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The Great Controversy
faithful disciples have excited the hatred and opposition of those who
love and follow the ways of sin.
How, then, can the gospel be called a message of peace? When
Isaiah foretold the birth of the Messiah, he ascribed to Him the ti-
tle, “Prince of Peace.” When angels announced to the shepherds that
Christ was born, they sang above the plains of Bethlehem: “Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14
. There is a seeming contradiction between these prophetic
declarations and the words of Christ: “I came not to send peace, but a
sword.”
Matthew 10:34
. But, rightly understood, the two are in perfect
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harmony. The gospel is a message of peace. Christianity is a system
which, received and obeyed, would spread peace, harmony, and hap-
piness throughout the earth. The religion of Christ will unite in close
brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the mission of Jesus
to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the world at
large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe. The gospel
presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance with
their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They hate
the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they persecute
and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims.
It is in this sense—because the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred
and strife—that the gospel is called a sword.
The mysterious providence which permits the righteous to suffer
persecution at the hand of the wicked has been a cause of great per-
plexity to many who are weak in faith. Some are even ready to cast
away their confidence in God 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