The Great Controversy 2

Persecution foretold by Christ The History of Persecution The Philosophy of Persecution

Persecution in the First Centuries

Church History-Prophecy of 7 Churches

Ephesus Smyrna Pergamos Sardis Philadelphia LaodiceaThyatira

Early Church that left the first

love(see AA) The persecuted

Church(see GC, ch. 2)

An era of spiritual darkness

(See GC, ch. 3,4)

The morning star in the midst of spiritual darkness

(See GC, ch. 5,6)

The reformation that was not completed

(See GC, ch. 7-16)

The true Advent Church(See GC, ch. 17-41)

The Church that delays Christ’s

coming

Persecutions Foretold by Christ

Matthew 5:11,12: Be happy if the persecute you Matthew 24: You will be put in tribulation and

killed Matthew 24: Some will betray you Matthew 24: There will be a time of great

tribulation (see also Daniel 7) Matthew 10:34-36: Enmity even in the family

foretold

The History of PersecutionHeathen persecution

Beginning under Nero Christians were considered: rebels to empire,

foes to religion (atheists), pests to society Persecution brought them nearer to Christ Persecution spread the message Persecution kept the church pure

Persecution by apostate Christians Satan changed tactics – from force to artifice Unification between Christianity and paganism Two classes and beginning of persecution Separation of the faithful from the apostate

church

The Philosophy of Persecution Is the gospel a message of peace?

It is for those who unite under it But it is hated by Satan and his agents and therefore

creates war Why does God permit persecution?

(We can see the answer only outside of doubt)

That the character of the wicked is revealed That God’s children are purified That the example of God’s children convinces others That God’s justice and mercy are revealed

Why does persecution slumber? Because the church is conformed to the world

Question “Trial and persecution will come to all who, in obedience to

the Word of God, refuse to worship this false sabbath. Force is the last resort of every false religion. At first it tries attraction, as the king of Babylon tried the power of music and outward show. If these attractions, invented by men inspired by Satan, failed to make men worship the image, the hungry flames of the furnace were ready to consume them.” The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 976

“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…Now the church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword were blessings in comparison with this.” The Great Controversy, p. 42

Explain the seeming contradiction!