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The Story of the Seer of Patmos

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    CHAPTER IV. THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES.—Continued

    sardis

    The message to Sardis is addressed to Protestantism. The period covered by Thyatira was the era of papal persecution. This church was once the church of God, one of the candlesticks among which the Son of man was seen to walk, but when that organization prostituted itself by joining hands with the state, when, in other words, it followed the example of Balaam and worked the works of Jezebel, the oil was withheld from the candlestick, and given to those who were willing to obey God in preference to the head of the church. God regards character, not name; and the faithful few to whom the light was entrusted, were mentioned in a part of the message to Thyatira. They were the ones who knew not the works of Jezebel. MarginThe Lord bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness. Jeremiah 31:23.
    Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 29:19, 23.
    I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. Jeremiah 12:7-11.
    Jeremiah 11:15-17.
    Acts 5:29.
    Ezekiel 20:35, 37.
    If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19.
    These became the forerunners of Protestantism. The darkness was first broken when Wycliffe, “the morning star of the Reformation,” translated the Bible into the English language. The first streaks of dawn lighted up the sky, and in the course of two hundred years, the sun had arisen in its splendor. The church came out of the wilderness, leaning on the arm of her Beloved. The twelve hundred and sixty years of darkness ended. It was like the return of spring after a severe winter. Life of every kind sprang into existence. Energy, long dormant, seemed suddenly imbued with a hitherto unknown activity. Discovery followed discovery; inventions were multiplied; men, accustomed to spending a lifetime in one village, now found the world opening before them through publications and increased facilities for travel. Every branch of science was explored, governments bestirred themselves, and the dust of the Middle Ages was shaken off. America was discovered and settled. Men knew not why it happened at such a time and under such circumstances; but God was preparing a cradle for the new-born cause of Protestantism. Germany might have nourished it; England had an opportunity to cherish it; but it was in America that the new church found congenial environments for growth: and while all nations receive the Sardis message, it is particularly applicable in the United States, or at least, the United States becomes the center for the movement therein mentioned.
    SSP 70.1

    Sardis means “prince of joy”; and the name is most appropriate for those who received the light of the eighteenth century, and the first half of the nineteenth century. Protestantism MarginIf thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? Genesis 4:7.
    He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. 2 Samuel 23:4.
    Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Daniel 12:4.
    Hosea 2:14-22.
    The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
    He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.
    The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. Nahum 2:4-6.
    Psalm 40:13, 14.
    Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
    All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. Isaiah 18:1-4, 7.
    is an active, living principle, based upon eternal truths. It came as the result of the opening of the Scriptures to the common people. The doctrine of justification by faith makes every man responsible to God alone, and necessitates freedom of conscience. When it is once made known that every man is equal in the sight of God, a deathblow is struck to all tyranny in government; and with freedom of conscience, comes also a government by the people and for the people. In the days of Luther, Germany and the other countries of Europe, had an opportunity to develop this twofold nature of Protestantism. For a time it seemed that all Europe would be transformed; but gradually, there was a return to papal principles in Germany, and nearly all of the other countries, which had espoused the cause of Protestantism, followed her example. The return was largely due to the educational work of the Jesuits, who arose to counteract the teachings of the Reformers.
    SSP 71.1

    Since the days of Wycliffe, there had been in England followers of God, walking in all the light which they had received. Upon these God placed “none other burden”; but as the light increased, Protestantism in its broadest sense, was offered to England. The history of England was, for a time, a struggle between the papacy, and Protestantism under the name of Puritanism. The Commonwealth was Puritanism in power; and it was then demonstrated that there was not yet strength enough to resist the crown of tyranny when it lay within the grasp of man. England returned allegiance to her own royal family; but so strong were the principles of Protestantism that her government MarginNeither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10.
    In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4.
    Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17.
    For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11.
    I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. Ezekiel 21:26, 27.
    The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master. Job 3:19.
    Proverbs 29:2.
    Isaiah 9:2.
    It is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and, the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:22.
    2 Corinthians 6:14.
    Isaiah 8:20.
    Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
    If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7.
    Acts 15:28.
    Proverbs 11:5,
    Luke 19:20-23.
    How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. 1 Kings 18:21.
    My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
    For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? Proverbs 24:21, 22.
    has been, since the days of the Commonwealth, a government by the people. It was in England that the first Anglo-Saxon branches of Protestantism had birth, and it was because of lack of freedom in the mother country, that separatists from the English church sought homes in America.
    SSP 72.1

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