Chapter 4.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE PERSECUTIONS WHICH
PAUL ENDURED FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL.
When Daniel stood before Nebuchadnezzar to explain his dream, he shunned not
to declare the whole counsel of God, however galling it might be to the
ambition of this haughty conqueror. He told him of the fleeting nature of
his own dominion; that empire would succeed empire, until the period of the
fourth monarchy should arrive, when the God of Heaven would set up a kingdom
which should never be destroyed; that it would break in pieces and consume
all the former kingdoms, and that it should stand forever. This kingdom was
represented to Nebuchadnezzar by a stone cut out without hands- to signify,
that it would be established in the earth by an Almighty Power, and not
through human skill. While other empires were to pass away, this stone was
to increase, until it should become a great mountain, and fill the whole
earth. In another vision, Daniel saw one like the Son of Man, coming with
the clouds of heaven; he came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him
near before him; and there was given to him dominion and glory, and a
kingdom, that all the people, nations, and languages should serve him; his
dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away; and hit
kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Jesus, the Prince of peace, the Lord of glory, is this Son of Man, this King
of Zion. All who truly believe in him, are the subjects of this spiritual
kingdom; for it was revealed to Daniel, that "the saints of the Most High
should take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and
ever." In fulfillment of this glorious prophecy, Jesus said to Pilate, "My
kingdom is not of this world." As his kingdom was to be erected upon the
ruins of idolatry, and whatever exalts itself against the glory of God, the
world would naturally oppose its establishment and enlargement. And so it
was revealed to Daniel. He saw a persecuting power in his emblematical
vision, which should make war with the saints, and prevail against them,
until the Ancient of Days should come, and judgment be given to the saints
of the Most High; and the time arrive, that the saints should possess the
kingdom.
From this Prophecy, in connection with those contained in the Revelation of
John, we are made acquainted with two important facts- the one is, that the
Kingdom of Christ shall finally prevail, and become an universal Dominion,
blessing the earth with peace and righteousness; the other, that the true
Church of Christ will have to contend with the powers of darkness, and to
endure persecution from an ungodly world, until the period shall arrive when
Christ will tread the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty
God, and break his enemies in pieces like a potter's vessel.
With these prophetic declarations before us, we need not be surprised at the
multiplied trials of Paul, and those of true Christians in every age, who
devote their lives to the service of Christ, and to the destruction of
Satan's kingdom. But it will not be always so. The period of the Church's
glory is rapidly advancing. The Lord will hasten it in his time.
To trace the various trials which the Apostle endured, his many privations,
and never-ceasing cares, will, no doubt, be interesting as well as
profitable. The view of his sufferings should shame us out of our
slothfulness. Can we remain indifferent to the interests of Christ's
kingdom, and the eternal happiness of mankind, when he underwent so much for
the same Jesus, whom we profess to worship; and out of love to such
perishing sinners, as now surround us; and who are continually passing into
eternity, regardless of the torments which await them?
It is painful to think, how little our hearts are affected by the wickedness
which overspreads the earth. There is an indolence on this subject, which
indicates great lack of spiritual feeling. We are not sufficiently alive to
the evil of sin, even in our best moments; but could we see, as God sees, we
would be overwhelmed by the view of human depravity.
While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, written with the finger of
God on two tables of stone, the people were corrupting themselves, by making
a golden calf and dancing round it with idolatrous worship. The Almighty
acquainted Moses with this act of rebellion, and threatened to destroy them
instantly. Anxious for the honor of God and the preservation of Israel, he
interceded in their behalf, and prevailed. But no sooner did Moses descend
from the mountain, and become himself a witness to their abominations, than
his anger waxed hot against Aaron and the congregation. He cast the tables
out of his hands, and broke them beneath the Mount; he ground the golden
calf to powder; and in the name of the Lord God of Israel he commanded the
sons of Levi to slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and
every man his neighbor.
How far beyond our conception is the patience of God, who beholds, at one
glance, all the evil which is perpetrated, yes, all the evil which is
devised, by all the millions of human beings throughout their successive
generations! Truly his mercy is infinite. He is God and not man, therefore
we sons of men are not consumed. But the Lord is also a God of judgment, who
will by no means clear the guilty; for he has declared by his prophet, that
"the wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God."
