Chapter 44 — THE GREAT APOSTASY

Jesus told His twelve disciples about the terrible things that would soon happen to the city of Jerusalem. Jesus also described to the disciples the events that would happen at His second coming. Jesus told the disciples about the experiences Christian people would have from the time Jesus would go to heaven until He would return in power and glory to deliver His people.SRme 1.1442

Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. He thought of the trouble that would soon happen to the church. Jesus also saw the long years of persecution that Christians must endure. Jesus told His disciples how the rulers of the world would fight against the church of God. Jesus' followers must endure humiliation, rejection, and suffering the same as Jesus. The enemies of Jesus the Redeemer would be enemies of the people who believed in Jesus.SRme 1.1443

The history of the early church proved the Saviour's words to be true. The powers of earth and hell [Satan] fought against Christ through His followers. The heathen religions knew that if the gospel succeeded, the heathen temples and altars would be destroyed.SRme 1.1444

So the heathen powers determined to use all their strength to destroy Christianity. They began to persecute people who followed Christ. Christians had their possessions taken away. Christians were put out of their homes. Christians who "refused to accept freedom, died under torture in order to be raised to a better life. Some [Christians] were mocked and whipped, and others were put in chains and taken off to prison" (Heb 11:35, 36). Many Christians died for their faith. Rich and poor people, educated and ignorant people, people who were important and those who were slaves, were killed without mercy.SRme 1.1445

Satan tried to destroy the church of Christ by persecution. But Satan failed. The great controversy did not stop when God's people were killed. Faithful men, women, and children died; God's workmen died; but God's work continued. The gospel to spread and the number of believers increased. The truth reached into far-away places that the Roman government did not control.SRme 1.1446

A Christian said to a heathen ruler who was encouraging persecution, "You may kill us, hurt us, blame us. Your injustice [not fair] is proof that we are innocent. Nor does your cruelty win you anything." Many Christians were killed by the rulers, but more people accepted Christ. Persecution was another strong invitation for people to believe in God. When a Christian was killed, his blood was the same as seed. Other people became Christians from that example.SRme 1.1447

Thousands of God's people were put in prison and killed. Christ called these people conquerors. Resting in the grave, these people are eternally safe. They fought a good fight. These people will receive the crown of glory when Christ comes. Persecution brought Christians closer to one another and to Christ their Redeemer. The Christians' living example and dying testimony were a continuing witness for the truth. Satan's people were leaving his service and joining the believers in Christ.SRme 1.1448