The Great Controversy

T H E G R E AT

T H E T RU E S TO RY
OF EARTH’S
L A S T DAYS

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E. G. White

To all who love truth more than life itself.

Copyright 2016 © PROJECT: Steps to Christ, Inc.
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ISBN:978-1-4507-8466-5

CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
1. The Destruction of Jerusalem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Persecution in the First Centuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3. An Era of Spiritual Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4. The Waldenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5. John Wycliffe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
6. Huss and Jerome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
7. Luther’s Separation From Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
8. Luther Before the Diet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
9. The Swiss Reformer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
10. Progress of Reform in Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
11. Protest of the Princes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
12. The French Reformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
13. The Netherlands and Scandinavia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
14. Later English Reformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
15. The Bible and the French Revolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
16. The Pilgrim Fathers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
17. Heralds of the Morning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
18. An American Reformer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
19. Light Through Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
20. A Great Religious Awakening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
21. A Warning Rejected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
22. Prophecies Fulfilled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
23. What Is the Sanctuary? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
24. In the Holy of Holies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240

iv The Great Controversy

25. God’s Law Immutable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
26. A Work of Reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
27. Modern Revivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
28. Facing Life’s Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
29. The Origin of Evil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
30. Enmity Between Man and Satan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
31. Agency of Evil Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
32. Snares of Satan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
33. The First Great Deception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
34. Can Our Dead Speak to Us? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
35. Liberty of Conscience Threatened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
36. The Impending Conflict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
37. The Scriptures a Safeguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
38. The Final Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
39. The Time of Trouble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
40. God’s People Delivered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
41. Desolation of the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
42. The Controversy Ended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391

INTRODUCTION

B efore the entrance of sin, Adam figures; and those to whom the truth was
enjoyed open communion with thus revealed have themselves embodied
his Maker; but since man sepa- the thought in human language.
rated himself from God by transgres-
sion, the human race has been cut off The Ten Commandments were spo-
from this high privilege. By the plan of ken by God Himself, and were written
redemption, however, a way has been by His own hand. They are of divine,
opened whereby the inhabitants of the and not of human composition. But
earth may still have connection with the Bible, with its God-given truths ex-
heaven. God has communicated with pressed in the language of men, presents
men by His Spirit, and divine light has a union of the divine and the human.
been imparted to the world by revela- Such a union existed in the nature of
tions to His chosen servants. “Holy men Christ, who was the Son of God and the
of God spake as they were moved by the Son of man. Thus it is true of the Bible, as
Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21. it was of Christ, that “the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:14.
During the first twenty-five hundred
years of human history, there was no Written in different ages, by men
written revelation. Those who had been who differed widely in rank and oc-
taught of God, communicated their cupation, and in mental and spiritual
knowledge to others, and it was handed endowments, the books of the Bible
down from father to son, through suc- present a wide contrast in style, as well
cessive generations. The preparation of as a diversity in the nature of the subjects
the written word began in the time of unfolded. Different forms of expression
Moses. Inspired revelations were then are employed by different writers; often
embodied in an inspired book. This the same truth is more strikingly pre-
work continued during the long period sented by one than by another. And as
of sixteen hundred years—from Moses, several writers present a subject under
the historian of creation and the law, to varied aspects and relations, there may
John, the recorder of the most sublime appear, to the superficial, careless, or
truths of the gospel. prejudiced reader, to be discrepancy or
contradiction, where the thoughtful,
The Bible points to God as its author; reverent student, with clearer insight,
yet it was written by human hands; discerns the underlying harmony.
and in the varied style of its different
books it presents the characteristics of As presented through different
the several writers. The truths revealed individuals, the truth is brought out in
are all “given by inspiration of God” (2 its varied aspects. One writer is more
Timothy 3:16); yet they are expressed in strongly impressed with one phase of the
the words of men. The Infinite One by subject; he grasps those points that har-
His Holy Spirit has shed light into the monize with his experience or with his
minds and hearts of His servants. He has power of perception and appreciation;
given dreams and visions, symbols and another seizes upon a different phase;
and each, under the guidance of the

vi The Great Controversy

Holy Spirit, presents what is most forc- Yet the fact that God has revealed
ibly impressed upon his own mind—a His will to men through His word, has
different aspect of the truth in each, not rendered needless the continued
but a perfect harmony through all. And presence and guiding of the Holy
the truths thus revealed unite to form Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was
a perfect whole, adapted to meet the promised by our Saviour, to open the
wants of men in all the circumstances word to His servants, to illuminate and
and experiences of life. apply its teachings. And since it was the
Spirit of God that inspired the Bible, it
God has been pleased to commu- is impossible that the teaching of the
nicate His truth to the world by human Spirit should ever be contrary to that
agencies, and He Himself, by His Holy of the word.
Spirit, qualified men and enabled them
to do this work. He guided the mind in The Spirit was not given—nor can
the selection of what to speak and what it ever be bestowed—to supersede the
to write. The treasure was entrusted to Bible; for the Scriptures explicitly state
earthen vessels, yet it is, nonetheless, that the word of God is the standard
from Heaven. The testimony is conveyed by which all teaching and experience
must be tested. Says the apostle John,
In His word, God has committed to “Believe not every spirit, but try the
men the knowledge necessary for spirits whether they are of God: because
salvation. The Holy Scriptures are many false prophets are gone out into the
to be accepted as an authoritative, world.” 1 John 4:1. And Isaiah declares,
infallible revelation of His will. They “To the law and to the testimony: if
are the standard of character, the they speak not according to this word,
revealer of doctrines, and the test it is because there is no light in them.”
of experience. Isaiah 8:20.
through the imperfect expression of hu-
man language, yet it is the testimony of Great reproach has been cast upon
God; and the obedient, believing child the work of the Holy Spirit by the errors
of God beholds in it the glory of a divine of a class that, claiming its enlighten-
power, full of grace and truth. ment, profess to have no further need
of guidance from the word of God. They
In His word, God has committed to are governed by impressions which
men the knowledge necessary for salva- they regard as the voice of God in the
tion. The Holy Scriptures are to be ac- soul. But the spirit that controls them
cepted as an authoritative, infallible rev- is not the Spirit of God. This following
elation of His will. They are the standard of impressions, to the neglect of the
of character, the revealer of doctrines, and Scriptures, can lead only to confusion,
the test of experience. “Every scripture to deception and ruin. It serves only to
inspired of God is also profitable for further the designs of the evil one. Since
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for the ministry of the Holy Spirit is of vital
instruction which is in righteousness; importance to the church of Christ, it is
that the man of God may be complete, one of the devices of Satan, through the
furnished completely unto every good errors of extremists and fanatics, to cast
work.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, R.V. contempt upon the work of the Spirit
and cause the people of God to neglect
this source of strength which our Lord
Himself has provided.

Introduction vii

In harmony with the word of God, Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
His Spirit was to continue its work amnadyrgeviveelautinotnoiynotuhethkenoSpwilreitdogfewofisHdiomm:
throughout the period of the gospel the eyes of your understanding being
dispensation. During the ages while the enlightened; that ye may know what is
Scriptures of both the Old and the New the hope of His calling, and … what is
Testament were being given, the Holy
Spirit did not cease to communicate The great controversy between
light to individual minds, apart from the good and evil will increase in
revelations to be embodied in the Sacred intensity to the very close of
Canon. The Bible itself relates how, time. … As the church approaches
through the Holy Spirit, men received her final deliverance, Satan is
warning, reproof, counsel, and instruc- to work with greater power.
tion, in matters in no way relating to the He comes down “having great
giving of the Scriptures. And mention wrath, because he knoweth
is made of prophets in different ages, of that he hath but a short time.”
whose utterances nothing is recorded. In Revelation 12:12.
like manner, after the close of the canon tuhseweaxrdcewedhiongbeglrieeavten.”eEsspohfesHiains sp1o:w17e-r1t9o.
of the Scripture, the Holy Spirit was still The ministry of the divine Spirit in en-
to continue its work, to enlighten, warn, lightening the understanding and open-
and comfort the children of God. ing to the mind the deep things of God’s
holy word, was the blessing which Paul
Jesus promised His disciples, “The thus besought for the Ephesian church.
Comforter which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in My name, After the wonderful manifesta-
He shall teach you all things, and bring tion of the Holy Spirit on the Day of
all things to your remembrance, what- Pentecost, Peter exhorted the people to
soever I have said unto you.” “When He, repentance and baptism in the name of
the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide Christ, for the remission of their sins;
you into all truth: … and He will show and he said: “Ye shall receive the gift
you things to come.” John 14:26; 16:13. of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is
Scripture plainly teaches that these unto you, and to your children, and to
promises, so far from being limited to all that are afar off, even as many as the
apostolic days, extend to the church of Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:38, 39.
Christ in all ages. The Saviour assures
His followers, “I am with you alway, even In immediate connection with the
unto the end of the world.” Matthew scenes of the great day of God, the Lord
28:20. And Paul declares that the gifts by the prophet Joel has promised a
and manifestations of the Spirit were special manifestation of His Spirit. Joel
set in the church “for the perfecting of 2:28. This prophecy received a partial
the saints, for the work of the ministry, fulfillment in the outpouring of the
for the edifying of the body of Christ: Spirit on the Day of Pentecost; but it
till we all come in the unity of the faith, will reach its full accomplishment in the
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, manifestation of divine grace which will
unto a perfect man, unto the measure attend the closing work of the gospel.
of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:12, 13.

For the believers at Ephesus the
apostle prayed, “That the God of our

viii The Great Controversy

The great controversy between good Satan’s enmity against Christ has been
and evil will increase in intensity to the manifested against His followers. The
very close of time. In all ages the wrath same hatred of the principles of God’s
of Satan has been manifested against the law, the same policy of deception, by
church of Christ; and God has bestowed which error is made to appear as truth,
His grace and Spirit upon His people by which human laws are substituted
to strengthen them to stand against the for the law of God, and men are led to
power of the evil one. When the apostles worship the creature rather than the
of Christ were to bear His gospel to the Creator, may be traced in all the history
world and to record it for all future ages, of the past. Satan’s efforts to misrepresent
they were especially endowed with the the character of God, to cause men to
enlightenment of the Spirit. But as the cherish a false conception of the Creator,
church approaches her final deliverance, and thus to regard Him with fear and
Satan is to work with greater power. hate rather than with love; his endeavors
He comes down “having great wrath, to set aside the divine law, leading the
because he knoweth that he hath but a people to think themselves free from
short time.” Revelation 12:12. He will its requirements; and his persecution of
work “with all power and signs and lying those who dare to resist his deceptions,
wonders.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9. For six have been steadfastly pursued in all
thousand years that mastermind that ages. They may be traced in the history
once was highest among the angels of of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, of
God has been wholly bent to the work of martyrs and reformers.
deception and ruin. And all the depths
of satanic skill and subtlety acquired, In the great final conflict, Satan will
all the cruelty developed, during these employ the same policy, manifest the
struggles of the ages, will be brought to same spirit, and work for the same end
bear against God’s people in the final as in all preceding ages. That which has
conflict. And in this time of peril the fol-
lowers of Christ are to bear to the world That which has been, will be, except
the warning of the Lord’s second advent; that the coming struggle will be
and a people are to be prepared to stand marked with a terrible intensity
before Him at His coming, “without such as the world has never
spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:14. At this witnessed.
time the special endowment of divine been, will be, except that the coming
grace and power is not less needful to struggle will be marked with a terrible
the church than in apostolic days. intensity such as the world has never wit-
nessed. Satan’s deceptions will be more
Through the illumination of the subtle, his assaults more determined. If
Holy Spirit, the scenes of the long- it were possible, he would lead astray
continued conflict between good and the elect. Mark 13:22, R.V.
evil have been opened to the writer of
these pages. From time to time I have As the Spirit of God has opened
been permitted to behold the working, to my mind the great truths of His
in different ages, of the great controversy word, and the scenes of the past and
between Christ, the Prince of life, the the future, I have been bidden to make
Author of our salvation, and Satan, known to others that which has thus
the prince of evil, the author of sin,
the first transgressor of God’s holy law.

Introduction ix

been revealed—to trace the history of of those carrying forward the work of
the controversy in past ages, and espe- reform in our own time, similar use has
cially so to present it as to shed a light been made of their published works.
on the fast-approaching struggle of the
future. In pursuance of this purpose, I It is not so much the object of this
have endeavored to select and group book to present new truths concerning
together events in the history of the the struggles of former times, as to bring
church in such a manner as to trace the out facts and principles which have a
unfolding of the great testing truths that bearing on coming events. Yet viewed
at different periods have been given to as a part of the controversy between the
the world, that have excited the wrath of forces of light and darkness, all these
Satan, and the enmity of a world-loving records of the past are seen to have a new
church, and that have been maintained significance; and through them a light
by the witness of those who “loved not is cast upon the future, illumining the
their lives unto the death.” pathway of those who, like the reformers
of past ages, will be called, even at the
In these records we may see a fore- peril of all earthly good, to witness “for
shadowing of the conflict before us. Re- the word of God, and for the testimony
garding them in the light of God’s word, of Jesus Christ.”
and by the illumination of His Spirit,
we may see unveiled the devices of the It is not so much the object of
wicked one, and the dangers which they this book to present new truths
must shun who would be found “without concerning the struggles of former
fault” before the Lord at His coming. times, as to bring out facts and
principles which have a bearing on
The great events which have marked coming events.
the progress of reform in past ages are
matters of history, well known and uni- To unfold the scenes of the great
versally acknowledged by the Protestant controversy between truth and error; to
world; they are facts which none can reveal the wiles of Satan, and the means
gainsay. This history I have presented by which he may be successfully resisted;
briefly, in accordance with the scope of to present a satisfactory solution of the
the book, and the brevity which must great problem of evil, shedding such a
necessarily be observed, the facts hav- light upon the origin and the final dis-
ing been condensed into as little space position of sin as to make fully manifest
as seemed consistent with a proper the justice and benevolence of God in
understanding of their application. In all His dealings with His creatures; and
some cases where a historian has so to show the holy, unchanging nature of
grouped together events as to afford, His law, is the object of this book. That
in brief, a comprehensive view of the through its influence souls may be de-
subject, or has summarized details in livered from the power of darkness, and
a convenient manner, his words have become “partakers of the inheritance of
been quoted; but in some instances no the saints in light,” to the praise of Him
specific credit has been given, since the who loved us, and gave Himself for us,
quotations are not given for the purpose is the earnest prayer of the writer.
of citing that writer as authority, but
because his statement affords a ready E.G.W.
and forcible presentation of the subject.
In narrating the experience and views

