February 25: THE COMMAND TO PERSEVERE (part 3)

I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking, says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:4

The LORD’s promises are true and trustworthy. History lovers are especially enthusiastic over the surety of our God, as revealed in the Bible. He means what He says, and He will do it. All along the way, His patience with us is made evident by the mercies (new every morning! – see Lamentations 3:22-23) extended to us in the wake of our many blunders and missteps.  

The setting up of shepherds over them who will feed them began a definitive fulfillment for the New Testament church in the first half of the 19th century. This in no way takes away from the fact that God has always maintained a faithful remnant. Throughout the Dark Ages, there were pockets of faithful Christians who were forced to hide from the Roman Church in order to practice Biblical Christianity. Nevertheless, they fearlessly maintained a powerful, covert witness among the masses in full dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s leading, sharing God’s Word when safe to do so. History records that great numbers of them were hunted down and martyred, but this did not dissuade them from personally living out the truth of the Word. The world owes a great debt of gratitude to those men, women, and children who paid the ultimate price for their determination to live in obedience to the Lord Jesus. Voluntary obedience is motivated by love for the Lord (see John 14:15). This type of obedience distinguishes it from legalism. Obedience is the fruit, not the root, of salvation.

First century pagan Rome and unconverted Jews cooperated with each other to persecute the infant church. Hear Peter and the apostles: “We ought to obey God rather than men  . . . and we are His witnesses . . . and so also is the Holy Spirit who God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:29,32) But a shift occurred — compromise with paganism (see Revelation 2:12-16) — bringing persecution that was “a horse of a different color” (compare the horses in Revelation 6:2-8). The Roman civil power fell, and in its place the Roman church emerged. Scripture makes it clear that this power will continue upon the earth until Jesus returns.* Through the Roman church (called Thyatira in Revelation 3 and Babylon in 17:5), multiple compromises with paganism were ushered onto center stage. It was through the studious and humble efforts of Roman Catholic priests that the positive identification of their church as “antichrist” was made. Their attempts at reformation brought only condemnation from their brethren. These rumblings occurred under the surface for centuries when, in 1517, Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. These challenges to false teachings in the church brought the controversy out into the open. The church responded with severe intimidation tactics. But those who were Holy Spirit led determined not to be intimidated.

God is our refuge and our strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2

*Find clarity: Daniel 2:34, 40-45; 7:7-11; 19-22; 23-27; 8:9-14, 25; Luke 23:12; Revelation 6:5-8; 18:21