The Great Controversy Chapter 2: Persecution in the First Centuries
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ย. 2024
- This week, Pastor Ted Wilson discusses the second chapter of The Great Controversy by Ellen White, entitled "Persecution in the First Centuries."
Christ's followers suffered humiliation, suffering, and persecution. They were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. They were "falsely accused of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities…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" (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, page 40).
But despite this, the number of Christians increased. Since Satan wasn't succeeding in wiping them out through brutal persecution, he tried a more deceptive approach. "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" (page 42).
This is how compromise and corruption entered the church. "The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith." Pagan rituals and festivals became a part of the Church's practice. "The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated" (page 45).
Though ridiculed for their faith, early Christians remained faithful to the teachings of Christ and His disciples. "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" (page 46).
We are living in the end times. Our only safety is to build on the solid rock of God's Word. As such, let us ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance as we study the Bible, understand its teachings, accept them into our hearts, and share them to others.
To learn more about persecution in the first centuries, read The Great Controversy by Ellen White at greatcontrover....
Thank you brother.I just ordered the book. Also thank you for your ministry.I pray for you all.
Amen,praise God!
Thank you so much Pastor Ted
God bless
Amen
Thanks Ps. Ted, I will be using your video clip for my church during the study of the book
I sold Copies of Great Contervercies as Colporteur during younger days...and own mylar binding copy myself
I don't think that a review of this chapter is complete without looking at the last paragraph in the chapter:
"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
HAPPY PREPARATION DAY!
Amen amen manservant of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Thanks!
AMEN!
Aliluja Amen
Amen. Folks please be sure to read this power-packed chapter in its ENTIRETY, markers or highlighters in hand. Persecution is coming again. And for some, it's already here. Not necessarily from the world but SADLY and UNFORTUNATELY from WITHIN the Remnant Church itself. The restriction of religious freedom, the muzzling of those seeking to teach distinctive teaching, the UNJUST DISCIPLINING and DISFELLOWSHIPING of members who are seeking only to humbly and faithfully present pure biblical Christianity is rife. All the while every abomination of the worldly worship is given free rein and heartily promoted from far too many pulpits. This is a serious call for repentance, revival and Reformation. After this the serious persecution will come from WITHOUT.
Until the focus is on serious Bible Study in every department of our Church and away from all the worldly, God dishonoring MUSIC and other WORLDLY activities promoted in the worship of God, it won't happen. Unfortunately That Cleansing is the AGENCY that God will be compelled to use to purify His Church, His people. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Amen 🙏
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Praise God for that wonderful message. Come quickly Lord Jesus. Thanks and God bless all.
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Wilson failed to mention that the number of Christians murdered in the first centuries was tiny in comparison to the millions murdered after the Catholic Church buried the Name of the Father and enforced the new Pagan Doctrine of the "Holy" Trinity. Sabbatarians were executed because they believed Jesus' MOST IMPORTANT COMMAND that "God is One". Mark 12:28
The pages of the New Testament are full of stories how the Sabbath keepers betrayed, persecuted and murdered Christ and the apostles. They even repeatedly beat the apostles in the synagogue on the Sabbath day and left them for dead
In Acts 26 we even have the apostle Paul’s own account how he sore persecuted the Christians before his conversion
@@polycarpsmith1419 Do you mean sabbath keepers are the source of sin?
@@trevorokoth6469 indeed. Horrific sin.
We ask for the holy spirit, but we reject the most precious message which(TM91,92) says is the begining of the latter rain and 1SM234 pastor can we start?? Why when we talk of our history we avoid 1888? Yet we say (Ask for the holy spirit?)are we fulfilling isa63;10?am hoping not,let's arise and shine for the light has come and the glory of God is given check out our history,and rev 18;1 will be our exprience, we need to come out verse4 now
We are lukewarm
What have us in this state??what will bring us out?ew270 and 1sm234,272,TM912 rev14;6..the everlasting gospel.
Just for good measure, in gc234,we read of the (Jesuit order) and their púrpose & objectives, in 1540 which most of our ppl don't know much off,God brought sda's in 1863 ģiving us two instiution(education,and healthy) to keep us seperate from. Are we seperate today almost 500years?? Did the jesuits achieveď their objectives, (yes) they give us a jesuit priest as.pope in 2013, and in2014 they said that(protestantism) is ended,where is our voice pastor, then we joined the pope on the covid,and vacc giving our members the same 3 reasons the pope give the world leaders to taking the vacine which is (1 for the common good,(2 inspite of your consience(3Silent the holy spirit, now you telling us to (ask for the holy spirit?) Whose tongue are you speaking with paßtor??
Amen
Amen