p. 4 | The Accuser Cast Down by A. E. PLACE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 4, 1915

The Accuser Cast Down

By A. E. PLACE

A. E. PLACE

OUR first thoughts of the disciple John are, The beloved disciple; the disciple who leaned on Jesus’ breast; the man with the great heart of love.

This was all true of John, but not always true of him. We read of his early experience concerning the man whom he saw casting out devils. At another time

we read that he was ready to call down fire from heaven to destroy a whole village. And why?—Because the persons referred to did not see fit to come out and receive Christ according to John’s ideas.

But what was the Lord’s reply to John’s judging? “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9: 51-56. But this was not the end. Christ bore with John day after day, and by kindness and patience led him along, teaching him by precept and example, until John became the beloved disciple, the John of love. Near the close of this man’s life he penned these beautiful words: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” And again: “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

This was no mere theory with John. That which he wrote was a living reality with him, but it came through the mercy and kindness of our Redeemer; and to the end of John’s life he remained true to him who had called him, and led him, and taught him all the way. What was the result? A caldron of boiling oil could neither drown nor burn him; and banishment to that lone, rock-bound, sea-lashed Patmos but opened to his enraptured vision the city of the redeemed, the New Jerusalem, with its twelve foundations, on which was his own name; its sea of glass; the throne of God; and a company perfected through great tribulation, in whose “mouth was found no guile.” He also heard a great voice of triumph in heaven, and the burden of the cry was, “The accuser of our brethren is cast down.” Thank God, and “let all the people say, Amen.”

Who is so unwise as to help the accuser up to the seat of judgment again? Would it not be better to be ourselves banished to Patmos than to assist in any way in the resurrection of this wicked accuser of our brethren?

O that we might all be as kind and patient with one another as the Lord was with his disciples! Yes, as he is today with each one of us. Then we should consider ourselves lest we also be tempted; and history along this line of judging might cease to repeat itself.

San Jose, Cal.