CHAPTER 20 (The Great Controversy)
The Reformation
But notwithstanding all the persecution and the
putting to death of the saints, yet living witnesses were raised up on every
hand. The angels of God were doing the
work committed to their trust. They were
searching in the darkest places, and were selecting out of the darkness, men
who were honest at heart. They were all
buried up in error, yet God selected them as he did Saul, as chosen vessels to
bear his truth, and raise their voices against the sins of his professed
people. The angels of God moved upon
Martin Luther, Melancthon, and others in different places, to thirst for the
living testimony of the word of God. The
enemy had come in like a flood, and the standard must be raised up against
him. Luther was chosen to breast the
storm, and stand up against the ire of a fallen church, and strengthen the few
who were faithful to their holy profession.
He was ever fearful of offending God.
He tried through works to obtain the favor of God; but he was not
satisfied until a gleam of light from heaven drove the darkness from his mind,
and led him to trust, not in works, but in the merits of the blood of Christ;
and to come to God for himself, not through popes nor confessors, but through
Jesus Christ alone. O how precious was
this knowledge to Luther! He prized this
new and precious light which had dawned upon his dark understanding, and had
driven away his superstition, higher than the richest earthly treasure. The word of God was new. Every thing was changed. The Book he had dreaded because he could not
see beauty in it, was life, LIFE to him.
It was his joy, his consolation, his blessed teacher. Nothing could induce him to leave its
study. He had feared death; but as he
read the word of God, all his terrors disappeared, and he admired the character
of God, and loved him. He searched the
word of God for himself. He feasted upon
the rich treasures it contained, and then he searched it for the church. He was disgusted with the sins of those in
whom he had trusted for salvation. He
saw very many enshrouded in the same darkness which had covered him. He anxiously sought an opportunity to point
them to the Lamb of God, who alone taketh away the sin of the world. He raised his voice against the errors and
sins of the Papal church, and earnestly longed to break the chain of darkness
which was confining thousands, and causing them to trust in works for
salvation. He longed to be enabled to
open to their minds the true riches of the grace of God, and the excellence of
salvation obtained through Jesus Christ.
He raised his voice zealously, and in the power of the Holy Spirit,
cried against the existing sins of the leaders of the church; and as he met the
storm of opposition from the priests, his courage did not fail; for he firmly
relied upon the strong arm of God, and confidently trusted in him for
victory. And as he pushed the battle
closer and closer, the rage of the priests was kindled against him. They did not wish to be reformed. They chose to be left in ease, in wanton
pleasure, in wickedness. They wished the
church kept in darkness.
I saw that Luther was ardent and zealous,
fearless and bold in reproving sin, and advocating the truth. He cared not for wicked men and devils. He knew that he had One with him mightier
than they all. Luther possessed fire,
zeal, courage and boldness, and at times might go too far; but God raised up
Melancthon, who was just the opposite in character, to aid Luther, and carry on
the work of reformation. Melancthon was
timid, fearful, cautious, and possessed great patience. He was greatly beloved of God. His knowledge was great in the Scriptures,
and his judgment and wisdom was excellent.
His love for the cause of God was equal to Luther's. These hearts, the Lord knit together; they
were friends which were never to be separated.
Luther was a great help to Melancthon when he was in danger of being
fearful and slow, and Melancthon was also a great help to Luther to keep him
from moving too fast. Melancthon's
far-seeing cautiousness often averted trouble which would have come upon the
cause, if the work had been left alone to Luther; and the work would often have
failed in being pushed forward, if it had been left to Melancthon alone. I was shown the wisdom of God in choosing
these two men, of different characters to carry on the work of reformation.
I was then carried back to the days of the
apostles, and saw that God chose as companions an ardent and zealous Peter, and
a mild, patient, meek John. Sometimes
Peter was impetuous. And the beloved
disciple often checked Peter, when his zeal and ardor led him too far; but it
did not reform him. But after Peter had
denied his Lord, and repented, and was converted, all he needed was a mild
caution from John to check his ardor and zeal.
The cause of Christ would often have suffered had it been left alone to
John. Peter's zeal was needed. His boldness and energy often delivered them
from difficulty, and silenced their enemies.
John was winning. He gained many
to the cause of Christ by his patient forbearance, and deep devotedness.
God raised up men to cry against the existing
sins of the Papal church, and carry forward the reformation. Satan sought to destroy these living
witnesses; but God made a hedge about them.
