The Captivity of the Republic

CONCLUSION

We know that in this contest, there is, and will be, arrayed against us, all the power that earth knows, with this power under the direction of the papacy, and the whole combination stirred up and urged on by Satan from beneath. But above all this we know, and are glad in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is with us, and he has said to us, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, ...and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Christ has said it. It is so, and we know it. Therefore though all the power that earth knows be arrayed against us, we shall come off more than conquerors through him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. So that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” CAR 107.3

We know that we shall be reproached. We know that we shall be denounced. We know that “anarchist,” “infidel,” “atheist,” and every other opprobrious epithet will be applied to us. We know that we shall be despised, and that we shall be even the despised of the despised. We know that we shall be counted, and made, of no reputation. But we rest perfectly easy in our trust in Him, and our complete dependence upon Him, who “made himself of no reputation,” in order that we might have his matchless character. We know that we shall have no reputation. But ah! we know that we have the divine Character of Jesus Christ, which is wells pleasing to God. For “now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.” And we do believe in him, the glorious Son of God. Thanks to his dear name. It is not true that “the dearest treasure that mortal times afford, is spotless reputation.” It is everlastingly and infinitely true that the dearest treasure that either mortal or immortal times afford, is [original illegible] character. And that is alone the character of Jesus Christ, which was wrought out in his humiliation. That character is ours as an everlasting gift by faith in him. Men may take away our reputation. But we do not care for that, as we have a character which they cannot touch, for it is the gift of God. CAR 107.4

We know that a general boycott will be placed against us by which we can neither buy nor sell, nor conduct any business. But for this we do not care. For we “have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but we have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:15-17. “Joint heirs with Christ,” are we? Of what is he heir? God hath “appointed him heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:2. He being heir of all things, and we being joint heirs with him, we therefore are just as certainly heirs of all things, as is he. And so he tells us, “All things are yours: whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come: all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. So when they take away from us all things of earth, we still have left all things in heaven and earth. And God has promised that our bread shall not fail; but that bread shall be given us, and our waters shall be sure. Isaiah 51:12-14; 33:16. CAR 108.1

We know that the time will come when men will think that he that killeth us will be doing God service. And we know indeed that a decree will go forth that we shall even be killed. But for this we do not care. For “this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life.” And we have him. He gave himself a free gift to us, and he is ours. Christ is our life, and our life is hid with Christ in God, and no man can touch it. Therefore we fear not them who can kill the body, but after that have no more that they can do. Christ is our life. He is the Life-Giver. And he can and will raise the dead. CAR 109.1

Christ, Christ is our refuge, our hope, our confidence, our power, our righteousness, our wealth, our life. And we stand in this contest with no other calculation nor consideration. CAR 109.2

So we are not at all uneasy, nor any way in doubt as to the outcome. We knew that this was coming, which has come. We know that the rest of the events which we have pointed out as connected with this, will come, as surely as this already has come. And we know that the culmination of all these events, is that grand, triumphant scene, in which the prophet “saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. Revelation 15:2-4. CAR 109.3

This is what we have in view. This victory, this triumph is promised to us; and it will surely come. For it we wait patiently and confidently. And to all the people we say as did David to Abiathar: Abide thou with us, fear not; for he that seeketh our lives seeketh thy life: but with us thou shalt be in safeguard. 1 Samuel 22:23. “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.” CAR 110.1