October 4, 2021
Jesus said, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.” Mark 3:23b-26
Jesus was addressing the accusation of the scribes regarding the source of His power. At the same time, He prophetically referred to the guaranteed fall of Satan’s kingdom. In the end, it will not stand. Our Redeemer means for His flock to come together in unity before His return. He does not want His house to be divided. Tucked in His response here to the wicked scribes is a serious warning for the church. Those who heed His voice will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to gather the “sheep” together, promoting harmony and unity in the truth.
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:16
In the latter days of John Huss, tumult and confusion were heightened throughout Christendom as three popes were now contending for the coveted throne. Following the hurling of anathemas, they each sought to purchase arms and recruit soldiers. This calls for money, which led to more of the old reliable practices: the sale of forgiveness, positions, indulgences, freedom of dead loved ones from purgatory, and blessings of the church. The imitation of these tactics by the priests multiplied abominations that were tolerated in the name of religion. Therefore a council was convened at Constance by the emperor and the dominant pope. Summoned to it were the two “antipopes” and Huss, with the goals of healing the schism and rooting out heresy. The dominant pope’s entry into the city was, unwittingly, a live reenactment of the second work of art by the two English artists (mentioned October 2). Huss was given a double guarantee of “safe-conduct” by the Bohemian monarchs and Emperor Sigismund. Throughout the journey to Constance, Huss was privileged to behold many indications of the spread of Biblical truths and tremendous favor with which he was esteemed by villagers and city-dwellers alike. Tomorrow we will see several turns of events in the continuing battle that rages between light and darkness…
Jesus said: “Most assuredly I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” John 13:20