Reading Journal Week 19 - Asking Questions and Wondering - 2016

The Great Controversy

Ellen G. White

Questions 

1. What caused the Destruction of Jerusalem? 

2. What were the persecutions like in the first centuries?

3. How did they get through them?

4. Where there less Christians because of this? 

5. What did Satan urge the papal priests and prelates do?

Answering

1. The Jews had to much pride over the nation. Christ also saw in Jerusalem a symbol of the world hardened in unbelief and rebellion, and hastening on to meet the retributive judgement of God. The long-suffering of God toward Jerusalem only confirmed the Jews in their stubborn impenitence.

2. The followers of Christ must tread the same path of humiliation, reproach, and suffering which their Master trod.

3. The Christian got through the persecutions with words of faith, patience, and hope they encouraged one another to endure privation and distress. 

4. The more the Christians had faith in God the more people wanted to follow him.

5. Satan urged them to bury the word of truth beneath the rubbish of error, heresy, and superstition.