June 15, 2023 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | Ted N.C. Wilson, President, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Hello, friends. In our journey through The Great Controversy, we have been looking at the lives of brave men who were willing to sacrifice their very lives so people could have the Bible in their own language. Last week, we learned about William Tyndale, who was strangled to death and then burned at the stake for translating the Bible into the English language.
But even though Tyndale was gone, the seeds of truth he had sown through the Word of God lived on, encouraging others, such as John Knox, to continue the work.
When Knox was brought before the queen of Scotland and charged with heresy, he boldly stated that true religion did not come from the state, but from God’s Word.
The queen answered him, saying, “[You] interpret the Scriptures in one manner, and they [the Roman Catholic teachers] interpret in another; whom shall I believe, and who shall be judge?” (The Great Controversy, p. 251).
This was a very important question—one that is still relevant for us today; when there are differing opinions about what a text in the Bible means, how can we know what the truth actually is?
John Knox’s answer resonates down the centuries to us today: “Ye shall believe God, that plainly speaketh in His word.” He continued, “The word of God is plain in itself; and if there appear any obscurity in one place, the Holy Ghost, which is never contrary to Himself, explains the same more clearly in other places, so that there can remain no doubt but unto such as obstinately remain ignorant” (The Great Controversy, p. 251).
In other words, we don’t need to be confused about what the Bible says. If we approach it with an open and humble heart, asking for the Holy Spirit to guide us, the meaning of the text will become clear.
Because of the faithfulness of John Knox, and others like him, the Reformation gradually took hold in Scotland. In England, the establishment of Protestantism as the national religion diminished, but did not wholly stop, persecution. Instead of the pope, the country’s monarch was placed as the head of the state church. The great principle of religious liberty was not yet understood, and people were not allowed to worship according to their conscience.
Everyone was required to accept the doctrines and observe the forms of worship prescribed by the established church. Those who did not agree suffered persecution. Thousands of pastors were expelled from their positions. The people were forbidden, on pain of heavy fines, imprisonment, and banishment, to attend any religious meetings except those sanctioned by the official church.
John Bunyan, a powerful preacher, was thrown into prison for preaching God’s Word. Locked away for 12 years, Bunyan’s witness could not be stopped. He began writing books, including the popularly influential Christian book, The Pilgrim’s Progress. Published in two parts—the first in 1678 and the second in 1684—this amazing book has sold more copies than any book other than the Bible.
“For over two hundred years that voice from Bedford jail has spoken with thrilling power to the hearts of men,” writes Ellen White. “Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners have guided many feet into the path of life” (The Great Controversy, p. 252).
A hundred years after Bunyan, during a time of great spiritual darkness, God raised up others to carry the light, including brothers John and Charles Wesley. By the mid-eighteenth century, the great doctrine of justification by faith, so clearly taught by Luther and other reformers, had been nearly lost sight of, and the idea of trusting in good works for salvation was again part of mainstream religious thinking.
The Wesley brothers were members of the established church but were sincere seekers after God. They had been taught they could win God’s favor through a virtuous life and observing the ordinances of the church. Longing to be right with God, they tried to live a life of self-denial, but still did not have peace.
Then, after being ordained to the ministry, John and Charles Wesley were sent on a mission to what were then the British colonies in America. Onboard the ship was a group of Moravians, descendants of the earliest Protestant Church established by John Huss in the early fifteenth century.
During the voyage, violent storms broke out, and the ship was thrown to and fro on the foaming sea. Being brought face to face with possible death, John Wesley felt keenly that he did not have the assurance of peace with God. On the other hand, he noticed the Moravians exhibited perfect calmness and trust, even when the sea broke over the ship and split the mainsail in pieces. While others were screaming, the Moravians continued to sing.
Later, Wesley asked one of them, “‘Were you not afraid?’ He answered, ‘I thank God, no.'” Still curious, Wesley continued, “‘But were not your women and children afraid?’ He replied mildly, ‘No; our women and children are not afraid to die'” (The Great Controversy, p. 255).
Friends, today, God longs to give us that same kind of peace. As the storms of life beat down upon us, and at times perhaps everything seems lost, we can still have peace in the midst of the storm. Jesus promises us in Isaiah 43:1-3—“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Would you like to have this peace that Jesus offers you right now? If so, I invite you to bow your head as we pray.
Loving Father, we thank You for the wonderful opportunity of resting comfortably in Your protection and care and realizing that our future is completely secure in Your hands. Help us to rest upon the promises found in Your Word and the knowledge that You have everything under control. So Lord, bless all those who are listening and watching right now, and may they feel the peace of heaven. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.