We live in a day of rebuke and blasphemy; in a day when the judgments of God
are abroad in the earth; a day in which the enemies of Christ are awake and
active. Infidelity is unfurling its standard, and spreading its poison.
Satan is mustering his forces against the saints of the Most High. If ever
the people of God were called upon by the voice of Providence to be up and
doing, it is now. This is not the time to slumber, when the foe is in the
breach; it is not the season for rest, when the Lord calls his soldiers to
the spiritual combat. The weapons of our warfare, though despised by the
world, are mighty, through God, to destroy the empire of Satan and to
establish the kingdom of Christ upon earth.
O that the Spirit of love may descend upon us from on high. Then will
ministers and people, like the early Christians, labor for the conversion of
sinners; cultivate personal holiness; sit loosely to the world; and gladly
suffer the loss of all things for Jesus' sake.
What the great Apostle of the Gentiles cheerfully endured, out of love to
the souls of men and for the sake of his Redeemer, would daunt the stoutest
heart, if destitute of Gospel principles. Nothing but Divine Love, shed
abroad in the heart, could have produced such astonishing acts of patience
and self-denial; such cheerfulness in suffering; such preparedness for
death.
When writing to the Corinthians, he says, "But sometimes I think God has put
us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor's
parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to
people and angels alike. Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools,
but you are so wise! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are well
thought of, but we are laughed at. To this very hour we go hungry and
thirsty, without enough clothes to keep us warm. We have endured many
beatings, and we have no homes of our own. We have worked wearily with our
own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient
with those who abuse us. We respond gently when evil things are said about
us. Yet we are treated like the world's garbage, like everybody's
trash—right up to the present moment."
Where is the worldling who would endure such accumulated sufferings and
contempt, for any promises of good beyond the grave? Worldly men will bear
many privations, connected with some earthly advantage, which they hope
before long to enjoy; it is the true Christian only, who can suffer for
eternal glory. Much consolation was mixed with the Apostle's tribulations,
he could therefore say, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast
down, but not destroyed."
Following the steps of his Divine Master, who endured the cross, despising
the shame, he told the Corinthians, "In everything we do we try to show that
we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and
calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in jail, faced angry
mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.
We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our
kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have
faithfully preached the truth. God's power has been working in us. We have
righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves. We
serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or
praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are well known, but
we are treated as unknown. We live close to death, but here we are, still
alive. We have been beaten within an inch of our lives. Our hearts ache, but
we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We
own nothing, and yet we have everything."
As if this weight of suffering were insufficient to manifest the strength of
his faith and patience, there were teachers in the church of Corinth, who,
through envy, sought to undermine his usefulness, by insinuating doubts
respecting the validity of his claim to the office of an Apostle. This
aspersion excited a holy indignation in the breast of Paul; for nothing
could be more abhorrent to a heart hating pretension, than such a false
assumption of character. With peculiar energy, he thus writes to the
Corinthian church, "Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus our Lord with
my own eyes? Isn't it because of my hard work that you are in the Lord? Even
if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you, for you are
living proof that I am the Lord's apostle." What a striking instance is
this, of self-abasement. While he was compelled to magnify his apostolic
office, he beautifully invests it with the robe of humility. Then he adds,
"Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you, in patience, in
signs, in wonders, and mighty deeds."
Referring to his traducers, he says; "They say they serve Christ? I know I
sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder,
been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced
death again and again. Five different times the Jews gave me thirty-nine
lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I
was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have
traveled many weary miles. I have faced danger from flooded rivers and from
robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from
the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the
stormy seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be Christians but
are not. I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I
have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I have
shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides
all this, I have the daily burden of how the churches are getting along."
With a heart supremely fixed on heaven, and despising the coveted things of
the world, he makes this Christian declaration; "If I must boast, I would
rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then am I strong." O! how
wonderful is the grace of God in its operations on the human heart. How
softening- how subduing. No worldly motive could have effected such a change
in the mind of this once bigoted Jew. What had he to gain from the world by
embracing Christianity? Nothing, but a series of sufferings, and a bitter
death.