“And now I have told you
before it come to pass, that,

when it is come to pass,
ye might believe.”
John 14:29

CHAPTER 1

The Destruction of Jerusalem

I f thou hadst known, even thou, at situation, the joy of the whole earth,
least in this thy day, the things which is Mount Zion, … the city of the great
belong unto thy peace! but now King.” Psalm 48:2. In full view were the
they are hid from thine eyes. For the magnificent buildings of the temple.
days shall come upon thee, that thine The rays of the setting sun lighted up
enemies shall cast a trench about thee, the snowy whiteness of its marble walls
and compass thee round, and keep thee and gleamed from golden gate and tower
in on every side, and shall lay thee even and pinnacle. “The perfection of beauty”
with the ground, and thy children within it stood, the pride of the Jewish nation.
thee; and they shall not leave in thee What child of Israel could gaze upon
one stone upon another; because thou the scene without a thrill of joy and
knewest not the time of thy visitation.” admiration! But far other thoughts oc-
Luke 19:42-44. cupied the mind of Jesus. “When He was
come near, He beheld the city, and wept
His tears were not for Himself, … No over it.” Luke 19:41. Amid the universal
foreboding of His own superhuman rejoicing of the triumphal entry, while
anguish clouded that unselfish palm branches waved, while glad hosan-
spirit. He wept for the doomed nas awoke the echoes of the hills, and
thousands of Jerusalem—because thousands of voices declared Him king,
of the blindness and impenitence the world’s Redeemer was overwhelmed
of those whom He came to bless with a sudden and mysterious sorrow.
and to save. He, the Son of God, the Promised One
of Israel, whose power had conquered
From the crest of Olivet, Jesus death and called its captives from the
looked upon Jerusalem. Fair and peace- grave, was in tears, not of ordinary grief,
ful was the scene spread out before but of intense, irrepressible agony.
Him. It was the season of the Passover,
and from all lands the children of Jacob His tears were not for Himself,
had gathered there to celebrate the great though He well knew whither His feet
national festival. In the midst of gardens were tending. Before Him lay Geth-
and vineyards, and green slopes studded semane, the scene of His approaching
with pilgrims’ tents, rose the terraced agony. The sheepgate also was in sight,
hills, the stately palaces, and massive through which for centuries the victims
bulwarks of Israel’s capital. The daughter for sacrifice had been led, and which
of Zion seemed in her pride to say, I sit a was to open for Him when He should
queen and shall see no sorrow; as lovely be “brought as a lamb to the slaughter.”
then, and deeming herself as secure in Isaiah 53:7. Not far distant was Calvary,
Heaven’s favor, as when, ages before, the place of crucifixion. Upon the path
the royal minstrel sang: “Beautiful for which Christ was soon to tread must
fall the horror of great darkness as He
should make His soul an offering for
sin. Yet it was not the contemplation

2 The Great Controversy

of these scenes that cast the shadow (Genesis 28:12; John 1:51)—that ladder
upon Him in this hour of gladness. No upon which angels of God descended and
foreboding of His own superhuman ascended, and which opened to the world
anguish clouded that unselfish spirit. the way into the holiest of all. Had Israel
He wept for the doomed thousands of as a nation preserved her allegiance to
Jerusalem—because of the blindness Heaven, Jerusalem would have stood for-
and impenitence of those whom He ever, the elect of God. Jeremiah 17:21-25.
came to bless and to save. But the history of that favored people
was a record of backsliding and rebel-
The history of more than a thousand lion. They had resisted Heaven’s grace,
years of God’s special favor and guardian abused their privileges, and slighted
care, manifested to the chosen people, their opportunities.
was open to the eye of Jesus. There was
Mount Moriah, where the son of promise, Although Israel had “mocked the
an unresisting victim, had been bound to messengers of God, and despised His
the altar—emblem of the offering of the words, and misused His prophets”
Son of God. There the covenant of bless- (2 Chronicles 36:16), He had still
ing, the glorious Messianic promise, had manifested Himself to them, as “the
been confirmed to the father of the faith- Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-
ful. Genesis 22:9, 16-18. There the flames suffering, and abundant in goodness and
of the sacrifice ascending to heaven from truth” (Exodus 34:6); notwithstanding
the threshing floor of Ornan had turned repeated rejections, His mercy had
aside the sword of the destroying angel continued its pleadings. With more
(1 Chronicles 21)—fitting symbol of the than a father’s pitying love for the son
Saviour’s sacrifice and mediation for of his care, God had “sent to them by
guilty men. Jerusalem had been honored His messengers, rising up betimes, and
of God above all the earth. The Lord had sending; because He had compassion on
“chosen Zion,” He had “desired it for His His people, and on His dwelling place.”
habitation.”Psalm132:13. There, for ages, 2 Chronicles 36:15. When remonstrance,
holy prophets had uttered their messages entreaty, and rebuke had failed, He sent
of warning. There priests had waved to them the best gift of heaven; nay, He
their censers, and the cloud of incense, poured out all heaven in that one Gift.
with the prayers of the worshipers, had
ascended before God. There daily the The Son of God Himself was sent
blood of slain lambs had been offered, to plead with the impenitent city. It was
pointing forward to the Lamb of God. Christ that had brought Israel as a goodly
There Jehovah had revealed His presence vine out of Egypt. Psalm 80:8. His own
in the cloud of glory above the mercy hand had cast out the heathen before it.
seat. There rested the base of that mystic He had planted it “in a very fruitful hill.”
ladder connecting earth with heaven His guardian care had hedged it about.
His servants had been sent to nurture

With more than a father’s pitying love for the son of his care, God had “sent
to them by His messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because He had
compassion on His people, and on His dwelling place.” 2 Chronicles 36:15.
When remonstrance, entreaty, and rebuke had failed, He sent to them the
best gift of heaven; nay, He poured out all heaven in that one Gift.

The Destruction of Jerusalem 3

it. “What could have been done more ages of apostasy and rebellion, now black
to My vineyard,” He exclaims, “that with woe, was about to burst upon a
I have not done in it?” Isaiah 5:1-4. guilty people; and He who alone could
Though when He looked that it should save them from their impending fate
bring forth grapes, it brought forth wild had been slighted, abused, rejected, and
grapes, yet with a still yearning hope was soon to be crucified. When Christ
of fruitfulness He came in person to should hang upon the cross of Calvary,
His vineyard, if haply it might be saved Israel’s day as a nation favored and
from destruction. He digged about His blessed of God would be ended. The loss
vine; He pruned and cherished it. He
was unwearied in His efforts to save this The loss of even one soul is a
vine of His own planting. calamity infinitely outweighing the
gains and treasures of a world; but
For three years the Lord of light and as Christ looked upon Jerusalem,
glory had gone in and out among His the doom of a whole city, a whole
people. He “went about doing good, and nation, was before Him—that city,
healing all that were oppressed of the that nation, which had once been
devil,” binding up the brokenhearted, the chosen of God, His peculiar
setting at liberty them that were bound, treasure.
restoring sight to the blind, causing of even one soul is a calamity infinitely
the lame to walk and the deaf to hear, outweighing the gains and treasures
cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, of a world; but as Christ looked upon
and preaching the gospel to the poor. Jerusalem, the doom of a whole city,
Acts 10:38; Luke 4:18; Matthew 11:5. a whole nation, was before Him—that
To all classes alike was addressed the city, that nation, which had once been
gracious call: “Come unto Me, all ye that the chosen of God, His peculiar treasure.
labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give
you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Prophets had wept over the apostasy
of Israel and the terrible desolations by
Though rewarded with evil for good, which their sins were visited. Jeremiah
and hatred for His love (Psalm 109:5), wished that his eyes were a fountain of
He had steadfastly pursued His mission tears, that he might weep day and night
of mercy. Never were those repelled that for the slain of the daughter of his people,
sought His grace. A homeless wanderer, for the Lord’s flock that was carried away
reproach and penury His daily lot, He captive. Jeremiah 9:1; 13:17. What, then,
lived to minister to the needs and lighten was the grief of Him whose prophetic
the woes of men, to plead with them glance took in, not years, but ages! He
to accept the gift of life. The waves of beheld the destroying angel with sword
mercy, beaten back by those stubborn uplifted against the city which had so
hearts, returned in a stronger tide of long been Jehovah’s dwelling place.
pitying, inexpressible love. But Israel had From the ridge of Olivet, the very spot
turned from her best Friend and only afterward occupied by Titus and his
Helper. The pleadings of His love had army, He looked across the valley upon
been despised, His counsels spurned, the sacred courts and porticoes, and
His warnings ridiculed. with tear-dimmed eyes He saw, in awful

The hour of hope and pardon was
fast passing; the cup of God’s long-
deferred wrath was almost full. The
cloud that had been gathering through

4 The Great Controversy

perspective, the walls surrounded by “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might
alien hosts. He heard the tread of armies have life.” Matthew 23:37; John 5:40.
marshaling for war. He heard the voice
of mothers and children crying for bread Christ saw in Jerusalem a symbol
in the besieged city. He saw her holy and of the world hardened in unbelief and
beautiful house, her palaces and towers, rebellion, and hastening on to meet the
given to the flames, and where once they retributive judgments of God. The woes
stood, only a heap of smoldering ruins. of a fallen race, pressing upon His soul,
forced from His lips that exceeding bit-
Looking down the ages, He saw the ter cry. He saw the record of sin traced
covenant people scattered in every land, in human misery, tears, and blood; His
“like wrecks on a desert shore.” In the heart was moved with infinite pity for
temporal retribution about to fall upon the afflicted and suffering ones of earth;
her children, He saw but the first draft He yearned to relieve them all. But even
from that cup of wrath which at the final His hand might not turn back the tide of
judgment she must drain to its dregs. Di- human woe; few would seek their only
Source of help. He was willing to pour
His heart was moved with infinite out His soul unto death, to bring salva-
pity for the afflicted and suffering tion within their reach; but few would
ones of earth; He yearned to relieve come to Him that they might have life.
them all. But even His hand might
not turn back the tide of human The Majesty of heaven in tears!
woe; few would seek their only the Son of the infinite God troubled in
Source of help. He was willing to spirit, bowed down with anguish! The
pour out His soul unto death, to scene filled all heaven with wonder.
bring salvation within their reach; That scene reveals to us the exceeding
but few would come to Him that sinfulness of sin; it shows how hard
they might have life. a task it is, even for Infinite Power, to
vine pity, yearning love, found utterance save the guilty from the consequences
in the mournful words: “O Jerusalem, of transgressing the law of God. Jesus,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, looking down to the last generation, saw
and stonest them which are sent unto the world involved in a deception similar
thee, how often would I have gathered to that which caused the destruction of
thy children together, even as a hen Jerusalem. The great sin of the Jews was
gathereth her chickens under her wings, their rejection of Christ; the great sin
and ye would not!” O that thou, a nation of the Christian world would be their
favored above every other, hadst known rejection of the law of God, the founda-
the time of thy visitation, and the things tion of His government in heaven and
that belong unto thy peace! I have stayed earth. The precepts of Jehovah would be
the angel of justice, I have called thee to despised and set at nought. Millions in
repentance, but in vain. It is not merely bondage to sin, slaves of Satan, doomed
servants, delegates, and prophets, whom to suffer the second death, would refuse
thou hast refused and rejected, but the to listen to the words of truth in their
Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer. If thou day of visitation. Terrible blindness!
art destroyed, thou alone art responsible. strange infatuation!

Two days before the Passover, when
Christ had for the last time departed
from the temple, after denouncing the
hypocrisy of the Jewish rulers, He again

The Destruction of Jerusalem 5

went out with His disciples to the Mount her first glory? and how do ye see it now?
of Olives and seated Himself with them is it not in your eyes in comparison of it
upon the grassy slope overlooking the as nothing?” Haggai 2:3; Ezra 3:12. Then
city. Once more He gazed upon its walls, was given the promise that the glory of
its towers, and its palaces. Once more this latter house should be greater than
He beheld the temple in its dazzling that of the former.
splendor, a diadem of beauty crowning
the sacred mount. But the second temple had not
equaled the first in magnificence; nor
A thousand years before, the psalm- was it hallowed by those visible tokens of
ist had magnified God’s favor to Israel the divine presence which pertained to
in making her holy house His dwelling the first temple. There was no manifesta-
place: “In Salem also is His tabernacle, tion of supernatural power to mark its
and His dwelling place in Zion.” He dedication. No cloud of glory was seen to
“chose the tribe of Judah, the Mount fill the newly erected sanctuary. No fire
Zion which He loved. And He built from heaven descended to consume the
His sanctuary like high palaces.” Psalms sacrifice upon its altar. The Shekinah no
76:2; 78:68, 69. The first temple had been longer abode between the cherubim in
erected during the most prosperous the most holy place; the ark, the mercy
period of Israel’s history. Vast stores of seat, and the tables of the testimony
treasure for this purpose had been col- were not to be found therein. No voice
lected by King David, and the plans for sounded from heaven to make known to
its construction were made by divine the inquiring priest the will of Jehovah.
inspiration. 1 Chronicles 28:12, 19. Solo-
mon, the wisest of Israel’s monarchs, had The great sin of the Jews was their
completed the work. This temple was rejection of Christ; the great sin of
the most magnificent building which the Christian world would be their
the world ever saw. Yet the Lord had rejection of the law of God, the
declared by the prophet Haggai, con- foundation of His government in
cerning the second temple: “The glory heaven and earth.
of this latter house shall be greater than
of the former.” “I will shake all nations, For centuries the Jews had vainly
and the Desire of all nations shall come: endeavored to show wherein the
and I will fill this house with glory, saith promise of God given by Haggai had
the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:9,7. been fulfilled; yet pride and unbelief
blinded their minds to the true mean-
After the destruction of the temple ing of the prophet’s words. The second
by Nebuchadnezzar it was rebuilt about temple was not honored with the cloud
five hundred years before the birth of of Jehovah’s glory, but with the living
Christ by a people who from a lifelong presence of One in whom dwelt the
captivity had returned to a wasted and fullness of the Godhead bodily—who
almost deserted country. There were was God Himself manifest in the flesh.
then among them aged men who had The “Desire of all nations” had indeed
seen the glory of Solomon’s temple, and come to His temple when the Man of
who wept at the foundation of the new Nazareth taught and healed in the sacred
building, that it must be so inferior to courts. In the presence of Christ, and in
the former. The feeling that prevailed is
forcibly described by the prophet: “Who
is left among you that saw this house in

6 The Great Controversy

this only, did the second temple exceed The future was mercifully veiled
the first in glory. But Israel had put from the disciples. Had they at that time
from her the proffered Gift of heaven. fully comprehend the two awful facts—
With the humble Teacher who had that the Redeemer’s sufferings and death,
day passed out from its golden gate, and the destruction of their city and
the glory had forever departed from temple—they would have been over-
the temple. Already were the Saviour’s whelmed with horror. Christ presented
words fulfilled: “Your house is left unto before them an outline of the prominent
you desolate.” Matthew 23:38. events to take place before the close of
time. His words were not then fully
The disciples had been filled with understood; but their meaning was
awe and wonder at Christ’s prediction to be unfolded as His people should
of the overthrow of the temple, and they need the instruction therein given.
desired to understand more fully the The prophecy which He uttered was
meaning of His words. Wealth, labor, twofold in its meaning; while foreshad-
and architectural skill had for more than owing the destruction of Jerusalem, it
forty years been freely expended to en- prefigured also the terrors of the last
hance its splendors. Herod the Great had great day.
lavished upon it both Roman wealth and
Jewish treasure, and even the emperor Jesus declared to the listening dis-
of the world had enriched it with his ciples the judgments that were to fall
gifts. Massive blocks of white marble, upon apostate Israel, and especially the
of almost fabulous size, forwarded from retributive vengeance that would come
Rome for this purpose, formed a part of upon them for their rejection and cru-
its structure; and to these the disciples cifixion of the Messiah. Unmistakable
had called the attention of their Master, signs would precede the awful climax.
saying: “See what manner of stones and The dreaded hour would come suddenly
what buildings are here!” Mark 13:1. and swiftly. And the Saviour warned His
followers: “When ye therefore shall see
To these words, Jesus made the the abomination of desolation, spoken
solemn and startling reply: “Verily I say of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the
unto you, There shall not be left here holy place, (whoso readeth, let him
one stone upon another, that shall not understand:) then let them which be
be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2. in Judea flee into the mountains.” Mat-
thew 24:15, 16; Luke 21:20, 21. When
With the overthrow of Jerusalem the the idolatrous standards of the Romans
disciples associated the events of Christ’s should be set up in the holy ground,
personal coming in temporal glory to which extended some furlongs outside
take the throne of universal empire, to the city walls, then the followers of
punish the impenitent Jews, and to break Christ were to find safety in flight. When
from off the nation the Roman yoke. The the warning sign should be seen, those
Lord had told them that He would come who would escape must make no delay.
the second time. Hence at the mention Throughout the land of Judea, as well as
of judgments upon Jerusalem, their in Jerusalem itself, the signal for flight
minds reverted to that coming; and as must be immediately obeyed. He who
they were gathered about the Saviour chanced to be upon the housetop must
upon the Mount of Olives, they asked: not go down into his house, even to save
“When shall these things be? and what his most valued treasures. Those who
shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of
the end of the world?” Verse 3.

