Persecution by J. F. McReynolds

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1866

Persecution

By J. F. McReynolds

Is not a theme which the Christian is delighted to dwell upon. However, it is sometimes necessary to point out the evidences that it may be expected by commandment-keepers. Some professing to be Sabbath-keeping Advent believers deny the position of Seventh-day Adventists on the two-horned beast and the third angel's message, because, say they, the spirit of the unbelieving world is that of carelessness and indifference concerning what is good, and not such as should lead them to persecution of such a character as that connected with the third angel's message; and some refer to 2 Tim. iii, to prove their position. Now it seems strange that those who have had the light of present truth should be led to take such a blind position as this, and perhaps it is best explained by considering that they probably judge of the spirit of the world henceforth by that now manifested toward them; for doubtless Satan must be pleased, and his followers rejoice, to see men forsaking and opposing the work of God.

To show the falsity of their claims we will briefly examine the scripture referred to with reference to the point in question.

Here Paul says, "In the last days perilous times shall come." And why shall the times be perilous? Read verses 2-5. "For men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Now think of a class of individuals like this, and what may be expected of them? Ah! what in the way of evil may not be expected? Think of a class without natural affection, false accusers, and possessed of a fierce spirit, and who are despisers of those that are good—then place with them a class of good, who are telling them of the awful denunciations of wrath against beast-worshipers; and proving to them that this worship consists in the observance of their most favored and cherished institution, and crying mightily to the honest to come out from among them, that they be not partakers of their sins, and that they receive not of their plagues, "for her sins have reached unto Heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." This state of things once existing, can any one believe for a moment that the result will not be persecution such as is foretold in Rev. xiii? And such a state must exist, for Paul has described the former class, and the latter John saw, and heard the message they must bear.

Reader! commandment-keeper! we are amid the perils of the last days, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived; and may the Lord help you and me to continue in the things we have learned, and learn the things he would have us know, that we may be prepared for the trials just before us, and finally gain a home in the kingdom of God.

J. F. MCREYNOLDS.

Palestine, Iowa.