n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 5
world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)
Recently I read an article in Imprimis magazine: “The Battle of Indiana
and the Promise of Battles to Come.” It described how a small, private
establishment in Indiana, Memories Pizza, drew media attention and was
mercilessly attacked for acknowledging to a reporter that it would not cater a
marriage of homosexuals because it was against their conscience.
What struck me was the grass-roots support they received in defense. It
seems that, through GoFundMe, supporters raised $800,000 in a matter of
days. According to the article: “The message was clear: Cultural conservatives
are not, in fact, culturally isolated but rather have the support of millions of
Americans who oppose leftist bullying.”
This show of support surprised many people as the flood of bad press
was about to crush the unsuspecting owners of the pizza place. But the Word
actually tells a similar tale that is more hopeful still, because it is revealed by
the Lord as a matter of spiritual order.
Elijah was not alone. The Lord had reserved seven thousand in Israel who
had not bowed to the idol Baal. (See 1 Kings 19:18) Elisha assured his servant,
“Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with
them,” and in answer to Elisha’s prayer, the Lord opened the servant’s spiritual
eyes to see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire to protect them. (See
2 Kings 6:16-17)
Also, as mentioned, the Lord was there with the woman in labor, catching
up her newborn son. Later, with a surge of water after her, “The earth helped
the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which
the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.” (Revelation 12:16)
We may easily forget that the Lord is nearby, protecting whatever is good
and true in our possession, and that those are many who share in His love. The
Heavenly Doctrine says that the woman clothed with the sun who fled from
the dragon into the wilderness means the New Church, while “the earth”
means “those who are of the church that is not in truths.”
Even though they are not in truths, they still give assistance to the
New Church, as-it-were swallowing up the flood by not receiving the crafty
reasonings of her spiritual enemies. (See Apocalypse Explained 765)
The Lord has foretold help from the earth when the woman is
persecuted. We can count on it. As a church, we do need to act prudently
and not unnecessarily expose the church to legal and other risks that would
potentially strip her of her liberties and assets through criminal charges,
lawsuits and bad press. But even with the best circumspection and liability
insurance, a “perfect storm” of accidents or malice could wipe away all the
church’s assets.
In the end, the Lord is the One who protects the Church. If we hold true to
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