The Destruction of Jerusalem 7

were working in the fields or vineyards leaders, “all men will believe on Him:
must not take time to return for the outer and the Romans shall come and take
garment laid aside while they should away both our place and nation.” John
be toiling in the heat of the day. They 11:48. If Christ were sacrificed, they
must not hesitate a moment, lest they might once more become a strong,
be involved in the general destruction. united people. Thus they reasoned, and
they concurred in the decision of their
In the reign of Herod, Jerusalem high priest, that it would be better for
had not only been greatly beautified, one man to die than for the whole na-
but by the erection of towers, walls, and tion to perish.
fortresses, adding to the natural strength
of its situation, it had been rendered Thus the Jewish leaders had built
apparently impregnable. He who would up “Zion with blood, and Jerusalem
at this time have foretold publicly its with iniquity.” Micah 3:10. And yet,
destruction, would, like Noah in his day, while they slew their Saviour because
have been called a crazed alarmist. But He reproved their sins, such was their
Christ had said: “Heaven and earth shall self-righteousness that they regarded
pass away, but My words shall not pass themselves as God’s favored people and
away.” Matthew 24:35. Because of her expected the Lord to deliver them from
sins, wrath had been denounced against their enemies. “Therefore,” continued
Jerusalem, and her stubborn unbelief the prophet, “shall Zion for your sake
rendered her doom certain. be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall
become heaps, and the mountain of the
The Lord had declared by the proph- house as the high places of the forest.”
et Micah: “Hear this, I pray you, ye heads Verse 12.
of the house of Jacob, and princes of the
house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and For nearly forty years after the doom
pervert all equity. They build up Zion of Jerusalem had been pronounced by
with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. Christ Himself, the Lord delayed His
The heads thereof judge for reward, and judgments upon the city and the nation.
the priests thereof teach for hire, and the Wonderful was the long-suffering of
prophets thereof divine for money: yet God toward the rejectors of His gospel
will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is and the murderers of His Son. The par-
not the Lord among us? none evil can able of the unfruitful tree represented
come upon us.” Micah 3:9-11. God’s dealings with the Jewish nation.
The command had gone forth, “Cut it
These words faithfully described the down; why cumbereth it the ground?”
corrupt and self-righteous inhabitants of (Luke 13:7) but divine mercy had spared
Jerusalem. While claiming to observe it yet a little longer. There were still many
rigidly the precepts of God’s law, they among the Jews who were ignorant of
were transgressing all its principles. the character and the work of Christ.
They hated Christ because His purity And the children had not enjoyed the
and holiness revealed their iniquity; and opportunities or received the light which
they accused Him of being the cause of their parents had spurned. Through the
all the troubles which had come upon preaching of the apostles and their as-
them in consequence of their sins. sociates, God would cause light to shine
Though they knew Him to be sinless, upon them; they would be permitted to
they had declared that His death was see how prophecy had been fulfilled, not
necessary to their safety as a nation. “If only in the birth and life of Christ, but in
we let Him thus alone,” said the Jewish

8 The Great Controversy

His death and resurrection. The children this hellish work publicly declared that
were not condemned for the sins of the they had no fear that Jerusalem would
parents; but when, with a knowledge of be destroyed, for it was God’s own city.
all the light given to their parents, the To establish their power more firmly,
children rejected the additional light they bribed false prophets to proclaim,
granted to themselves, they became even while Roman legions were besieg-
partakers of the parents’ sins, and filled ing the temple, that the people were to
up the measure of their iniquity. wait for deliverance from God. To the
last, multitudes held fast to the belief that
Her children had spurned the grace of the Most High would interpose for the
Christ, which would have enabled them to defeat of their adversaries. But Israel had
subdue their evil impulses, and now these spurned the divine protection, and now
became the conquerors. Satan aroused the she had no defense. Unhappy Jerusalem!
fiercest and most debased passions of the rent by internal dissensions, the blood
soul. Men did not reason; they were be- of her children slain by one another’s
yond reason—controlled by impulse and hands crimsoning her streets, while
blind rage. They became satanic in their alien armies beat down her fortifications
cruelty. In the family and in the nation, and slew her men of war!
among the highest and the lowest classes
alike, there was suspicion, envy, hatred, All the predictions given by Christ
strife, rebellion, murder. There was no concerning the destruction of Jerusalem
safety anywhere. Friends and kindred were fulfilled to the letter. The Jews
betrayed one another. Parents slew their experienced the truth of His words of
children, and children their parents. The warning: “With what measure ye mete,
rulers of the people had no power to rule it shall be measured to you again.”
themselves. Uncontrolled passions made Matthew 7:2.
them tyrants. The Jews had accepted false
testimony to condemn the innocent Son Signs and wonders appeared, fore-
of God. Now false accusations made their boding disaster and doom. In the midst
own lives uncertain. By their actions they of the night an unnatural light shone
had long been saying: “Cause the Holy over the temple and the altar. Upon the
One of Israel to cease from before us.” Isa- clouds at sunset were pictured chariots
iah 30:11. Now their desire was granted. and men of war gathering for battle.
The fear of God no longer disturbed them. The priests ministering by night in the
Satan was at the head of the nation, and sanctuary were terrified by mysteri-
the highest civil and religious authorities ous sounds; the earth trembled, and a
were under his sway. multitude of voices were heard crying:
“Let us depart hence.” The great eastern
The leaders of the opposing factions gate, which was so heavy that it could
at times united to plunder and torture hardly be shut by a score of men, and
their wretched victims, and again they which was secured by immense bars of
fell upon each other’s forces and slaugh- iron fastened deep in the pavement of
tered without mercy. Even the sanctity solid stone, opened at midnight, without
of the temple could not restrain their visible agency.—Milman, The History of
horrible ferocity. The worshipers were the Jews, book 13.
stricken down before the altar, and the
sanctuary was polluted with the bodies For seven years a man continued to
of the slain. Yet in their blind and blas- go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
phemous presumption the instigators of declaring the woes that were to come
upon the city. By day and by night he

The Destruction of Jerusalem 9

chanted the wild dirge: “A voice from without the least apparent reason. But
the east! a voice from the west! a voice God’s merciful providence was directing
from the four winds! a voice against events for the good of His own people.
Jerusalem and against the temple! a voice The promised sign had been given to
against the bridegrooms and the brides! the waiting Christians, and now an op-
a voice against the whole people!”—Ibid. portunity was offered for all who would,
This strange being was imprisoned and to obey the Saviour’s warning. Events
scourged, but no complaint escaped his were so overruled that neither Jews nor
lips. To insult and abuse he answered Romans should hinder the flight of the
only: “Woe, woe to Jerusalem!” “woe, Christians. Upon the retreat of Cestius,
woe to the inhabitants thereof!” His the Jews, sallying from Jerusalem, pur-
warning cry ceased not until he was slain sued after his retiring army; and while
in the siege he had foretold. both forces were thus fully engaged,
the Christians had an opportunity to
Not one Christian perished in the leave the city. At this time the country
destruction of Jerusalem. Christ had also had been cleared of enemies who
given His disciples warning, and all might have endeavored to intercept
who believed His words watched for them. At the time of the siege, the Jews
the promised sign. “When ye shall see were assembled at Jerusalem to keep
Jerusalem compassed with armies,” said the Feast of Tabernacles, and thus the
Jesus, “then know that the desolation Christians throughout the land were
thereof is nigh. Then let them which are able to make their escape unmolested.
in Judea flee to the mountains; and let Without delay they fled to a place of
safety—the city of Pella, in the land of
Not one Christian perished in the Perea, beyond Jordan.
destruction of Jerusalem. Christ
had given His disciples warning, and The Jewish forces, pursuing after
all who believed His words watched Cestius and his army, fell upon their
for the promised sign. “When ye rear with such fierceness as to threaten
shall see Jerusalem compassed them with total destruction. It was
with armies,” said Jesus, “then with great difficulty that the Romans
know that the desolation thereof succeeded in making their retreat. The
is nigh. Then let them which are in Jews escaped almost without loss, and
Judea flee to the mountains; and with their spoils returned in triumph
let them which are in the midst of to Jerusalem. Yet this apparent success
it depart out.” Luke 21:20, 21. brought them only evil. It inspired them
them which are in the midst of it depart with that spirit of stubborn resistance
out.” Luke 21:20,21. After the Romans to the Romans which speedily brought
under Cestius had surrounded the city, unutterable woe upon the doomed city.
they unexpectedly abandoned the siege
when everything seemed favorable for Terrible were the calamities that
an immediate attack. The besieged, fell upon Jerusalem when the siege was
despairing of successful resistance, resumed by Titus. The city was invested
were on the point of surrender, when at the time of the Passover, when mil-
the Roman general withdrew his forces lions of Jews were assembled within its
walls. Their stores of provision, which if
carefully preserved would have supplied
the inhabitants for years, had previously
been destroyed through the jealousy

10 The Great Controversy

and revenge of the contending factions, things secretly in the siege and straitness,
and now all the horrors of starvation wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee
were experienced. A measure of wheat in thy gates.” Deuteronomy 28:56, 57.
was sold for a talent. So fierce were the
pangs of hunger that men would gnaw The Roman leaders endeavored to
the leather of their belts and sandals strike terror to the Jews and thus cause
and the covering of their shields. Great them to surrender. Those prisoners who
numbers of the people would steal out resisted when taken, were scourged,
at night to gather wild plants growing tortured, and crucified before the wall
outside the city walls, though many of the city. Hundreds were daily put to
were seized and put to death with cruel death in this manner, and the dreadful
torture, and often those who returned work continued until, along the Valley
in safety were robbed of what they had of Jehoshaphat and at Calvary, crosses
gleaned at so great peril. The most were erected in so great numbers that
inhuman tortures were inflicted by there was scarcely room to move among
those in power, to force from the want- them. So terribly was visited that awful
stricken people the last scanty supplies imprecation uttered before the judgment
which they might have concealed. And seat of Pilate: “His blood be on us, and
these cruelties were not infrequently on our children.” Matthew 27:25.
practiced by men who were themselves
well fed, and who were merely desirous Titus would willingly have put an end
of laying up a store of provision for to the fearful scene, and thus have spared
the future. Jerusalem the full measure of her doom.
He was filled with horror as he saw the
Thousands perished from famine bodies of the dead lying in heaps in the
and pestilence. Natural affection seemed valleys. Like one entranced, he looked
to have been destroyed. Husbands from the crestofOlivetuponthemagnifi-
robbed their wives, and wives their hus- cent temple and gave command that not
bands. Children would be seen snatching one stone of it be touched. Before attempt-
the food from the mouths of their aged ing to gain possession of this stronghold,
parents. The question of the prophet, he made an earnest appeal to the Jewish
“Can a woman forget her sucking child?” leaders not to force him to defile the
received the answer within the walls of sacred place with blood. If they would
that doomed city: “The hands of the come forth and fight in any other place,
pitiful women have sodden their own no Roman should violate the sanctity of
children: they were their meat in the de- the temple. Josephus himself, in a most
struction of the daughter of my people.” eloquent appeal, entreated them to sur-
Isaiah 49:15; Lamentations 4:10. Again render, to save themselves, their city, and
was fulfilled the warning prophecy given their place of worship. But his words were
fourteen centuries before: “The tender answered with bitter curses. Darts were
and delicate woman among you, which hurled at him, their last human mediator,
would not adventure to set the sole of her as he stood pleading with them. The Jews
footuponthe ground for delicatenessand had rejected the entreaties of the Son of
tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward God, and now expostulation and entreaty
the husband of her bosom, and toward only made them more determined to
her son, and toward her daughter, … resist to the last. In vain were the efforts
and toward her children which she shall of Titus to save the temple; One greater
bear: for she shall eat them for want of all than he had declared that not one stone
was to be left upon another.

The Destruction of Jerusalem 11

The blind obstinacy of the Jew- flames; they supposed that incalculable
ish leaders, and the detestable crimes treasures were laid up in the sanctuary.
perpetrated within the besieged city, A soldier, unperceived, thrust a lighted
excited the horror and indignation of torch between the hinges of the door:
the Romans, and Titus at last decided the whole building was in flames in an
to take the temple by storm. He de- instant. The blinding smoke and fire
termined, however, that if possible it forced the officers to retreat, and the
should be saved from destruction. But noble edifice was left to its fate.
his commands were disregarded. After
he had retired to his tent at night, the “It was an appalling spectacle to the
Jews, sallying from the temple, attacked Roman—what was it to the Jew? The
the soldiers without. In the struggle, a whole summit of the hill which com-
firebrand was flung by a soldier through manded the city, blazed like a volcano.
an opening in the porch, and immedi- One after another the buildings fell in,
ately the cedar-lined chambers about with a tremendous crash, and were swal-
the holy house were in a blaze. Titus lowed up in the fiery abyss. The roofs
rushed to the place, followed by his gen- of cedar were like sheets of flame; the
erals and legionaries, and commanded gilded pinnacles shone like spikes of red
the soldiers to quench the flames. His light; the gate towers sent up tall columns
words were unheeded. In their fury the of flame and smoke. The neighboring
soldiers hurled blazing brands into the hills were lighted up; and dark groups
chambers adjoining the temple, and of people were seen watching in horrible
then with their swords they slaughtered anxiety the progress of the destruction:
in great numbers those who had found the walls and heights of the upper city
shelter there. Blood flowed down the were crowded with faces, some pale with
temple steps like water. Thousands upon the agony of despair, others scowling
thousands of Jews perished. Above the unavailing vengeance. The shouts of the
sound of battle, voices were heard shout- Roman soldiery as they ran to and fro,
ing: “Ichabod!”—the glory is departed. and the howlings of the insurgents who
were perishing in the flames, mingled
“Titus found it impossible to check with the roaring of the conflagration
the rage of the soldiery; he entered with and the thundering sound of falling
his officers, and surveyed the interior of timbers. The echoes of the mountains
the sacred edifice. The splendor filled replied or brought back the shrieks of the
them with wonder; and as the flames had people on the heights; all along the walls
not yet penetrated to the holy place, he resounded screams and wailings; men
made a last effort to save it, and spring- who were expiring with famine rallied
ing forth, again exhorted the soldiers to their remaining strength to utter a cry
stay the progress of the conflagration. of anguish and desolation.
The centurion Liberalis endeavored to
force obedience with his staff of office; “The slaughter within was even
but even respect for the emperor gave more dreadful than the spectacle from
way to the furious animosity against without. Men and women, old and
the Jews, to the fierce excitement of young, insurgents and priests, those who
battle, and to the insatiable hope of fought and those who entreated mercy,
plunder. The soldiers saw everything were hewn down in indiscriminate car-
around them radiant with gold, which nage. The number of the slain exceeded
shone dazzlingly in the wild light of the that of the slayers. The legionaries had to
clamber over heaps of dead to carry on

