Hard Days of Persecution, November 20

Stand Like the Brave

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12.FLB 330.1

As the time comes for it [the third angel's message] to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred....FLB 330.2

The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it.... The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers....FLB 330.3

The words of Paul will be literally fulfilled, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-sabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom, all this now seems impossible; but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men, and they shall be under the control of Satan, ... there will be strange developments....FLB 330.4

No man can serve God without enlisting against himself the opposition of the hosts of darkness.^{60The Great Controversy, 606-610.}FLB 330.5

What was the strength of those who in the past have suffered persecution for Christ's sake? It was union with God, union with the Holy Spirit, union with Christ. It is this fellowship with the Saviour that will enable God's people to endure to the end.^{61The Review and Herald, February 9, 1911.}FLB 330.6