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steps bringing them nearer their rest and their reward.
They called to mind the words of their Master, that when per-
secuted for Christ’s sake they were to be exceeding glad; for great
would be their reward in Heaven; for so had the prophets been perse-
cuted before them. Like God’s servants of old, they were “tortured,
not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrec-
tion.” [Hebrews 11:35.] They rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer for the truth, and songs of triumph ascended in 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 standard-
bearers 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
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wickedness puts our weakness to the test, but your cruelty is of no
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 ba
Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against
the government of God, by planting his ba
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 Chris-
tian faith, while they rejected other essential truths. They professed
to accept Jesus as the Son of God, and to believe in his death and
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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 was the church in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and
sword were blessings in comparison with this. Some of the Chris-
tians stood firm, declaring that they could make no compromise.
Others reasoned that if they should yield or modify some features of
their faith, and unite with those who had accepted a part of Chris-
tianity, it 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.
Persecution in the First Centuries
25
At last the larger portion of the Christian company lowered their
standard, and a union was formed between Christianity and pagan-
ism. 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 introduced into
the church, continued its baleful work. Unsound doctrines, super-
stitious 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
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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, the 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 co
granted them the benefits of his teachings and example, that they
might have an opportunity to see and correct their errors. Among the
twelve apostles was a traitor. Judas was accepted, not because of his
defects of character, but notwithstanding them. He was co
with the disciples, that, through the instructions and example of
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. In like ma
godliness hate those who disturb their peace by condemning their
course of sin. When a favorable opportunity is presented, they will,
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like Judas, betray those who for their good have sought to reprove
them.
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The apostles encountered those in the church who professed
godliness while they were secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and