12 The Great Controversy

the work of extermination.”—Milman, be withdrawn from them, and Satan was
The History of the Jews, book 16. permitted to rule them according to his
will. The horrible cruelties enacted in the
After the destruction of the temple, destruction of Jerusalem are a demon-
the whole city soon fell into the hands stration of Satan’s vindictive power over
of the Romans. The leaders of the Jews those who yield to his control.
forsook their impregnable towers, and
Titus found them solitary. He gazed upon We cannot know how much we owe
them with amazement, and declared that to Christ for the peace and protection
God had given them into his hands; for which we enjoy. It is the restraining
no engines, however powerful, could power of God that prevents mankind
have prevailed against those stupendous from passing fully under the control of
battlements. Both the city and the temple Satan. The disobedient and unthankful
were razed to their foundations, and the have great reason for gratitude for God’s
ground upon which the holy house had mercy and long-suffering in holding in
stood was “plowed like a field.” Jeremiah check the cruel, malignant power of the
26:18. In the siege and the slaughter evil one. But when men pass the limits
that followed, more than a million of of divine forbearance, that restraint is
the people perished; the survivors were removed. God does not stand toward
carried away as captives, sold as slaves, the sinner as an executioner of the
dragged to Rome to grace the conqueror’s sentence against transgression; but He
triumph, thrown to wild beasts in the leaves the rejectors of His mercy to
amphitheaters, or scattered as homeless themselves, to reap that which they have
wanderers throughout the earth. sown. Every ray of light rejected, every
warning despised or unheeded, every
The Jews had forged their own fet- passion indulged, every transgression
ters; they had filled for themselves the of the law of God, is a seed sown which
cup of vengeance. In the utter destruc- yields its unfailing harvest. The Spirit
tion that befell them as a nation, and of God, persistently resisted, is at last
in all the woes that followed them in withdrawn from the sinner, and then
their dispersion, they were but reap- there is left no power to control the evil
ing the harvest which their own hands passions of the soul, and no protection
had sown. Says the prophet: “O Israel, from the malice and enmity of Satan.
thou hast destroyed thyself;” “for thou The destruction of Jerusalem is a fear-
hast fallen by thine iniquity.” Hosea ful and solemn warning to all who are
13:9; 14:1. Their sufferings are often trifling with the offers of divine grace
represented as a punishment visited and resisting the pleadings of divine
upon them by the direct decree of God. mercy. Never was there given a more
It is thus that the great deceiver seeks decisive testimony to God’s hatred of
to conceal his own work. By stubborn sin and to the certain punishment that
rejection of divine love and mercy, the will fall upon the guilty.
Jews had caused the protection of God to

The destruction of Jerusalem is a fearful and solemn warning to all who are
trifling with the offers of divine grace and resisting the pleadings of divine
mercy. Never was there given a more decisive testimony to God’s hatred of
sin and to the certain punishment that will fall upon the guilty.

The Destruction of Jerusalem 13

The Saviour’s prophecy concern- their iniquity. By a life of sin, they have
ing the visitation of judgments upon placed themselves so out of harmony
Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, with God, their natures have become so
of which that terrible desolation was debased with evil, that the manifestation
but a faint shadow. In the fate of the of His glory is to them a consuming fire.
chosen city we may behold the doom
of a world that has rejected God’s mercy Let men beware lest they neglect the
and trampled upon His law. Dark are the lesson conveyed to them in the words
records of human misery that earth has of Christ. As He warned His disciples
witnessed during its long centuries of of Jerusalem’s destruction, giving them
crime. The heart sickens, and the mind a sign of the approaching ruin, that
grows faint in contemplation. Terrible they might make their escape; so He
have been the results of rejecting the au- has warned the world of the day of
thority of Heaven. But a scene yet darker final destruction and has given them
is presented in the revelations of the tokens of its approach, that all who will
future. The records of the past,—the long may flee from the wrath to come. Jesus
procession of tumults, conflicts, and declares: “There shall be signs in the sun,
revolutions, the “battle of the warrior and in the moon, and in the stars; and
… with confused noise, and garments upon the earth distress of nations.” Luke
rolled in blood” (Isaiah 9:5),— what are 21:25; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24-26;
these, in contrast with the terrors of that Revelation 6:12-17. Those who behold
day when the restraining Spirit of God these harbingers of His coming are to
shall be wholly withdrawn from the “know that it is near, even at the doors.”
wicked, no longer to hold in check the Matthew 24:33. “Watch ye therefore,” are
outburst of human passion and satanic His words of admonition. Mark 13:35.
wrath! The world will then behold, as They that heed the warning shall not
never before, the results of Satan’s rule. be left in darkness, that that day should
overtake them unawares. But to them
But in that day, as in the time of Jeru- that will not watch, “the day of the
salem’s destruction, God’s people will be Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
delivered, everyone that shall be found 1 Thessalonians 5:2-5.
written among the living. Isaiah 4:3.
Christ has declared that He will come The world is no more ready to
the second time to gather His faithful credit the message for this time than
ones to Himself: “Then shall all the tribes were the Jews to receive the Saviour’s
of the earth mourn, and they shall see warning concerning Jerusalem. Come
the Son of man coming in the clouds of when it may, the day of God will come
heaven with power and great glory. And unawares to the ungodly. When life is
He shall send His angels with a great going on in its unvarying round; when
sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather men are absorbed in pleasure, in busi-
together His elect from the four winds, ness, in traffic, in money-making; when
from one end of heaven to the other.” religious leaders are magnifying the
Matthew 24:30, 31. Then shall they that world’s progress and enlightenment,
obey not the gospel be consumed with and the people are lulled in a false
the spirit of His mouth and be destroyed security—then, as the midnight thief
with the brightness of His coming. 2 steals within the unguarded dwelling,
Thessalonians 2:8. Like Israel of old the so shall sudden destruction come upon
wicked destroy themselves; they fall by the careless and ungodly, “and they shall
not escape.” Verse 3.

CHAPTER 2

Persecution in the First Centuries

W hen JesusrevealedtoHisdis- her temples and altars would be swept
ciples the fate of Jerusalem away; therefore she summoned her
and the scenes of the second forces to destroy Christianity. The fires
advent, He foretold also the experience of of persecution were kindled. Christians
His people from the time when He were stripped of their possessions and
should be taken from them, to His return driven from their homes. They “endured
in power and glory for their deliverance. a great fight of afflictions.” Hebrews
From Olivet the Saviour beheld the 10:32. They “had trial of cruel mockings
storms about to fall upon the apostolic and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds
church; and penetrating deeper into and imprisonment.” Hebrews 11:36.
the future, His eye discerned the fierce, Great numbers sealed their testimony
wasting tempests that were to beat upon with their blood. Noble and slave, rich
His followers in the coming ages of and poor, learned and ignorant, were
darkness and persecution. In a few brief alike slain without mercy.
utterances of awful significance He fore-
These persecutions, beginning
The followers of Christ must tread under Nero about the time of the mar-
the same path of humiliation, tyrdom of Paul, continued with greater
reproach, and suffering which their or less fury for centuries. Christians
Master trod. The enmity that burst were falsely accused of the most dread-
forth against the world’s Redeemer ful crimes and declared to be the cause
would be manifested against all of great calamities—famine, pestilence,
who should believe on His name. and earthquake. As they became the
told the portion which the rulers of this objects of popular hatred and suspicion,
world would mete out to the church of informers stood ready, for the sake of
God. Matthew 24:9, 21, 22. The follow- gain, to betray the innocent. They were
ers of Christ must tread the same path condemned as rebels against the empire,
of humiliation, reproach, and suffering as foes of religion, and pests to society.
which their Master trod. The enmity that Great numbers were thrown to wild
burst forth against the world’s Redeemer beasts or burned alive in the amphithe-
would be manifested against all who aters. Some were crucified; others were
should believe on His name. covered with the skins of wild animals
and thrust into the arena to be torn by
The history of the early church tes- dogs. Their punishment was often made
tified to the fulfillment of the Saviour’s the chief entertainment at public fetes.
words. The powers of earth and hell Vast multitudes assembled to enjoy the
arrayed themselves against Christ in sight and greeted their dying agonies
the person of His followers. Paganism with laughter and applause.
foresaw that should the gospel triumph,
Wherever they sought refuge, the
followers of Christ were hunted like
beasts of prey. They were forced to seek
concealment in desolate and solitary

Persecution in the First Centuries 15

places. “Destitute, afflicted, tormented; gazing upon them with the deepest in-
(of whom the world was not worthy:) terest and regarding their steadfastness
they wandered in deserts, and in moun- with approval. A voice came down to
tains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” them from the throne of God: “Be thou
Verses 37, 38. The catacombs afforded faithful unto death, and I will give thee
shelter for thousands. Beneath the hills a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.
outside the city of Rome, long galleries
had been tunneled through earth and Paganism foresaw that should
rock; the dark and intricate network of the gospel triumph, her temples
passages extended for miles beyond the and altars would be swept away;
city walls. In these underground retreats therefore she summoned her
the followers of Christ buried their dead; forces to destroy Christianity.
and here also, when suspected and pro-
scribed, they found a home. When the In vain were Satan’s efforts to destroy
Life-giver shall awaken those who have the church of Christ by violence. The
fought the good fight, many a martyr for great controversy in which the disciples
Christ’s sake will come forth from those of Jesus yielded up their lives did not
gloomy caverns. cease when these faithful standard-
bearers fell at their post. By defeat they
Under the fiercest persecution conquered. God’s workmen were slain,
these witnesses for Jesus kept their faith but His work went steadily forward.
unsullied. Though deprived of every The gospel continued to spread and the
comfort, shut away from the light of number of its adherents to increase. It
the sun, making their home in the dark penetrated into regions that were inac-
but friendly bosom of the earth, they ut- cessible even to the eagles of Rome.
tered no complaint. With words of faith, Said a Christian, expostulating with
patience, and hope they encouraged one the heathen rulers who were urging
another to endure privation and distress. forward the persecution: You may “kill
The loss of every earthly blessing could us, torture us, condemn us. … Your
not force them to renounce their belief injustice is the proof that we are inno-
in Christ. Trials and persecution were cent. … Nor does your cruelty … avail
but steps bringing them nearer their you.” It was but a stronger invitation to
rest and their reward. bring others to their persuasion. “The
oftener we are mown down by you, the
Like God’s servants of old, many more in number we grow; the blood
were “tortured, not accepting deliver- of Christians is seed.”—Tertullian,
ance; that they might obtain a better Apology, paragraph 50.
resurrection.” Verse 35. These called
to mind the words of their Master, that Thousands were imprisoned and
when persecuted for Christ’s sake, they slain, but others sprang up to fill their
were to be exceeding glad, for great places. And those who were martyred
would be their reward in heaven; for so for their faith were secured to Christ
the prophets had been persecuted before and accounted of Him as conquerors.
them. They rejoiced that they were ac- They had fought the good fight, and
counted worthy to suffer for the truth, they were to receive the crown of
and songs of triumph ascended from the glory when Christ should come. The
midst of crackling flames. Looking up-
ward by faith, they saw Christ and angels
leaning over the battlements of heaven,

16 The Great Controversy

sufferings which they endured brought modifying some features of their faith
Christians nearer to one another and to and uniting with those who had ac-
their Redeemer. Their living example cepted a part of Christianity, urging
and dying testimony were a constant
witness for the truth; and where least Unsound doctrines, superstitious
expected, the subjects of Satan were rites, and idolatrous ceremonies
leaving his service and enlisting under were incorporated into her faith
the banner of Christ. and worship.
that this might be the means of their full
Satan therefore laid his plans to war conversion. That was a time of deep an-
more successfully against the govern- guish to the faithful followers of Christ.
ment of God by planting his banner in Under a cloak of pretended Christianity,
the Christian church. If the followers Satan was insinuating himself into the
of Christ could be deceived and led church, to corrupt their faith and turn
to displease God, then their strength, their minds from the word of truth.
fortitude, and firmness would fail, and
they would fall an easy prey. Most of the Christians at last con-
sented to lower their standard, and a
The great adversary now endeavored union was formed between Christianity
to gain by artifice what he had failed to and paganism. Although the worshipers
secure by force. Persecution ceased, and of idols professed to be converted, and
in its stead were substituted the danger- united with the church, they still clung to
their idolatry, only changing the objects
Satan therefore laid his plans to of their worship to images of Jesus, and
war more successfully against the even of Mary and the saints. The foul
government of God by planting leaven of idolatry, thus brought into the
his banner in the Christian church. church, continued its baleful work. Un-
ous allurements of temporal prosperity sound doctrines, superstitious rites, and
and worldly honor. Idolaters were led to idolatrous ceremonies were incorpo-
receive a part of the Christian faith, while rated into her faith and worship. As the
they rejected other essential truths. They followers of Christ united with idolaters,
professed to accept Jesus as the Son of the Christian religion became corrupted,
God and to believe in His death and and the church lost her purity and power.
resurrection, but they had no conviction There were some, however, who were
of sin and felt no need of repentance or not misled by these delusions. They still
of a change of heart. With some conces- maintained their fidelity to the Author of
sions on their part they proposed that truth and worshiped God alone.
Christians should make concessions,
that all might unite on the platform of There have ever been two classes
belief in Christ. among those who profess to be follow-
ers of Christ. While one class study the
Now the church was in fearful peril. Saviour’s life and earnestly seek to correct
Prison, torture, fire, and sword were their defects and conform to the Pattern,
blessings in comparison with this. Some the other class shun the plain, practical
of the Christians stood firm, declaring truths which expose their errors. Even
that they could make no compromise. in her best estate the church was not
Others were in favor of yielding or

