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because He suffers the basest of men to prosper； while the best and purest
are afflicted and tormented by their cruel power。 How； it is asked； can One
who is just and merciful； and who is also infinite in power； tolerate such
injustice and oppression？ This is a question with which we have nothing to
do。 God has given us sufficient evidence of His love； and we are not to
doubt His goodness because we cannot understand the workings of His
providence。 Said the Saviour to His disciples； foreseeing the doubts that
would press upon their souls in days of trial and darkness： 〃Remember the
word that I said unto you； The servant is not greater than his lord。 If they
have persecuted Me； they will also persecute you。〃 John 15：20。 Jesus
suffered for us more than any of His followers can be made to suffer through
the cruelty of wicked men。 Those who are called to endure torture and
martyrdom are but following in the steps of God's dear Son。
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〃The Lord is not slack concerning His promise。〃 2 Peter 3：9。 He does not
forget or neglect His children； but He permits the wicked to reveal their
true character； that none who desire to do His will may be deceived
concerning them。 Again； the righteous are placed in the furnace of
affliction； that they themselves may be purified； that their example may
convince others of the reality of faith and godliness； and also that their
consistent course may condemn the ungodly and unbelieving。
God permits the wicked to prosper and to reveal their enmity against Him；
that when they shall have filled up the measure of their iniquity all may
see His justice and mercy in their utter destruction。 The day of His
vengeance hastens； when all who have transgressed His law and oppressed His
people will meet the just recompense of their deeds； when every act of
cruelty or injustice toward God's faithful ones will be punished as though
done to Christ Himself。
There is another and more important question that should engage the
attention of the churches of today。 The apostle Paul declares that 〃all that
will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution。〃 2 Timothy 3：12。
Why is it； then； that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber？ The
only reason is that the church has conformed to the world's standard and
therefore awakens no opposition。 The religion which is current in our day is
not of the pure and holy character that marked the Christian faith in the
days of Christ and His apostles。 It is only because of the spirit of
compromise with sin； because the great truths of the word of God are so
indifferently regarded； because there is so little vital godliness in the
church； that Christianity is apparently so popular with the world。 Let there
be a revival of the faith and power of the early church； and the spirit of
persecution will be revived； and the fires of persecution will be rekindled。
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Chapter 3
An Era of Spiritual Darkness
The apostle Paul； in his second letter to the Thessalonians； foretold the
great apostasy which would result in the establishment of the papal power。
He declared that the day of Christ should not come； 〃except there come a
falling away first； and that man of sin be revealed； the son of perdition；
who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God； or that is
worshiped； so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God； showing himself
that he is God。〃 And furthermore； the apostle warns his brethren that 〃the
mystery of iniquity doth already work。〃 2 Thessalonians 2：3； 4； 7。 Even at
that early date he saw； creeping into the church； errors that would prepare
the way for the development of the papacy。
Little by little； at first in stealth and silence； and then more openly as
it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men； 〃the
mystery of iniquity〃 carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work。
Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the
Christian church。 The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for
a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism。
But as persecution ceased； and Christianity entered the courts and palaces
of kings； she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles
for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers； and in place of the
requirements of God； she substituted human theories and traditions。 The
nominal conversion of Constantine；
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in the early part of the fourth century； caused great rejoicing； and the
world； cloaked with a form of righteousness； walked into the church。 Now the
work of corruption rapidly progressed。 Paganism； while appearing to be
vanquished； became the conqueror。 Her spirit controlled the church。 Her
doctrines； ceremonies； and superstitions were incorporated into the faith
and worship of the professed followers of Christ。
This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the
development of 〃the man of sin〃 foretold in prophecy as opposing and
exalting himself above God。 That gigantic system of false religion is a
masterpiece of Satan's powera monument of his efforts to seat himself upon
the throne to rule the earth according to his will。
Satan once endeavored to form a compromise with Christ。 He came to the Son
of God in the wilderness of temptation； and showing Him all the kingdoms of
the world and the glory of them； offered to give all into His hands if He
would but acknowledge the supremacy of the prince of darkness。 Christ
rebuked the presumptuous tempter and forced him to depart。 But Satan meets
with greater success in presenting the same temptations to man。 To secure
worldly gains and honors； the church was led to seek the favor and support
of the great men of earth； and having thus rejected Christ； she was induced
to yield allegiance to the representative of Satan the bishop of Rome。
It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the visible
head of the universal church of Christ； invested with supreme authority over
bishops and pastors in all parts of the world。 More than this； the pope has
been given the very titles of Deity。 He has been styled 〃Lord God the Pope〃
（see Appendix）； and has been declared infallible。 He demands the homage of
all men。 The same claim urged by Satan in the wilderness of temptation is
still urged by him through the Church of Rome； and vast numbers are ready to
yield him homage。
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But those who fear and reverence God meet this heaven…daring assumption as
Christ met the solicitations of the wily foe： 〃Thou shalt worship the Lord
thy God； and Him only shalt thou serve。〃 Luke 4：8。 God has never given a
hint in His word that He has appointed any man to be the head of the church。
The doctrine of papal supremacy is directly opposed to the teachings of the
Scriptures。 The pope can have no power over Christ's church except by
usurpation。
Romanists have persisted in bringing against Protestants the charge of
heresy and willful separation