Humble Hero

Dark Centuries of Persecution

From the destruction of Jerusalem, Christ turned rapidly to the last link in the chain of this earth’s history—the coming of the Son of God in majesty and glory. Between these two events, long centuries of darkness for His church lay open to Christ’s view, centuries marked with blood, tears, and agony. Jesus passed these scenes by with a brief mention. “Then there will be great tribulation,” He said, “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” HH 294.7

For more than a thousand years, persecution such as the world had never before known was to come upon Christ’s followers. Millions of His faithful witnesses would be killed. If God’s hand had not been stretched out to preserve His people, all of them would have lost their lives. HH 295.1

Now, in unmistakable language, our Lord speaks of His second coming: “If anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ... If they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” From thousands of gatherings where people profess to hold communication with departed spirits, is not the call now heard, “Look, He is in the inner rooms”? This is the claim that spiritism makes. But what does Christ say? “Do not believe it.” HH 295.2