The Great Controversy
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 2: Persecution in the First Centuries
When Jesus revealed to His disciples the fate of Jerusalem and
the scenes of the second advent, He foretold also the experience of His people
from the time when He should be taken from them, to His return in power and
glory for their deliverance. From Olivet the Saviour beheld the storms about to
fall upon the apostolic church; and penetrating deeper into the future, His eye
discerned the fierce, wasting tempests that were to beat upon His followers in
the coming ages of darkness and persecution. In a few brief utterances of awful
significance He foretold the portion which the rulers of this world would mete
out to the church of God. Matthew 24:9, 21, 22. The followers of Christ must
tread the same path of humiliation, reproach, and suffering which their Master
trod. The enmity that burst forth against the world's Redeemer would be
manifested against all who should believe on His name. {GC 39.1}
The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment
of the Saviour's words. The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against
Christ in the person of His followers. Paganism foresaw that should the gospel
triumph, her temples and altars would be swept away; therefore she summoned her
forces to destroy Christianity. The fires of persecution were kindled.
Christians were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. They
"endured a great fight of afflictions." Hebrews 10:32. They "had
trial of cruel [40] mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment." Hebrews 11:36. Great numbers sealed
their testimony with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor, learned and
ignorant, were alike slain without mercy. {GC 39.2}
These persecutions, beginning under Nero about the time of
the martyrdom of Paul, continued with greater or less fury for centuries.
Christians were falsely accused of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be
the cause of great calamities—famine, pestilence, and earthquake. As
they became the objects of popular hatred and suspicion, informers stood ready,
for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They were condemned as rebels
against the empire, as foes of religion, and pests to society. Great numbers
were thrown to wild beasts or burned alive in the amphitheaters. Some were
crucified; others were covered with the skins of wild animals and thrust into
the arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment was often made the chief
entertainment at public fetes. Vast multitudes assembled to enjoy the sight and
greeted their dying agonies with laughter and applause. {GC 40.1}
Wherever they sought refuge, the followers of Christ were
hunted like beasts of prey. They were forced to seek concealment in desolate
and solitary places. "Destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world
was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and
caves of the earth." Verses 37, 38. The catacombs afforded shelter for
thousands. Beneath the hills outside the city of Rome, long galleries had been
tunneled through earth and rock; the dark and intricate network of passages
extended for miles beyond the city walls. In these underground retreats the
followers of Christ buried their dead; and here also, when suspected and
proscribed, they found a home. When the Life-giver shall awaken those who have
fought the good fight, many a martyr for Christ's sake will come forth from those
gloomy caverns. [41] {GC 40.2}
Under the fiercest persecution these witnesses for Jesus
kept their faith unsullied. Though deprived of every comfort, shut away from
the light of the sun, making their home in the dark but friendly bosom of the
earth, they uttered no complaint. With words of faith, patience, and hope they
encouraged one another to endure privation and distress. The loss of every
earthly blessing could not force them to renounce their belief in Christ.
Trials and persecution were but steps bringing them nearer their rest and their
reward. {GC 41.1}
Like God's servants of old, many were "tortured, not
accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection."
Verse 35. These called to mind the words of their Master, that when persecuted
for Christ's sake, they were to be exceeding glad, for great would be their
reward in heaven; for so the prophets had been persecuted before them. They
rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer for the truth, and songs of
triumph ascended from 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. {GC 41.2}
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 "kill us, torture us,
condemn us. . . . Your injustice is the proof that we are innocent [42] . . . . Nor
does your cruelty . . . avail you." It was but a stronger
invitation to bring others to their persuasion. "The oftener we are mown
down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed."—Tertullian,
Apology, paragraph 50. {GC 41.3}
Thousands were imprisoned and slain, but others sprang 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 banner of Christ. {GC 42.1}
Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully
against the government of God by planting his banner in the Christian 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. {GC 42.2}
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 Christian faith, while they
rejected other essential truths. They professed to accept Jesus as the Son of
God and to believe in His death and 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. {GC 42.3}
Now the church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire,
and sword were blessings in comparison with this. Some of the Christians stood
firm, declaring that they could make no [43]
compromise. Others were in favor of yielding or modifying some features of
their faith and uniting with those who had accepted a part of Christianity,
urging that this 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. {GC 42.4}
Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their
standard, and a union was formed between Christianity and paganism. 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 brought into the church, continued its baleful work. Unsound
doctrines, superstitious 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.
{GC 43.1}
There have ever been two classes among those who profess to
be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour's life and earnestly
seek to correct their defects and 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 connected with Himself men who were faulty in character, and
granted them the benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have an
opportunity to see their errors and correct them. Among the twelve apostles was
a traitor. Judas was accepted, not [44] because of his
defects of character, but notwithstanding them. He was connected with the
disciples, that, through the instruction 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. So do all
who cherish evil under a profession of godliness hate those who disturb their
peace by condemning their course of sin. When a favorable opportunity is
presented, they will, like Judas, betray those who for their good have sought
to reprove them. {GC 43.2}
The apostles encountered those in the church who professed
godliness while they were secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and Sapphira
acted the part of deceivers, pretending to make an entire sacrifice for God,
when they were covetously withholding a portion for themselves. The Spirit of
truth revealed to the apostles the real character of these pretenders, and the
judgments of God rid the church of this foul blot upon its purity. This signal
evidence of the discerning Spirit of Christ in the church was a terror to
hypocrites and evildoers. They could not long remain in connection with those
who were, in habit and disposition, constant representatives of Christ; and as
trials and persecution came upon His followers, those only who were willing to
forsake all for the truth's sake desired to become His disciples. Thus, as long
as persecution continued, the church remained comparatively pure. But as it
ceased, converts were added who were less sincere and devoted, and the way was
open for Satan to obtain a foothold. [45] {GC 44.1}
But there is no union between the Prince of light and the
prince of darkness, and there can be no union between their followers. When
Christians consented to unite with those who were but half converted from
paganism, they entered upon a path which led further and further from the
truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in deceiving so large a number of
the followers of Christ. He then brought his power to bear more fully upon
these, and inspired them to persecute those who remained true to God. None
understood so well how to oppose the true Christian faith as did those who had
once been its defenders; and these apostate Christians, uniting with their
half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the most essential
features of the doctrines of Christ. {GC 45.1}
It required a desperate struggle for those who would be
faithful to stand firm against the deceptions and abominations which were
disguised in 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. {GC 45.2}
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] {GC 45.3}
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. {GC 46.1}
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 Saviour—because 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. {GC 46.2}
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 sense—because the exalted truths it brings occasion
hatred and strife—that the gospel is called a sword. {GC 46.3}
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] {GC 47.1}
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"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. {GC 48.1}
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. {GC 48.2}
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. {GC 48.3}
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"An Era of Spiritual Darkness"
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