Persecution in the First Centuries 17

composed wholly of the true, pure, and of Christ in the church was a terror to
sincere. Our Saviour taught that those hypocrites and evildoers. They could
who willfully indulge in sin are not not long remain in connection with
to be received into the church; yet He those who were, in habit and disposition,
connected with Himself men who were constant representatives of Christ; and
faulty in character, and granted them the as trials and persecution came upon His
benefits of His teachings and example, followers, those only who were willing
that they might have an opportunity to to forsake all for the truth’s sake desired
see their errors and correct them. Among to become His disciples. Thus, as long
the twelve apostles was a traitor. Judas as persecution continued, the church
was accepted, not because of his defects remained comparatively pure. But as it
of character, but notwithstanding them. ceased, converts were added who were
He was connected with the disciples, that, less sincere and devoted, and the way
through the instruction and example of was open for Satan to obtain a foothold.
Christ, he might learn what constitutes
Christian character, and thus be led to But there is no union between the
see his errors, to repent, and, by the aid Prince of light and the prince of darkness,
of divine grace, to purify his soul “in
obeying the truth.” But Judas did not walk As trials and persecution came
in the light so graciously permitted to upon His followers, those only
shine upon him. By indulgence in sin he who were willing to forsake all for
invited the temptations of Satan. His evil the truth’s sake desired to become
traits of character became predominant. His disciples. Thus, as long as
He yielded his mind to the control of the persecution continued, the church
powers of darkness, he became angry remained comparatively pure. But
when his faults were reproved, and thus as it ceased, converts were added
he was led to commit the fearful crime of who were less sincere and devoted,
betraying his Master. So do all who cher- and the way was open for Satan to
ish evil under a profession of godliness obtain a foothold.
hate those who disturb their peace by and there can be no union between their
condemning their course of sin. When a followers. When Christians consented
favorable opportunity is presented, they to unite with those who were but half
will, like Judas, betray those who for their converted from paganism, they entered
good have sought to reprove them. upon a path which led further and fur-
ther from the truth. Satan exulted that
The apostles encountered those in he had succeeded in deceiving so large
the church who professed godliness a number of the followers of Christ. He
while they were secretly cherishing then brought his power to bear more fully
iniquity. Ananias and Sapphira acted upon these, and inspired them to perse-
the part of deceivers, pretending to cute those who remained true to God.
make an entire sacrifice for God, when None understood so well how to oppose
they were covetously withholding a the true Christian faith as did those who
portion for themselves. The Spirit of had once been its defenders; and these
truth revealed to the apostles the real apostate Christians, uniting with their
character of these pretenders, and half-pagan companions, directed their
the judgments of God rid the church
of this foul blot upon its purity. This
signal evidence of the discerning Spirit

18 The Great Controversy

warfare against the most essential fea- a continual reproof that disturbed the
tures of the doctrines of Christ. sinner’s peace. Though few in numbers,
without wealth, position, or honorary
It required a desperate struggle for titles, they were a terror to evildoers
those who would be faithful to stand wherever their character and doctrines
firm against the deceptions and abomi- were known. Therefore they were hated
nations which were disguised in sacer- by the wicked, even as Abel was hated by
dotal garments and introduced into the the ungodly Cain. For the same reason
church. The Bible was not accepted as that Cain slew Abel, did those who sought
the standard of faith. The doctrine of re- to throw off the restraint of the Holy
ligious freedom was termed heresy, and Spirit, put to death God’s people. It was
its upholders were hated and proscribed. for the same reason that the Jews rejected
and crucified the Saviour—because the
After a long and severe conflict, purity and holiness of His character was
the faithful few decided to dissolve all a constant rebuke to their selfishness and
union with the apostate church if she still corruption. From the days of Christ until
refused to free herself from falsehood now His faithful disciples have excited
and idolatry. They saw that separation the hatred and opposition of those who
was an absolute necessity if they would love and follow the ways of sin.
obey the word of God. They dared not
tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, How, then, can the gospel be called a
and set an example which would imperil message of peace? When Isaiah foretold
the faith of their children and children’s the birth of the Messiah, he ascribed to
children. To secure peace and unity Him the title, “Prince of Peace.” When
they were ready to make any concession angels announced to the shepherds that
consistent with fidelity to God; but they Christ was born, they sang above the
felt that even peace would be too dearly plains of Bethlehem: “Glory to God in
purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If the highest, and on earth peace, good
unity could be secured only by the com- will toward men.” Luke 2:14. There is
promise of truth and righteousness, then a seeming contradiction between these
let there be difference, and even war. prophetic declarations and the words of
Christ: “I came not to send peace, but
Well would it be for the church and a sword.” Matthew 10:34. But, rightly
the world if the principles that actuated understood, the two are in perfect har-
those steadfast souls were revived in the mony. The gospel is a message of peace.
hearts of God’s professed people. There Christianity is a system which, received
is an alarming indifference in regard to and obeyed, would spread peace, har-
the doctrines which are the pillars of the mony, and happiness throughout the
Christian faith. The opinion is gaining earth. The religion of Christ will unite
ground, that, after all, these are not of in close brotherhood all who accept its
vital importance. This degeneracy is teachings. It was the mission of Jesus to
strengthening the hands of the agents reconcile men to God, and thus to one
of Satan, so that false theories and fatal another. But the world at large are under
delusions which the faithful in ages past the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe.
imperiled their lives to resist and expose, The gospel presents to them principles
are now regarded with favor by thou- of life which are wholly at variance with
sands who claim to be followers of Christ. their habits and desires, and they rise in
rebellion against it. They hate the purity
The early Christians were indeed
a peculiar people. Their blameless de-
portment and unswerving faith were

Persecution in the First Centuries 19

which reveals and condemns their sins, their consistent course may condemn
and they persecute and destroy those who the ungodly and unbelieving.
would urge upon them its just and holy
claims. It is in this sense—because the ex- God permits the wicked to prosper
alted truths it brings occasion hatred and and to reveal their enmity against Him,
strife—that the gospel is called a sword. that when they shall have filled up the
measure of their iniquity all may see His
The mysterious providence which justice and mercy in their utter destruc-
permits the righteous to suffer persecu- tion. The day of His vengeance hastens,
tion at the hand of the wicked has been when all who have transgressed His law
a cause of great perplexity to many who and oppressed His people will meet the
are weak in faith. Some are even ready just recompense of their deeds; when
to cast away their confidence in God every act of cruelty or injustice toward
because He suffers the basest of men to God’s faithful ones will be punished as
prosper, while the best and purest are though done to Christ Himself.
afflicted and tormented by their cruel
power. How, it is asked, can One who is Let there be a revival of the faith
just and merciful, and who is also infinite and power of the early church,
in power, tolerate such injustice and op- and the spirit of persecution
pression? This is a question with which will be revived, and the fires of
we have nothing to do. God has given us persecution will be rekindled.
sufficient evidence of His love, and we
are not to doubt His goodness because There is another and more important
we cannot understand the workings of question that should engage the attention
His providence. Said the Saviour to His of the churches of today. The apostle Paul
disciples, foreseeing the doubts that declares that “all that will live godly in
would press upon their souls in days Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
of trial and darkness: “Remember the 2 Timothy 3:12. Why is it, then, that
word that I said unto you, The servant persecution seems in a great degree to
is not greater than his lord. If they have slumber? The only reason is that the
persecuted Me, they will also persecute church has conformed to the world’s
you.” John 15:20. Jesus suffered for us standard and therefore awakens no op-
more than any of His followers can be position. The religion which is current
made to suffer through the cruelty of in our day is not of the pure and holy
wicked men. Those who are called to character that marked the Christian faith
endure torture and martyrdom are but in the days of Christ and His apostles. It
following in the steps of God’s dear Son. is only because of the spirit of compro-
mise with sin, because the great truths
“The Lord is not slack concerning of the word of God are so indifferently
His promise.” 2 Peter 3:9. He does not regarded, because there is so little vital
forget or neglect His children; but He godliness in the church, that Christianity
permits the wicked to reveal their true is apparently so popular with the world.
character, that none who desire to do Let there be a revival of the faith and
His will may be deceived concerning power of the early church, and the spirit
them. Again, the righteous are placed of persecution will be revived, and the
in the furnace of affliction, that they fires of persecution will be rekindled.
themselves may be purified; that their
example may convince others of the real-
ity of faith and godliness; and also that

CHAPTER 3

An Era of Spiritual Darkness

T he apostle Paul, in his second let- and the world, cloaked with a form of
ter to the Thessalonians, foretold righteousness, walked into the church.
the great apostasy which would Now the work of corruption rapidly
result in the establishment of the papal progressed. Paganism, while appearing
power. He declared that the day of to be vanquished, became the conqueror.
Christ should not come, “except there Her spirit controlled the church. Her
come a falling away first, and that man doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions
of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; were incorporated into the faith and wor-
who opposeth and exalteth himself ship of the professed followers of Christ.
above all that is called God, or that is
worshiped; so that he as God sitteth This compromise between pagan-
in the temple of God, showing himself ism and Christianity resulted in the
that he is God.” And furthermore, the development of “the man of sin” foretold
apostle warns his brethren that “the in prophecy as opposing and exalting
mystery of iniquity doth already work.” himself above God. That gigantic system
2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 7. Even at that of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan’s
early date he saw, creeping into the power—a monument of his efforts to
church, errors that would prepare the seat himself upon the throne to rule the
way for the development of the papacy. earth according to his will.

Little by little, at first in stealth and Satan once endeavored to form a
silence, and then more openly as it in- compromise with Christ. He came to the
creased in strength and gained control Son of God in the wilderness of tempta-
of the minds of men, “the mystery of tion, and showing Him all the kingdoms
iniquity” carried forward its decep- of the world and the glory of them,
tive and blasphemous work. Almost offered to give all into His hands if He
imperceptibly the customs of heathen- would but acknowledge the supremacy
ism found their way into the Christian of the prince of darkness. Christ re-
church. The spirit of compromise and buked the presumptuous tempter and
conformity was restrained for a time forced him to depart. But Satan meets
by the fierce persecutions which the with greater success in presenting the
church endured under paganism. But same temptations to man. To secure
as persecution ceased, and Christianity worldly gains and honors, the church
entered the courts and palaces of kings, was led to seek the favor and support
she laid aside the humble simplicity of of the great men of earth; and having
Christ and His apostles for the pomp thus rejected Christ, she was induced
and pride of pagan priests and rulers; to yield allegiance to the representative
and in place of the requirements of of Satan—the bishop of Rome.
God, she substituted human theories
and traditions. The nominal conversion It is one of the leading doctrines of
of Constantine, in the early part of the Roman Catholicism that the pope is the
fourth century, caused great rejoicing; visible head of the universal church of
Christ, invested with supreme authority
over bishops and pastors in all parts of

An Era of Spiritual Darkness 21

the world. More than this, the pope has years the circulation of the Bible was
been given the very titles of Deity. He has prohibited. The people were forbidden
been styled “Lord God the Pope” (see Ap- to read it or to have it in their houses,
pendix), and has been declared infallible. and unprincipled priests and prelates
He demands the homage of all men. The interpreted its teachings to sustain their
same claim urged by Satan in the wilder- pretensions. Thus the pope came to be
ness of temptation is still urged by him almost universally acknowledged as the
through the Church of Rome, and vast vicegerent of God on earth, endowed
numbers are ready to yield him homage. with authority over church and state.

But those who fear and reverence The detector of error having been
God meet this heaven-daring assump- removed, Satan worked according to
tion as Christ met the solicitations of the his will. Prophecy had declared that the
wily foe: “Thou shalt worship the Lord papacy was to “think to change times
thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” and laws.” Daniel 7:25. This work it was
Luke 4:8. God has never given a hint not slow to attempt. To afford converts
in His word that He has appointed any from heathenism a substitute for the
man to be the head of the church. The worship of idols, and thus to promote
doctrine of papal supremacy is directly their nominal acceptance of Christianity,
opposed to the teachings of the Scrip- the adoration of images and relics was
tures. The pope can have no power over gradually introduced into the Christian
Christ’s church except by usurpation. worship. The decree of a general council
(see Appendix) finally established this
Papal leaders have persisted in system of idolatry. To complete the
bringing against Protestants the charge sacrilegious work, Rome presumed to
of heresy and willful separation from expunge from the law of God the second
the true church. But these accusations commandment, forbidding image wor-
apply rather to themselves. They are the ship, and to divide the tenth command-
ones who laid down the banner of Christ ment, in order to preserve the number.
and departed from “the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3. The spirit of concession to pagan-
ism opened the way for a still further
Satan well knew that the Holy Scrip- disregard of Heaven’s authority. Satan,
tures would enable men to discern his working through unconsecrated leaders
deceptions and withstand his power. It of the church, tampered with the fourth
was by the word that even the Saviour commandment also, and essayed to set
of the world had resisted his attacks. At aside the ancient Sabbath, the day which
every assault, Christ presented the shield God had blessed and sanctified (Genesis
of eternal truth, saying, “It is written.” 2:2, 3), and in its stead to exalt the festival
To every suggestion of the adversary, He observed by the heathen as “the vener-
opposed the wisdom and power of the able day of the sun.” This change was
word. In order for Satan to maintain his not at first attempted openly. In the first
sway over men, and establish the author- centuries the true Sabbath had been kept
ity of the papal usurper, he must keep by all Christians. They were jealous for
them in ignorance of the Scriptures. The the honor of God, and, believing that His
Bible would exalt God and place finite law is immutable, they zealously guarded
men in their true position; therefore its the sacredness of its precepts. But with
sacred truths must be concealed and great subtlety Satan worked through his
suppressed. This logic was adopted by agents to bring about his object. That the
the Roman Church. For hundreds of

22 The Great Controversy

attention of the people might be called his vicegerent, the proud pontiff who
to the Sunday, it was made a festival in claimed to be the representative of
honor of the resurrection of Christ. Re- Christ. Through half-converted pagans,
ligious services were held upon it; yet it ambitious prelates, and world-loving
was regarded as a day of recreation, the churchmen he accomplished his pur-
Sabbath being still sacredly observed. pose. Vast councils were held from
time to time, in which the dignitaries
To prepare the way for the work of the church were convened from all
which he designed to accomplish, Satan the world. In nearly every council the
had led the Jews, before the advent of Sabbath which God had instituted was
Christ, to load down the Sabbath with pressed down a little lower, while the
the most rigorous exactions, making Sunday was correspondingly exalted.
its observance a burden. Now, taking Thus the pagan festival came finally to
advantage of the false light in which he be honored as a divine institution, while
had thus caused it to be regarded, he cast the Bible Sabbath was pronounced a
contempt upon it as a Jewish institution. relic of Judaism, and its observers were
While Christians generally continued to declared to be accursed.
observe the Sunday as a joyous festival,
he led them, in order to show their ha- The great apostate had succeeded in
tred of Judaism, to make the Sabbath a exalting himself “above all that is called
fast, a day of sadness and gloom. God, or that is worshiped.” 2 Thes-
salonians 2:4. He had dared to change
In the early part of the fourth cen- the only precept of the divine law that
tury the emperor Constantine issued a unmistakably points all mankind to
decree making Sunday a public festival the true and living God. In the fourth
throughout the Roman Empire. (See commandment, God is revealed as the
Appendix.) The day of the sun was Creator of the heavens and the earth,
reverenced by his pagan subjects and and is thereby distinguished from all
was honored by Christians; it was the false gods. It was as a memorial of the
emperor’s policy to unite the conflicting work of creation that the seventh day
interests of heathenism and Christianity. was sanctified as a rest day for man. It
He was urged to do this by the bishops was designed to keep the living God ever
of the church, who, inspired by ambition before the minds of men as the source
and thirst for power, perceived that if the of being and the object of reverence and
same day was observed by both Chris- worship. Satan strives to turn men from
tians and heathen, it would promote their allegiance to God, and from ren-
the nominal acceptance of Christianity dering obedience to His law; therefore
by pagans and thus advance the power he directs his efforts especially against
and glory of the church. But while many that commandment which points to
God-fearing Christians were gradually God as the Creator.
led to regard Sunday as possessing a
degree of sacredness, they still held the Protestants now urge that the res-
true Sabbath as the holy of the Lord and urrection of Christ on Sunday made
observed it in obedience to the fourth it the Christian Sabbath. But Scripture
commandment. evidence is lacking. No such honor
was given to the day by Christ or His
The archdeceiver had not completed apostles. The observance of Sunday
his work. He was resolved to gather as a Christian institution had its
the Christian world under his banner origin in that “mystery of lawlessness”
and to exercise his power through

