Saturday, February 16, 2019

God Always Finds A Way.


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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