Friday: Further Thought – The Two Witnesses
Daily Lesson for Friday 10th of May 2024
“When the Bible was proscribed by religious and secular authority; when its testimony was perverted, and every effort made that men and demons could invent to turn the minds of the people from it; when those who dared proclaim its sacred truths were hunted, betrayed, tortured, buried in dungeon cells, martyred for their faith, or compelled to flee to mountain fastnesses, and to dens and caves of the earth—then the faithful witnesses prophesied in sackcloth. Yet they continued their testimony throughout the entire period of 1260 years. In the darkest times there were faithful men who loved God’s word and were jealous for His honor. To these loyal servants were given wisdom, power, and authority to declare His truth during the whole of this time.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 267, 268.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“When France publicly rejected God and set aside the Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired—a kingdom free from the restraints of the law of God. . . . The restraining Spirit of God, which imposes a check upon the cruel power of Satan, was in a great measure removed, and he whose only delight is the wretchedness of men was permitted to work his will. Those who had chosen the service of rebellion were left to reap its fruits until the land was filled with crimes too horrible for pen to trace. From devastated provinces and ruined cities a terrible cry was heard—a cry of bitterest anguish. France was shaken as if by an earthquake. Religion, law, social order, the family, the state, and the church—all were smitten down by the impious hand that had been lifted against the law of God.”—The Great Controversy, p. 286.
“Unless the church will follow on in His [God’s] opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear.”—The Great Controversy, p. 316.
Discussion Questions
- How are the principles of the great controversy revealed in the French Revolution?
- When arguing that there is no God, one person wrote that “we are free to establish our own goals and to venture across any intellectual boundaries without looking for no-trespassing signs.” Why is that phrase “without looking for no-trespassing signs” so instructive to the motives many have for rejecting God? How might such ideas help explain some of what happened in the French Revolution?
- What is the significance of John’s vision of the sanctuary as it relates to final events?
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It is difficult to get a figure on the loss of life during the French Revolution but some estimates put the loss in Paris to be about 20,000 people. At the same time a counter-revolutionary war was being raged in provincial France that claimed the lives of about 170,000 civilians. It is worth noting that while we know quite a lot about Paris, little has been said about what happened in the rest of the country.
It gives us pause for thought when we look at current conflicts and their cost to human life. The Russian-Ukranian conflict has cost an estimated 500,000 lives and the Israel-Hamas conflict, 36,000 lives. (Note: These are rough estimates only to give an idea of extent.)
There is for us one clear message. The battle between good and evil continues. Innocent people are losing their lives as a consequence.
Jesus put the message this way:
It is both horrific and inspiring to read the accounts of those standing for their faith against severest persecution.
We look to the Waldenses, and it piques our interest that some may have brought, or independently discovered, Saturday as their day of rest.
Foxes Book of Martyrs, first edition 1563 (with major additions in 1583 including the French massacre), predates only shortly an extremely important event for Seventh-day Adventists. John Trask and his wife were imprisoned in 1618, when the earliest recorded Seventh-day Baptists became too disruptive for England.
In any discussion of Sabbath keeping, we recognise there are others less well known outside of their homeland. An example is the Subotniks sentenced to death in 1490 by the Moscow court for blasphemy. While individuals were sentenced for various crimes, every one of them was declared guilty of; "You have all honored the Sabbath more than the Voskresenije (resurrection day) of Christ".
Besides persecution commonly quoted in our English/USA centric church, many others are known, some directed at Jews, Hindus, Muslims, other Christian sects, and less prominent groups. All represent people who lived and died for their faith. Corporately we may say these groups are unbelievers, but as individuals before God, many honest and upright individuals of all persuasions are accepted by God because they lived lives in the light they were given.
Jesus is our living example. Even though He condemned the corporation of Scribes and Pharisees, we know individuals who respected His teachings and followed Him.
Are we ready and reflecting Jesus in all our interactions with others, regardless of their status?
There is not a third side. I'm either on one or the other, for good or evil. For the Truth or deception. May I continue to strive for what is good and truthful! May I continue to listen to the suggestions of the Holy Spirit through the study of The Two Witnesses!
The last quote of ‘The Great Controversy’ states that it is not enough to merely know about the living, restorative power of the Word of God. The believer needs to LOVE God’s Word – His Truth - to manifest its power! Only then will the Spirit vanquish the voices of doubt, preventing doubt and freeing us to love Him and our fellow man freely.
Though the power of the Holy Spirit can shine God’s Light into the darkest recesses of the heart and mind, it is utter foolishness to take His Grace for granted. The adversary’s deceptions and cunning lies can make their home in one's heart and mind without us being aware – Matt.24:24.
One does not even need to argue that 'there is no God’! It is enough to make lite of faith and walk in one’s own council to open the door for deceit to enter the heart. Only the power of God's Word, through faith and trust, will keep us save from calamities as we willingly and heartily live in Christ Jesus’ revealed Truth by faith.
He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, He accomplished all that which the Scriptures pointed to. Those who decide to live in the Kingdom of our heavenly Father love Him and His Word with all their heart. He will always keep their faith strong because they love His living Word - Christ Jesus - revealed by the Holy Spirit – Gal.6:2; Matt.5:17-20; Mark 12:28-31; Rom.10:4; Gal.3:23-25; Eph.2:15.
Bon Sabat!
I guess I feel I have to say a few words in defense of the French Revolution. I am a social studies teacher, so have taught about it in high school classes (mainly in the context of nationalism). There was plenty of evil, especially during the reign of terror, but some good things came out of it. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizens established the protection of rights and many of these rights have been established in other documents since. The idea that Kings held sovereign rule was disrupted. People in lower classes and women gained a certain amount of freedom. I am thankful for these changes, imperfect as they are.
I cannot condone the atheistic sentiments of people like Voltaire, but the reality was that they were likely reacting against a corrupt religious system as much as God Himself. Their thinking was distorted, but who was really to blame for that? Of course, pushing God out leaves a vacuum for evil as history shows. But the same is true today. How many atheists have not really rejected God but a false picture of Him? So I try to be careful about how I label people.