribed. |
|
| After a
long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to |
| dissolve
all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free |
| herself
from falsehood and idolatry. They saw that separation was an |
| absolute
necessity if they would obey the Word of God. They dared |
| not
tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, and set an example which |
| would
imperil the faith of their children and children’s children. To |
| secure
peace and unity they were ready to make any concession |
| consistent
with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would |
| be too
dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could |
| be
secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then |
| let
there be difference, and even war. |
|
| Well
would it be for the church and the world if the principles |
| that
actuated those steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of God’s |
| professed
people. There is an alarming indifference in regard to the |
| doctrines
which are the pillars of the Christian faith. |
|
| The
opinion is gaining ground, that, after all, these are not of vital
importance. P[46] |
| This
degeneracy is strengthening the hands of the agents of Satan, |
| so that
false theories and fatal delusions which the faithful in ages |
| past
imperiled their lives to resist and expose, are now regarded with |
| favor
by thousands who claim to be followers of Christ. |
|
| The
early Christians were indeed a peculiar people. Their blameless |
| deportment
and unswerving faith were a continual reproof that |
| disturbed
the sinner’s peace. Though few in numbers, without |
| wealth,
position, or honorary titles, they were a terror to evil-doers |
| wherever
their character and doctrines were known. Therefore they |
| were
hated by the wicked, even as Abel was hated by the ungodly |
| Cain.
For the same reason that Cain slew Abel did those who sought |
| to
throw off the restraint of the Holy Spirit, put to death God’s people. |
| It was
for the same reason that the Jews rejected and crucified |
|
| the
Saviour,—because the purity and holiness of this character was |
| a
constant rebuke to their selfishness and corruption. From the days |
| of
Christ until now, his faithful disciples have excited the hatred and |
| opposition
of those who love and follow the ways of sin. |
| How,
then, can the gospel be called a message of peace? When |
| Isaiah
foretold the birth of the Messiah, he ascribed to him the title, |
| “Prince
of peace.” When angels announced to the shepherds that |
| Christ
was born, they sung above the plains of Bethlehem, “Glory to |
| God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” [Luke |
| 2:14.] |
|
| There
is a seeming contradiction between these prophetic |
| declarations
and the words of Christ, “I came not to send peace, but |
| a
sword.” [Matthew 10:34.] But rightly understood, the two are in |
| perfect
harmony. The gospel is a message of peace. Christianity is a |
| system,
which, received and obeyed, would spread peace, harmony, |
| and
happiness throughout the earth. The religion of Christ will unite |
| in
close brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the mission |
|
| of
Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But
P[47] |
| the
world at large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest |
| foe.
The gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly |
| at
variance with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion |
| against
it. They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their |
| sins,
and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon |
| them
its just and holy claims. It is in this sense—because the exalted |
| truths
it brings, occasion hatred and strife—that the gospel is called |
| a
sword. |
|
| The
mysterious providence which permits the righteous to suffer |
| persecution
at the hand of the wicked, has been a cause of great |
| perplexity
to many who are weak in faith. Some are even ready to |
| cast
away their confidence in God, because he suffers the basest of |
| men to
prosper, while the best and purest are afflicted and tormented |
| by
their cruel power. How, it is asked, can One who is just and |
| merciful,
and who is also infinite in power, tolerate such injustice |
| and
oppression? This is a question with which we have nothing to |
| do. God
has given us sufficient evidence of his love, and we are not |
| to
doubt his goodness because we cannot understand the workings |
| of his
providence. Said the Saviour to his disciples, foreseeing |
| the
doubts that would press upon their souls in days of trial and |
| darkness,
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is |
|
| not
greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also |
| persecute
you.” [John 15:20.] Jesus suffered for us more than any of |
| his
followers can be made to suffer through the cruelty of wicked |
| men.
Those who are called to endure torture and martyrdom, are but |
| following
in the steps of God’s dear Son. |
|
| “The
Lord is not slack concerning his promise.” [2 Peter 3:9.] |
| He does
not forget or neglect his children; but he permits the wicked |
| to
reveal their true character, that none who desire to do his will may |
| be
deceived concerning them. Again, the righteous are placed in the |
| furnace
of affliction, that they themselves may be purified; that their |
| [48]
example may convince others of the reality of faith and godliness; |
| and
also that their consistent course may condemn the ungodly and |
| unbelieving. |
| God
permits the wicked to prosper, and to reveal their enmity |
| against
him, that when they shall have filled up the measure of their |
| iniquity,
all may see his justice and mercy in their utter destruction. |
| The day
of his vengeance hastens, when all who have transgressed |
| his law
and oppressed his people will meet the just recompense of |
| their
deeds; when every act of cruelty or injustice toward God’s |
| faithful
ones will be punished as though done to Christ himself. |
|
| There
is another and more important question that should engage |
| the
attention of the churches of today. The apostle Paul declares that |
| “all
that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” [2 |
| Timothy
3:12.] Why is it, then, that persecution seems in a great |
| degree
to slumber?—The only reason is, that the church has conformed |
| to the
world’s standard, and therefore awakens no opposition. |
|
| The
religion which is current in our day is not of the pure and holy |
| character
that marked the Christian faith in the days of Christ and |
| his
apostles. It is only because of the spirit of compromise with |
| sin,
because the great truths of the Word of God are so indifferently |
| regarded,
because there is so little vital godliness in the church, that |
| Christianity
is apparently so popular with the world. Let there be |
| a
revival of the faith and power of the early church, and the spirit |
| of
persecution will be revived, and the fires of persecution will be |
| rekindled. |
|
