p. 5 | Then and Now

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1905

Then and Now

It is no new thing for men to evolve their own ideas of religion by substituting reason for revelation. This very thing was done in the days of the apostles. The following historical extract bears witness to this:—

Christian societies were scarcely formed, and in a manner organized, when at once there were men everywhere, who, little contented with the simplicity and purity of that religion which the apostles taught, attempted innovations, and of their own heads wanted to fashion a religion for themselves. This appears from various passages in the epistles left us by the apostles, and particularly from Paul's.—Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, Book I, Century I, Part II, chap. 5, par. 1.

All the errors which have ever been taught in the name of Christianity had their beginning in this same way. Some men “of their own heads wanted to fashion a religion for themselves.” This is simply one manifestation of that self-assertion which, when carried to its logical end, means the casting down of God from his throne, and the putting of some one else in his place. But this is all that Lucifer ever desired to accomplish (Isa. 14:12–14), and the present campaign against the Bible and against the way of salvation through the atoning work of Christ is simply one phase of the great controversy and of the attempt to overthrow the government of God. It is all inspired by the master mind of Satan, who is redoubling his efforts in these closing days of the controversy in order to deceive if possible the very elect. The exhortation given in the days of the apostles is applicable now: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith

which was once delivered unto the saints.” The situation then and the situation now are alike in many respects.