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37 - The Desire of Ages - Ellen Gould · Sacred Texts Archive

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The first evangelist. The apostles were members of the family of Jesus, and
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they had accompanied him as he traveled on foot through Galilee. They had shared
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with him the toils and hardships that overtook them. They had listened to his
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discourses. They had walked and talked with the Son of God, and from
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his daily instruction they had learned how to work for the elevation of humanity.
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As Jesus ministered to the vast multitudes that gathered about him, his disciples were
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in attendants, eager to do his bidding and to lighten his labor. They
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assisted in arranging the people, bringing the afflicted ones to the Savior, and
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promoting the comfort of all. They watched for interested hearers, explaining the scriptures
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to them, and in various ways worked for their spiritual benefit. They taught
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what they had learned of Jesus and were every day obtaining a rich experience.
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But they needed also an experience. In laboring alone, they were still in
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need of much instruction, great patience, and tenderness. Now, while he
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was personally with them to point out their errors and counsel and correct them,
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the Savior sent them forth as his representatives. While they had been with him,
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the disciples had often been perplexed by the teaching of the priests and pharisees.
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But they had brought their perplexities to Jesus. He had set before them
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the truth of scripture and contrast with tradition. Thus he had strengthened their confidence
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in God's word, and in a great measure, had set them free from
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their fear of the rabbis and their bondage to tradition. In the trading of
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the disciples, the example of the Saviour's life was far more effective than any
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mere doctrinal instruction. When they were separated from him, every look, and
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tone and word came back to them. Often when in conflict with the enemies
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of the Gospel, they repeated his words, and as they saw their effect
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upon the people, they rejoiced greatly. Calling the twelve about him, Jesus
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bade them go out two and two through the towns and villages. None were
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set forth alone. But brother was associated with brother, friend with friend.
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Thus they could help and encourage each other, counseling and praying together, each
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one's strength supplementing the other's weakness. In the same manner, he afterwards set
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forth the seventy. It was the Saviour's purpose that the messengers of the Gospel
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should be associated in this way. In our own time. Evangelistic work would
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be far more successful if this example were more closely followed. The disciple's message
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was the same as that of John the Baptist and of Christ himself. The
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Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. They were to enter into no controversy with
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the people as to whether Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, but in his
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name they were to do the same works of mercy as he had done.
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He bade them heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,
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cast out devils freely ye have received, freely give. During his ministry,
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Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching. His miracles testified
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to the truth of his words that he came not to destroy, but to
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say. His righteousness went before him, and the glory of the Lord was
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his rear word. Wherever he went. The tidings of his mercy preceded him.
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Where he had passed. The objects of his compassion were rejoicing in health
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and making trial of their new found powers. Crowds were collecting around them to
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hear from their lips the works that the Lord had wrought. His voice was
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the first sound that many had ever heard, his name, the first word
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they had ever spoken, his face, the first they had ever looked upon.
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Why should they not love Jesus and sound his praise. As he passed
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through the towns and cities, he was like a vital current, diffusing life
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and joy wherever he went. The followers of Christ are to labor as he
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did. We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort
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the suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing, and inspire
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hope in the hopeless. And to us also. The promise will be fulfilled.
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Thy righteousness shall go before thee. The glory of the Lord shall be
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thy reward Isaiah fifty eight eight. The love of Christ manifested in a unselfish
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ministry, will be more effective in reforming the evil doer than will the sword
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or the court of justice. These are necessary to strike terror to the lawbreaker,
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but the loving missionary can do more than this. Often the heart will
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harden under reproof, but it will melt under the love of Christ. The
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missionary can not only relieve physical maladies, but he can lead the sinner to
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the great physician, who can cleanse the soul from the leprosy of sin.
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Through his servants, God designs that the sick, the unfortunate, those possessed
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of evil spirits shall hear his voice through his human agencies. He desires to
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be a comforter, such as the world knows not. The Disciples on their
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first missionary tour were only to go to the lost sheep of the House of
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Israel. If they had now preached the Gospel to the Gentiles or the Samaritans,
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they would have lost their influence with the Jews. By exciting the prejudice
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of the Pharisees. They would have involved themselves in controversy, which would have
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discouraged them at the outset of their labors. Even the Apostles were slow to
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understand that the Gospel was to be carried to all nations. Until they themselves
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could grasp this truth, they were not prepared for labor for the Gentiles.
