Examples of Human Steadfastness

The steadfast stance that most biblical characters of old displayed to the world in the face of trials, discomfort, persecution, infidelity, and death, is foolproof to those of us who are following in their steps today, battling with deprivation, injustice, threats, trials, and sore distress.

The Spirit that instills this precious and special grace in historic Christians, provides lessons and experiences of wonderful strength and comfort as we go through hard times, preparing to meet storms of opposition and fierce and intense persecution.

Words of hope and of steadfastness beautifully emblazoned in the Bible and in all the writings of Ellen White, present in a marked manner four major points, I believe: (1) that human steadfastness bears witness to the faithfulness of God’s golden promises, (2) that it ever clearly and practically shows forth God’s abiding presence and sustaining grace, (3) that it testifies to the power of faith to withstand the powers of the world, (4) that it bears witness to the power of One mightier than Satan.

I cannot think of anything that furnishes us with such an inspired thought like this one in Refecting Christ, 357: “God does not prevent the plottings of wicked men, but He causes their devices to work for good to those who in trial and conflict maintain their faith and loyalty. Often the gospel labourer carries on his work amid storms of persecution, bitter opposition, and unjust reproach. At such times let him remember that the experience to be gained in the furnace of trial and affliction is worth all the pain it costs. Thus God brings His children near to Him, that he may show them their weakness and His strength. He teaches them to lean on Him. Thus He prepares them to meet emergencies, to fill positions of trust, and accomplish the great purpose for which their powers were given them.

“In all ages God’s appointed witnesses have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth’s sake. Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. David, the chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true to his allegiance to heaven. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions, and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his relatives and friends; yet he maintained his integrity.

“Jeremiah could not be deterred from speaking the words that God had given him to speak; and his testimony so enraged the King and Princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned because he preached Christ and Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful messenger for God to the Gentiles. And John was banished to the isle of Patmos “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Refecting Christ, 357.

The words of inspiration pay a glowing tribute to the adherents of truth in the early centuries when all the powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against the followers of Christ. The following words from the powerful book The Great Controversy say it all: “These persecutions, beginning under Nero about the time of the martyrdom of Paul, continued with greater or less fury for centuries. Christians were falsely accused of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities-famine, pestilence, and earthquake. As they became the objects of popular hatred and suspicion, informers stood ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They were condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes of religion, and pests of society. Great numbers were thrown to wild beasts or burned alive in the amphitheaters. Some were crucified; others were covered with the skins of wild animals and thrust into the arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment was often made the chief entertainment at public fetes (sic). Vast multitudes assembled to enjoy the sight and greeted their dying agonies with laughter and applause.

“Wherever they sought refuge, the followers of Christ were hunted like beasts of prey. They were forced to seek concealment in desolate and solitary places. ‘Destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.’ Hebrews 11:37, 38. The catacombs afforded shelter for thousands. Beneath the hills outside the city of Rome, long galleries had been tunneled through earth and rock; the dark and intricate network of passages extended miles beyond the city walls. In these underground retreats the followers of Christ buried their dead, and here also, when suspected and proscribed, they found a home. When the life-giver shall awaken those who have fought the good fight, many a martyr for Christ’s sake will come forth from those gloomy caverns.

“Under the fiercest persecution these witnesses for Jesus kept their faith unsullied. Though deprived of every comfort, shut away from the light of the sun, making their home in the dark but friendly bosom of the earth, they uttered no complaint. With words of faith, patience, and hope they encouraged one another to endure privation and distress. The loss of every earthly blessing could not force them to renounce their belief in Christ. Trials and persecution were but steps bringing them nearer their rest and their reward.

“Like God’s servants of old, many were ‘tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.’ Hebrews 11:35. They rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer for the truth, and songs of triumph ascended from the midst of crackling flames. Looking upward by faith, they saw Christ and angels leaning over the battlements of heaven, gazing upon them with the deepest interest and regarding their steadfastness with approval. A voice came down to them from the throne of God: ‘Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev. 2:10.’” Great Controversy, 40, 41.

The Ground of Steadfastness

Jesus said in Matthew 24:9, that “they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.” Smart as we may be, with our eyes wide open if we do not have that grace which establishes our souls and elevates and ennobles our character, we will lose ground when we are sorely tested. It is priceless advice that the heart be established with grace. Satan knows when to flatter and soothe our conscience, and when to launch his fierce attacks. The only thing that provides impregnability is when the heart is seasoned with the grace of God.

The devil may assail you with untold hardships; he may set loose the elements of affliction, with their powerful canons, but if you have faith, fortitude, and complete reliance on Christ, you will be unscathed. “That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love may have power.” Ephesians 3:16, 17.

We recall the earthquakes that spoiled the city of Philadelphia mentioned in the book of Revelation. The city was in the Roman province of Asia, in the west of modern Asiatic Turkey. It was founded by Eumenes, king of Pergamum, in the second century B.C., and named after his brother Philadelphus. It was situated near the upper end of a broad valley leading down through Sardis to the sea near Smyrna. It lay at the threshold of a very fertile tract of plateau country, from which much of its prosperity was derived. The area was subject to frequent earthquakes. A very severe one, in A.D., 17, totally destroyed the city, and as the shocks continued intermittently the people took to tarrying outside the city in tents.

