按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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。
46
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。 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 evildoers 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 Saviourbecause the purity and holiness of His 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 sang 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
47
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 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 sensebecause
the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred and strifethat 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。
48
〃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 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。
（49）
Chapter 3
An Era of Spiritual Darkness
The apostle Paul； in his second letter to the Thessalonians； foretold the
great apostasy which would result in the establishment of the papal power。
He declared that the day of Christ should not come； 〃except there come a
falling away first； and that man of sin be revealed； the son of perdition；
who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God； or that is
worshiped； so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God； showing himself
that he is God。〃 And furthermore； the apostle warns his brethren that 〃the
mystery of iniquity doth already work。〃 2 Thessalonians 2：3； 4； 7。 Even at
that early date he saw； creeping into the church； errors that would prepare
the way for the development of the papacy。
Little by little； at first in stealth and silence； and then more openly as
it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men； 〃the
mystery of iniquity〃 carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work。
Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the
Christian church。 The spirit of compromise and con