An Era of Spiritual Darkness 23

(2 Thessalonians 2:7, R.V.) which, even and for eternal salvation, the people
in Paul’s day, had begun its work. Where looked to the pope, and to the priests
and when did the Lord adopt this child and prelates to whom he delegated au-
of the papacy? What valid reason can be thority. They were taught that the pope
given for a change which the Scriptures was their earthly mediator and that none
do not sanction? could approach God except through
him; and, further, that he stood in the
In the sixth century the papacy had place of God to them and was therefore
become firmly established. Its seat of to be implicitly obeyed. A deviation
power was fixed in the imperial city, from his requirements was sufficient
and the bishop of Rome was declared cause for the severest punishment to
to be the head over the entire church. be visited upon the bodies and souls
Paganism had given place to the papacy. of the offenders. Thus the minds of the
The dragon had given to the beast “his people were turned away from God to
power, and his seat, and great authority.”
Revelation 13:2. And now began the Paganism had given place to the
1260 years of papal oppression foretold papacy. The dragon had given
in the prophecies of Daniel and the Rev- to the beast “his power, and
elation. Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5-7. his seat, and great authority.”
(See Appendix.) Christians were forced Revelation 13:2. And now began
to choose either to yield their integrity the 1260 years of papal oppression
and accept the papal ceremonies and foretold in the prophecies of Daniel
worship, or to wear away their lives in and the Revelation. Daniel 7:25;
dungeons or suffer death by the rack, the Revelation 13:5-7.
fagot, or the headsman’s ax. Now were fallible, erring, and cruel men, nay, more,
fulfilled the words of Jesus: “Ye shall be to the prince of darkness himself, who
betrayed both by parents, and brethren, exercised his power through them. Sin
and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of was disguised in a garb of sanctity. When
you shall they cause to be put to death. the Scriptures are suppressed, and man
And ye shall be hated of all men for My comes to regard himself as supreme, we
name’s sake.” Luke 21:16,17. Persecution need look only for fraud, deception, and
opened upon the faithful with greater debasing iniquity. With the elevation of
fury than ever before, and the world human laws and traditions was manifest
became a vast battlefield. For hundreds the corruption that ever results from
of years the church of Christ found setting aside the law of God.
refuge in seclusion and obscurity. Thus
says the prophet: “The woman fled into Those were days of peril for the
the wilderness, where she hath a place church of Christ. The faithful standard-
prepared of God, that they should feed bearers were few indeed. Though the
her there a thousand two hundred and truth was not left without witnesses,
threescore days.” Revelation 12:6. yet at times it seemed that error and
superstition would wholly prevail, and
The accession of the Roman Church true religion would be banished from the
to power marked the beginning of the earth. The gospel was lost sight of, but
Dark Ages. As her power increased, the the forms of religion were multiplied,
darkness deepened. Faith was trans-
ferred from Christ, the true foundation,
to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting
in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins

24 The Great Controversy

and the people were burdened with Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day, some were
rigorous exactions. ready to say: “The strength of the bearers
of burdens is decayed, and there is much
They were taught not only to look to rubbish; so that we are not able to build.”
the pope as their mediator, but to trust to Nehemiah 4:10. Wearied with the con-
works of their own to atone for sin. Long stant struggle against perse­cution, fraud,
pilgrimages, acts of penance, the worship iniquity, and every other obstacle that
of relics, the erection of churches, shrines, Satan could devise to hinder their prog-
and altars, the payment of large sums ress, some who had been faithful builders
to the church—these and many similar became disheart­ened; and for the sake
acts were enjoined to appease the wrath of peace and security for their property
of God or to secure His favor; as if God and their lives, they turned away from
the true foundation. Others, undaunted
The accession of the Roman Church by the oppo­sition of their enemies, fear-
to power marked the beginning lessly declared: “Be not ye afraid of them:
of the Dark Ages. As her power rememb­­ er the Lord, which is great and
increased, the darkness deepened. terrible” (verse 14); and they proceeded
Faith was transferred from Christ, with the work, everyone with his sword
the true foundation, to the pope girded by his side. Ephesians 6:17.
of Rome.
were like men, to be angered at trifles, The same spirit of hatred and op-
or pacified by gifts or acts of penance! position to the truth has inspired the
enemies of God in every age, and the
Notwithstanding that vice prevailed, same vigilance and fidelity have been
even among the leaders of the Roman required in His servants. The words
Church, her influence seemed steadily of Christ to the first disciples are ap-
to increase. About the close of the eighth plicable to His followers to the close of
century, papists put forth the claim that time: “What I say unto you I say unto
in the first ages of the church the bishops all, Watch.” Mark 13:37.
of Rome had possessed the same spiritual
power which they now assumed. To es- The darkness seemed to grow more
tablish this claim, some means must be dense. Image worship became more gen-
employed to give it a show of authority; eral. Candles were burned before images,
and this was readily suggested by the fa- and prayers were offered to them. The
ther of lies. Ancient writings were forged most absurd and superstitious customs
by monks. Decrees of councils before prevailed. The minds of men were so
unheard of were discovered, establish- completely controlled by superstition
ing the universal supremacy of the pope that reason itself seemed to have lost its
from the earliest times. And a church that sway. While priests and bishops were
had rejected the truth greedily accepted themselves pleasure-loving, sensual, and
these deceptions. (See Appendix.) corrupt, it could only be expected that the
people who looked to them for guidance
The few faithful builders upon the would be sunken in ignorance and vice.
true foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:10,
11) were perplexed and hindered as the Another step in papal assumption
rubbish of false doctrine obstructed the was taken, when, in the eleventh century,
work. Like the builders upon the wall of Pope Gregory VII proclaimed the per-
fection of the Roman Church. Among
the propositions which he put forth was
one declaring that the church had never

An Era of Spiritual Darkness 25

erred, nor would it ever err, according to His disciples: “Whosoever will be chief
the Scriptures. But the Scripture proofs among you, let him be your servant.”
did not accompany the assertion. The Matthew 20:27.
proud pontiff also claimed the power
to depose emperors, and declared that The advancing centuries witnessed a
no sentence which he pronounced could constant increase of error in the doctrines
be reversed by anyone, but that it was put forth from Rome. Even before the
his prerogative to reverse the decisions establishment of the papacy the teachings
of all others. (See Appendix.) of heathen philosophers had received at-
tention and exerted an influence in the
A striking illustration of the tyran- church. Many who professed conversion
nical character of this advocate of infal- still clung to the tenets of their pagan
libility was given in his treatment of the philosophy, and not only continued its
German emperor, Henry IV. For presum- study themselves, but urged it upon oth-
ing to disregard the pope’s authority, this ers as a means of extending their influ-
monarch was declared to be excommu- ence among the heathen. Serious errors
nicated and dethroned. Terrified by the were thus introduced into the Christian
desertion and threats of his own princes, faith. Prominent among these was the
whowere encouraged inrebellion against belief in man’s natural immortality and
him by the papal mandate, Henry felt his consciousness in death. This doctrine
the necessity of making his peace with laid the foundation upon which Rome es-
Rome. In company with his wife and a tablished the invocation of saints and the
faithful servant he crossed the Alps in adoration of the Virgin Mary. From this
midwinter, that he might humble him- sprang also the heresy of eternal torment
self before the pope. Upon reaching the for the finally impenitent, which was early
castle whither Gregory had withdrawn, incorporated into the papal faith.
he was conducted, without his guards,
into an outer court, and there, in the Then the way was prepared for the
severe cold of winter, with uncovered introduction of still another inven-
head and naked feet, and in a miserable tion of paganism, which Rome named
dress, he awaited the pope’s permission to purgatory, and employed to terrify the
come into his presence. Not until he had credulous and superstitious multitudes.
continued three days fasting and making By this heresy is affirmed the existence of
confession, did the pontiff condescend to a place of torment, in which the souls of
grant him pardon. Even then it was only such as have not merited eternal damna-
upon condition that the emperor should tion are to suffer punishment for their
await the sanction of the pope before sins, and from which, when freed from
resuming the insignia or exercising the impurity, they are admitted to heaven.
power of royalty. And Gregory, elated (See Appendix.)
with his triumph, boasted that it was
his duty to pull down the pride of kings. Still another fabrication was needed
to enable Rome to profit by the fears
How striking the contrast between and the vices of her adherents. This was
the overbearing pride of this haughty supplied by the doctrine of indulgences.
pontiff and the meekness and gentle- Full remission of sins, past, present, and
ness of Christ, who represents Himself future, and release from all the pains and
as pleading at the door of the heart for penalties incurred, were promised to all
admittance, that He may come in to who would enlist in the pontiff ’s wars to
bring pardon and peace, and who taught extend his temporal dominion, to punish
his enemies, or to exterminate those who

26 The Great Controversy

dared deny his spiritual supremacy. The of men, both for time and for eternity,
people were also taught that by the pay- seemed under his control. For hundreds
ment of money to the church they might of years the doctrines of Rome had been
free themselves from sin, and also release extensively and implicitly received, its
the souls of their deceased friends who rites reverently performed, its festivals
were confined in the tormenting flames. generally observed. Its clergy were hon-
By such means did Rome fill her coffers ored and liberally sustained. Never since
and sustain the magnificence, luxury, has the Roman Church attained to greater
and vice of the pretended representa- dignity, magnificence, or power.
tives of Him who had not where to lay
His head. (See Appendix.) But “the noon of the papacy was the
midnight of the world.”—J. A. Wylie, The
The Scriptural ordinance of the History of Protestantism, b. 1, ch. 4. The
Lord’s Supper had been supplanted by Holy Scriptures were almost unknown,
the idolatrous sacrifice of the mass. Pa- not only to the people, but to the priests.
pal priests pretended, by their senseless Like the Pharisees of old, the papal leaders
mummery, to convert the simple bread hated the light which would reveal their
and wine into the actual “body and sins. God’s law, the standard of righteous-
blood of Christ.”—Cardinal Wiseman, ness, having been removed, they exercised
The Real Presence of the Body and Blood power without limit, and practiced vice
of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed without restraint. Fraud, avarice, and
Eucharist, Proved From Scripture, lecture profligacy prevailed. Men shrank from no
8, sec. 3, par. 26. With blasphemous crime by which they could gain wealth or
presumption, they openly claimed the position. The palaces of popes and prel-
power of creating God, the Creator of ates were scenes of the vilest debauchery.
all things. Christians were required, Some of the reigning pontiffs were guilty
on pain of death, to avow their faith in of crimes so revolting that secular rulers
this horrible, Heaven-insulting heresy. endeavored to depose these dignitaries
Multitudes who refused were given to of the church as monsters too vile to be
the flames. (See Appendix.) tolerated. For centuries Europe had made
no progress in learning, arts, or civiliza-
In the thirteenth century was estab- tion. A moral and intellectual paralysis
lished that most terrible of all the engines had fallen upon Christendom.
of the papacy—the Inquisition. The
princeof darknesswroughtwiththe lead- The condition of the world under
ers of the papal hierarchy. In their secret the Papal power presented a fearful
councils Satan and his angels controlled and striking fulfillment of the words
the minds of evil men, while unseen in of the prophet Hosea: “My people are
the midst stood an angel of God, taking destroyed for lack of knowledge: because
the fearful record of their iniquitous thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also
decrees and writing the history of deeds reject thee: … seeing thou hast forgotten
too horrible to appear to human eyes. the law of thy God, I will also forget thy
“Babylon the great” was “drunken with children.” “There is no truth, nor mercy,
the blood of the saints.” The mangled nor knowledge of God in the land. By
forms of millions of martyrs cried to God swearing, and lying, and killing, and
for vengeance upon that apostate power. stealing, and committing adultery, they
break out, and blood toucheth blood.”
Popery had become the world’s des- Hosea 4:6, 1, 2. Such were the results of
pot. Kings and emperors bowed to the de- banishing the word of God.
crees of the Roman pontiff. The destinies

CHAPTER 4

The Waldenses

A mid the gloom that settled prevent the Papal leaders from carrying
upon the earth during the long out their purpose.
period of papal supremacy,
the light of truth could not be wholly No church within the limits of
extinguished. In every age there were Roman Catholic jurisdiction was long
witnesses for God—men who cherished left undisturbed in the enjoyment of
faith in Christ as the only mediator freedom of conscience. No sooner had
between God and man, who held the the papacy obtained power than she
Bible as the only rule of life, and who stretched out her arms to crush all that
hallowed the true Sabbath. How much refused to acknowledge her sway, and
the world owes to these men, posterity one after another the churches submit-
will never know. They were branded ted to her dominion.
as heretics, their motives impugned,
their characters maligned, their writ- In Great Britain primitive Chris-
ings suppressed, misrepresented, or tianity had very early taken root. The
mutilated. Yet they stood firm, and gospel received by the Britons in the
from age to age maintained their faith first centuries was then uncorrupted
in its purity, as a sacred heritage for the by Roman apostasy. Persecution from
generations to come. pagan emperors, which extended even
to these far-off shores, was the only gift
The history of God’s people during that the first churches of Britain received
the ages of darkness that followed upon from Rome. Many of the Christians, flee-
Rome’s supremacy is written in heaven, ing from persecution in England, found
but they have little place in human refuge in Scotland; thence the truth
records. Few traces of their existence was carried to Ireland, and in all these
can be found, except in the accusations countries it was received with gladness.
of their persecutors. It was the policy
of Rome to obliterate every trace of When the Saxons invaded Britain,
dissent from her doctrines or decrees. heathenism gained control. The con-
Everything heretical, whether persons or querors disdained to be instructed by
writings, she sought to destroy. Expres- their slaves, and the Christians were
sions of doubt, or questions as to the au- forced to retreat to the mountains and
thority of papal dogmas, were enough to the wild moors. Yet the light, hidden for
forfeit the life of rich or poor, high or low. a time, continued to burn. In Scotland, a
Rome endeavored also to destroy every century later, it shone out with a bright-
record of her cruelty toward dissenters. ness that extended to far-distant lands.
Papal councils decreed that books and From Ireland came the pious Columba
writings containing such records should and his colaborers, who, gathering about
be committed to the flames. Before the them the scattered believers on the
invention of printing, books were few in lonely island of Iona, made this the cen-
number, and in a form not favorable for ter of their missionary labors. Among
preservation; therefore there was little to these evangelists was an observer of
the Bible Sabbath, and thus this truth
was introduced among the people. A

