The Signs of the Times
July 25, 1900
My Witnesses—No. 2
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” The disciples must show no severity in word or action. While they must ever cultivate the wisdom of the serpent in seeking to save the souls of their fellow-men, they must be as harmless as doves. ST July 25, 1900, par. 1
Christ's instruction at this time had reference directly to the short journey the disciples were about to make, but He looked beyond this, and saw the work that lay before them, after His betrayal and crucifixion, when by the experience of the day of Pentecost they would be fully prepared to do their work. He lost sight of the beginning of their mission, of their trial trips, when He could be with them, to correct any errors that might appear in their manner of labor, to encourage them to bear trials, and to show them how to meet repulse and derision. He saw before them a broader missionary field, which after His ascension they were to enter as missionaries for Him, in which they would meet fierce opposition and persecution. ST July 25, 1900, par. 2
“But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.” They were not to be intimidated or terrified by opposition. By searching the Scriptures and gaining a clear understanding of the reasons of their faith, they were to prepare for the time when they should be called upon to stand before kings and rulers. They were to regard themselves as under the special care and guardianship of God. Tho they might be bound and imprisoned, yet they were to remember that they were free in Christ. Putting their entire trust in God, they were to perform the highest, noblest work ever given to mortals. They were not to be discouraged or cast down by persecution, but were to show themselves worthy of the sacred trust which had been given them. They would never be alone; for the Saviour assured them that One more mighty than all their enemies would be constantly by their side. “It is not ye that speak,” Christ declared, “but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” ST July 25, 1900, par. 3
This promise was indeed fulfilled. After the day of Pentecost, the apostles were filled with the Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. And Paul declared: “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me.... Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” ST July 25, 1900, par. 4
Over the Prince of life and the holy angels the satanic agencies can not prevail. Altho suffering and death came to the disciples for Christ's sake, yet not in one instance did Satan triumph. He bruised Christ's heel, but Christ bruised his head. Standing before governors and kings for the Master's sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles, the disciples were the means God used for showing the contrast between the spirit which controls those connected with Satan and the spirit which controls those connected with the Prince of life. ST July 25, 1900, par. 5
The promise of help in time of need is given to us as surely as it was to the disciples. When we deliberately adopt a right course of action, when we determine to be true to the claims of the truth, to obey God, not swerving from principle to save property, reputation, or life, wisdom from above will be given us, even as it was given to them. ST July 25, 1900, par. 6
Paul declares: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore,” He enjoins us, “take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Whatever trial may come upon you, however oppressed by persecution you may be, remember that beside you stands One mighty in power, even the Captain of the Lord's host. Resolve that not one jot or tittle of the sacred law of Jehovah shall be marred or dishonored by your course, that its authority shall not weaken in your hands. ST July 25, 1900, par. 7
Satan is defeated every time God's servants maintain their integrity in spite of his lying accusations and fierce persecution. An entire surrender of self to Him who has purchased all human beings will enable the suffering one to say: “Who is He that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ST July 25, 1900, par. 8
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord; ... but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God.” ST July 25, 1900, par. 9
The faith and confidence in God which is essential in time of trial is gained by a diligent cultivation of the qualifications given by God. A daily striving to know God and Jesus Christ will give to the mind a power and efficiency more precious than gold or silver. As we faithfully endeavor to improve our God-given faculties, we are made partakers of the divine nature. ST July 25, 1900, par. 10
The Lord desires His representatives to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. It is His design that the men in positions of responsibility in the world shall have an opportunity of hearing the truth. The truth has been misrepresented. False charges have been made against it. The kings and rulers of this world are to be given an opportunity of knowing and understanding the truth for themselves. They are to see the truth in contrast with error. While they are being critically examined by men who do not love or fear God, the Lord's servants will have opportunity to speak words of wisdom. “For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” ST July 25, 1900, par. 11
Thus human beings may bear a powerful testimony for their Lord. The Christian can not remain silent and non-committal until he sees that it is safe for him to speak. He is bound by the most sacred responsibilities to take his position on the side of truth and righteousness and witness for Christ. He is pledged to battle bravely against the disregard of God's law, even tho he be in danger of being swept away by the fury of the passions aroused by the stand he takes. ST July 25, 1900, par. 12
Jesus seemed to lose sight of the nearer view as He saw what was to come upon the world. He looked into the future, and saw that the world would despise His warnings and reproofs. “The brother shall deliver up the brother to death,” He said, “and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.” Satan was the instigator of all this cruelty. He worked to put to death those who were determined to serve God, according to the light they had received, and according to the dictates of their own conscience. Satan tries to force men even in their worship of God to carry out his ideas. Christ has given no example for this kind of work. He draws men, but He never drives them. “My sheep hear My voice,” He says, “and they follow Me.” ST July 25, 1900, par. 13
Mrs. E. G. White
(Concluded next week.)