November 19, 2021
But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12
The Biblical teachings of the early Waldensian Christians had penetrated far and wide, quietly and without fanfare, as missionaries had shared the knowledge of the gospel in its purity and simplicity. They went forth in total dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s leading as they witnessed of God’s love and mercy and grace! They carefully shared hand-copied pages of Scripture as the Holy Spirit led... Because of this influence, the lowland countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—gave a general welcome to the Reformation. In Luther’s day, Charles V had banned the Reformation in Germany and wanted to bring all adherents to the stake, but the princes of Germany stood as a barrier to his tyranny.
However, in the Netherlands, Charles V’s power ran largely unchecked. He issued edicts of persecution in rapid succession. A partial list of offenses included: reading the Bible, listening to the Bible being read, preaching, listening to preaching, talking about the Bible, praying in secret, refraining from bowing to an image, singing a psalm, missing mass, worshiping at home. The penalty for things such as these was death. In addition to burning at the stake, men were killed with a sword, and women were buried alive. This was a repeat of the treatment the Waldensian Christians had endured. Satan’s rage was kindled in the persecutors, but over and over, the face of rage was calmly met with the face of faith. And yet again, persecution served to increase the numbers of those choosing to become witnesses for the truth.
Midnight on planet earth is rapidly approaching. Even though the prophetic 1260 years (or forty-two months or a time, times, and half a time) known as the Dark Ages (538-1798) are behind us, we are coming upon a great tribulation (Matthew 24:21, see also Daniel 12:1) just before Jesus returns to rescue His faithful ones. Abide in Him, and He will strengthen you by His grace. In the end, only the faithful will be left standing (see Ephesians 6:11,13; Revelation 6:17; 7:9).
“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:12
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b