“Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other. But in the midst of the time of trouble that is coming,–a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation,–God’s chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them.” Test. Vol. 9, p. 17.
We need to change our attitude toward these fiery trials. They are not given to hurt us or to destroy us, but to develop our characters and to prepare us for heaven.
Peter writes to us, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:6, 7.
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.” 1 Pet. 4:14
Paul writes the same, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5:3-5.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12.
Already Daniel wrote about the trials that will come upon the people of God. “And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.” Dan. 11:33.
These tests will strengthen the faithful children of God and separate others from the fold; all who are fearful and not able to stand the test.
Many great men in the past have fallen and lost their faith, and even prophets did not all remain faithful to the end.
Paul was not beyond falling. He said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor. 9:27.
Every day we are tested by the Lord, often by little incidents. If we are faithful in them then we will be ready for greater tests.
If someone offends us, or irritates us, how we react is a test of our patience. In traffic, someone cuts us off and almost causes an accident, or in a store when we stand in line for the cashier, someone goes in front of us and gets service before us. Do we still stay calm and friendly?
With children it is easy to lose our patience, yet it is sin if we lose our calm. One of the distinguishing signs of God’s people is their patience.
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.
Our honesty is being tested. In buying and selling it is easy to be dishonest. Paul writes, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Rom. 12:17.
We need to be honest in our words that we speak. Even in our imagination we need to be honest and avoid all vain daydreaming. With constant practice an honest character can be reached.
Also our humility will be tested. Evil can be spoken of a humble person, yet he is not offended because he agrees that there is nothing good in him. It is possible that someone is proud of his pretended humility.
God is testing our forgiveness. “If we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt. 6:14, 15.
To forgive means also to forget. If someone forgives the offence and hurt done to him, but right after goes and tells others what this person did to him, he is getting even with him by ruining his reputation. In reality he did not forgive, and therefore God will not forgive his trespasses either.
As we are learning the lessons and developing our characters, the tests and trials will get greater. Finally the tests may include a martyr’s death. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10.
When David fled through the wilderness being pursued by his own son, he learned lessons that he would never have learned in his royal palace. The Psalms that he wrote from these experiences have comforted many afflicted hearts for thousands of years.
The pit and the dungeon were the schools from which Joseph graduated, preparing him for the position of prime minister of Egypt.
The hurricane which killed the children of Job prepared inspiration for the book that has been read by millions after him.
Sister White writes, “It would be well for all the workers to study the history of the Waldensian missionaries and to imitate their example of sacrifice and self denial.” Test. Vol. 5, p. 400.
“Through ages of darkness and apostasy there were Waldenses who denied the supremacy of Rome, who rejected image worship as idolatry, and who kept the true Sabbath. Under the fiercest tempests of opposition they maintained their faith. Though gashed by the Savoyard spear, and scorched by the Romish fagot, they stood unflinchingly for God’s word and His honour.” GC, p. 67
The papal leaders of Rome were determined to exterminate the Waldenses. Therefore the persecutions continued for many centuries. The same spirit that crucified Christ and slew the apostles was at work to rid the earth of those who were beloved of God.
“I was shown the Waldenses, and what they suffered for their religion. They conscientiously studied the word of God, and lived up to the light which shone upon them. They were persecuted, and driven from their homes; their possessions, gained by hard labour, were taken from them, and their houses burned. They fled to the mountains and there suffered incredible hardships. They endured hunger, fatigue, cold, and nakedness. The only clothing which many of them could obtain was the skins of animals. And yet the scattered and homeless ones would assemble to unite their voices in singing, and praising God that they were accounted worthy to suffer for Christ’s name. They encouraged and cheered one another; and were grateful for even their miserable retreat. Many of their children sickened and died from cold and hunger, yet the parents did not for a moment think of yielding their religion. They prized the love and favour of God far above earthly ease or worldly riches. They received consolation from God and with pleasing anticipations looked forward to the recompense of reward.” Test. Vol. 1, p. 371.
In June 1488, more than 20,000 soldiers were marching over the mountains toward their villages. People took shelter in a deep cave, but the soldiers set a large fire at the entrance and suffocated more than 3,000 Waldensians with 400 little children in their mother’s arms. From place to place the soldiers continued burning their homes and killing without mercy the inhabitants. This continued for one year.
Then one day the Lord intervened for His people. An army of 30,000 soldiers were coming up a narrow mountain path toward their villages. Suddenly a little black cloud was seen coming closer to them and finally covered the whole army in a thick fog, so that they could see nothing, and then a landslide of rocks fell upon them. In a panic they lost their foothold and fell into a deep precipice below. Few men from this army returned from these mountains.
After this the persecution continued. Time to time armies of soldiers attacked them. It was in 1650 that the order was given by Rome that all Waldensians must be killed.
On April 15, 1655, the Marquis of Pianez came to them as a friend with 15,000 soldiers. He said that they were looking for an escaped criminal. They came on Wednesday and stayed in the homes of the Waldensians. They slept in their homes, ate at their tables, played with their children. Then on Saturday, the signal was given and the soldiers started to murder their hostages. Little children were taken from their mother’s arms and smashed against rocks. The sick and the aged were burned alive in their homes. Before killing them, terrible torture was applied.
The historian, Leger writes, “Here I must stop. My hand trembles, that I scarcely can hold the pen. My tears mingle in torrents with the ink while I write the deeds of these children of darkness, blacker than the prince of darkness himself. These cruelties form a scene unparalleled and unique in history.”
In 1658, the Marquis of Pianez came again with 10,000 men and attacked villages, burning them and killing the people.
Yet the darkest chapters of the world’s history are still ahead of us. But we have nothing to fear if God is with us.
I had a dream that I was sentenced to death. As I was led by a soldier to the place of execution I talked to him about God and His salvation. Then I closed my eyes, expecting to die. The strange thing was that all this time I felt such a happiness that I had never felt before. After I woke up, the whole day this happiness continued with me.
If the martyrs felt the same joy and happiness as I felt in my dream, they did not really suffer. It will be their murderers who will be suffering for their deeds.
Let us be faithful in our little tests and by so doing, prepare for the great trials and realize that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28. AMEN.
Timo Martin