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If the Jews would receive the Gospel, God proposed to make them his messengers
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to the Gentiles. Therefore, they were first to hear the message. All
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over the field of Christ's labor, there were souls awakened to their need,
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and hungering and thirsting for the truth. The time had come to send the
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tidings of His love to these longing hearts. To all these, the disciples
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were to go as His representaties. The believers would thus be led to look
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upon them as divinely appointed teachers, and when the Savior should be taken from
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them, they would not be left without instructors. On this first tour,
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the disciples were to go only where Jesus had been before them and had made
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friends. Their preparation for the journey was to be of the simplest kind.
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Nothing must be allowed to divert their minds from their great work, or in
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any way excite opposition and close the door for further labor. They were not
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to adopt the dress of the religious teachers, nor use any guise in apparel
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to distinguish them from the humble peasants. They were not to enter into the
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synagogues and call the people together for public service. Their efforts were to be
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put forth in house to house labor. They were not to waste time in
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needless salutations or in going from house to house for entertainment, but in every
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place they were to accept the hospitality of those who were worthy, those who
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would welcomed them heartily, as if entertaining Christ himself. They were to enter
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the dwelling with the beautiful salutation peace be to this house Lup Ten five.
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That home would be blessed by their prayers, their songs of praise, and
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the opening of the scriptures in the family circle. These disciples were to be
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heralds of the truth to prepare the way for the coming of their master.
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The message they had to bear was the word of eternal life, and the
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destiny of men depended upon their reception or rejection of it. To impress the
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people with its solemnity, Jesus bade his disciples, whosoever shall not receive you
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nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city,
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shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, it
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shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorah in the day of
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judgment than for that city. Now the Saviour's eye penetrates the future. He
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beholds the broader fields in which after his death, the disciples are to be
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witnesses for him. His prophetic glance takes in the experience of his servants through
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all the ages till he shall come the second time. He shows his followers
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the conflicts they must meet. He reveals the character and plan of the battle.
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He lays open before them, the perils they must encounter, the self
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denial that will be required. He desires and to count the cost, that
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they may not be taken unawares by the enemy. Their warfare is not to
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be waged against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers,
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against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual host of wickedness
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in the heavenly places Ephesians six twelve r v. They are to contend with
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supernatural forces, but they are assured of supernatural help. All the intelligences of
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Heaven are in this army, and more than angels are in the ranks.
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The Holy Spirit, the representative of the captain of the Lord's Host, comes
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down to direct the battle. Our infirmities may be many, our sins and
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mistakes grievous, But the grace of God is for all who seek it with
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contrition. The power of omnipotence is enlisted in behalf of those who trust in
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God. Behold, said Jesus, I send you forth as sheep in the
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midst of wolves. Be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
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Himself did not suppress one word of truth, but he spoke it always in
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love. He exercised the greatest tact and thoughtful kind attention in his intercourse with
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the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word,
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never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness.
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He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity. But tears were in
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his voice as he uttered his scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the
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city he loved, that refused to receive him the Way, the Truth,
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and the life. They rejected him the Savior, but he regarded them with
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pitying tenderness, and sorrows so deep that it broke his heart. Every soul
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was precious in his eyes. While he always bore himself with divine dignity,
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he bowed with tenderest regard to every member of the family of God. In
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all men he saw fallen souls whom it was his mission to save. The
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servants of Christ are not to act dot the dictates of the natural heart.
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They need to have close communion with God, lest under provocation self rise up
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and they pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not
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as due, or the still showers that refresh the withering plants. This is
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what Satan wants them to do, for these are his methods. It is
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the dragon that is wroth. It is the spirit of Satan that is revealed
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in anger and accusing. But God's servants are to be representaties of him.
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He desires them to deal only in the currency of Heaven, the truth that
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bears his own image and superscription. The power by which they are to overcome
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evil is the power of Christ. The glory of Christ is their strength.
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They are to fix their eyes upon His loveliness. Then they can present the
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Gospel with divine tact and gentleness. And the spirit that is kept gentle under
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provocation will speak more effectively in favor of the truth than will any argument.
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However, forcible, those who are brought in conquer with the enemies of truth
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have to meet not only men, but Satan and his agents. Let them
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remember the Saviour's words. Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves
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Luke ten three. Let them rest in the love of God, and the
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spirit will be kept calm even under personal abuse. The Lord will clothe them
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with the divine panoply. His Holy Spirit will influence the mind and heart,
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so that their voices shall not catch the notes of the baying of the wolves.
