The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 40

Chap. 2 - Persecution in the First
Centuries
When Jesus revealed to His disciples the fate of Jerusalem and the
scenes of the second advent, He foretold also the experience of His
people from the time when He should be taken from them, to His return
in power and glory for their deliverance. From Olivet the Saviour beheld
the storms about to fall upon the apostolic church; and penetrating
deeper into the future, His eye discerned the fierce, wasting tempests
that were to beat upon His followers in the coming ages of darkness and
persecution. In a few brief utterances of awful significance He foretold
the portion which the rulers of this world would mete out to the church
of God. Matthew 24:9, 21, 22. The followers of Christ must tread the
same path of humiliation, reproach, and suffering which their Master
trod. The enmity that burst forth against the world’s Redeemer would be
manifested against all who should believe on His name.
The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment of the
Saviour’s words. The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves
against Christ in the person of His followers. Paganism foresaw that
should the gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept away;
therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. The fires of
persecution were kindled. Christians were stripped of their possessions
and driven from their homes. They “endured a great fight of afflictions.”
Hebrews 10:32. They “had trial of cruel

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