The Strife Part I
How Christianity, from the first century, deviated from the Holy Scriptures by S.V.M. originally written in Dutch in 1931, translated from Dutch by Aristarkos.
I. INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE OF THIS WRITING. In « The Purpose of the Ages and the Church of the Mystery » (not yet translated from Dutch) an overview is given of the conflict of the ages between the Son of God and Satan. We will now examine that conflict more closely, and see what takes place in the « interspace » in which Israel, God's People, is set aside, i.e. during the present dispensation, which begins at the end of the Acts period ± the year 60 and runs until the Day of the Lord. It is far from us wanting to give a discourse, which would more or less claim completeness. We want to touch on a few things and leave to others — more competent — to work this all out.
We will then first say something about Satan's activity and purpose. Then we want to consider a little about the Acts time, what Paul said about later times, and also about the conditions during the last years of Paul's life. Then we let the « Apostolic Fathers » speak in order to learn something from them about the first centuries, thus we come to the Roman Church and the Reformation. Finally, we add something about modern times.
There will be no talk about abuses and side issues, but as much as possible about the basics: What is the relationship of Christendom and her groups to God's Word and God's People.
Looking back, it is curious to see how much has been spoken, written, disputed, and fought about effects, and how little about causes. We think we have good reason to attribute the root cause of all the division and weakness in Christendom to not literally believing (where at all possible) ALL that the God-inspired prophets have written. This disbelief expresses itself in two ways in particular, which, as far as our subject is concerned, are these:
1. One leaves Paul, where he speaks of the Church of the Mystery.
2. They do not believe in the literal fulfillment of the prophets concerning Israel and then apply those things « spiritually » to the « Church ».
Actually, the second point is usually a consequence of the first. If you now keep this in mind, you will understand how weak the believers of this dispensation have stood against the governments and other spirit beings. They have the sword of the Spirit, God's Word, not used enough. The first century shows an almost complete turning away from Paul and a turning away appropriating Israelite privileges, ceremonies, etc. which were then mixed with pagan customs. From it crystallizes itself the Roman Church. Later the battle is resumed by the Reformers, but those great men who felt many things were not in order, did not clearly see the basic flaw. It came closer to what Paul in his first period (during Acts) taught, but did not follow him in what he went through when he announced his second epoch on the Great Mystery. So they continued to spiritualize the prophecy. That was and is still the weak point of the Reformation. One could (can) point to all kinds of abuses of the Roman Church, to all kinds of things for which there is no good ground, either in God's Word, nor even with the Apostles and Fathers of the Church, they still remain weak against the adoption of the « Apostolic Tradition », takes one does not assume a new meaning with Paul after Acts, then one must inevitably refer to the 12 Apostles of Israel going back, to their tradition and not to what in God's Word is written. And then the battle is almost lost, because the only weapon loses its power through spiritualization. The present state of Christianity proves to what extent it has not used the Word of God, so has left it lie closed.
BACK TO THE SCRIPTURES. There is only one solution for them, who kind of see all this, back to God's Word. Now let us not be accused of pride, as if we were better off want to know than the « Fathers », as if we were above the Reformers want to place. We recognize our weakness and wish to deeply humble us here, that in the next we wont be allowed to write in our own strength about the battle against Satan.
For Israel, humiliation was the way to true rest (Lev. 16:29, 31 etc.). Humility (lowliness) gives a good place in the kingdom (Mt. 18:4). He who humbles himself (humiliates) will be exalted (Mt. 23:12). The Lord Himself humiliates Himself (humbled - Phil. 2:8). If you think you are something, you come to nothing. God must be everything. Also God's Word must be everything. The other only stands in the way of the truth. So do we want the full truth, therefore true and full humility. Paul speaks specifically about it precisely in his Captivity Epistles (Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3; Col. 3:1, 2) People should not therefore think that we claim to know everything correctly and then wish to write it down here in a more or less comprehensible form. No, even if our expressions might sometimes lead one to think that we are expressing the full truth, then we do not take the position of possessing the truth exclusively. We write down our conviction, but know that it only can approach the truth. Recognizing this is the only way to the truth. We have scrutinized many other opinions and write about most of them only after extensive research. We therefore believe that we approach the truth more than others. We are corrected in this, if one thinks one see it better then, after careful examination of our statement, point out the errors.
Therefore, should the careful reader be able to find errors and mistakes in the parts, we are assured of walking in a safe path by holding wholly to God's Word, and if necessary reject all of Christendom. Although we still have so much reverence and awe for all « Fathers », the touchstone will still be: God's Word and that in full. By this we mean that we must take it entirely as it is, both literally and spiritually. All that e.g. has been said of Israel, we take literally for Israel. If it is not fulfilled yet, we will take it for the future. This in no way prevents us from also retaining the spiritual meaning, on the contrary, we have it even more fully. For we point not only to what we as a people or as individuals learn from the past of Israel, but also to what we can learn in the future of this People. Things that have not yet been fulfilled also have a spiritual meaning and that is why they must actually happen, because it is the special thing of the spirit to realize itself in reality.
So we humbly accept everything as God has given it to us in His Word and pretend not to know any better, substituting our personal « spiritual » meaning for it.
It is gratifying that during the last hundred years (please note, this is written nearly hundred years ago) there has been a noticeable return to the pure Word. However, we believe that we should go further in this direction than most. This is not the way to success. Our path will be solitary as far as man is concerned, but we hope to present ourselves so tried before God. A well-known Dutch writer has said: « If unity suffers from this, it is felt with deep sorrow. If it promotes unity, it brings great joy. But however, whatever the consequences, for all things hold the truth. Don't let go of the precious possession God gave you. Fight for it with all your heart ». We therefore do not wish to let go of what Paul has made known to us.
In our investigation we will be forced to speak of human thoughts and writings. That is not from the scriptures, yet we think it may serve here in addition. Although it is not a basis for our faith, it can show us what the weaknesses were of other believers, what methods Satan has used through the ages. This can serve to teach us to make better use of the sword of the Spirit, God's Word.
Aristarkos