A Call to Stand - with the promises of protection
In studying this week’s lesson, I decided to get the bad news out first. Standing for the truth also means upsetting people and persecution follows. So we began with a clip of a sermon by Pastor James Rafferty on Liberty of Conscience, on what happens when we stand up for Christ. Please see the video labeled “Alluring Temptations” below.
“Persecution in its varied forms is the development of a principle which will exist as long as Satan exists and Christianity has vital power. No man can serve God without enlisting against himself the opposition of the hosts of darkness. Evil angels will assail him, alarmed that his influence is taking the prey from their hands. Evil men, rebuked by his example, will unite with them in seeking to separate him from God by alluring temptations. When these do not succeed, then a compelling power is employed to force the conscience. ”
Next, we delved into some more bad news, the persecution that was and will be upon those who stand for Christ.
v1 an image is erected (by Nebuchadnezzar)
v5 everyone is commanded to worship the image (at a specific time)
v6 if not, death threat is decreed to be thrown in a fiery furnace
Desire of Ages p 121.3 echoes Revelation 13
- every earthly support will be cut off (DA) “no buy no sell” Rev 13:17 for those who does not bow to the image
- death is decreed for those who do not bow to the image and receive the mark of the beast Rev 13:15
- Habakkuk 3:17 speaks of the desolation that will surround us regarding this end-time. This echoes the spiritual desolation that is surrounding us today also.
In Pastor Rafferty’s short clip, we see this summary:
Standing with Christ automatically creates an enemy of Satan. When we serve God:
- we are enlisting against opposition of the host of darkness
- evil angles will assail us (because our influence will take away their prey)
- evil men will unite with evil angels seeking to separate us from God with “alluring temptations”
It brings to perspective the common thinking “don’t make enemies”. We must be Christ-like in our approach, but what we speak must be nothing but the truth.
In the case of Daniel and three friends, the “alluring temptation” came in the form of food (Daniel 1). We can empathize with this considering the prevalence of food addiction that dominates our lives in this era.
But notice Habakkuk 3 verse 18 , regardless of the terrible circumstances in v17, Habakkuk “will rejoice in the Lord…of my salvation”. Furthermore we see the below examples who also stood for Christ:
Daniel and three friends : fiery furnace death decree/threat yet did not bow even unto death (Dan 3)
Stephen : death by stoning yet did not cease to prophecy the gospel in the name of Jesus (Acts 7)
Huss and Jerome : death to be burned at the stake yet refused to renounce the Biblical truths they preached (GC 109.2)
Luther : death to be burned at the stake yet said his conscience is bound and chained up with the Holy Scriptures (GC 166.1)
Elisha and servant : Syrians outnumbering them came attacking yet Elisha says “fear not” (2 Kings 6:16)
Question: What keeps these men from bowing to the circumstances, to the image of the beast? What keeps them praising the Lord in the midst of persecution and threats of death? Let us read the Chapter “The Time of Trouble” in sister White’s Early Writings.
Let us revisit the list of threatening situations that tried to coerce people to recant or denounce the truth, Christ, and worship something other than God.
Daniel and three friends : fiery furnace death decree/threat : did not bow : Christ was in the furnace with them Daniel 3:25
Stephen : death by stoning: did not stop proclaiming Jesus: saw heaven open and Christ standing on the right hand of God Acts 7:55-56
Huss and Jerome : death to be burned at the stake: did not renounce their proclamation of truth: “They prepared for the fire as if they were going to a marriage feast. They uttered no cry of pain. When the flames rose, they began to sing hymns; and scarce could the vehemency of the fire stop their singing.”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 7.”
Luther : death to be burned at the stake : did not recant his proclamation of truth: rescued and kept under protection by various men in position of power, like princes.
Elisha and servant : Syrians outnumbering them came attacking : “behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17
Answer: These men of old and the future remnant of God all love Jesus. God protects those who love Him. And we can see how this had been the case through these examples and the detailed description of the end-time situation during the Time of Trouble. Yet, they all would still go through with their decision even if God did not redeem them. This is how much they loved and trusted God. This is what kept them from yielding to fear. They life, or death, was not as important as their Saviour.
Let the promises of God’s protection and the many examples He has left us, encourage us to fear not (commanded in Scripture 365x!) and overcome.
God sends angels to protect over us. It is written:
Luke 4:10 & Psalms 91:11, Exodus 23:20, Psalms 34:7 & Job 1:10, Genesis 28:12 & John 1:51, Matthew 18:10, 2 Kings 6:16-17
God sends angels to protect over us. SOP:
And if we have on the heavenly armor, we shall find that the assaults of the enemy will not have power over us. Angels of God will be round about us to protect us. Review and Herald May 25, 1905
By diligence in canvassing, by faithfully presenting to the people the cross of Calvary, the canvasser doubles his powers of usefulness. But while we present methods of work we cannot lay out an undeviating line in which everyone shall move, for circumstances alter cases. God will impress those whose hearts are open to truth and who are longing for guidance. He will say to His human agent: “Speak to this one or to that one of the love of Jesus.” No sooner is the name of Jesus mentioned in love and tenderness than angels of God draw near to soften and subdue the heart. Testimonies for the Church vol 6 par 339.2
When the earthborn children know it not, they have angels of light as their companions. A silent witness guards every soul that lives, seeking to draw that soul to Christ. As long as there is hope, until men resist the Holy Spirit to their eternal ruin, they are guarded by heavenly intelligences. Let us all bear in mind that in every assembly of the saints below are angels of God, listening to the testimonies, songs, and prayers. Let us remember that our praises are supplemented by the choirs of the angelic host above. Testimonies for the Church vol 6 par 366.1
But Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with love and sympathy upon the tried and faithful yet disappointed ones. Could the vail separating the visible from the invisible world have been swept back, angels would have been seen drawing near to these steadfast souls, and shielding them from the shafts of Satan. Spirit of Prophecy vol 4 par 229.1
But though the conflict is a ceaseless one, none are left to struggle alone. Angels help and protect those who walk humbly before God. Never will our Lord betray one who trusts in Him. As His children draw near to Him for protection from evil, in pity and love He lifts up for them a standard against the enemy. Touch them not, He says; for they are Mine. I have graven them upon the palms of My hands. Prophets and Kings 570.4
When we engage in this work, the angels of God will draw near to communicate divine power, and combine heavenly strength with human weakness. Then we shall grow into the image of our Lord. Review and Herald February 11, 1890
He who once spake as never man spake, who wore the garb of humanity, is still the Great Teacher. As you follow in his footsteps, seeking the lost, angels will draw near, and through the illumination of the Spirit of God, greater knowledge will be obtained as to the best ways and means for accomplishing the work committed to your hands. Review and Herald March 24, 1891, par. 8
Stories of God’s Protection in Our Generation
Story of a Muslim man who turned to Christ threatened to be killed
“No man bent this knife”
“Impossible! Stainless steel can’t bend.”
“Stainless steel breaks before it bends!”
God’s miracles extend to the government - year 2021
“While many of our rulers are active agents of Satan, God also has His agents among the leading men of the nation. The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures that would greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose such propositions with unanswerable arguments. Thus a few men will hold in check a powerful current of evil.”
Story of our Young Adventist Evangelists in Tanzania threatened to be killed, unharmed - year 2000
Sabbath School Teacher: Hyun Bang, Revive Ministries Founder | Health Minister CPC SDA
