MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 29
WHY PERSECUTION AGAINST THE GODLY SEEMS TO SLUMBER
To prepare His first disciples, and all after them, for the days of darkness, trials, sufferings, and persecutions they would suffer for the sake of truth and righteousness, beginning from their very own brethren, Jesus said: “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.
God’s last-day messenger wrote [all emphasis and bracketed words mine]:
“Jesus suffered for us more than any of His followers can be made to suffer through the cruelty of wicked men [the ‘enmity’ of Gen. 3:15]. Those who are called to endure torture and martyrdom, are but FOLLOWING THE STEPS of God’s dear Son.
“[2 Pet. 3:9 quoted]. 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 and again the righteous are placed in the furnace of affliction, that they THEMSELVES may be purified [part of sanctification]; that their EXAMPLE may convince others of the REALITY of faith and godliness [‘the word of their testimony’ in deeds and works, not mere words and profession]; and that their CONSISTENT COURSE may CONDEMN the ungodly and unbelieving [fuller meaning of ‘unbelief’ and ‘unbelievers’].
“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 [all through the ages] 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 IMPORTANT QUESTION that should engage the attention of the CHURCHES OF TODAY. The apostle Paul declares that [2 Tim. 3:12 quoted]. 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 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 [Ephesus and Smyrna stages]. If is only because of the spirit of COMPROMISE WITH SIN, because the GREAT TRUTHS [specifically the five pillars of the present truth] are so INDIFFERENTLY regarded, because there is SO LITTLE VITAL GODLINESS IN THE CHURCH [largely superficial and in form only] that Christianity is apparently so POPULAR with the world. [But] let there be a revival of faith and power of the early church [under the power of the former rain of Pentecost. See Acts of the Apostles], and the spirit of PERSECUTION will be revived, and the FIRES of persecution will rekindled.” E. G. White, Great Controversy, pp. 47, 48. Pacific Press Publishing Asso. , 1911. COMING TO THOSE WHO PROCLAIM THE TESTING TRUTHS. “A season of great trial is before us. . . . Those who are ignorantly deceived are not to remain in this condition. The Lord says to His MESSENGERS: Go to them and declare to them [either/or in person, “pen and voice’] and declare to them what I have said, ‘whether they will hear or whether they will forbear’ [see Eze. 2: 1-10; 3: 1-27]. The time is upon us when persecution will come upon those who proclaim the [present, testing] truth. . . . Soon there will be trouble all over the world [it’s upon us now]. It becomes everyone to seek to KNOW God. We have no time to delay. With earnestness and fervor the message must be given [Isa. 55:1; 56: 1, 2 quoted].
“The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus [Rev. 14:12] will feel the ire [enmity] of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the WORLD as his subjects [as ‘the god of this world’], he has gained control over the APOSTATE CHURCHES; but here is A LITTLE COMPANY that are resisting his supremacy. If he could BLOT them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the HEATHEN nations to destroy [ancient] Israel, so in the near future [so much nearer now!] he will stir up the wicked powers of the earth to DESTROY the people of God. All will be required to render OBEDIENCE to human edicts in VIOLATION of the divine law [Decalogue]. Those who will be true to God and to duty [See Eccl. 12: 13,14] will be menaced, denounced, and proscribed. They will be betrayed ‘both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends.’ Luke 21: 16.” -Ibid, Testimonies for the Church, pp. 227, 228, 231.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.