28 The Great Controversy

school was established at Iona, from Britain were destroyed, or forced to
which missionaries went out, not only to submit to the authority of the pope.
Scotland and England, but to Germany,
Switzerland, and even Italy. In lands beyond the jurisdiction of
Rome there existed for many centuries
But Rome had fixed her eyes on bodies of Christians who remained al-
Britain, and resolved to bring it under most wholly free from papal corruption.
her supremacy. In the sixth century They were surrounded by heathenism
her missionaries undertook the con- and in the lapse of ages were affected by
version of the heathen Saxons. They its errors; but they continued to regard
were received with favor by the proud the Bible as the only rule of faith and
barbarians, and they induced many adhered to many of its truths. These
thousands to profess the Catholic faith. Christians believed in the perpetuity
As the work progressed, the papal lead- of the law of God and observed the
ers and their converts encountered the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
primitive Christians. A striking contrast Churches that held to this faith and
was presented. The latter were simple, practice existed in Central Africa and
humble, and Scriptural in character, among the Armenians of Asia.
doctrine, and manners, while the former
manifested the superstition, pomp, and But of those who resisted the en-
arrogance of popery. The emissary of croachments of the papal power, the
Rome demanded that these Christian Waldenses stood foremost. In the very
churches acknowledge the supremacy land where popery had fixed its seat,
of the sovereign pontiff. The Britons there its falsehood and corruption were
meekly replied that they desired to most steadfastly resisted. For centuries
love all men, but that the pope was not the churches of Piedmont maintained
entitled to supremacy in the church, their independence; but the time came
and they could render to him only that at last when Rome insisted upon their
submission which was due to every submission. After ineffectual struggles
follower of Christ. Repeated attempts against her tyranny, the leaders of these
were made to secure their allegiance churches reluctantly acknowledged the
to Rome; but these humble Christians, supremacy of the power to which the
amazed at the pride displayed by her whole world seemed to pay homage.
emissaries, steadfastly replied that they There were some, however, who refused
knew no other master than Christ. Now to yield to the authority of pope or prel-
the true spirit of the papacy was revealed. ate. They were determined to maintain
Said the Papal leader: “If you will not their allegiance to God and to preserve
receive brethren who bring you peace, the purity and simplicity of their faith.
you shall receive enemies who will bring A separation took place. Those who ad-
you war. If you will not unite with us hered to the ancient faith now withdrew;
in showing the Saxons the way of life, some, forsaking their native Alps, raised
you shall receive from them the stroke the banner of truth in foreign lands;
of death.”—J. H. Merle D’Aubigne, His- others retreated to the secluded glens
tory of the Reformation of the Sixteenth and rocky fastnesses of the mountains,
Century, b. 17, ch. 2. These were no idle and there preserved their freedom to
threats. War, intrigue, and deception worship God.
were employed against these witnesses
for a Bible faith, until the churches of The faith which for centuries was
held and taught by the Waldensian
Christians was in marked contrast to

The Waldenses 29

the false doctrines put forth from Rome. that the Sabbath be profaned; and they
Their religious belief was founded upon denounced in the strongest language
the written word of God, the true system those who dared to show it honor. It
of Christianity. But those humble peas- was only by fleeing from the power of
ants, in their obscure retreats, shut away Rome that any could obey God’s law in
from the world, and bound to daily toil peace. (See Appendix.)
among their flocks and their vineyards,
The Waldenses were among the
Their religious belief was founded first of the peoples of Europe to obtain
upon the written word of God, the a translation of the Holy Scriptures. (See
true system of Christianity. Appendix.) Hundreds of years before the
had not by themselves arrived at the Reformation they possessed the Bible in
truth in opposition to the dogmas and manuscript in their native tongue. They
heresies of the apostate church. Theirs had the truth unadulterated, and this
was not a faith newly received. Their rendered them the special objects of ha-
religious belief was their inheritance tred and persecution. They declared the
from their fathers. They contended for Church of Rome to be the apostate Baby-
the faith of the apostolic church,—“the lon of the Apocalypse, and at the peril
faith which was once delivered unto of their lives they stood up to resist her
the saints.” Jude 3. “The church in the corruptions. While, under the pressure
wilderness,” and not the proud hierarchy of long-continued persecution, some
enthroned in the world’s great capital, compromised their faith, little by little
was the true church of Christ, the guard- yielding its distinctive principles, others
ian of the treasures of truth which God held fast the truth. Through ages of dark-
has committed to His people to be given ness and apostasy there were Waldenses
to the world. who denied the supremacy of Rome,
who rejected image worship as idolatry,
Among the leading causes that had and who kept the true Sabbath. Under
led to the separation of the true church the fiercest tempests of opposition they
from Rome was the hatred of the latter maintained their faith. Though gashed
toward the Bible Sabbath. As foretold by by the Savoyard spear, and scorched by
prophecy, the papal power cast down the the fagot, they stood unflinchingly for
truth to the ground. The law of God was God’s word and His honor.
trampled in the dust, while the traditions
and customs of men were exalted. The Behind the lofty bulwarks of the
churches that were under the rule of the mountains—in all ages the refuge of
papacy were early compelled to honor the persecuted and oppressed—the
the Sunday as a holy day. Amid the Waldenses found a hiding place. Here
prevailing error and superstition, many, the light of truth was kept burning amid
even of the true people of God, became the darkness of the Middle Ages. Here,
so bewildered that while they observed for a thousand years, witnesses for the
the Sabbath, they refrained from labor truth maintained the ancient faith.
also on the Sunday. But this did not sat-
isfy the papal leaders. They demanded God had provided for His people a
not only that Sunday be hallowed, but sanctuary of awful grandeur, befitting
the mighty truths committed to their
trust. To those faithful exiles the moun-
tains were an emblem of the immutable
righteousness of Jehovah. They pointed
their children to the heights towering

30 The Great Controversy

above them in unchanging majesty, and taught to regard sacredly the claims
and spoke to them of Him with whom of the law of God. Copies of the Bible
there is no variableness nor shadow of were rare; therefore its precious words
turning, whose word is as enduring as were committed to memory. Many were
the everlasting hills. God had set fast able to repeat large portions of both the
the mountains and girded them with Old and the New Testament. Thoughts
strength; no arm but that of Infinite of God were associated alike with the
Power could move them out of their sublime scenery of nature and with
place. In like manner He had established the humble blessings of daily life. Little
His law, the foundation of His govern- children learned to look with gratitude
ment in heaven and upon earth. The arm to God as the giver of every favor and
of man might reach his fellow men and every comfort.
destroy their lives; but that arm could
as readily uproot the mountains from Parents, tender and affectionate as
their foundations, and hurl them into they were, loved their children too wisely
the sea, as it could change one precept to accustom them to self-indulgence.
of the law of Jehovah, or blot out one of Before them was a life of trial and hard-
His promises to those who do His will. ship, perhaps a martyr’s death. They
In their fidelity to His law, God’s servants were educated from childhood to endure
should be as firm as the unchanging hills. hardness, to submit to control, and yet
to think and act for themselves. Very
The mountains that girded their early they were taught to bear responsi-
lowly valleys were a constant witness bilities, to be guarded in speech, and to
to God’s creative power, and a never- understand the wisdom of silence. One
failing assurance of His protecting care. indiscreet word let fall in the hearing of
Those pilgrims learned to love the silent their enemies might imperil not only
symbols of Jehovah’s presence. They the life of the speaker, but the lives of
indulged no repining because of the hundreds of his brethren; for as wolves
hardships of their lot; they were never hunting their prey did the enemies of
lonely amid the mountain solitudes. truth pursue those who dared to claim
They thanked God that He had provided freedom of religious faith.
for them an asylum from the wrath
and cruelty of men. They rejoiced in The Waldenses had sacrificed their
their freedom to worship before Him. worldly prosperity for the truth’s sake,
Often when pursued by their enemies, and with persevering patience they toiled
the strength of the hills proved a sure for their bread. Every spot of tillable
defense. From many a lofty cliff they land among the mountains was care-
chanted the praise of God, and the fully improved; the valleys and the less
armies of Rome could not silence their fertile hillsides were made to yield their
songs of thanksgiving. increase. Economy and severe self-denial
formed a part of the education which the
Pure, simple, and fervent was the children received as their only legacy.
piety of these followers of Christ. The They were taught that God designs life
principles of truth they valued above to be a discipline, and that their wants
houses and lands, friends, kindred, even could be supplied only by personal
life itself. These principles they earnestly labor, by forethought, care, and faith.
sought to impress upon the hearts of The process was laborious and weari-
the young. From earliest childhood the some, but it was wholesome, just what
youth were instructed in the Scriptures man needs in his fallen state, the school

The Waldenses 31

which God has provided for his training were added by those who were able
and development. While the youth were to expound the Scriptures. Thus were
inured to toil and hardship, the culture of brought forth the treasures of truth so
the intellect was not neglected. They were long concealed by those who sought to
taught that all their powers belonged to exalt themselves above God.
God, and that all were to be improved
and developed for His service. By patient, untiring labor, some-
times in the deep, dark caverns of the
The Vaudois churches, in their earth, by the light of torches, the Sacred
purity and simplicity, resembled the Scriptures were written out, verse by
church of apostolic times. Rejecting verse, chapter by chapter. Thus the work
the supremacy of the pope and prelate, went on, the revealed will of God shining
they held the Bible as the only supreme, out like pure gold; how much brighter,
infallible authority. Their pastors, unlike clearer, and more powerful because of
the lordly priests of Rome, followed the the trials undergone for its sake only
example of their Master, who “came not those could realize who were engaged
to be ministered unto, but to minister.” in the work. Angels from heaven sur-
They fed the flock of God, leading rounded these faithful workers.
them to the green pastures and living
fountains of His holy word. Far from the Satan had urged on the papal priests
monuments of human pomp and pride and prelates to bury the word of truth
the people assembled, not in magnifi- beneath the rubbish of error, heresy, and
cent churches or grand cathedrals, but superstition; but in a most wonderful
beneath the shadow of the mountains, in manner it was preserved uncorrupted
the Alpine valleys, or, in time of danger, through all the ages of darkness. It bore
in some rocky stronghold, to listen to not the stamp of man, but the impress
the words of truth from the servants of of God. Men have been unwearied in
Christ. The pastors not only preached their efforts to obscure the plain, simple
the gospel, but they visited the sick, meaning of the Scriptures, and to make
catechized the children, admonished the them contradict their own testimony;
erring, and labored to settle disputes and but like the ark upon the billowy deep,
promote harmony and brotherly love. In the word of God outrides the storms that
times of peace they were sustained by the threaten it with destruction. As the mine
freewill offerings of the people; but, like has rich veins of gold and silver hidden
Paul the tentmaker, each learned some beneath the surface, so that all must dig
trade or profession by which, if neces- who would discover its precious stores,
sary, to provide for his own support. so the Holy Scriptures have treasures
of truth that are revealed only to the
From their pastors the youth re- earnest, humble, prayerful seeker. God
ceived instruction. While attention was designed the Bible to be a lessonbook to
given to branches of general learning, all mankind, in childhood, youth, and
the Bible was made the chief study. manhood, and to be studied through
The Gospels of Matthew and John all time. He gave His word to men as a
were committed to memory, with many revelation of Himself. Every new truth
of the Epistles. They were employed discerned is a fresh disclosure of the
also in copying the Scriptures. Some character of its Author. The study of
manuscripts contained the whole Bible, the Scriptures is the means divinely
others only brief selections, to which ordained to bring men into closer con-
some simple explanations of the text nection with their Creator and to give

32 The Great Controversy

them a clearer knowledge of His will. It is renewed heart is to bring others also to
the medium of communication between the Saviour. Such was the spirit of the
God and man. Vaudois Christians. They felt that God
required more of them than merely to
While the Waldenses regarded preserve the truth in its purity in their
the fear of the Lord as the beginning own churches; that a solemn respon-
of wisdom, they were not blind to the sibility rested upon them to let their
importance of a contact with the world, light shine forth to those who were in
a knowledge of men and of active life, darkness; by the mighty power of God’s
in expanding the mind and quickening word they sought to break the bondage
the perceptions. From their schools in which Rome had imposed. The Vaudois
the mountains some of the youth were ministers were trained as missionaries,
sent to institutions of learning in the everyone who expected to enter the
cities of France or Italy, where was a ministry being required first to gain an
more extended field for study, thought, experience as an evangelist. Each was to
and observation than in their native serve three years in some mission field
Alps. The youth thus sent forth were before taking charge of a church at home.
exposed to temptation, they witnessed This service, requiring at the outset
vice, they encountered Satan’s wily self-denial and sacrifice, was a fitting
agents, who urged upon them the most introduction to the pastor’s life in those
subtle heresies and the most dangerous times that tried men’s souls. The youth
deceptions. But their education from who received ordination to the sacred of-
childhood had been of a character to fice saw before them, not the prospect of
prepare them for all this. earthly wealth and glory, but a life of toil
and danger, and possibly a martyr’s fate.
In the schools whither they went, The missionaries went out two and two,
they were not to make confidants of as Jesus sent forth His disciples. With
any. Their garments were so prepared as each young man was usually associated
to conceal their greatest treasure—the a man of age and experience, the youth
precious manuscripts of the Scriptures. being under the guidance of his com-
These, the fruit of months and years panion, who was held responsible for his
of toil, they carried with them, and training, and whose instruction he was
whenever they could do so without required to heed. These colaborers were
exciting suspicion, they cautiously not always together, but often met for
placed some portion in the way of those prayer and counsel, thus strengthening
whose hearts seemed open to receive each other in the faith.
the truth. From their mother’s knee the
Waldensian youth had been trained with To have made known the object of
this purpose in view; they understood their mission would have ensured its
their work and faithfully performed defeat; therefore they carefully concealed
it. Converts to the true faith were won their real character. Every minister
in these institutions of learning, and possessed a knowledge of some trade
frequently its principles were found to or profession, and the missionaries
be permeating the entire school; yet the prosecuted their work under cover of a
papal leaders could not, by the closest secular calling. Usually they chose that of
inquiry, trace the so-called corrupting merchant or peddler. “They carried silks,
heresy to its source. jewelry, and otherarticles,atthattimenot
easily purchasable save at distant marts;
The spirit of Christ is a mission-
ary spirit. The very first impulse of the

The Waldenses 33

and they were welcomed as merchants in Jesus. As the light illuminated their
where they would have been spurned as understanding and made glad their
missionaries.”—Wylie, b. 1, ch. 7. All the hearts, they longed to shed its beams
while their hearts were uplifted to God upon those who were in the darkness
for wisdom to present a treasure more of papal error.
precious than gold or gems. They secretly
carried about with them copies of the They saw that under the guidance of
Bible, in whole or in part; and whenever pope and priest, multitudes were vainly
an opportunity was presented, they called endeavoring to obtain pardon by afflict-
the attention of their customers to these ing their bodies for the sin of their souls.
manuscripts. Often an interest to read Taught to trust to their good works to
God’s word was thus awakened, and save them, they were ever looking to
some portion was gladly left with those themselves, their minds dwelling upon
who desired to receive it. their sinful condition, seeing themselves
exposed to the wrath of God, afflicting
The work of these missionaries soul and body, yet finding no relief.
began in the plains and valleys at the Thus conscientious souls were bound
foot of their own mountains, but it by the doctrines of Rome. Thousands
extended far beyond these limits. With abandoned friends and kindred, and
naked feet and in garments coarse and spent their lives in convent cells. By oft-
travel-stained as were those of their repeated fasts and cruel scourgings, by
Master, they passed through great midnight vigils, by prostration for weary
cities and penetrated to distant lands. hours upon the cold, damp stones of
Everywhere they scattered the precious their dreary abode, by long pilgrimages,
seed. Churches sprang up in their path, by humiliating penance and fearful tor-
and the blood of martyrs witnessed for ture, thousands vainly sought to obtain
the truth. The day of God will reveal a peace of conscience. Oppressed with a
rich harvest of souls garnered by the sense of sin, and haunted with the fear
labors of these faithful men. Veiled and of God’s avenging wrath, many suffered
silent, the word of God was making its on, until exhausted nature gave way, and
way through Christendom and meet- without one ray of light or hope they
ing a glad reception in the homes and sank into the tomb.
hearts of men.
The Waldenses longed to break to
To the Waldenses the Scriptures these starving souls the bread of life, to
were not merely a record of God’s deal- open to them the messages of peace in
ings with men in the past, and a revela- the promises of God, and to point them
tion of the responsibilities and duties to Christ as their only hope of salva-
of the present, but an unfolding of the tion. The doctrine that good works can
perils and glories of the future. They atone for the transgression of God’s law
believed that the end of all things was they held to be based upon falsehood.
not far distant, and as they studied the Reliance upon human merit intercepts
Bible with prayer and tears they were the the view of Christ’s infinite love. Jesus
more deeply impressed with its precious died as a sacrifice for man because the
utterances and with their duty to make fallen race can do nothing to recom-
known to others its saving truths. They mend themselves to God. The merits
saw the plan of salvation clearly revealed of a crucified and risen Saviour are the
in the sacred pages, and they found foundation of the Christian’s faith. The
comfort, hope, and peace in believing dependence of the soul upon Christ is as

