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former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? The
ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their
fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But many refuse to be
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satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain “Thus
saith the Lord.” The popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, are
filled with anger as their authority is questioned; they denounce the
message as of Satan, and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile
and persecute those who proclaim it.
As the controversy extends into new fields, and the minds of the
people are called to God’s down-trodden law, Satan is astir. The
power attending the message only maddens those who oppose it.
The clergy put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the
light, lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their
command they endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital
questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and
in this work, papists are solicited to come to the help of Protestants.
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The movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and
decided. The law is invoked against commandment-keepers. They
are threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some are offered
positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as induce-
ments to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is, “Show us
from the word of God our error,”—the same plea that was made by
Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before
the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear
them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of
God. Thus light is brought before thousands who otherwise would
know nothing of these truths.
Conscientious obedience to the word of God will be treated
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as rebellion. Blinded by Satan, the parent will exercise harshness
and severity toward the believing child; the master or mistress will
oppress the commandment-keeping servant. Affection will be alien-
ated; children will be disinherited, and driven from home. The words
of Paul will be literally fulfilled, “All that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution.” [2 Timothy 3:12.] As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-Sabbath, some of them will
be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as
slaves. To human wisdom, all this now seems impossible; but as
the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men, and they
shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine precepts,
there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel
when God’s fear and love are removed.
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith
in the third message, but have not been sanctified through it, abandon
their position, and take refuge under the ba
darkness. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they
come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is
brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of
talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ
their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most
bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbath-keepers are
brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are
the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them,
and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against
them.
Loud Cry
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The Lord’s servants have faithfully given the warning, looking
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to God and to his word alone. They have not coolly calculated the
consequences to themselves. They have not consulted their temporal
interests, or sought to preserve their reputation or their lives. Yet
when the storm of opposition and reproach bursts upon them, they
are overwhelmed with consternation; and some are ready to exclaim,
“Had we foreseen the consequences of our words, we would have
held our peace.” They are hedged in with difficulties. Satan assails
them with fierce temptations. The work which they have undertaken
seems far beyond their ability to accomplish. They are threatened
with destruction. The enthusiasm which animated them is gone; yet
they ca
flee to the Mighty One for strength. They remember that the words
which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade them give
the warning. God put the truth into their hearts, and they could not
forbear to proclaim it.
The same trials were experienced by men of God in ages past.
Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Tyndale, Baxter, Wesley, urged that all
doctrines be brought to the test of the Bible, and declared that they
would renounce everything which it condemned. Against these men,
persecution raged with relentless fury; yet they ceased not to declare
the truth. Different periods in the history of the church have each
been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to
the necessities of the people of God at that time. Every new truth has
made its way against hatred and opposition; those who were blessed
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with its light were tempted and tried. The Lord gives a special truth
for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He
commands his servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the
world. They ca
Christ’s ambassadors have nothing to do with consequences. They
must perform their duty, and leave results with God.
As the opposition rises to a fiercer height, the servants of God are
again perplexed; for it seems to them that they have brought the crisis.
But conscience and the word of God assure them that their course
is right; and although the trials continue, they are strengthened to
bear them. The contest grows closer and sharper, but their faith
and courage rise with the emergency. Their testimony is, “We dare
not tamper with God’s word, dividing his holy law, calling one
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portion essential and another non-essential to gain the favor of the
world. The Lord whom we serve is able to deliver us. Christ has
conquered the powers of earth; and shall we be afraid of a world
already conquered?”
Persecution in its varied forms is the development of a principle
which will exist as long as Satan exists, and Christianity has vital
power. No man can serve God without enlisting against himself
the opposition of the hosts of darkness. Evil angels will assail him,
alarmed that his influence is taking the prey from their hands. Evil
men, rebuked by his example, will unite with them in seeking to