Persecution

Persecution against God’s people has continued since the beginning. From the time when Gain killed his brother Abel to our day, persecution has continued to a greater or lesser degree.

Apostle Paul said, “Yea, and ail that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12.

Apostle Peter said, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when His glory shalî be revealed ye may be gîad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12- 13.

Jesus said to His followers, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they hâve persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:20.

God has not promised us an easy, comfort filled life, but on the contrary, the Bible speaks of trials, afflictions and persecutions as a part of Christian life. “Hatred of the pure principles of truth, and reproach and persecution of its advocates, will exist as long as sin and sinners remain.” G.C. 507.

Millions of faithful children of God hâve lost their lives in the times of persecution. “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being 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.” Heb. 11:36-38.

The early church accepted the persecution which they suffered as something inseparable from the Christian life. “Under the fiercest persecution thèse witnesses for Jesus kept 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 privations and distress.” G.C. 41.

When we read the record of thèse terrible times of persecution we shudder and wonder how the Christians could hâve accepted them without complaint. Yet prophecy tells us that the greatest time of trouble and persecution that ever has existed is still before us. The time of Jacob’s trouble, the Sunday law, the time when we are not able to buy nor sell and the time when ail God’s children will be sentenced to death.

“The persecutions of Protestants by Romanism, by which the religion of Jesus Christ was almost annihilated, will be more than rivaled when Protestantisrn and popery are combined.” 3 S.M. 387.

“Many will be imprisoned, many will fiee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ’s sake in standing in defense of the truth.” 3 S.M. 397.

The churches combined with the civil powers will inflict greât anguish and suffering upon God’s people, but the hardest and most terrible persecutions will corne upon us from our friends.

“The persecution that is carried on among church members is a most terrible thing.” T.M. 186.

“Of ail persecution the hardest to bear is variance in the home, the estrangement of dearest earthly friends.” D.A. 357.
A question that many hâve asked is, “why does God permit His people to suffer so much persecution?” Apostle Paul gives us a comforting thought, “And we know that ail things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28.

Sister White adds to it, “God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfïlling as coworkers with Him.” D.A. 224.

“Afflictions, crosses, temptations, adversity, and our varied trials are God’s workmen to refine us, sanctify us, and fit us for the heavenly garner.” 3 T. 115.

“God’s love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to corne upon the church but such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good.” 9T. 228.

“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.” G.C. 47.

When we understand the meaning of the persecution and affliction that we must suffer for Christ’s sake then we may even learn to enjoy them.

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 1 Cor. 12:10.

Apostle Paul learned to enjoy persecutions. He understood the meaning of them. Peter also writes, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fïre, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:7.

When the persecution by the Catholic Church stopped the spiritual condition of the God’s church also suffered and died. Religion became only a dead form.

Therefore Sister White asks a question, which she also answers, “Why is it, then, that persecution seems in a greât 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 the spirit of compromise with sin, because the greât 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 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.” G.C. 48

We are not to invite the persecution upon us before its time. We are not to aggravate purposely the unbelievers against us. But when we stand faithful in defense of the truth the forces of evil will try to silence us by persecution, but the Lord will be our defense. The grâce to endure the hardest persecution will be granted to us when needed. Therefore let us not pray to the Lord that He would remove the fires of persecution but that lie wouîd give us strength to endure them.
AMEN

Timo Martin