The letter to the “angel of the church in Philadelphia” (Revelation 3:7–13) probably alludes to some of the circumstances of the city. As Philadelphus was renowned for his loyalty to his brother, so the Church, the true Philadelphia, inherits and fulfills his character by its steadfast loyalty to Christ (verses 8, 10). As the city stands by the “open door” of a region from which its wealth is derived, so the church is given an “open door” of opportunity to reflect the great attributes of Christ. In contrast to the instability of life in a city prone to earthquakes, those who “overcome” are promised the ultimate stability of being built into the temple of God; and whereas the city had taken new names from the emperors, those who “overcome” will be given new names which will denote their permanent membership of the city of the true God (verse 12).

Unwavering Stones

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (RSV). The import of these exhorting words to the church at Thessalonica to be steadfast, is equally directed to us today, for that power of evil which was present even in the days of Paul has continued its baleful work of suppression and persecution. It will crescendo as we near the close of time.

We are not to hope for immediate deliverance as we go through hard times. We are to do our work bravely and in the fear of God, not resigning ourselves to idle waiting. We should never let our anticipation of better times fade, in spite of the fact that the daily round of life and the opposition that we must meet appear doubly forbidding. These passages that follow provide us with incentives not to waver. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18. “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17,18.

“In the family and in his intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen, he was the steadfast, unwavering servant of God.

“In the midst of a life of active labour, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labours, the more constant and earnest were his prayers. He continued to exclude himself at certain periods from all society. After remaining for a time among the people, labouring to benefit them by instruction and example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart.

“His faith waxed stronger, his love became more ardent with the lapse of centuries.” Gospel Workers, 52.

A Witness to the World

The servants of the Lord have no honor or recognition in the world. Christ does not proffer to His followers the hope of gaining earthly glory and riches; of living a life free from trial. His followers are to lead a life of self-denial and of reproach. Christ had to vigorously contend with opposing elements of all sorts. His every word and act brought forth divine compassion; and His opposition to the world incurred intense wrath.

“So it will be with all who will live godly in Christ Jesus.” Acts of the Apostles, 476. As we go through life with the prospect of being unfairly treated by an unpitying confederacy of evil men, our attitude should testify to the power of faith to withstand the powers of the world. We read with admiration the exploits of those “of whom the world was not worthy.” Hebrews 11:38. The Scriptures tell us that those Christians “through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness . . . Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life.” Hebrews 11:33–35.

“The early Christians were indeed a peculiar people. Their blameless deportment and unswerving faith were a continual reproof that disturbed the sinner’s peace. Though few in numbers, without wealth, position, or honorary titles, they were a terror to evildoers wherever their character and doctrines were known.” Great Controversy, 46.

We are to exhibit such spirit as a witness to the world of the faithfulness of God’s promises, of His presence and grace.

“It is the work of faith to rest in God in the darkest hour, to feel, however sorely tried and tempest-tossed, that our Father is at the helm. The eye of faith alone can look beyond the things of time to estimate aright the worth of the eternal riches.” Acts of the Apostles, 575.

Despise to become an Arnold or a Judas

At times a catalogue of atrocities committed against those of sound faith, fails to push us on, despite all odds, to preserve and maintain primitive godliness. Christ views such a situation as treacherous. With many, this comes about when they turn from the truth, and sneer at their former convictions. Paul says in Hebrews 3:14 that such Christians do not share in Christ. “For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.” (RSV).

“Having once started in this way, they usually continue in it until the worldly element prevails and they sneer at their former convictions. They despise the simplicity manifested when their hearts were tender, and they find excuse to elude the sacred claims of the Church and of the crucified Redeemer . . .

“By ambition or indolence, skepticism or self-indulgence, Satan allures the young from the narrow path of holiness cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. They do not generally leave this path all at once. They are won away by degrees. Having taken one wrong step, they lose the witness of the Spirit to their acceptance with God. Thus they fall into a state of discouragement and distrust.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 41,42.

The time we are living in and what is ahead of us is fraught with unfavorable conditions and adverse circumstances. It is therefore very important that we learn how to have brazen feet. “For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yes, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.” Job 11:15.

“Those who study the Bible, counsel with God, and rely upon Christ will be enabled to act wisely at all times and under all circumstances. Good principles will be illustrated in actual life. Only let the truth for this time be cordially received and become the basis of character, which the allurements of pleasure, the fickleness of custom, the contempt of the world-loving, and the heart’s own clamors for self-indulgence are powerless to influence. Conscience must be first enlightened, the will must be brought in subjection . . .

“We have marked illustrations of the sustaining power of firm, religious principle. Even the fear of death could not make the fainting David drink the water of Bethlehem . . . The gaping lions could not keep Daniel from his daily prayers . . . Mark the character of Joseph. Virtue was severely tested, but its triumph was complete . . . The Lord was with him, and His word was law.

“Such firmness and untarnished principle shines brightest in contrast with the feebleness and inefficiency of the youth of this age . . . Just at the time when firmness and principle are most required, you will find him giving way; and if he does not become an Arnold or a Judas, it is because he lacks a fitting opportunity.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 43,44.

Mark Kojo Nuamahis a Minister and an Administrator at the Historic Seventh-day Adventist Church Headquarters in Ghana.