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Continuing his instruction to his disciples, Jesus said, beware of men.
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They were not to put implicit confidence in those who knew not God, and
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open to them their counsels, for this would give Satan's agents an advantage.
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Men's inventions often counterwork God's plans. Those who build the temple of the Lord
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are to build according to the pattern shown in the Mount. The divine similitude
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God is dishonored and the Gospel is betrayed when His servants depend on them.
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Counsel of men who are not under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Worldly
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wisdom is foolishness. With God, those who rely upon it will surely err.
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They will deliver you up to counsels yea, and before governors and kings
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shall ye be brought for my sake for a testimony to them and to the
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gentiles Matthew ten seventeen eighteen r V. Persecution will spread the light. The
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servants of Christ will be brought before the great men of the world, who
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but for this, might never hear the Gospel. The truth has been misrepresented
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to these men. They have listened to false charges concerning the faith of Christ's
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disciples. Often their only means of learning its real character is the testimony of
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those who have brought to trial for their faith. Under examination, these are
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required to answer, and their judges to listen to the testimony. Born.
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God's grace will be dispensed to his servants to meet the emergency. It shall
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be given you, says Jesus, in that same hour which ye shall speak,
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For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father,
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which speaketh in you. As the Spirit of God illuminates the minds of
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his servants, the truth will be presented in its divine power and preciousness.
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Those who reject the truth will stand to accuse and oppress the disciples. But
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under loss and suffering, even unto death, the Lord's children are to reveal
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the meekness of their divine example. Thus will be seen the contrast between Satan's
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agents and the representities of Christ. The Savior will be lifted up before the
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rulers and the people. The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude
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of the martyrs until such grace was needed. Then the Saviour's promise was fulfilled.
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When Peter and John testified before the Sanhedrin council, men marveled, and
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they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Acts four thirteen
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a Stephen. It is written that all that sat in the council, looking
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steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an
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angel. Men were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which
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he spake, Acts six fifteen ten. And Paul, writing of his own
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trial at the court of the Caesars, says, at my first defense,
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no one took my part, but all forsook me. But the Lord stood
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by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed,
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and that all the gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of
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the mouth of the lion tewod Timothy four sixteen seventeen r V. The servants
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of Christ were to prepare no set speech to present when brought to trial.
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Their preparation was to be made day by day in treasuring up the precious truths
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of God's word and through prayer strengthening their faith. When they were brought into
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trial, the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the very truths that would
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be needed. A daily earnest striving to know God and Jesus Christ, whom
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he assent, would bring power and efficiency to the soul. The knowledge of
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ten by diligent searching of the scriptures, would be flashed into the memory at
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the right time. But if any had neglected to acquaint themselves with the words
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of Christ, if they had never tested the power of His grace and trial,
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they could not expect that the Holy Spirit would bring his words to their
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remembrance. They were to serve God daily with undivided affection, and then trust
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him. So bitter would be the enmity to the Gospel, that even the
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tenderest earthly ties would be disregarded. The disciples of Christ would be betrayed to
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death by the members of their own households. Ye shall be hated of all
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men for my name's sake, he added, But he that shall endure unto
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the end, the same shall be saved Mark thirteen thirteen. But he bade
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them not to expose themselves unnecessarily to persecution. He himself often left one field
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of labor for another in order to escape from those who were seeking his life.
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When he was rejected at Nazareth and his own townsmen tried to kill him,
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he went down to Capernaum, and there the people were astonished at his
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teaching, for his word was with power Luke four thirty two. So his
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servants were not to be discouraged by persecution, but to seek a place where
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they could still labor for the salvation of souls. The servant is not above
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his master. The prince of heaven was called Belzebub, and his disciples will
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be misrepresented in like manner. But whatever the danger, Christ's followers must avow
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their principles. They should scorn concealment. They cannot remain uncommitted until assured of
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safety. In confessing the truth, they are set as watchmen to warn men
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of their peril. The truth received from Christ must be imparted to all freely
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and openly. Jesus said, what I tell you in darkness, that speak
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ye in light, and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye
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upon the housetops. Jesus himself never purchased peace by compromise. His heart overflowed
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with love for the whole human race, but he was never indulgent to their
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sins. He was too much their friend to remain silent while they were pursuing
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a course that would ruin their souls, the souls he had purchased with his
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own blood. He labored that man should be true to himself, true to
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his hire and eternal interest. The servants of Christ are called to the same
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work, and they should beware lest in seeking to prevent discord they surrender the
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truth. They are to follow after the things which make for peace Romans fourteen
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nineteen. But real peace can never be secured by compromising principle, and no
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man can be true to principle without exciting opposition. A Christianity that is spiritual
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will be opposed by the children of disobedience. But Jesus bade his disciples fear
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not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.
