Persecution in the first centuries
Audio:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/9HStZgHJNjs?list=PLA5C7629D1527F981
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.
*Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the government of God by planting his banner in the Christian church...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....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....*But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and there can be no union between their followers....*There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ....--While one class study the Savior'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....*Among the twelve apostles was a traitor....*The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith....There is an alarming indifference in regard to the doctrines which are the pillars of the Christian faith.....*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 Savior--because the purity and holiness of His character was a constant rebuke to their selfishness and corruption.....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. 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....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.
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.