Like Moses, he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than
to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures of the world; for he had respect unto the
recompense of the reward. The true Christian, like the lowly-minded Apostle,
must be contented to have his good evil spoken of. His labors of love,
undertaken with the purest intention, may be attributed to some mercenary
motive; and his very sufferings, patiently endured for the Truth's sake, may
be ascribed to the vainglorious desire of getting himself a name.
Let us cease from man. Our eye must be simply fixed upon God; his Will must
be our Law; and his Glory the end of our actions; for not he that commends
himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. While doing his will in the
simplicity of faith, and in a spirit of love, we must bear with patience the
oppositions of sinners, the uncharitable aspersions of religious professors,
and even the unkind surmises of Christian friends.
The admonitions of Peter are very important to the tried believer in Jesus.
"For God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience, you
patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being
patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing right
and are patient beneath the blows, God is pleased with you. This suffering
is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is
your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and he never deceived
anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did
not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always
judges fairly."
Can we thus return good for evil? Under every species of trial, can we
patiently endure, as seeing Him who is invisible. To do so, is practical
Christianity; it is being imitators of Him who was meek and lowly in heart;
and who has commanded us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and follow
him. "If any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Do we
then study the character of our blessed Lord as revealed in the gospel; and
pray without ceasing, that our souls may be transformed into his holy image?
The more we drink into the spirit of Jesus, the more we shall experience
peace and rest in our souls.
Suffering is the lot of all, but the afflictions of the righteous are
sanctified afflictions; they conduce to their growth in grace, and mark out
the way to the heavenly kingdom. Paul knew this well; for Jesus had told
him, what great things he must suffer for his name's sake. In the midst of
the furnace, his Savior stood near him, giving him the blessed assurance,
that if he suffered with him, he should also reign with him. Hence, soaring
on the wings of faith and love above this darkened scene, he could exclaim
with holy triumph, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 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."
When Jesus drew near to the time of his crucifixion, how sweetly did he
comfort his little flock, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you;
not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid." Peace is the legacy which Jesus left to his
Church; a precious gift, more valuable than the wealth of the Indies. It is
the fruit of his Spirit, the portion of his saints; whose peace, flowing
like a river, widens as it approaches the ocean of eternity. In the midst of
trouble, they are kept in perfect peace, because their minds are stayed on
Him; resting with unshaking faith upon his atonement, righteousness, and
intercession, they rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Are they called to endure affliction? They can praise their Savior in the
fires. The flame which loosens the earthly cord, like a fiery chariot, bears
their unfettered spirits to the realms of bliss. None are exempt from
trials; all must prepare to meet them; come they will, in one shape or
other. There are trials peculiar to a state of poverty, and to a state of
wealth. Some have family burdens, with the blessing of health; others are
free from domestic cares, but are oppressed with sickness; some enjoy the
blessedness of personal piety, while their immediate relatives are far from
God; others are laboring to benefit their fellow sinners, but meet with
little else than ingratitude and opposition. The poor man is tempted to
think harshly of God; the rich man to forget him. Even the believer finds a
constant need for watchfulness and prayer, by reason of the sin which dwells
in him.
Thus each one has to bear his own burden; and oh! how often does our
merciful God, "stay his rough wind, in the day of the East wind," that his
people may be able to carry their cross with comparative ease, through the
sustaining power of his Holy Spirit, until they all meet around his throne,
wearing the crown of glory, and ascribing all their salvation to Him who
washed them from their sins in his own blood, and made them Kings and
Priests unto God.
"He that has made his refuge God,
Shall find a most secure abode
Shall walk all day beneath his shade,
And there, at night, shall rest his head.
Just as a hen protects her brood
From birds of prey that seek their blood,
Under her feathers; so the Lord
Makes his own arm his people's guard.
But if the fire, or plague, or sword,
Receive commission from the Lord
To strike his saints among the rest,
Their very pains, and deaths are blest.
The sword, the pestilence, or fire,
Shall but fulfill their best desire,
From sins and sorrows set them free,
And bring your children, Lord, to thee."