The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 49

The European Union in Prophecy
To have made known the object of their mission would have ensured its defeat;
therefore they carefully concealed their real character. Every minister possessed a
knowledge of some trade or profession, and the missionaries prosecuted their work
under cover of a secular calling. Usually they chose that of merchant or peddler. "They
carried silks, jewelry, and other articles, at that time not easily purchasable save at
distant marts; and they were welcomed as merchants where they would have been
spurned as missionaries."-- Wylie, b. 1, ch. 7. All the while their hearts were uplifted
to God for wisdom to present a treasure more precious than gold or gems. They
secretly carried about with them copies of the Bible, in whole or in part; and whenever
an opportunity was presented, they called the attention of their customers to these
manuscripts. Often an interest to read God's word was thus awakened, and some
portion was gladly left with those who desired to receive it.
The work of these missionaries began in the plains and valleys at the foot of
their own mountains, but it extended far beyond these limits. With naked feet and in
garments coarse and travel-stained as were those of their Master, they passed
through great cities and penetrated to distant lands. Everywhere they scattered the
precious seed. Churches sprang up in their path, and the blood of martyrs witnessed
for the truth. The day of God will reveal a rich harvest of souls garnered by the labors
of these faithful men. Veiled and silent, the word of God was making its way through
Christendom and meeting a glad reception in the homes and hearts of men. To the
Waldenses the Scriptures were not merely a record of God's dealings with men in the
past, and a revelation of the responsibilities and duties of the present, but an
unfolding of the perils and glories of the future. They believed that the end of all things
was not far distant, and as they studied the Bible with prayer and tears they were the
more deeply impressed with its precious utterances and with their duty to make
known to others its saving truths. They saw the plan of salvation clearly revealed in
the sacred pages, and they found comfort, hope, and peace in believing in Jesus. As
the light illuminated their understanding and made glad their hearts, they longed to
shed its beams upon those who were in the darkness of papal error.
They saw that under the guidance of pope and priest, multitudes were vainly
endeavouring to obtain pardon by afflicting their bodies for the sin of their souls.
Taught to trust to their good works to save them, they were ever looking to themselves,
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