MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
May 3, 2023
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 17
NOT PEACE BUT A SWORD
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I am come not to send peace but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Matt. 10: 34-36, KJV.
It was no less than Jesus, the prophesied “Prince of peace” who declared these puzzling words. Did He contradict Himself? What did He mean? Tracing back to Genesis 3:15 provides the broadest, most comprehensive context. Read it again. Now this from the inspired pen:
“Shortly before His crucifixion, Christ bequeathed to His disciples a LEGACY OF PEACE. [John 14:27 quoted]. This peace is NOT the peace that comes through CONFORMITY to the world. Christ never purchase peace by COMPROMISE with evil. The peace that Christ left with His disciples is INTERNAL rather than external, and was ever to REMAIN with His witnesses THROUGH strife and contention.
“Christ said of Himself, [Matt. 10: 34 quoted]. The Prince of peace, He was yet the CAUSE of division. He who came to proclaim glad tidings and to create hope and joy in the hearts of of the children of men, opened a CONTROVERSY that burns deep and arouses intense passions in the human heart.
“And He warns His followers, ‘In the world you shall have TRIBULATION.’ ‘They shall lay their hands on you, and PERSECUTE you, delivering you up to the SYNAGOGUES [religious tribunals], and into PRISONS, being brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.’ ‘Ye shall be BETRAYED BOTH BY PARENTS, and KINSFOLKS, and FRIENDS, and some of you they shall cause to be put to DEATH’ (Luke 21: 12, 16).
“This prophecy [of Jesus Himself] has been fulfilled in a marked manner. Every INDIGNITY, REPROACH, and CRUELTY that Satan could instigate human hearts to DEVISE have been visited upon the followers of Jesus. And it will be AGAIN FULFILLED in a marked manner, for the carnal heart is still AT ENMITY WITH THE LAW OF GOD, and will not be subject to its commands [see Rom. 8: 6-8]. The world is no more in harmony with the principles of Christ TODAY than it was in the days of the apostles. The SAME HATRED that prompted the cry, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’ the same hatred that led to the persecution of the [early] disciples, still works in the children of DISOBEDIENCE.
“The same spirit which in the DARK AGES [538 – 1798 A.D.] consigned men and women to prison, exile, and to death, which designed the exquisite torture of the INQUISITION, which planned and executed the MASSACRE of St. Bartholomew [in France] and which kindled the fires in SMITHFIELD, is still at work with malignant energy in unregenerate hearts. THE HISTORY OF TRUTH HAS EVER BEEN A RECORD OF A STRUGGLE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG. THE proclamation of the GOSPEL has ever been carried forward in this world in the face of OPPOSITION, PERIL, LOSS, and SUFFERING.
Q. “What has been the strength of those who in the past have suffered persecution for Christ’s sake?” It was UNION with God, union with the Holy Spirit, union with Christ [the Godhead!]. Reproach and persecution have separated many from EARTHLY friends but never from the LOVE OF CHRIST. Never is the TEMPEST-TRIED soul MORE DEARLY LOVED by His Savior than when he is SUFFERING REPROACH FOR THE TRUTH’S SAKE. [Correct meaning of Rom. 8: 35-39]. ‘I will love him,’ Christ said, ‘and will manifest Myself to him’ (John 14:21).
“When for the TRUTH’S SAKE the believer stands at the bar of EARTHLY TRIBUNALS [courts of law], Christ STANDS by his side. When he is confined within PRISON WALLS, Christ MANIFESTS Himself to him, and CHEERS HIS HEART with love. When he suffers DEATH for Christ’s sake, the Savior SAYS to him, ‘They may kill the body, but they cannot hurt the soul. ‘Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ ‘Fear them not; for I am WITH thee: be not dismayed for I am thy GOD: I will STRENGTHEN thee; yea, I will HELP thee; yea, I will UPHOLD thee with the RIGHT HAND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.’ (John 16:33; Isa. 41:3). Then Ps. 125: 1-3; 72:14; Zech. 9:15, 16 quoted.” -E. G. White, Acts of the Apostles, pp. 84-86, Pacific Press Publishing Asso., 1911. [all emphasis and words in brackets mine].
Remember this testing truth for these last days: “Yea, and all that will live GODLY in Christ Jesus shall SUFFER persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12, KJV. Read verses 9-11. Paul was “fully known” by nine evidences. Per prophecy, typical history will repeat itself antitypically. Thus “to be forearmed” and then take heed, “is to be be forearmed” with the “Holy Spirit in the Word,” which “is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerned of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”’Eph. 6:17(13-16); Heb 4:12, KJV.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.