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Those who are true to God need not fear the power of men nor
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the enmity of Satan. In Christ, their eternal life is secure. Their
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only fears should be they surrender the truth and thus betray the trust with which
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God has honored them. It is Satan's work to fill men's hearts with doubt.
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He leads them to look upon God as a stern judge. He tempts
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them to sin, and then to regard themselves as too vile to approach the
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heavenly Father or to excite his pity. The Lord understands all this. Jesus
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assures his disciples of God's sympathy for them and their needs and weaknesses. Not
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a sigh as breathed, not a pain felt, Not a grief pierces the
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soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father's heart. The Bible shows us
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God in his high and holy place, not in a state of inactivity,
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not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and
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thousands of thousands of holy intelligences, all waiting to do His will through channels
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which we cannot discern. He is in active communication with every part of His
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dominion. But it is in this speck of a world, in the souls
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that he gave his only begotten son to save, that his interest and the
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interest of all heaven is centered. God is bending from his throne to hear
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the cry of the oppressed. To every sincere prayer. He answers, here
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am I he uplifts the distressed and downtrodden in all our afflictions. He is
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afflicted in every temptation and every trial. The Angel of his presence is near
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to deliver. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father's notice.
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Satan's hatred against God leads him to hate every object of the Saviour's care.
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He seeks to mar the handiwork of God, and he delights in destroying
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even the dumb creatures. It is only through God's protecting care that the birds
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are preserved to gladden us with their songs of joy. But he does not
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forget even the sparrows. Fear ye not therefore year of more value than many
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sparrows, Jesus continues, as you confess me before men, so I will
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confess you before God and the Holy angels. You are to be my witnesses
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upon earth, channels through which my grace can flow for the healing of the
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world. So I will be your representative in heaven. The Father beholds not
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your faulty character, but he sees you as clothed in my perfection. I
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am the medium through which Heaven's blessings shall come to you. And every one
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who confesses me by sharing my sacrifice for the lost, shall be confessed as
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a sharer in the glory and joy of the redeemed. He who would confess
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Christ must have Christ abiding in him. He cannot communicate that which he has
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not received. The disciples might speak fluently on doctrines, They might repeat the
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words of Christ himself. But unless they possess christ like meekness and love,
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they were not confessing him. A spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ would
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deny him whatever the profession. Men may deny Christ by evil speaking, by
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foolish talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny him
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by shunning life's burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny
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him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of
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their own opinions, by justifying self by cherishing doubt, borrowing, trouble and
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dwelling, and darkness. In all these ways, they declare that Christ is
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not in them. And whosoever shall deny Me before men, he says him,
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will I also deny before my Father, which is in heaven. The
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Savior bed his disciples not to hope that the world's enmity to the Gospel would
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be overcome, and that after a time its opposition would cease. He said,
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I came not to send peace, but a sword. This creating of
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strife is not the effect of the Gospel, but the result of opposition to
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it. Of all persecution, the hardest to bear is variance in the home,
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the estrangement of dearest earthly friends. But Jesus declare, he that loveth
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father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he that
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loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he
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that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me.
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The mission of Christ's servants is a high honor and a sacred trust. He
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that receiveth you, he says, receiveth me. And he that receiveth me,
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receiveth him that sent me. No acts of kindness shown to them,
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and his name will fail to be recognized or rewarded. And in the same
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tender recognition he includes the feeblest and lowliest of the family of God. Whosoever
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shall give to drink unto one of these little ones, those who are as
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children in their faith and their knowledge of Christ, a cup of cold water,
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only in the name of a disciple. Fairly I say unto you,
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he shall in no wise lose his reward. Thus the Savior ended his instruction
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in the name of Christ. The Chosen twelve went out as he had gone,
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to preach a gospel to the poor, to heal the broken hearted,
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to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind,
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to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of
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the Lord. Luke four eighteen nineteen. End of Chapter thirty seven.