Martyrs Before The General Close of Probation

Prophesy Again
Pastor Andrew Henriques
www.prophesyagain.com
Martyrs Before The General Close of Probation
1. Let us read Revelation 13:1-10.
2. What does a beast represent in Bible prophecy? Daniel 7:17,23_________________________________________________________
3. Which nation is likened unto the leopard in Revelation 13:1-10? This nation blasphemes God and persecutes God’s saints.
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In chapter 13 (verses 1-10) is described another beast, "like unto a leopard," to which the dragon gave "his power, and his seat,
and great authority." This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and
authority once held by the ancient Roman empire...This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of
Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy. {GC 439.1}
4. Revelation 13:3 and 10 state that the Papacy would be led into captivity and receive a deadly would. In order to comprehend this
scripture read the following.
"Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." And, says the prophet, "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded
to death." And again: "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword." The
forty and two months are the same as the "time and times and the dividing of time," three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7 - the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began with the
supremacy of the papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time the pope was made captive by the French army, the papal power
received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." {GC 439.2}
5. Who is the lamb-like beast with two horns that began to rise to prominence in the time period of 1798?__________________________
What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention
of the world? The application of the symbol admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it
points unmistakably to the United States of America. {GC 440.2}
6a. What is meant by the fact that the United States will speak as a dragon (Revelation 13:11)? Isaiah 14:12-14; Matthew 4:8,9;
Revelation 12:17_________________________________________________________________________________________________
6b. When the United States speaks, what will she say? Revelation 13:15_____________________________________________________
The lamblike horns and dragon voice of the symbol point to a striking contradiction between the professions and the practice of
the nation thus represented. The "speaking" of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities. By such action it will give the
lie to those liberal and peaceful principles which it has put forth as the foundation of its policy. The prediction that it will speak "as a dragon"
and exercise "all the power of the first beast" plainly foretells a development of the spirit of intolerance and persecution that was manifested
by the nations represented by the dragon and the leopardlike beast. And the statement that the beast with two horns "causeth the earth and
them which dwell therein to worship the first beast" indicates that the authority of this nation is to be exercised in enforcing some
observance which shall be an act of homage to the papacy. {GC 442.1}
7. Once the National Sunday Law, the Mark of the Beast, is enforced what will happen to some of God’s faithful people?
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The two armies will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of truth
will come on the side of God's commandment-keeping people. When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing
conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in
defense of the truth. They will be brought before kings and rulers, and before councils to meet the false, absurd, and lying accusations
brought against them, but they must stand firm as a rock to principle, and the promise is, "As thy days so shall thy strength
be." (Deuteronomy 33:25). You will not be tempted above what you are able to bear. Jesus bore all this and far more. The express
command of God must be obeyed, for God has been working. Luke 21:8-19. {1888 484.1} or {3SM 397.4}
8. At which point will there be no more martyrs, according to the sequence of end time events?__________________________________
The eye of God, looking down the ages, was fixed upon the crisis which His people are to meet, when earthly powers shall be
arrayed against them. Like the captive exile, they will be in fear of death by starvation or by violence...If the blood of Christ's faithful
witnesses were shed at this time, it would not, like the blood of the martyrs, be as seed sown to yield a harvest for God. Their
fidelity would not be a testimony to convince others of the truth; for the obdurate heart has beaten back the waves of mercy until they return
no more. If the righteous were now left to fall a prey to their enemies, it would be a triumph for the prince of darkness. Says the psalmist: "In
the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me." Psalm 27:5. {GC 634.1}
It was an hour of fearful, terrible agony to the saints. Day and night they cried unto God for deliverance. To outward appearance,
there was no possibility of their escape. The wicked had already begun to triumph, crying out, "Why doesn't your God deliver you out of our
hands? Why don't you go up and save your lives?" But the saints heeded them not, Like Jacob, they were wrestling with God. The
angels longed to deliver them, but they must wait a little longer; the people of God must drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism.
So I saw that the people of God, who had faithfully warned the world of His coming wrath, would be delivered. God would not suffer the
wicked to destroy those who were expecting translation and who would not bow to the decree of the beast or receive his mark. I saw that if
the wicked were permitted to slay the saints, Satan and all his evil host, and all who hate God, would be gratified. And oh, what a
triumph it would be for his satanic majesty to have power, in the last closing struggle, over those who had so long waited to behold Him
whom they loved! Those who have mocked at the idea of the saints' going up will witness the care of God for His people and behold their
glorious deliverance. {EW 284.1}
9a. The following statements show that there will be martyrs before the general close of probation.
Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God's people in the closing scenes of
the great day of atonement. The remnant church will then be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of
God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. {PK 587.2}
Those who are true to God will be menaced, denounced, proscribed. They will be "betrayed both by parents, and
brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends," even unto death. Luke 21:16. {PK 588.1}
9b. Meditate upon Luke 21:12-16 and write your thoughts_________________________________________________________________
The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have
step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be,
rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments
of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. {5T 81.1}
10. Consider the experience of Jerome. “In self-reproach for his own denial of the truth, Jerome continued: ‘Of all the sins that I have
committed since my youth, none weigh so heavily on my mind, and cause me such poignant remorse, as that which I committed in this fatal
place, when I approved of the iniquitous sentence rendered against Wycliffe, and against the holy martyr, John Huss, my master and my
friend. Yes! I confess it from my heart, and declare with horror that I disgracefully quailed when, through a dread of death, I
condemned their doctrines.’” {GC 113.2}
“Unmoved by the tempest, Jerome exclaimed: ‘What! do you suppose that I fear to die? You have held me for a whole year in a
frightful dungeon, more horrible than death itself. You have treated me more cruelly than a Turk, Jew, or pagan, and my flesh has literally
rotted off my bones alive; and yet I make no complaint, for lamentation ill becomes a man of heart and spirit; but I cannot but express my
astonishment at such great barbarity toward a Christian.’” {GC 114.2}
“Erelong sentence of condemnation was passed upon him. He was led out to the same spot upon which Huss had yielded up his
life. He went singing on his way, his countenance lighted up with joy and peace. His gaze was fixed upon Christ, and to him death had lost
its terrors. When the executioner, about to kindle the pile, stepped behind him, the martyr exclaimed: ‘Come forward boldly; apply the fire
before my face. Had I been afraid, I should not be here.’" {GC 114.8}
“His last words, uttered as the flames rose about him, were a prayer. ‘Lord, Almighty Father,’ he cried, ‘have pity on me, and
pardon me my sins; for Thou knowest that I have always loved Thy truth.’" {GC 115.1}
11. What did Jesus say to His disciples as the crisis of persecution drew near? What is Jesus saying to us? Matthew 26:31-35
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12. What was the work of preparation for the time of persecution? Matthew 26:38-46; Luke 22:42-48_______________________________
13. Consider the fact that children are going to be martyrs for Jesus, as the children of the past.
“As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on
their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they
were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on
their garments." {EW 18.2}
14. Who was the first martyr for Jesus? Why was he slain? 1 John 3:12______________________________________________________
15. Who was the first Christian martyr? What was the principal theme of his message to God’s professed people? What revelation did he
receive just before dying? What was his prayer? Acts 7:47-60___________________________________________________________
16. What effect did Stephen’s martyrdom have on Saul? _________________________________________________________________
The martyrdom of Stephen made a deep impression upon all who witnessed it. The memory of the signet of God upon his face; his
words, which touched the very souls of those who heard them, remained in the minds of the beholders, and testified to the truth of that
which he had proclaimed. His death was a sore trial to the church, but it resulted in the conviction of Saul, who could not efface from
his memory the faith and constancy of the martyr, and the glory that had rested on his countenance. {AA 101.3}
17. What did the Lord say to Paul, when he was called to the ministry? Acts 9:15,16____________________________________________
18a. John the Baptist died a martyr. Why was John put in prison? Matthew 14:2-10_____________________________________________
18b. Consider the communication between Jesus and John the Baptist. Matthew 11:2-6
Jesus did not interpose to deliver His servant. He knew that John would bear the test. Gladly would the Savior have come to
John, to brighten the dungeon gloom with His own presence. But He was not to place Himself in the hands of enemies and imperil His own
mission. Gladly would He have delivered His faithful servant. But for the sake of thousands who in after years must pass from prison to
death, John was to drink the cup of martyrdom. As the followers of Jesus should languish in lonely cells, or perish by the sword, the rack, or
the fagot, apparently forsaken by God and man, what a stay to their hearts would be the thought that John the Baptist, to whose faithfulness
Christ Himself had borne witness, had passed through a similar experience! {DA 224.2}
19. What did the Lord say to Peter? John 21:18,19_______________________________________________________________________
20. Yet where was Peter’s focus at first? John 21:20,21___________________________________________________________________
21. What is the Lord’s promise to us?_________________________________________________________________________________
We will not be able to meet the trials of this time without God. We are not to have the courage and fortitude of martyrs of old
until brought into the position they were in. . . . We are to receive daily supplies of grace for each daily emergency. Thus we grow in
grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and if persecution comes upon us, if we must be enclosed in prison walls for the faith
of Jesus and the keeping of God's holy law, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." Should there be a return of persecution there would
be grace given to arouse every energy of the soul to show a true heroism.... {OHC 125.4}
22. Meditate upon the following and write your thoughts___________________________________________________________________
“The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed. Then the
Saviour's promise was fulfilled.” {DA 354.3}
“A great work is to be accomplished; broader plans must be laid; a voice must go forth to arouse the nations. Men whose faith is
weak and wavering are not the ones to carry forward the work at this important crisis. We need the courage of heroes and the faith of
martyrs.” {5T 187.4}
“There is a picture representing a bullock standing between a plow and an altar, with the inscription, ‘Ready for either,’ ready to
toil in the furrow or to be offered on the altar of sacrifice. This is the position of the true child of God--willing to go where duty calls, to
deny self, to sacrifice for the Redeemer's cause.” {MH 502.5}
“It is not for me to decide whether my life or my death will contribute most to the salvation of all. . . . You may expect
everything from me. . . except flight and recantation. Fly I cannot, and still less retract." {GC 146.1}