Some, for the glory of his name, were permitted to seal the testimony
they had borne with their blood; but there were other powerful men, like Luther
and Melancthon, who could best glorify God by living and crying aloud against
the sins of popes, priests and kings.
They trembled before the voice of Luther. Through those chosen men, rays of light began
to scatter the darkness, and very many joyfully received the light and walked
in it. And when one witness was slain,
two or more were raised up to fill his place.
But Satan was not satisfied. He could only have power over the body. He could not make believers yield their faith
and hope. And even in death they
triumphed with a bright hope of immortality at the resurrection of the
just. They had more than mortal
energy. They dared not sleep for a
moment. They kept the christian armor
girded about them, prepared for a conflict, not merely with spiritual foes, but
with Satan in the form of men, whose constant cry was, Give up your faith, or
die. Those few Christians were strong in
God, and more precious in his sight than half a world bearing the name of
Christ, yet cowards in his cause. While
the church was persecuted, they were united and loving. They were strong in God. Sinners were not permitted to unite
themselves with it; neither the deceiver nor the deceived. Those only who were willing to forsake all
for Christ could be his disciples. They
loved to be poor, humble and Christ-like.
See Luke 22:61-62; John 18:10; Acts chap.3&4
For further study see "The Reformation" in an encyclopedia.
Luk 22:61 And
the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the
Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me
thrice.
Luk 22:62 And
Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Joh 18:10 Then
Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and
cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus
Act 3:1 Now
Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being
the ninth hour.
Act 3:2 And a
certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at
the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that
entered into the temple;
Act 3:3 Who
seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
Act 3:4 And
Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
Act 3:5 And he
gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
Act 3:6 Then
Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Act 3:7 And he
took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and
ankle bones received strength.
Act 3:8 And he
leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking,
and leaping, and praising God.
Act 3:9 And
all the people saw him walking and praising God:
Act 3:10 And
they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the
temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had
happened unto him.
Act 3:11 And
as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran
together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly
wondering.
Act 3:12 And
when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye
at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or
holiness we had made this man to walk?
Act 3:13 The
God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath
glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence
of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
Act 3:14 But
ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto
you;
Act 3:15 And
killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are
witnesses.
Act 3:16 And
his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and
know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in
the presence of you all.
Act 3:17 And
now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your
rulers.
Act 3:18 But
those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets,
that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Act 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when
the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Act 3:20 And
he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Act 3:21 Whom
the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Act 3:22 For
Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up
unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things
whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Act 3:23 And
it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall
be destroyed from among the people.
Act 3:24 Yea,
and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have
spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Act 3:25 Ye
are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our
fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the
earth be blessed.
Act 3:26 Unto
you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in
turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Act 4:1 And as
they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the
Sadducees, came upon them,
Act 4:2 Being
grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the
resurrection from the dead.
Act 4:3 And
they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now
eventide.
Act 4:4
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men
was about five thousand.
Act 4:5 And it
came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
Act 4:6 And
Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as
were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at
Jerusalem.
Act 4:7 And
when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what
name, have ye done this?
Act 4:8 Then
Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and
elders of Israel,
Act 4:9 If we
this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means
he is made whole;
Act 4:10 Be it
known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by
him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Act 4:11 This
is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head
of the corner.
Act 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Act 4:13 Now
when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were
unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them,
that they had been with Jesus.
Act 4:14 And
beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing
against it.
Act 4:15 But
when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred
among themselves,
Act 4:16
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath
been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we
cannot deny it.
Act 4:17 But
that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that
they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
Act 4:18 And
they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name
of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But
Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of
God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20 For
we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Act 4:21 So
when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how
they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for
that which was done.
Act 4:22 For
the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was
shewed.
Act 4:23 And
being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief
priests and elders had said unto them.
Act 4:24 And
when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and
said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and
all that in them is:
Act 4:25 Who
by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the
people imagine vain things?
Act 4:26 The
kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the
Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27 For
of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod,
and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered
together,
Act 4:28 For
to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Act 4:29 And
now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with
all boldness they may speak thy word,
Act 4:30 By
stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by
the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Act 4:31 And
when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together;
and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God
with boldness.
Act 4:32 And
the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither
said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but
they had all things common.
Act 4:33 And
with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Act 4:34
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of
lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were
sold,
Act 4:35 And
laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man
according as he had need.
Act 4:36 And
Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted,
The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Act 4:37
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles'
feet.
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