34 The Great Controversy

real, and its connection with Him must wilderness, even so must the Son of man
be as close, as that of a limb to the body, be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in
or of a branch to the vine. Him should not perish, but have eternal
life.” John 3:14, 15.
The teachings of popes and priests
had led men to look upon the character Many were undeceived in regard to
of God, and even of Christ, as stern, the claims of Rome. They saw how vain is
gloomy, and forbidding. The Saviour the mediation of men or angels in behalf
was represented as so far devoid of sym- of the sinner. As the true light dawned
pathy with man in his fallen state that the upon their minds they exclaimed with
mediation of priests and saints must be rejoicing: “Christ is my priest; His blood is
invoked. Those whose minds had been my sacrifice; His altar is my confessional.”
enlightened by the word of God longed They cast themselves wholly upon the
to point these souls to Jesus as their merits of Jesus, repeating the words,
compassionate, loving Saviour, standing “Without faith it is impossible to please
with outstretched arms, inviting all to Him.” Hebrews 11:6. “There is none other
come to Him with their burden of sin, name under heaven given among men,
their care and weariness. They longed whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
to clear away the obstructions which
Satan had piled up that men might not The assurance of a Saviour’s love
see the promises, and come directly to seemed too much for some of these
God, confessing their sins, and obtaining poor tempest-tossed souls to realize.
pardon and peace. So great was the relief which it brought,
such a flood of light was shed upon
Eagerly did the Vaudois missionary them, that they seemed transported to
unfold to the inquiring mind the pre- heaven. Their hands were laid confid-
cious truths of the gospel. Cautiously he ingly in the hand of Christ; their feet
produced the carefully written portions were planted upon the Rock of Ages. All
of the Holy Scriptures. It was his greatest fear of death was banished. They could
joy to give hope to the conscientious, now covet the prison and the fagot if
sin-stricken soul, who could see only they might thereby honor the name of
a God of vengeance, waiting to execute their Redeemer.
justice. With quivering lip and tearful
eye did he, often on bended knees, open In secret places the word of God was
to his brethren the precious promises thus brought forth and read, sometimes
that reveal the sinner’s only hope. Thus to a single soul, sometimes to a little
the light of truth penetrated many a company who were longing for light and
darkened mind, rolling back the cloud truth. Often the entire night was spent
of gloom, until the Sun of Righteousness in this manner. So great would be the
shone into the heart with healing in His wonder and admiration of the listeners
beams. It was often the case that some that the messenger of mercy was not
portion of Scripture was read again infrequently compelled to cease his
and again, the hearer desiring it to be reading until the understanding could
repeated, as if he would assure himself grasp the tidings of salvation. Often
that he had heard aright. Especially was would words like these be uttered: “Will
the repetition of these words eagerly God indeed accept my offering? Will He
desired: “The blood of Jesus Christ His smile upon me? Will He pardon me?”
Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. The answer was read: “Come unto Me,
“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the all ye that labor and are heavy-laden,
and I will give your rest.” Matthew 11:28.

The Waldenses 35

Faith grasped the promise, and the The Waldensian missionaries were
glad response was heard: “No more long invading the kingdom of Satan, and the
pilgrimages to make; no more painful powers of darkness aroused to greater
journeys to holy shrines. I may come to vigilance. Every effort to advance the truth
Jesus just as I am, sinful and unholy, and was watched by the prince of evil, and he
He will not spurn the penitential prayer. excited the fears of his agents. The papal
‘Thy sins be forgiven thee.’ Mine, even leaders saw a portent of danger to their
mine, may be forgiven!” cause from the labors of these humble itin-
erants. If the light of truth were allowed to
A tide of sacred joy would fill the shine unobstructed, it would sweep away
heart, and the name of Jesus would be the heavy clouds of error that enveloped
magnified by praise and thanksgiving. the people. It would direct the minds of
Those happy souls returned to their men to God alone and would eventually
homes to diffuse light, to repeat to destroy the supremacy of Rome.
others, as well as they could, their new
experience; that they had found the true The very existence of this people,
and living Way. There was a strange and holding the faith of the ancient church,
solemn power in the words of Scripture was a constant testimony to Rome’s
that spoke directly to the hearts of those apostasy, and therefore excited the most
who were longing for the truth. It was the bitter hatred and persecution. Their
voice of God, and it carried conviction refusal to surrender the Scriptures was
to those who heard. also an offense that Rome could not
tolerate. She determined to blot them
The messenger of truth went on from the earth. Now began the most
his way; but his appearance of humil- terrible crusades against God’s people in
ity, his sincerity, his earnestness and their mountain homes. Inquisitors were
deep fervor, were subjects of frequent
remark. In many instances his hearers The very existence of this people,
had not asked him whence he came holding the faith of the ancient
or whither he went. They had been so church, was a constant testimony
overwhelmed, at first with surprise, to Rome’s apostasy, and therefore
and afterward with gratitude and joy, excited the most bitter hatred
that they had not thought to question and persecution.
him. When they had urged him to ac- put upon their track, and the scene of
company them to their homes, he had innocent Abel falling before the murder-
replied that he must visit the lost sheep ous Cain was often repeated.
of the flock. Could he have been an angel
from heaven? they queried. Again and again were their fertile
lands laid waste, their dwellings and
In many cases the messenger of truth chapels swept away, so that where once
was seen no more. He had made his way were flourishing fields and the homes of
to other lands, or he was wearing out an innocent, industrious people, there
his life in some unknown dungeon, or remained only a desert. As the ravenous
perhaps his bones were whitening on beast is rendered more furious by the
the spot where he had witnessed for the taste of blood, so the rage of the papists
truth. But the words he had left behind was kindled to greater intensity by the
could not be destroyed. They were do-
ing their work in the hearts of men; the
blessed results will be fully known only
in the judgment.

36 The Great Controversy

sufferings of their victims. Many of these kill any heretic. It annulled all contracts
witnesses for a pure faith were pursued made in favor of Vaudois, ordered their
across the mountains and hunted down in domestics to abandon them, forbade all
the valleys where they were hidden, shut persons to give them any aid whatever,
in by mighty forests and pinnacles of rock. and empowered all persons to take pos-
session of their property.”—Wylie, b. 16,
No charge could be brought against ch. 1. This document clearly reveals the
the moral character of this proscribed master spirit behind the scenes. It is the
class. Even their enemies declared them roar of the dragon, and not the voice of
to be a peaceable, quiet, pious people. Christ, that is heard therein.
Their grand offense was that they would
not worship God according to the will of The papal leaders would not con-
the pope. For this crime every humilia- form their characters to the great stan-
tion, insult, and torture that men or dev- dard of God’s law, but erected a standard
ils could invent was heaped upon them. to suit themselves, and determined to
compel all to conform to this because
When Rome at one time determined Rome willed it. The most horrible trag-
to exterminate the hated sect, a bull edies were enacted. Corrupt and blas-
was issued by the pope, condemning phemous priests and popes were doing
them as heretics, and delivering them the work which Satan appointed them.
to slaughter. (See Appendix.) They were Mercy had no place in their natures. The
not accused as idlers, or dishonest, or same spirit that crucified Christ and slew
disorderly; but it was declared that they the apostles, the same that moved the
had an appearance of piety and sanc- bloodthirsty Nero against the faithful in
tity that seduced “the sheep of the true his day, was at work to rid the earth of
fold.” Therefore the pope ordered “that those who were beloved of God.
malicious and abominable sect of ma-
lignants,” if they “refuse to abjure, to be The persecutions visited for many
crushed like venomous snakes.”—Wylie, centuries upon this God-fearing people
b. 16, ch. 1. Did this haughty potentate were endured by them with a patience
expect to meet those words again? Did and constancy that honored their Re-
he know that they were registered in deemer. Notwithstanding the crusades
the books of heaven, to confront him against them, and the inhuman butch­­
at the judgment? “Inasmuch as ye have ery to which they were subjected, they
done it unto one of the least of these continued to send out their missionaries
My brethren,” said Jesus, “ye have done to scatter the precious truth. They were
it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40. hunted to death; yet their blood watered
the seed sown, and it failed not of yielding
This bull called upon all members fruit. Thus the Waldenses witnessed for
of the church to join the crusade against God centuries before the birth of Luther.
the heretics. As an incentive to engage Scattered over many lands, they planted
in this cruel work, it “absolved from all the seeds of the Reformation that began
ecclesiastical pains and penalties, gen- in the time of Wycliffe, grew broad and
eral and particular; it released all who deep in the days of Luther, and is to be
joined the crusade from any oaths they carried forward to the close of time by
might have taken; it legitimatized their those who also are willing to suffer all
title to any property they might have things for “the word of God, and for the
illegally acquired; and promised remis- testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:9.
sion of all their sins to such as should

CHAPTER 5

John Wycliffe

B efore the Reformation there were in the emancipation of individuals, of
at times but very few copies of the churches, and of nations.
Bible in existence, but God had
not suffered His word to be wholly Wycliffe received a liberal education,
destroyed. Its truths were not to be for- and with him the fear of the Lord was
ever hidden. He could as easily unchain the beginning of wisdom. He was noted
the words of life as He could open prison at college for his fervent piety as well as
doors and unbolt iron gates to set His for his remarkable talents and sound
servants free. In the different countries scholarship. In his thirst for knowl-
of Europe men were moved by the Spirit edge he sought to become acquainted
of God to search for the truth as for hid with every branch of learning. He was
treasures. Providentially guided to the educated in the scholastic philosophy,
Holy Scriptures, they studied the sacred in the canons of the church, and in
pages with intense interest. They were the civil law, especially that of his own
willing to accept the light at any cost to country. In his after labors the value of
themselves. Though they did not see this early training was apparent. A thor-
all things clearly, they were enabled ough acquaintance with the speculative
to perceive many long-buried truths. philosophy of his time enabled him to
As Heaven-sent messengers they went expose its errors; and by his study of
forth, rending asunder the chains of er- national and ecclesiastical law he was
ror and superstition, and calling upon prepared to engage in the great struggle
those who had been so long enslaved, for civil and religious liberty. While he
to arise and assert their liberty. could wield the weapons drawn from
the word of God, he had acquired the
Except among the Waldenses, the intellectual discipline of the schools,
word of God had for ages been locked up and he understood the tactics of the
in languages known only to the learned; schoolmen. The power of his genius
but the time had come for the Scriptures and the extent and thoroughness of his
to be translated and given to the people knowledge commanded the respect of
of different lands in their native tongue. both friends and foes. His adherents
The world had passed its midnight. The saw with satisfaction that their cham-
hours of darkness were wearing away, pion stood foremost among the leading
and in many lands appeared tokens of minds of the nation; and his enemies
the coming dawn. were prevented from casting contempt
upon the cause of reform by exposing the
In the fourteenth century arose in ignorance or weakness of its supporter.
England the “morning star of the Refor-
mation.” John Wycliffe was the herald of While Wycliffe was still at college, he
reform, not for England alone, but for all entered upon the study of the Scriptures.
Christendom. The great protest against In those early times, when the Bible
Rome which it was permitted him to ut- existed only in the ancient languages,
ter was never to be silenced. That protest scholars were enabled to find their way
opened the struggle which was to result to the fountain of truth, which was

38 The Great Controversy

closed to the uneducated classes. Thus the people had become dissatisfied with
already the way had been prepared for their former faith as they saw the iniquity
Wycliffe’s future work as a Reformer. that prevailed in the Roman Church, and
Men of learning had studied the word they hailed with unconcealed joy the
of God and had found the great truth truths brought to view by Wycliffe; but
of His free grace there revealed. In their the papal leaders were filled with rage
teachings they had spread a knowledge when they perceived that this Reformer
of this truth, and had led others to turn was gaining an influence greater than
to the living oracles. their own.

When Wycliffe’s attention was Wycliffe was a keen detector of error,
directed to the Scriptures, he entered and he struck fearlessly against many of
upon their investigation with the same the abuses sanctioned by the authority
thoroughness which had enabled him of Rome. While acting as chaplain for
to master the learning of the schools. the king, he took a bold stand against the
Heretofore he had felt a great want, payment of tribute claimed by the pope
which neither his scholastic studies nor from the English monarch and showed
the teaching of the church could satisfy. that the papal assumption of authority
In the word of God he found that which over secular rulers was contrary to both
he had before sought in vain. Here he reason and revelation. The demands
saw the plan of salvation revealed and of the pope had excited great indigna-
Christ set forth as the only advocate for tion, and Wycliffe’s teachings exerted
man. He gave himself to the service of an influence upon the leading minds
Christ and determined to proclaim the of the nation. The king and the nobles
truths he had discovered. united in denying the pontiff ’s claim to
temporal authority and in refusing the
Like after Reformers, Wycliffe did payment of the tribute. Thus an effec-
not, at the opening of his work, foresee tual blow was struck against the papal
whither it would lead him. He did not supremacy in England.
set himself deliberately in opposition to
Rome. But devotion to truth could not Another evil against which the Re-
but bring him in conflict with falsehood. former waged long and resolute battle
The more clearly he discerned the errors was the institution of the orders of
of the papacy, the more earnestly he mendicant friars. These friars swarmed
presented the teaching of the Bible. He in England, casting a blight upon the
saw that Rome had forsaken the word of greatness and prosperity of the nation.
God for human tradition; he fearlessly Industry, education, morals, all felt the
accused the priesthood of having ban- withering influence. The monk’s life
ished the Scriptures, and demanded that of idleness and beggary was not only a
the Bible be restored to the people and heavy drain upon the resources of the
that its authority be again established in people, but it brought useful labor into
the church. He was an able and earnest contempt. The youth were demoral-
teacher and an eloquent preacher, and ized and corrupted. By the influence of
his daily life was a demonstration of the the friars many were induced to enter
truths he preached. His knowledge of the a cloister and devote themselves to a
Scriptures, the force of his reasoning, monastic life, and this not only without
the purity of his life, and his unbend- the consent of their parents, but even
ing courage and integrity won for him without their knowledge and contrary
general esteem and confidence. Many of to their commands. One of the early